Spring 2024
Newsletter of Guildford & Reading Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches
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Index Basingstoke Canal Society John Pinkerton Focus on Accessible Boating Association
Page: 7
British Canoeing (Paddle UK)
Page: 29
Byfleet Boat Club
Page: 11
Chichester Ship Canal Trust
Page: 11
Fund Britain’s Waterways
Page: 5
Guildford & Reading Branch Sales and Publicity Stand
Page: 6
Kent & East Sussex Branch – IWAKES Thames & Medway Canal Association River Adur River Medway Sussex Ouse Kentish River Stour The Vivian Bulkeley Salt Future Events
Page: 32
Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Newbury Reading Crofton Beam Engines
Page: 13
London Region
Page: 44 South London Branch Canalway Cavalcade
Page: 31
Maidenhead – Friends of Maidenhead Waterways
Page: 19
Mikron Theatre Group
Page: 36
Oxfordshire Branch Tooley’s Boatyard Trust
Page: 41
Puppet Theatre Barge
Page: 42
River Thames
Page: 28
River Wey & Godalming Navigations
Page: 21
Surrey Care Trust
Page: 41
Towpath Walks
Page: 43
Wey & Arun Canal Trust
Page: 25
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust
Page: 40
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IWA Branch Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the Kent & East Sussex, Oxfordshire and Guildford and Reading Branches of the Inland Waterways Association will be held as follows: The Kent & East Sussex Branch AGM will take place on Thursday 29th February 2024: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Room 2, Christchurch URC, High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1SG The Oxfordshire Branch AGM will take on Tuesday 26th March 2024: 7.00 for 7.30pm: The Lounge at Begbroke Village Hall, 3 Begbroke Lane, Kidlington, OX5 1RN. The Guildford & Reading Branch AGM will take place on Monday 11th March 2024: 6.30 for 7pm: Dapdune Wharf Tea Rooms, Wharf Road, Guildford, GU1 4RR The Agenda for the branch meetings will be based on the standard format set out in IWA Byelaws as follows:
Agenda 1
Apologies for Absence
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Approval (following amendments if necessary) of the Minutes of the Branch AGM held the previous year
3
Matters arising from the Minutes (and not under other Agenda items)
4
Branch Chairman’s Report
5
Branch Treasurer’s Report and Accounts
6
Election of members of the Committee (Nomination no longer necessary). Simply contