Cargoes Autumn 2022 by The Inland Waterways Association

Autumn 2022 Newsletter of Guildford & Reading Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches

2 Index Basingstoke Canal Society Page: 6 John FocusPinkertononAccessible Boating Association British Canoeing Page: 27 Byfleet Boat Club Page: 10 Canalway Cavalcade Page: 40 Chichester Ship Canal Trust Page: 10 Guildford & Reading Branch Page: 5 Sales and Publicity Stand Kent & East Sussex Branch IWAKES Page: 28 Thames & Medway Canal Association River DartfordRiverHampsteadMedwayMarinaAdurandCrayford Creek Waterways World River Thames River SussexStourOuse Restoration Trust Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Page: 14 CroftonReadingNewburyBeam Engines Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Page: 12 Mikron Theatre Group Page: 45 Oxfordshire Branch Page: 36 Tooley’s Boatyard Trust Oxford Canal Festival Region Chair Report Page: 4 River Thames Page: 25 River Wey & Godalming Navigations Page: 19 National Trust South London Branch Page: 40 Towpath Walks Page: 44 Wey & Arun Canal Trust Page: 22 Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Page: 38

Photo Courtesy: John Fletcher Neil Edwards

David Moore, who died in July, aged 83, was Chairman of IWA’s South East Region for nearly twelve years.

Further hire boat holidays generated sufficient interest for Dave to visit the London Boat Show and join the Association. Within a couple of years he had volunteered to help on IWA’s stand at the boat show and continued to do so every year for many years. In 1975, Dave joined IWA Chelmsf ord Branch’s committee as sales officer, and by 1980 he had become chairman of IWA Chelmsford Branch. In October 1982 he was elevated to become chairman of South East Region, which in those days consisted of seven branches: Chelmsford, Guildford & Reading, Hertfordshire, Kent & East Sussex, London, Oxfordshire and Solent & Arun. During Dave’s time, all region chairmen were also ex-officio trustees of the Association.

Editor’s note: We understand Dave was also Chair of IWAKES branch from 2001 to 2003. Though living in Essex, as no one in IWAKES was able to take the Chair, he travelled many times through the Dartford Tunnel on Branch business.

During his term as Region Chairman, and for many years beyond, Dave was a keen member of IWA’s sales team, travelling to help at stands at shows other than the London Boat Show. In 1986, he was Chairman of IWA’s highly successful National Rally held at Brentford. He remained Region Chairman until standing down in 1991, but took up office again in January 1993 as his successor had to stand down when London Branch divided into three and became a Region, as his successor was in the new Region. Dave served as Region Chairman until April 1995. Having taken early retirement, he then stood in as (p aid) temporary office supervisor at IWA’s then Regent’s Park Road office for the summer of 1995. Dave was a keen supporter of WRG, often working with London WRG at weekends. He was awarded a Richard Bird Medal in 2002 in recognition of his work for IWA over many years. He also set up and chaired the Friends of the London Canal Museum. Throughout this period, Dave was ably supported by his wife Mavis, and daughters Judith and Alison, with the whole family providing wide-ranging support for the Association. Judith became a regular WRG Navvy, eventually marrying Mike Palmer (WRG chairman), becoming an IWA trustee and national treasurer. Following Dave’s retirement, he and Mavis moved to Staffordshire and Dave became a keen supporter and marketing manager for Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. He was also an active trustee for six years. In other interests, Dave was an avid collector of historical canal cards and a prominent figure in the Canal Card Collector’s Circle. He was also passionate about Thames Sailing Barges and volunteered with the Norfolk Wherry Albion in his time. Mavis predeceased Dave in 2018.

Dave first went on a canal hire boat holiday in 1963, and enjoyed it enough to return for more of the same in 1965.

DavidObituaryMoore

. So far Summer has been hotter than some are able to cope with, so I hope you were able to still enjoy your time on or near our waterways.; It has been lovely to read the reports coming in about the number of events that have taken place so far this year with many more to come.

Photo: IWA Website Verna Smith, Region Chair

Cover Photo Courtesy: Bernard Snell IWAKES

Photo: John Jones Chris Jones Editor From the Region Chair

Sunset over Windsor Racecourse

When the Environment Agency is warning of possible restrictions to lock use on the River Thames due to looming water shortages, it also means that waterways with less reliable water supplies, such as the Basingstoke are in trouble. Following three dry winters the aquifers are severely depleted, leading to the closure of whole sections due to low water levels. A similar pattern can be seen further north. Perhaps not the best year to have planned a long cruise.

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Cargoes

4 Editorial

One challenge all event managers have had is finding sufficient volunteers to help run the event. If you can help, in any way, please let us know. I hope you have a pleasant Autumn on, in and around our waterways.

I am pleased to report that the most recent meeting of the small Thames User Group saw a welcome level of engagement from EA staff. Members of the group stated their wish to contribute to timely solutions for the water points, broken pump-out facilities, and lock manning issues. Elsewhere, the water leakage on Crookham Deeps on the Basingstoke still awaits a complete solution and the bank slippage problems above Odiham are yet to resolved, several years after the initial issue was highlighted. It is a complex problem, but it is not improving while the County Council makes a decision about remedial works. It is an unfortunate reality that canals will always need mending because they are artificial structures which are subject to degradation through time. I wish you a great autumn, and hope to see you at the Festival of Water at Burton On Trent over the August Bank Holiday, Oxford Canal Day on the 17th September and Banbury Canal Festival over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd October.

Photo: Wey River Festival by Guildford Rocks co.uk

Sat 17th September: Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf, Guildford.

Guildford & Reading Branch Branch Chairman

Sales & Publicity Stand

The Sales Team

Although we were unable attend some of the events due to the absence of volunteers, we are still hoping to attend the River Wey Festival and assist at Oxford and BanburyPlease contact Ben Scott (benboattrain@gmail.com) or any of the Sales Team if you can help at any of the events, our email address is chris.jones@waterways.org.uk.

Future Events

The sun continues to shine and the rain is reluctant to fall anywhere south of Birmingham, making boating tricky in the south of the country; well that was the case at the end of July! Verna Smith (acting Chair)

Sat 17th September: Oxford Canal Festival , Although this event is not in the G&R area we are hoping to assist IWA Oxford Branch.

Sat 1st & Sun 2nd October: Banbury Canal Festival , Although this event is not in the G&R area we are hoping to assist IWA Oxford Branch.

Thank you to all of you who answered my plea for material for a “Christmas Quiz”. Some helpful material for inclusion next time. At the AGM Mike Lewis, honorary treasurer, asked for suggestions to spend our branch funds, which the committee had earmarked for distribution. The charity “Swingbridge” was suggested, which operates a trip boat at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. After some research the committee decided to split the donation between three other groups as well, all operating accessible boats. It is always helpful for the committee to have a list of potential suitable groups or projects for any donations in the future. On this topic we were unable to take the sales stand to a couple of events due to a lack of volunteers but there is still time to help at the River Wey Festival, the Oxford Canal Festival and the Banbury Canal Festival. We will need to review our capacity to attend events next year.

BasingstokeSocietyCanal New Leadership Take the Tiller

The Basingstoke Canal Society is very pleased to share the news that longstanding volunteers Ian Moore and Tony Balchin have been confirmed as our new Chairman and Vice-chairman respectively.

Ian and Tony bring a wealth of society knowledge and experience to their new roles, having previously held roles in the executive committee and working across strategy, managing our trip boats and lobbying. Kitty II Project We continue to fundraise for our new Kitty II trip boat but have made enough progress that we are happy to now consider and book a build date.

Friday 3rd June, saw a small, but effective boat rally at The Fox and Hounds as part of the Fleet four-day celebration. ABA volunteers brought Dawn to the boat rally beside Don’s narrowboat, a visiting trail boat and a variety of local boats. The 26th Odiham

Regular readers will know that we have been planning to replace our original Kitty with an all-electric boat that is much better adapted for the less abled and non-polluting for an environmentally-sound future. As part of this project we also plan to install several charging points on the canal in Woking, which will represent our first step towards making the canal fully electric for all users.

Thursday 2nd June was a superb sunny day that brought families out to Frimley Lodge Park to enjoy arena events and variety of stalls for the Surrey Heath Mayor’s Family Fun Day. Enthusiastic volunteers were there to join in the fun and cheerfully provide information about the canal and Basingstoke Canal Society.

We’ve been delighted to see the return of lots of events following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. Basingstoke Canal Society volunteers have taken part in and supported over the summer include: The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee :

Welcome Return of Community Events

Mikron Theatre Show: We welcomed back the Mikron Theatre with its performance of Raising Agents, a celebration of 100 years of the WI. This professional touring theatre company is celebrating its 50th year of touring and performing in village halls, care homes, pub gardens, allotments and from British waterways from their canal narrowboat Tyseley!

7 (Fleet) Sea Scouts gave two canoe displays and there were continuous coming and going of paddle boarders on the water too. Fleet Carnival: The 2nd July saw us pitching the BCS stand in a very windy and rather chilly Fleet park. The arrival of the carnival parade in the early afternoon brought families to enjoy a few hours of fun and festivity. The Buzzer Box and John Ross’ dinghy Elizabeth Rose brought Rosie & Jim enthusiasts to our pitch and also raised some funds for Kitty II. Visitors to the BCS stand were keen to chat about summer plans, took away information about boat trips and a few souvenirs of their day out.

Dogmersfield Fete & Flower Show: Saturday 16th July - A very hot Saturday afternoon saw attendance numbers down on previous years. Never-the-less we were there, talking to locals and visitors alike. We spread out along a vacant space to made use of the shade from an extra gazebo and display information banners of the Basingstoke Canal Society.

The Mikron performers have travelled south to the Basingstoke Canal for many years, supported by the Basingstoke Canal Society. They have entertained us at locations along our local canal, including The Fox and Hounds, Fleet and The Waterwitch, Odiham. On Tuesday 16th August at 7:00pm, they were at a new venue; The Mill House, North Warnborough.

8 Still to come!

A special themed public trip featuring an ABBA Tribute with fish and chips supper takes place on 9th September, followed by a Ramble and Cruise on 15 th September.Information for times and prices for these trips and how to charter the boat for a special occasion or social outing is available on our website: https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/book-your-trip/Allbookingsaredoneonlinebutforhelpemail: jpbookings@basingstokecanal.org.uk, or call: 07506 864411 (10am 6pm).

The Odiham Raft Race returns to Colt Hill at 11am on Sunday, 4 th September, promising lots of fun for all whether taking part or cheering from the banks.

Installation of Noticeboards: Our new noticeboards providing canal visitors information about the canal, its history and wildlife have now been installed. This marks the conclusion of a project to enhance visitors’ experience along the canal by highlighting points of interest along its length for which we raised £20,000. This is one of them: Summer Boat Trips: The John Pinkerton trip boat operates from Odiham in Hampshire, running public, themed and chartered cruises. Trips last about 3.25 hours at the moment (always dependent on water level) and run through farms, woodlands and the occasional small settlement. The canal is well known for its dragonflies and damselflies which are abundant this time of year. Public trips ran on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday through August and continue in September, usually at 2pm but occasionally at 10am.

Trips from Mytchett: Boat trips on board our friendly 12-seater boat Rosebud usually run at weekends and on public holidays from Easter to September. Please contact us for up to date information. Tel 01252 370073, email info@basingstokecanal.co.uk or check on Facebook or Twitter.

Fri 9th Sept. 7.00 9.30pm: A special evening cruise to the Sounds of ABBA with a Fish and Chip supper. Emma & Jenny bring you a fabulous evening of all your favourite ABBA Hits with live harmonies and most importantly a whole lot of fun! Fish and chips is included in the ticket price and our galley is stocked with a wide selection of ales, wine, soft drinks and hot drinks for you to purchase throughout the cruise. Price £27.50. Thurs 15th Sept 11.30 12.45 or 2.00 3.15pm Cruise and ramble, ramble and cruise or cruise return with ploughman’s lunch. Enjoy an autumn day along the canal. The trip starts and ends at Colt Hill wharf. Walk and ride back or ride and walk back. If you just want to enjoy cruising through nature, then a return ticket is available. A ploughman’s lunch is included in the ticket price and available for all options.

20th Oct. 10.30am 1.30pm. A leisurely autumn cruise with stops for artistic opportunities. A leisurely morning trip on JP II. With stops along the way to take photographs, sketch or just enjoy the view, guided by a well known local artist. Bring along your camera or sketch book to capture what you see. A 3 hour cruise. Plenty of time to enjoy the canal and surrounding area. Price £12.50

Price: Cruise & Ramble/Ramble & Cruise £12.50 or Cruise both ways £15.00.

If you have special dietary requirements, please note when booking, or contact the Booking Team. jpbookings@basingstoke-canal.org.uk.

Theme Trips - Special cruises from Colt Hill Wharf in Odiham

Trips aboard the John Pinkerton II and Kitty Boat Trips: Kitty public boat trips are at 11am, 1pm and 2.45pm. John Pinkerton II public boat trips at 2pm on the 1st May. There are several theme trips also planned. Charter trips on both boats so far booked are shown in the list of Scheduled Trips & Events. If you would like to charter on a day without a trip shown, please contact us at https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk or phone the Booking Team on 07506 864411 (10am 6pm). Cruising in the peaceful surroundings of the Basingstoke Canal is a great way to relax. You can charter the whole boat for exclusive use by family, friends or work colleagues

Byfleet Boat Club enjoyedYoungsters“messing about in boats” on the BBC stand at Byfleet Parish Day on 16th July. After an absence of two years the show was bigger and better than ever. The BBC hire boats are always a popular attraction especially as the public can win free boat hire in the tombola. Boat hire is an important part of our fundraising activity as well as providing recreation on the River Wey.

Mike Chamberlain

Focus on Accessible Boating Association The Accessible Boating Association, (Accessible Boating or ABA), is a registered charity initiated in 1985 by Mildred Stocks, then Chairman of Hart District Council, who wanted to enable people who couldn’t use existing canal boats to enjoy cruises on the Basingstoke Canal.

Chichester Canal 200th anniversary celebrations continue It’s certainly a season to remember to Chichester Canal, as the bicentenary celebrations continue. What’s of particular note is the number of partnerships that are being strengthened and created with cultural and heritage organisations across the city, and we will nurture these in the future.

Two boats are available: Madam Butterfly is a comfortable 7-berth cruising boat and Dawn is a 12-person day boat Both boats are based in Odiham at Galleon Marine’s boatyard with trips operating from Colt Hill Wharf from April to October. For more details see the website www.accessibleboating.org.uk . New volunteers are always welcome; speak to one of our volunteers or contact our Chairman, John Ranson at chairman@accessibleboating.org.uk

Chichester Ship Canal Trust

Alan made history not only for the first in-person presentation since Covid, but also the first hybrid presentation, and welcoming over 170 people online! Our volunteers worked in partnership with the Novium to curate a year-long exhibition of the 200 years of history. Our volunteers were invited to tea and cake at the Novium and a hosted private viewing of the exhibition. It’s open till March 2023 so do pop in.The Friends of Old Ford to Hunston were keen to be part of the celebrations and hosted a Guided Walk in May. They recently published a new Walking Guide to the route, which you can pick up in our Café. Please do support them. The Friends are hoping to do a similar longer walk next year to celebrate “their” stretch of canal turning 200 and we look forward to supporting that. We’re proud to be part of #CultureSpark, Chichester District’s celebration of culture through 2022. The Canal Basin hosted the Carnival of Lights, organised by the Festival Theatre and supported by a number of local organisations. The procession of lanterns made their way from Priory Park to the basin, where families were treated to music and performancesdance as well as street food. volunteersOur had embraced lantern making and created not only an enormous willow frame papier mache swan, but also a terrapin, two butterflies and a colourful fish. Thank you to our volunteers for their creative contributions, and to the local schoolchildren for carrying them in the parade. Thanks to a suggestion from two of our volunteers, we have installed a new sign on the bridge at Hunston.

Alan Green, local author and historian, kindly gave the Bicentennial Lecture at the West Sussex Record Office in April.

12 This marks the spot where JMW Turner painted his famous Cathedral and Canal view back in c.1828. We hope this will help visitors to learn more about the history of the canal during their walk or boat trip.

Alan Green joined us again on board Richmond for a cheese and wine evening. Rather than sharing the history of the canal chronologically, as we are used to, he presented it geographically as we cruised past different places. Thought provoking and fascinating as always. In July the Chichester Priory Rotary’s popular Dragon Boat Challenge returned again to the canal to bring the community together and raise money for local charities. Our own volunteer team the Canal Canardlies did themselves proud and placed third. We will be taking part in Heritage Open Day on Saturday 10th September enabledcanalaholiccanal-heritage1www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/explore-200-years-of-chichester-We’veourveryownpodcast!ThankyoutoBBC2NewsreaderandAdamPorterforhisdulcettonesandtechnicalwizardrywhichhasustobuildaseriesofpodcasts.YoucanfindthemonSpotify,Google

ARTEL, the contemporary art group, were inspired by our 200th anniversary to create their 2022 exhibition based on the canal history. They exhibited for two weeks at the Oxmarket Contemporary in late June. You can hear more from the artists in our 6th “Canalcast” podcast.

The Friends of Maidenhead Waterways (FoMW) have had a busy year so far on and off the water, with progress on a number of fronts. We were pleased to announce the appointment of Theresa May MP as Patron of FoMW the charity. A long term supporter of the project and our local MP for 25 years, Mrs May has followed the project from inception and regularly visits the waterway to view progress. Container being craned in.

MaidenheadRestorationWaterwaysGroup

July 6th saw a very special visit to the restored waterway by the Queen’s Baton Relay team, on their way to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. After being greeted by civic leaders and cheered on by hundreds of school children in the Ramp and boating platform at Chapel Arches

Dry storage at the rear of the arches Weed cutter boat in action

Two significant developments have moved the project forward this year: the addition of a shipping container to store our channel clearance kit in; and a new ramp and boat loading platform at Chapel Arches right in the town centre. The container was a tight fit in its allotment location next to the Green Lane weir, but is now fully operational. More significantly, the new boat loading platform at Chapel Arches, right in the centre of town, is now complete and fully operational. The ramp and floating platform provide easy access to/from boats next to the streamside cafés and into the town centre. As part of the project both the closed western and central bridge arches have been cleared at the rear to provide a raised dry storage area for FoMW’s use, with power and lighting installed. Three service boats are now moored on the water under the arches, accessed directly from the new platform and able to be easily deployed for litter clearance and recreational use. Our latest addition is a 100 year old open carvel planked wooden launch called Barrian, complete with an outboard, remote steering and comfy cushions.Aspecialist weed cutter boat returned to the town centre channels for a pre-season clearance to remove excess weed, particularly the floating blanket weed that had built up towards the weir. Care was taken to avoid disturbing any nesting areas and to clear only the upper layer of weed (which otherwise clogs paddles and props), leaving the beneficial oxygenating Water Starwort closer to the bed undisturbed. Pictured in action near the weir, it is an amazing machine and far more effective than manual clearance by volunteers. Following Environment Agency advice we are also treating the waterway with a beneficial bacteria called Byofix to help reduce blanket weed. With this summer’s extreme heat once more driving weed growth, we have booked the weed cutter boat again for an end of season visit.

. It was great to hold the event once again after the hiatus of the last couple of years due to Covid. It proved a very successful day, with large crowds on the towpath and in the adjacent Victoria Park. With plenty to celebrate not only the first festival since 2018, but also the 60th anniversary of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, the theme of the event was “Let’s Party”

- we are busy planning this year’s event and will report in the next issue of Cargoes

Newbury Branch

After the success of last year’s inaugural Maidenhead Waterways Fun Daysee https://youtu.be/ghgsB4jq8R0

By the time you read this we will probably have forgotten the long hot days of summer, including the 3 rd July when we staged Newbury Waterways Festival

. The coveted Brewers Trophy for the best dressed boat was won by the youth boat Falcon Adam, decorated like a teddy bears’ tea party by Guides, Brownies and the like, and with posters and banners reflecting the party theme, it well deserved to win. We were entertained during the Festival by The Crofton Stokers with their easy blend of music, and the Mis-spent Ukes, who also entertained the traditional boaters’ supper the evening before. The day finished as normal with our duck race, with lots of spectators enjoying watching. Great fun as always. Our trip boat MV Jubilee ran extra trips during the day and Queen’s Baton riding on Barrian Schoolchildren in the amphitheatre awaiting the Queen’s Baton

Kennet & Avon Canal News

Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees

14 adjoining amphitheatre, the Baton bearer was carried along the waterway in Barrian (pictured) up to Chapel Arches, disembarking at the new platform to continue its journey around the UK and on to Birmingham.

Sarah Foley Reading Chairman’sBranchReport

Hello all I hope you are all having a good summer. As always, we have been watching the wildlife over the last few months. We have seen the Swallows arrive and saw an increase in numbers, all perching on the nearby electric cables. We feared that with the sudden heat wave, we may have lost the young birds but a few days later all appeared to be once again providing the fascinating aerial acrobatic exhibition. We have seen green woodpeckers with their undulating flight and hopping around the ground looking for bugs and ants. Our resident Herons sit cheekily on the bankside in apparent indifference as we pass by but you can see their beady eye follow our journey. Special interest was an Egret perched in the trees near Southcote Moorings and the magic of seeing Gloworms down by duckbilled weir area at Fobney. We had a great day at Reading Water Fest this year, lots of people with smiling faces. Water Fest is a tremendous opportunity to embrace the local talents and organisations and enjoy musicians on three stages. The floating stage gives a great addition to the walk along the cut adding to the atmosphere. The waterside length of Chestnut Walk was fully occupied and had some great things to see and people to talk to. We had Blacksmith boat Emily Brontë demonstrating their craft. Next door was Lancing, one of the first Kennet & Avon trip boats. Paul Fit has done an amazing job to bring her back to GUCC working boat colours. We are

15 sold out every trip. Many thanks to all the stall holders, helpers, boaters, and organisers in making this a Festival to be proud of. Jubilee continued to be very busy during the summer, with our special pirate trips and summer evening cruises proving to be very popular.The boat finishes the autumn with a run of Halloween trips for children. Join us for a Creepy Cruise on Tuesday 25th, Thursday 27th and Saturday 29th October. These are trips when passengers and crew dress up, have fun and there is even a chance to try our “trick or treat” box! For details of these and all trips, including our Santa trips at Christmas, see our website jubilee@katrust.org.uk.

16 hoping Paul will join us at one of our branch meetings in the near future. Boats Annie and Floradora had many looking and asking questions of their crew. We had sculptor Candida Wright demonstrating her skills and allowing folk to try their hand with a mallet and chisel. Towards the end of Chestnut Walk we had Matilda Too not yet in “club” colours but hopefully we can work hard to get her carrying trip passengers soon. And last but not least, the day boat Stanley with a newly fitted electric outboard finishing the line. The Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire enjoyed their cream tea aboard Stanley and agreed that Lancing was the winner of the Burghfield Island Boat Club Trophy for best turned-out boat. Unfortunately, the Huntley Wharf developers decided to close the riverside walk stopping the usual charity stalls and losing moorings that would normally add to the boating atmosphere. This work was a surprise to us and much of Reading Borough Council, it was also against the planning conditions that were set in place when planning approval was given. Other victims of the developers uncaring build work have been the Bel and Dragon who would normally join the Festival and had live music and events that had to be curtailed. We also had a Kennet & Avon Canal Trust exhibition in the Turbine House near Blake’s lock area. The photos and documents were in place for a couple of weeks and we will repeat the exhibition next year assuming the developers deign to reopen the footpath.Wehad a good day fundraising. We raised £41.18 in donations with children brass rubbing the previous years event plaques, £90.04 with Debbie Johnson offering samples of cake promoting afternoon teas that we hope can be booked on Matilda Too in the future. Debbie also provided a cream tea “break” for our V.I.P.’s which was well received. We raised £84.95 in donations introducing Matilda Too to Reading; unfortunately we could not offer trips but the enthusiasm was palpable and hopefully we can take bookings soon. The day finished with the traditional duck race raising £312.50. Thanks to the team of paddle boarders from @SUPera who helped collect the ducks. This gave us a Grand Total on the day of. £528.65. Our thanks to Berkshire Lowland Rescue folk who kept a watchful eye and kept us safe.

Paul Fitt, Lancing and VIP’s Matilda II’s Crew following Essential Safety Training

I had been hosting and talking to the Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire when they visited the waterside. We talked about The Trust's aims and the projects being worked on by the Reading Branch. We talked about the loss of income to the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust due to the Huntley Wharf disruptive work. We also spoke about the project to restore the wash house on Aldermaston Wharf, the costs of getting the trip boat up and running, the lobbying of CRT to adopt long life (steel) lock gates and the lobbying of Reading Borough Council to make Reading a more boat friendly place. The Deputy Lieutenant suggested that they might be able to help with these projects. The following day I received an email from the Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire offering a grant from the Berkshire Community Fund for £5,000. I think this provides a great example of how events like this are important to raise our profile and encourage people to support our wonderful waterway. We have been working to establish a Reading trip boat and have acquired “Matilda Too” a 32ft Narrowboat and laid out to work comfortably as a trip boat. Aside from the Water Fest appearance we ventured out to Newbury Water festiv al as a shakedown cruise. It was pleasing to be introduced to the Mayor as the Skipper of the new Reading Trip boat only to find I also appear in a photo on our boat in the Newbury weekly news…what fun! We have waded through the treacle to get the approvals license and insurance and will now be offering trips from the start of August. Our final hurdle was to bring the 6 skippers first aid UpToDate. This was done with C&A Training of Reading using the Humber Barge at the Bel and Dragon who generously donated the space for our course.It is with much sadness that we heard that John Swift passed away in July after a short illness. He was a great stalwart of the Reading Branch of the K&A canal trust and a much-valued secretary of our branch committee. I will miss his sage advice and guidance. I will also miss the humour including the awful puns. My condolences to Pam and the family. A lovely man. We have begun drawing up a plan for action with the intention of inviting key people in the relevant organisations to experience the 1st mile on Matilda Too and to see what the navigation and the town looks like in its currently untended state. Hopefully this will begin the regeneration and adoption of the opening lengths of our wonderful waterway.

The Aldermaston Tea Room is now open for the season although we have recently received notice from Gary and Sam that they will be moving on to new challenges at the end of September…we wish them well. We have received replies from the builders we asked to tender to renovate the Wash house in the Tea Room Gardens. We are currently discussing the details of the work in the hope that the work will begin before the end of the year. Matilda II and Peter

details below. Meetings currently being planned: 12th September, October 18th, November 15th, December 20th. Subjects to be confirmed for later in the year include Paul Fitt - Restoring NB Lancing, and a speaker from The Diveco who will talk about the recovery of the sunken boat under gas works bridge and the issues around such recoveries. We are hoping that someone will be able to present on the famous Devizes - Westminster race, the event that helped to keep the navigation open in its more desperate days. Keep well and look after each other.

Further details can be found on the Website at www.katrust.org.uk

. We are planning to make this available over Zoom.

Future Events Entry donation to Meetings, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help with expenses).

Tyseley SouthcoteApproachingLock

Mon 18th October 18th: Subject TBA Mon 15th November 15th, Subject TBA Mon 20th December. Subject TBA

Graham Puddephatt chair.reading@katrust.org.uk

Mon 12th September: Fobney pumping Station by Laura from Thames Water (hoping to be opened for viewing at the heritage building event in September. At Bel and the Dragon on the Humber Barge

The police have been active in the Anti-Social Behaviour deterrence again and have recently seized 6 motor bikes. It has noticeably been quieter over the last couple of weeks. Despite this good work I suspect we haven’t seen the last of the Sustrans Cavalcade. A boat caught the cill at Heals lock in early July with that inevitably sinking feeling. CRT excelled themselves and had the boat afloat and lock open inside 36 hours.Our friends on Tyseley, The Mikron Theatre ventured on to the wild west of the canal system (their words not mine) to continue their floating tour of the waterways. They were met with news that a Maserati had taken out the Theale swing bridge breaking the safety rail along the edge of the bridge. Only hours later a Mercedes had done similar on the Padworth swing Bridge. Amazingly swift work by CRT and their contractors managed to repair the Theale bridge by the following morning and had the Padworth bridge back and opening by mid-day the next day. Tyseley pressed on only to be halted near the night’s performance site at the Rowbarge in Woolhampton by an aged Oak tree falling across the cut. This stopped the west bound cruise but the show went on regardless. Talking later to Marianne McNamara at their performance at the Cunning Man, Burghfield they will not be beaten and promised to be back next year. You can see their future tour dates on https://mikron.org.uk/tour_datesOurnextmeetingison12thSeptember

Our site, pumping station and car-park are now open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays and we should be steaming over the weekend of 28/29th August and 24th/25th September. Unfortunately, our café is closed until further notice, but you are welcome to bring your own picnic.

Photo: Crofton Beam Engine Website

Crofton Beam Engines

For us to continue steaming we need to raise £30,000 to refurbish our engine Once this is completed, we would not expe ct any further major work for around ten years . Please help if you can. Please visit our website for up to date information www.katrust.org.uk

Works Update: Both the Maintenance and Lengthsmen’s teams have been working hard to ensure that the Navigation is ready for another busy season. From strimming and clearing the banks and tow paths, to greasing lock gates and weirs, they have been working tirelessly to keep the Wey running smoothly and looking as picturesque as we have all come to expect. Over the coming weeks, there will be works to improve the towpath around the Addlestone area with the team then coming back to Guildford and starting bank repairs along Ferry Lane.

The sun is out, the wildlife has woken up and the Navigation is feeling like it is coming alive once again. Everyday I am out on or along the Navigation; it fills me with pride to see the way that so many people are interacting with this special stretch of river. From our fantastic community of boaters, kayakers and paddleboarders to walkers and cyclists, to name a few, it is so apparent that this navigation means so much to so many.

River Wey NavigationsGodalming&

This year will also unfortunately see the continuation of the Ash Die Back programme where a number of Ash trees will be removed due to the effects of the fungus. Removing trees is not something that we are ever keen to do unless we must for safety reasons and so with the hopes to offset this programme, we will also be aiming to plant an additional 200 trees along the Navigation as part of the Queens Green Canopy Programme.

Future Events: There are numerous events coming up at Dapdune Wharf that will provide fun for the whole family. Below is a selection but please see our website (nationaltrust.org.uk/riverway) for more information. All these events are free, with the exception of the Fun Run where there will be a nominal fee for those taking part. Mon 1st Aug Wed 31st Aug: Come out and Play. Team up with your family and beat your best when Dapdune Wharf’s festival of sport returns this summer holidays.

20 Here at Dapdune Wharf we are looking at ways to engage with different audiences and so we are expanding our offer. Firstly, and aimed at connecting the younger generation with nature, we will be starting our Wey Explorers offer where families will be able to collect pond dipping and bug hunting kits before exploring the grounds and looking at what interesting creepy crawlies they can find both in the water and along its margins. Although we obviously hope that this will be a fun activity for the children it is also being done with the intention of fuelling the connection with the River Wey for generations to come. Secondly, in addition to the Kayaks and Paddleboards that can be rented here, there will also soon be the option of hiring self-drive boats allowing people to explore the area between Stoke Lock and Millmead Lock. Again, we are hoping that once they have experienced the joy of taking a boat along the Navigation, they will become future boaters and moorers who will look to join our community.Withthe increase in the number and variety of users that we are seeing on the Waterway, this year, in addition to the usual maintenance and looking after projects, we are also aiming to set up a working group that will be tasked with creating concise and accessible posters giving the river users the key information they need to not only navigate this waterway safely, but to also help maintain the good relationship between our user groups. We are hoping for representatives from all the major groups who will work together to give a balanced set of instructions keeping the river safe, enjoyable and a harmonious place to spend your days.

Sat 27th Aug: Summer Family Fun Run at Dapdune Wharf: To celebrate the end of the holidays we're offering you the chance to leg it round Dapdune Wharf with this 2km family fun run.

Sat 17th Sept: Wey River Festival: See the Wey in a new light by spending the day at Dapdune, enjoy the stalls, children’s activities and street food before sitting back and watching the illuminated pageant go past. I hope to see you all along the river over the coming months and am excited to experience my first season as General Manager.

The Charity Raft Race and Puffing a Wey This year has seen the resumption of two regular River Wey events after the pandemic, the Charity Raft Race and Puffing-a-Wey.

The Raft Race on 2nd July was promoted by Zero Carbon Guildford and The Lions Club. Zero Carbon Guildford is an environmental charity which aims to support the borough of Guildford to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. They asked race participants this year to support their environmental aims this year by constructing their rafts entirely of recycled materials. There appeared to be fewer rafts than in previous years but the participants showed all the normal enthusiasm. On 9th July several members of the Steam Boat Association of Great Britain came to Dapdune Wharf for Puffing-a-Wey and showed their craft in action.

Photo Courtesy: NT Website Tristan Brown Wey Navigations General Manager

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust were very pleased to receive a visit from Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs during National Volunteer Week, in recognition of all the work done by volunteers in bringing an historic canal back to life.

Mike Lewis, G&R River Wey Representative

Wey and Arun Canal Trust

Andrew’s visit started at the canal centre in Loxwood, where he met the Trustees and congratulated them on the continuing success and wide use of the restored canal. He enjoyed a short boat trip on Josias Jessop, the Trust’s nine-seat trip boat, and saw how popular the picturesque waterway has become with canoeists and walkers. The next part of his tour was to see the new bridge built at Lee Farm in Wisborough Green. This was largely a volunteer project by members of one of the numerous working parties organised by the Trust.

New Electric Points on the River Wey Not only does Dapdune Wharf look the past with steam boats, it also looks to the future with a row of newly installed electric charging points.

MP praises volunteers’ canal restoration work

Most had gleaming polished brass work and immaculate varnish and the characteristic scent of coal smoke wafted across on the breeze. Visiting members of the public were invited to cruise aboard some of the craft, including , a beautifully restored Victorian electric launch.

WACT News

Joint project leader John Reynolds guided Andrew around the site and explained the history of the area and how this part of the canal connects to other

Permission to start work on the second bridge has now been granted and volunteers have prepared an access route and compound, and work is underway to build a temporary footpath and bridleway. In a first for the Wey & Arun Canal Trust a water-inflated dam usually used to protect against flooding has been put to use.

23 waterways including the River Arun and further on to the south coast. John explained that the aim of the Canal Trust was to restore all 23 miles of the canal and reconnect to the River Arun at Pallingham, near Pulborough.

Andrew commented: “It is hugely impressive what the Wey & Arun Canal Trust have achieved so far in bringing this historical equivalent of a motorway back to life. In National Volunteer Week it is a reminder of the thousands of residents who volunteer their time in many different ways in order to benefit the community.

AquaDam Europe’s mobile flood barriers have often been used to protect against floods and storm surges but are now being adopted by canal trusts as a fast method of creating a protective barrier during construction work. Volunteers positioned the sausage-shaped device on the towpath in its rolled up state and filled it by pumping in water, causing the dam to roll out and push across the canal. The 3 metre wide cylindrical tube created a 1.2m high barrier in a matter of a few hours, much faster and cheaper than bringing in material to achieve the same result.

I’m a big fan of a country walk along a waterway and at a time when there is such a focus on mental health, it is terrific what the Trust have done to open up some stunning walks.”

Work has begun on the Trust’s latest major restoration project at Birtley, near Bramley in Surrey, and a fundraising appeal has been launched with a target of £150,000.The stretch at the Northern end of the canal has already become a favourite with walkers thanks to the opening of a picturesque circular walk at the beginning of the year and the Trust aims to bring the waterway here back to life and open it up to smallTheboats.project involves the construction of two lift bridges. The substructure of the first was completed in 2019 by regular volunteers and visiting working parties and currently has a temporary fixed deck, set to be replaced with a lift mechanism.

Next major restoration projects gets underway

• For anything above £5,000 you can add your name to a list of donors on a plaque. Team effort gets lock back in action Our Northern team have been in action at Baldwin’s Knob Lock at Loxwood, named for the grassy knoll beyond. It has been out of action since the spring thanks to a leaky cill. Remedial worked involved draining the lock and hiring in a specialist spider crane (one of only three in the country) to lift off the 2-tonne weight of lock gates and lift in steel props to reinforce the lock chamber while work went ahead. Tonnes of built-up silt, clay and debris were removed from the bottom of the chamber and the worn stonework and old wooden mitre from the lock floor were dug out by hand using picks, shovels and pneumatic drill - a painstaking job.

Donations of any size are gratefully received but you may wish to consider a special donation:

A trench approximately 5 metres long by 2 metres wide was excavated and reinforced concrete was then poured in and new, very large (and heavy) oak timbers

• Donate £50,000 and you can name the bridge after yourself or a loved one.

• Donate £25,000 and you can have a steel plate to dedicate or remember a loved one.

The Birtley project isn’t a simple one as it involves the relocation of a gas main under the canal. Added to this the team have run into wet sand, making excavating tricky. Sand bags, bog mats as well as special metal cages have had to be brought in to house the new gas pipe but the good news is that the gas main diversion under the canal has gone as planned. The next step is to begin work on the bridleway diversion ahead of a WRG Summer Camp in August when the bridge pilings will be constructed.Fordetails on how you can donate to the project, please click https://weyarun.org.uk/birtley-hereappeal

Free Heritage Open Days Walk, Sunday September 18 th, 2.30pm

Boat trips schedule Boat trips may be suspended due to low water levels. Please contact the Trust for up to date information. Bookings are online at www.weyandarun.co.uk.Forgeneralinformation

As part of the national scheme to celebrate our fantastic history and culture, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust is holding a guided history walk from its information centre in Shalford, near Bramley. The 5km walk will take you on a journey through the canal’s history, from its very beginnings to where we are now and the next steps in restoration, with some fascinating stories about the characters that created the canal. For more details and to register, please go to www.weyarun.org.uk

25 were cut and installed for the mitre on the lock floor. Thankfully, the work solved the problem and the lock is now back in water. We are keeping our fingers crossed the lock will be used as water levels are low thanks to the very dry winter, spring and summer. Cream tea trips are planned for Fridays along with the usual weekend cruises.

Future Events

On our recent trip from Walton on Thames to Abingdon, (which included the three very hot days in July!), we talked to many of the Lock Keepers about water levels and were advised that restrictions would be coming in, especially above Abingdon. One boater we spoke to had to be exceedingly careful coming across the meadows at Oxford as he had less than 30 cms to spare We experienced an interesting spectacle going Lifting the gate with the crane

on the work of the Trust, please telephone our Northern Office on 01483 505566, or visit www.weyandarun.co.uk River Thames News As our Region Chair, Verna, has indicated the River Thames is still experiencing problems with overhanging trees, waterpoints, pump outs, etc. along with low water levels

Photo: Weedtec uk

Considering how invasive it is I am surprised landowners, Councils and EA are not working together, perhaps with volunteers, to eradicate it. I think floating pennywort is also starting to appear around Walton on Thames. There seemed to be a huge clump of it behind a moored boat! On the bright side as we were waiting to go into Sonning Lock, the Swan Uppers were coming through. A great sight in all their regalia. Swan upping is the traditional way of checking swans and, especially, cygnets. The number and health of the cygnets is checked and they are ringed to show who they belong to the Queen, Vintners or Dyers. This takes place annually during the third week of July, over five days. The Queen's, Vintners' and the Dyers' respective swan uppers row up the river in skiffs, etc. from Sunbury to Abingdon.

26 through Boulters Lock at Maidenhead. The lower lock gates quite obviously need some work as they don’t open fully. Behind us coming into the lock were two tugs with barges. The barges only just fit in the lock. But to get into the lock they have to use the crane on the first tug to lift one of the gates out of the way so they can get in! They’ve been doing that for over a year…..! It was interesting to see the number of somedoesn’tBrownweren’tseedifficulttherivertopaddleboardersswimmers,etc.whoseemedhavenoideawhichsideofthetheyshouldbeon,andincaseofswimmershowitcouldbeforboaterstotheminthewateriftheyusingbrightfloats.haironbrownwatermix.Wedidpointittoofthem!

Chris Jones

Another bugbear in Himalayan Balsam Some areas are clear but there are places where is prevalent, like the entrance to Windsor Racecourse Marina .

Refer to https://www.riverthamesscheme.org.uk/scheme

Kevin East, Volunteer Waterways & Environment Project Officer

Anchor Sluice, Barcombe, River (Sussex) Ouse , the access issue reported previously is ongoing. Information on the course of the former navigation and towpath provided by SORT and East Sussex Records Office is being examined for a possible portage route.

British Canoeing

River Thames Scheme: From a recent meeting of the Maidenhead to Teddington Catchment Management Partnership the Environment Agency outlined a timescale for the next steps. Little has been heard of the scheme progressing for some while. British Canoeing is a Partnership member. The Agency announced plans for discussions with landowners and other interested parties in the coming months, followed up by a public consultation. An Order to enable the scheme to commence was said to be three years hence. Since the outset of the scheme British Canoeing has maintained a particular interest in access to the channels and the infrastructure to realise the potential for providing a recreational resource for paddlesport.

Participation: Canoeing as a recreational activity has grown over the past few years as is evident from all on and by the waterways and a trend likely to continue. In 2021, the National Watersports Survey suggested that 7.6 million people said that they had either kayaked, used a canoe or a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). Much of the boom in numbers can be attributed to the pandemic restrictions and finding the waterways as an outdoor recreational resource. This growth has also seen a significant increase in British Cano eing’s membership. In 2016, there were 32,000 members and now it is more than 90,000. With this influx of participants British Canoeing Awarding Body have announced two Safer Courses. For anyone new or relatively novice there is a course for canoe and kayak users and another specifically for SUP paddlers. Both courses provide paddlers with information modules to raise awareness of their personal safety and responsibilities covering equipment, environment and weather, planning, and safety on the water. Parking at Ferry Lane slipway, Medmenham . Parking restrictions are getting more problematic for direct access to waterways. Most recently Bucks County Council plan to apply no waiting restrictions on both sides of Ferry Lane in the vicinity of the slipway. As proposed the number of available parking spaces will be significantly reduced. Canoe clubs and paddlers have responded to a consultation and objected on the extent of the restriction. The main response is no waiting should only apply to one side of Ferry Lane. Such an arrangement would assist responsible parking and reduce any loss of parking for paddlers and other visitors to this attractive Thames reach.

28 Kent & East Sussex Branch Interim IWAKES Chairman’s Piece I should like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, having taken over for the time being as Branch Chairman whilst Les Etheridge returns to higher things as Interim National Chairman. I wish Les well in this task. I am not one of the many long serving volunteers within IWA. My membership began as a freebie on joining River Canal Rescue ten years ago. Like many members living in the southeast I have a boat based in the midlands. As a new member I was drawn to attend branch events and I was made to feel so welcome that I continued as a subscribing member. It has been a disappointment to me that this programme of meetings has been disrupted by the Takingpandemic.into account that our branch members are widely spread and attendance is still uncertain there are just three IWAKES events scheduled. One of these, in January, will be our first venture as a hybrid meeting, in person and by Zoom. This is aimed to capture a wide audience to a topic that is important to us all. Members and friends from other branches are invited to attend. I hope those who are able to travel to Strood will do so. Some of our past meetings have been held in cooperation with other groups (such as TMCA). I should like to hear from members if they know any other group with mutual interests who might wish to join forces in this way. Peter Wilkinson peter.glen4@gmail.com

Thames & Medway Canal Association

Unfortunately, after almost nine years of storing boats etc. we have been asked to quit our headquarters at DA12 2HR by the owners North Kent College as they wish to sell with vacant possession. They have stated they are unable to find us a new home on the adjacent fire training site. Fortunately, the owner of the Nuralite site has offered us some space to store our boats at Higham but to find another meeting room and adequate storage near Mark Lane for our tools and equipment such as pumps, mowers, generators, etc. is proving a challenge. We work hard along the towpath for the benefit of cyclists and pedestrians, keep the canal clear for water life and do many other jobs both large and small. But with our limited resources being

The small 4wd Jimny has been invaluable in helping us clearing and removing branches overhanging the canal; making it possible to put a boat in for rubbish clearing etc.

29 homeless is a real blow to our efforts as , although we have no legal status, we feel somewhat aggrieved that the site was originally given to charity (the Sea School) but is now assumedly being sold commercially with our charity being ousted with no assistance.

However, our Open day in May s aw a few takers of our free boat rides with interest shown in Davis Acotts’ photo display and a covered stall set up for items to buy.We are still fighting a battle with vandals, who love to heave our rubbish bins into the canal, but our valiant Work Party is being very productive at the Higham end continuing to improve the area at ‘The Vista’ and Obelisk.

We have finished installing the benches kindly donated by the Old Gravesendians Rugby Club with the most recent being sited at Shorne Mead Crossing. Dave Parnell

The River Medway, an ancient and venerable waterway, mentioned in the Domesday Book has its very own swans and a Mayor's Court of Survey Cruise

30 River Medway news from Mike Marsh

thelocksreferencesIncludedpicturesqueistrailhttps://explorekent.org/activities/medway-canoe-at.Thebookletcomesinawaterproofformatandpackedwithinformationandadviceforpaddlingthe29kmofthenon-tidalRiverMedway.aredetailsoflockportages,locationwithtimeanddistancesbetweenthe10ontheriver.ItisalsousefulforthosewalkingMedwayValleypath.

. This curious local event, organised by Hampstead and Yalding Cruising Club and held this year on Saturday June 11th, reminds us that the swans on the Medway belong to the Mayor of Maidstone, not the Queen as elsewhere. The Mayor, Cllr Derek Mortimer, and Mrs Sally Mortimer were greeted by Jack Guntrip, the Commodore of the Hampstead and Yalding Cruising Club, and Bob Tuthill, the Cruise Organiser and Past President of the HYCC. The official visitors, were greeted by the President, Mark Smurthwaite, of the Hampstead and Yalding Cruising Club

wereMallingTonbridgeMaidstone,whichWateringburyMarina,MedwaybuffeteventBrattlSwanmaster,taggedwerewhereWateringburysomeswanscheckedandbytheMarke.Theday-longendedwithareceptionatWharfattheMayorsofandandMedwaypresent.

. Flag officers of the HYCC boarded their vessels before boat horns were sounded to mark the start of the cruise at Jubilee Wharf. The Mayor of Maidstone was carried on a flotilla down the river to the Hawkwood Stone (halfway to Rochester) then back to

The new River Medway Canoe Trail Booklet is now available. It has been produced by Explore Kent in conjunction with the Environment Agency and is funded by the Canoe Foundation, Go Paddling, British Canoeing and Medway Valley Country Partnership. Copies are available at The Environment Agency office at Allington Lock or through Canoe and Paddle board clubs of which there are several on the Medway. The booklet can be downloaded and viewed online

workShefollowingBristol-fashionitsoverhaul.visitedtheMedwayWaterwaysTeamatthelocktocheckontheprogressofthe£4.1millionrefurbishmenttothelockandsluice.FundedbynavigationGrant-inAid,thewillextendthe

• The Environment Agency has removed an assortment of items from the river at Archbishop’s Palace – trolleys, scooters, bikes, wheelie bin and traffic cones.

• EA now produces a popular newsletter; Edition 2 now available. View and sign up at https://therivermedway.co.uk/news/?page=1&category=Newsletter

• Boaters Facilities at Yalding have been refurbished and are now open.

• Allington Sluice Gate refurbishment is complete, though a seized wheel on gate 3 still needs replacement.

• Allington campsite is closed until further notice – due to ongoing construction works - package treatment plant and rebuilding a listed wall.

There has been a sharp increase in reports of anti-social behaviour with the hot summer weather. As always please be vigilant and report it to the police and get a crime number. The police are doing a week of anti-social behaviour checks on the Medway focusing on our hotspots. East Farleigh lock was recently targeted and the EA is doing its best with other agencies to clamp down on it.

working life of these important assets. Helen was welcomed by Medway Waterways Team leader, Jason Adams, and Allington lock keeper, Terry Brown, who gave her a tour of the facility. Helen said: “It was great to get out on such a sunny day to meet some of the Medway waterways team and hear more about the important work the Environment Agency is doing to maintain the Medway Navigation”.

Maidstone MP, Helen Grant, has declared Allington Lock shipshape and

• Wildflower sowing at various lock sites to help the bees is well underway.

Results look stunning at Allington Lock.

On Sunday 24th July, a man and his son were fishing from the River Medway navigation channel pontoon outside Hampstead Marina when a boat moored-up and its skipper started to work on the electronics. There was an explosion which injured the skipper, who required hospital treatment for burns. The burning boat floated around, setting fire to other boats; four of which are written off. One of the boats, sunk in the channel, was Grey Owl; owned by Bernard Snell, an IWAKES Committee member. She was a much-travelled trail-boat that had attended Wilderness Boat gatherings around the country and in Europe. The River was closed until Tuesday, with oil booms and awaiting an insurance assessor before the boats can be lifted out.

Photo by Bernard Snell River Adur news from Brendan Whelan Whilst recently searching through some papers I found an Agenda for a meeting held in June 2010. The issues related to plans for a short stretch of Tidal Wall at Stowes Gap, in Shoreham by Sea. Worryingly, twelve years on and the local council still hasn 't finalised the plans. Stowes Gap has, according to a West Sussex County Council Rights of Way ruling, to remain open. Similarly, both the official “Action Plan” for the area and the Planning Permission ruling state that either access to the River Adur must be improved as part of any development or a new public slipway must be provided. Individuals who have drawn the Council's attention to these rules have been accused of “blackmail”. Surely, after so many years, a compromise can be reached and the work carried out to construct the short stretch of Tidal Walls and improve public access to the River Adur. In the meantime, local houses and businesses are at risk of being flooded and public access to the river is restricted.

32 Fire at Hampstead Marina

It has recently come to light that the road access to another Public Hard, at Humprey's Gap, has been officially closed. Several decades ago, local fishermen banded together and obtained a Court Order which stated that it must not be closed. Similarly, more recently, when planning permission was requested to develop the surrounding area the IWA and the Shoreham Slipways Group produced drawings and artists impressions of how a slipway could be included in the plans. Whilst they were not approved some basic access to the river was incorporated in the design and there was no mention of closing the ancient public right of access. None of the local fishermen, the IWA nor the SSG was consulted and requests for further information have gone unanswered. I leave readers to draw their own conclusions.

Dartford & Crayford Navigation news from Brian Franklin Conrad Broadley reports an event on Sunday 17th July, organised by Dartford and Crayford Creek Restoration Trust, at Dartford Public Slipway and Priory Lock. Dartford Mayor Cllr Paul Cutler and Dartford’s Mayoress Suzanne Cutler, as well as the Mayor of Bexley Cllr Nick O’Hare accompanied by his nephew Nick, were there to see the unveiling of the new information signs that were funded by the Port of London Authority as part of an environmental clean-up and education initiative with the Creek volunteers. They also heard about the Trust’s ongoing work restoring the navigation. The Mayors and Mayoress were great sport s as Lindsay literally drove them down the slipway, chains and all. They then cruised down to see the lock and meet the Trustees.

34 Waterways World A member living in Shoreham is offering a collection of Waterways World (mostly in binders) for the period 1974 - to date. If you are interested, and can collect them, please contact Roy Sutton (RoyDavidSutton@yahoo.co.uk) for full details.

Future IWAKES and Other Events

. River Stour news from Malcolm Hasler Malcolm is unable to submit a full report due to Covid. He tells us that water levels are low. But activity is up; especially in respect to canoes, paddle boards, dinghies and such leisure activities. Reed islands and weeds are becoming prolific as the waters warm up and the shallows extend. All restrictions to navigation caused by temporary bridges for power-line installation are now ended.

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust SORT is now registered by the Charities Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. This will greatly simplify its future legal position. Maintenance continues at Isfield and other sites. There is a plan to re lay some of the former towpath at Isfield.

Saturday 3rd September 2022: 10.00am to 5.00pm Meet at Brede Steam Giants, Waterworks Lane, Brede, Rye, TN31 6HG Visit the engines in steam . Proceed to a midday pub meal in Winchelsea. Walk from Winchelsea to Rye (along the Brede). Train back to Winchelsea. Please book with Roy Sutton ( RoyDavidSutton@Yahoo.co.uk or 01342 317569) before 30th August so we can ensure enough tables at the pub. You will be very welcome, if it is your preference, to join us for only part(s) of the itinerary.

River Thames A “Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) Light Freight Analysis Report” written by WSP has been published. It was funded by the Thames Estuary Growth Board and the Port of London Authority and makes the case for some changes in MSRS grants for river-borne light freight. See www.ThamesEstuary.org.uk

Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH (map below)

Thursday 26th January 2023: 7.30 for 8.00pm

“Puffing a Wey!” has been held in Guildford since 2012 and can attract 15-20 boats, each of them unique. Some are historic, others have been built from scratch by their owners along traditional lines but all provide fascinating sights, sounds and fragrances evocative of the steam age on Britain’s inland waterways.

35 Thursday 6th October 2022: 7.30 for 8.00pm

“Sustainable Boating on the Inland waterways” by Bowman Bradley, who is a member of IWA Navigation Committee’s ‘Sustainable Boating’ Sub Group. A full description of the scope of this talk will be included in the ‘Winter’ Cargoes. This will be a ‘hybrid’ meeting. You may attend either… • in person at Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH

• or else over the internet… Click on the following ‘Zoom Link’ (or paste the link in your browser) to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the tellbelocalmeetingsorfriendsareopenraffle‘physical’availablehttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvcO6rpjsjGtOKhKZcW2v1OwfFMlc4XCKAmeeting.TeaandcoffeeareatallIWAKESeveningmeetings.Entryisfreewithatocovercosts.AllIWAKESeventsaretonon-membersandyouencouragedtobringto‘physical’meetingstotellthemabout‘virtual’.Similarly,ifyouknowacluborsocietythatmightinterestedthenpleasedothem.

“Puffing-a-Wey” by Mark Rudall, a stalwart of the Steam Boat Association of Great Britain, whose members returned to the National Trust’s Dapdune Wharf on the River Wey this year for a Mids ummer weekend of steam boats after a break of two years. Steam powered launches and boats worked around the wharf in central Guildford all weekend providing a colourful spectacle on the River Wey Navigation.

Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Oct: Banbury Canal Festival, Please offer to help if you can Further details under Tooleys Boatyard Trust on next page. www.tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk

36 Oxfordshire Branch Branch Chairman

Photo Courtesy: Cotswold Canal Website Ian Lindsay Future Events

I hope that you have been enjoying a summer on the water whether by boat, canoe, paddle board or swimming on the canal or the river in our region or further afield. It’s certainly been very busy at the very top end of the Thames, although it is always quiet here in comparison to lower down the river. I was lucky enough to attend one day of the Henley Royal Regatta for the first time. An amazing spectacular of rowing and pageantry but it certainly makes the river busy. I also enjoyed attending the open day held that Inglesham Lock which has been restored by the Cotswold Canal Trust and the IWA Water ways recovery group. The lock is the point where the canal joins the Thames before heading via Cirencester and Stroud to join the Gloucester Sharpness canal. A huge amount of restoration work has been done and indeed continues at the western end of the canal but so far Inglesham Lock is one of the only major works undertaken on the eastern end. Just a reminder that the Oxfordshire branch is planning to have a stand at the Oxford Canal Festival Saturday 17th September and the Banbury Canal Festival Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of October. We are looking for volunteers to help to man the stand at either (or both) of these events so please do get in touch if you c an spare an hour or two.

Sat 17th Sept: Oxford Canal Festival, Please offer to help if you can. Details on next www.oxfordcanalheritage.org/oxford-page.canal-festival-2022

Tooley’s Boatyard Trust Tooley's boat trips are always popular with children, but never more so than when well-known author Dan Clacher (pictured) is there to read from one of his Muddy Waters books.

There will be great music to enjoy, a spoken word tent that includes University Challenge, (four groups, including children, take on experts with tricky and comedic questions), arts and crafts tent, film tent, guided walks to learn about the canal and its history, delicious food from across the world, the return of favourites from the popular dog show to canal themed fun and games including the Canal Olympics.Afterrecord-breaking temperatures this summer, contributions from environmental and community groups will be an important part of the event. Proceeds from the festival will go towards the Kilsby Theatre Boat Project, which aims to restore and transform a historic narrowboat, into a unique community theatre space for everyone to www.kilsbytheatreboat.comwww.oxfordcanalheritage.org/oxford-enjoy.canal-festival-2022

For more information on our boat trips go to: https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/boat-trips/

Muddy Waters, in case you haven't come across him, is the Canals' answer to Thomas the Tank Engine.

Dan will be back on our trip boat, the Dancing Duck, for the inaugural Banbury Canal Festival, which will take place over the weekend of Sept 30 th to Oct 2nd.

Matt Turner who takes over the helm from musician and Jericho Choir leader Steph Pirrie, said: “The Oxford Canal an important part of Oxford’s heritage and a vital green lung running through the city. Everyone who visits or lives on or near the canal is invited.”

Oxford’s Canal Festival, September 17th Oxford Canal Festival takes place on Saturday September 17th, and celebrates the city’s waterways, traditions and colourful history

Building on the former success of Banbury's Canal Day, this event looks set to be a celebration of everything the Oxford Canal meant and means to Banbury. Live theatre (including in Tooley's dry dock), live music, a funfair, a market, re-enactments by the Sealed Knot, and many other attractions will make this an occasion not to be missed!

John Madden, Chair Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Matt runs Decadent Times CIC, a community interest events company, and lives close to the Canal. He plans to bring a strong musical programme and encourage local talent. “What is surprising to some is the amount of creativity and talent that exists on the canal writers, artists, musicians, designers all live there. We aim to share this talent and bring it to a wider audience.”

Wilts & Berks Canal

We had very much hoped to be able to announce the next stage of our M4 crossing project, which would have been a grant of £870,000 plus for further design & engineering work, but although our submission seemed to have been favourably received by National Highways, the meetings required for a decision had to be postponed, so no news yet. We now have a new CEO, Simon Caraffi he is ex-military and has been CEO of a large hospice in Bristol for some years. At the time of writing he has been in post less than a week, so more anon! He attended an impromptu leaving party for Gordon Olson, who was presented with an inscribed bottle of his favourite tipple from the Executive Committee; a good time was had by all, some of whom had not met face to face before because of Covid!

In Swindon, work has begun on mapping the profile of a stretch that was dug out for fishing but is unsuitable to be a functioning canal as it is too shallow & narrow for steel boats to pass each other, although Dragonfly can just get through, it’s effectively a one-way stretch. Here is the Trusts Head of Boats (yours truly) doing some depth sounding!

Memorial benches have been installed at three locations to commemorate three of our volunteers recently deceased Roy Murrell and Chris Naish in our East Vale branch, and Kath Hatton, our major fundraiser for many years for the Trust as a whole, installed on our jetty in Swindon. Here is Roy’s In our West Vale Branch, much use has been made of corporate volunteers, who turn out, sometimes in considerable numbers to give us a hand these happylooking people are from Thames Water

39 When Dragonfly trips resumed (albeit shorter because of the canal being blockaded) in the spring. The Easter Bunny came along and was a great hit with children of all ages, giving us a very successful trip day!

In Royal Wootton Bassett Branch, new signs are springing up (as elsewhere along the line), as many long-standing signs are embarrassingly out of date; a fresh look is needed, & artist Marilyn Trew has injected some maps with a difference! She has also designed & produced other signs, including information boards at Canal Park, Shrivenham

Next time we hope to have our most exciting news since restoration started!

Chris Barry Comms Secretary , Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Future Events Boat trips on DragonFly Shortened trips run at weekends, and Wednesdays during school holidays, from 10.30 am - 4pm at halfhourly intervals. To book, call (but do not text) the boat team on 07401 220076 or preferably email boat.bookings@wbct.org.uk. For details of where to come please visit discover/take-a-boat-https://www.wbct.org.uk/enjoy-trip-with-us.Weverymuchhopeweshallbeabletoresume our usual trips once the blockade has been lifted.

In our MCC Branch (Melksham, Calne & Chippenham) boat trips in The Mary Archard were operated at various events and at the stretch in water at Pewsham. Thanks to various donors, work is now complete on restoring the walls of the dry dock located there.

40 London Region South London Branch

London Branch Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 for 8:00 pm in The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon, CR0 5LP. Admission to talks and presentations is free to members and non-members, but we do ask that you donate a minimum of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakers’ expenses, thank you. For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson. Tel: 07803 904803 or email: shea.richardson@waterways.org.uk

This bank holiday weekend saw the welcome return of the 39th annual Canalway Cavalcade taking place in Little Venice, London. Beautiful weather on the opening day saw record numbers of visitors to the event with over 120 boats gleaming in the pool and along the Grand Union and Regents Canals. As with most years, many travelled from far across the country but, encouragingly, we

We are delighted that now the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, the committee has decided to return to having inperson social meetings. A large selection of second hand and pre-loved books are available to buy , and refreshments and homemade cake are available to purchase during the break. Future Events Wed 14th Sep: Social Meeting and Talk “Savings the Stratford Canal” by Dr Roger Squires Wed 12th Oct: Speaker TBC Wed 9th Nov: Speaker TBC Wed 14th Dec: Social Meeting Our annual Christmas Celebration where Members can share recent boating stories and Slides, with Mulled Punch & Festive Snacks.South

ATCANALWAYIWACAVALCADELITTLEVENICE,MAYDAYBANKHOLIDAYWEEKEND2022

The Noyze Boyz Jazz Band burst into life as the festivities kicked off on Saturday, and soon the pool was buzzing with beautifully decorated boats parading in front of an eager audience. Elsewhere in the festival we had a variety of stalls selling their wares. Including jewellery, traditional painted boating paraphernalia, beautiful lamp shades and much more. This year we were also delighted to welcome Midland Chandlers, and Tim and Sam from Youtube Channel ‘Chugging Along’ promoting their brilliant board game “Argy Bargey”. As has become the tradition, the Stone Wharf offered the hub for many food and beverages, keeping the hungry visitors sustained whilst they listened to colourful live music in the festival real ale bar.

At midday on our first day Libby Bradshaw, Ceremonial and Children’s Activities Manager, introduced the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Andrew Smith, who welcomed everyone to the City of Westminster and thanked the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) for putting on the event. Richard Parry, Chief Executive of Canal and River Trust followed with his thanks. John Edmonds, London Region Vice-President for IWA welcomed everyone to the event paying special attention to the dedication from volunteers for organising the event. And finally Tom Claydon, Chair of the organising committee, thanked the volunteers, committee members and supporters. Wrapping up the presentation, Libby thanked British Land for their sponsorship and support before the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Andrew Smith rang the bell to formally open the event.

41 welcomed many boaters closer to home, with a fantastic representation of the London based boating community. Alongside the shining brass work and bunting, interspersed with many boats flying the Ukrainian flag in solidarity, we had a selection of events a nd activities.

The Cruise Electric Trophy: For the best illuminated boat in Sunday evening’s Procession: Tros Yr Afon, steerer Phil Gaskell Runners up: Giant Anteater, steerer Gary Howes and Annie & Walt, owners Mike & Lorraine Newman

The Graham Capelin Award: For the best entry by a boater who has not previously taken part in either the Saturday Pageant or Illuminated Boats: Giant Anteater, steerer Gary Howes

42 This was echoed by cheers around the pool, the ringing of bells and horns, and the start of the Pageant. In Rembrandt Gardens children and adults alike were entertained by Punch and Judy, the Noisy Oyster, a circus workshop, and the legendary Alarum Theatre with pieces such as “I Dig Canals”. Faces were being painted and there was plenty of learning and jovial ity in the marquee over the weekend. Sunday saw the wonderful Teddy Bears’ picnic in the beautiful surrounds of the garden and even the sun came out to warm the crowds. Other children’s activities were led by the Floating Classroom on the Electric Barge, the Church Army and the Pirate Castle from Camden.OnSunday evening Craig Haslam once again excelled as Master of Ceremonies for the Procession of Illuminated Boats, where the boaters covered their boats (and themselves) with as many lights as would fit - we even had two illuminated banana costumes. Mark Saxon, Waterspace Manager, produced a spectacular display with disco lights, glitter balls and even a smoke machine! On Monday afternoon, the awards were presented by John Edmonds. Marcus Boudier Trophy: For the best decorated privately entered boat in Saturday’s themed Pageant, was awarded to Rachel, steerer Mark Saxon, and the Canal Dream Team led by Chuntian Hu, of the Royal College of Art, and Ran Yan of Central Saint Martins University of the Arts, RunnerLondon.up:

Thyme, steerer Elizabeth Jones

The Ray Dunford Buckby Can Trophy : For the best decorated boat entered by a waterway or community group: Red Watch, steerer Tony Catchpole

The Idle Women Shield: Sponsored by Jan Knox, proprietor of Canal Experience Training School, the shield was awarded to the best lady entrant in the Boat Handling Competition: Ampére, steerer Barbara Bridge . Runner up: Stella, steerer Karen Cook

A new prize, Graham’s Choice Bear (with a backpack) for helpfulness and kindness, in memory of our special Cavalcade friend, Graham Nunn, of the Church Army, was awarded to Olivia Parlett. Olivia, now in her teens, has been attending Cavalcade since she was very small and specifically wanted to help to ensure the little ones attending the Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Sunday afternoon enjoyed it as much as she had done as a little girl.

Tom Claydon, Chairman of the IWA Canalway OrganisingCavalcadeCommittee said: “It’s wonderful to Welcome Back everyone to Little Venice for IWA Canalway Cavalcade 2022. A truly incredible spectacle in the heart of London’s waterways. This event would not be possible without the 10,000 hours of dedicated volunteer time, and I thank each and every person for making this such a great success. Soon we start planning for 2023, our 40th year, so make sure to book your place!”. Next year’s event is planned for the 29th, 30th April and 1st May, find out how you can help support the event through our website; www.waterways.org.uk.

The Mike Stevens Memorial Trophy : Goes to the “Best Boat” at Canalway Cavalcade, selected from all the boat entries at the event, it is awarded in recognition of Mike’s outstanding contribution to IWA and Canalway Cavalcade during his lifetime: Ampére, owners Malcolm & Barbara Bridge

FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact: General Enquiries, Press & Publicity: Tel: 07774 890750, Or email: canalway.cavalcade@waterways.org.uk

The Westminster Trophy: Donated by the City of Westminster for the winner of the Boat Handling Competition: Middlesex, steerer Robin Hendley. Runner up: Tintagel, steerer Graham Smith

The Roger Squires Trophy: Presented by St Pancras Cruising Club in recognition of Roger’s 10 years as their Commodore, it is awarded to the best novice competitor in the Boat Handling Competition: Thistle Doo, steerer Charlotte Trimby. Runner up: Barossa, steerer Colin Warner

Photos Courtesy: Joe Dixey & Christine Smith Christine Smith, Publicity Manager, IWA Canalway Cavalcade

Sun 21st Aug, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: R. Tyburn Little Venice. Meet Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit) Sun 4th Sep, 2.30pm: Grand Surrey Canal, Royal Navy Victualling Yard, Greenland Dock. Meet Surrey Quays Sun 18th Sep, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square Camden. Meet King’s Cross ( meet by taxi queue) Sun 2nd Oct, 2.30pm: Royal Victoria Dock East India Dock. Meet Royal Victoria (DLR) Sun 16th Oct, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse. Meet Mile End. Sun 6th Nov, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: R. Tyburn Little Venice. Meet Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit) Sun 20th Nov, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square Camden. Meet King’s Cross ( meet by taxi queue) Sun 4th Dec, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice Camden meet Warwick Avenue Sun 18th Dec, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square St. Pancras King’s Cross (meet by taxi queue)

The

Towpath Walks Group are looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal (and elsewhere). introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways which most outsiders don’t realise is here! It is also a good way of recruiting new members to IWA. No experience? No problem, we’ll brief you.

Towpath Walks Group Start time for all Walks is 2.30pm. Normal charge: £15. Concessionary and Student rate: £10. Children aged 16 and over, accompanied by parents: £10. Children aged 8 15, accompanied by parents: £5. (Children under 8, accompanied by parents, go for free).

Prior booking is mandatory: Please contact London Walks: 020 7624 3978. Or email them at: london@walks.com. It is Very Important to watch the IWA websitewww.waterways.org.uk - or the London Walks website www.walks.com - to see if any late changes to the walk have had to be made.

This

Mikron Theatre Group

The weather is changing. And Hayley must tell the world, hold onto her brolly and her microphone, and walk into the eye of the storm. Bring your anorak. And maybe your factor 50. Well, you never know. Please visit our website for the Tour Dates. More dates are being added all the time.

The Inland Waterways Association Chesham Staff Jonathan Swift Interim CEO Tracy Higgin Administration Manager extn 601 Rachel Bryant Membership extn 600

Small Scale on a Big Scale

On the threshold of one century into the next, this tale of hobbyists and lobbyists asks how much we should know our past or how much we should let go of it. Above all else, like the WI itself, Raising Agents is a story of friendship. Red Sky at Night: The wild and wonderful wor ld of weather

Multi-award winning Mikron was founded in 1972, and 2022 marks Mikron’s 50th year of bringing professional theatre to your doorstep. Mikron is the UK’s most prolific theatre company, touring to over 120 venues per year. We tour on our narrowboat, Tyseley, in the summer and by road in spring and autumn, to every conceivable type of venue, reaching audiences that other companies cannot. We have 2 new shows for this year: Raising Agents: 100 years of the WI Join us for our brand new revival!

46 The Inland Waterways Association IWA South East Region Chair: Verna Smith 63 Avondale, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5NE Tel: 07986 244479 Email: verna.smith63@gmail.com IWA Guildford & Reading Branch Committee Acting Chair: Verna Smith 63 Avondale, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5NE Tel: 07986 244479 Email: verna.smith63@gmail.com Secretary: Chris Jones Tel: 07711 784374 Email: chris.jones@waterways.org.uk Acting Treasurer & R. Wey: Mike Lewis Basingstoke & R. Thames: Vacant K & A, WACT & Planning: Verna Smith IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch Committee Interim Chair: Peter Wilkinson Tel: 01303 890658 Email: peter.glen4@gmail.com Secretary, Sussex Ouse & Cargoes Contact: Roy Sutton 79, St Leonards Park, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1EG Tel: 01342 317569 Email: RoyDavidSutton@Yahoo.co.uk Treasurer & Royal Military Canal: Peter Wilkinson Membership Secretary: Les Etheridge Social Secretary: Vacant Waterways Representatives R. Medway: Michael Marsh R. Adur: Brendan Whelan R. Stour: Malcolm Hasler Northfleet Harbour: Vacant Thames & Medway: Bernard Snell R. Rother: Malcolm Jones Dartford & Crayford: Brian Franklin Faversham & Swale: Vacant IWA Oxfordshire Branch Committee Chair: Ian Lindsay Tel: 07889 070623 Email: ian.lindsay@waterways.org.uk Secretary: Robin Williams Tel: 07490 454260 Email: robin.williams@waterways.org.uk Treasurer: Roger Badger Cargoes co-ordinator & Jericho: tba Webmaster: Robin Williams Non Committee Responsibilities Thames RUG 3: Sue & David Cooper Next issue: Winter Copy date: 27th October 2022 Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. IWA, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1WA. Tel: 01494 783453 Company No: 612245. Charity No: 212342 www.waterways.org.uk Cargoes Editor: Chris Jones chris.jones@waterways.org.uk

NewmanMikebyPhoto© IWA Festival of Water 2022 27th TO 29th AUGUST | burton-upon-trent Join us at Shobnall Fields, Burton upon Trent DE14 2BB for a weekend of festivities along the Trent & Mersey Canal. Enjoy a full programme of activities and entertainments, and find out more about your local waterway and historicBurton’spast. • 100 Decorated Boats • Children’s Activities • Music & Entertainments • Processions • Real Ale Bar • Food Find out more IWA’s ‘Festival of Water’ is organised by the Inland Waterways Association which is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Company registration number 612245. Charity registration number 212342. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham. HP5 1WA. waterways.org.uk/festivalofwater01635414567event.enquiries@waterways.org.ukFreeAdmission

Cargoes Autumn 2022

Articles inside

Mikron Theatre Group Page

Towpath Walks Page

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Page

Region Chair Report Page

Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Page

British Canoeing Page

River Thames Page

Wey & Arun Canal Trust Page

Basingstoke Canal Society Page John Pinkerton Focus on Accessible Boating Association

River Wey & Godalming Navigations Page National Trust

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Page Newbury Reading Crofton Beam Engines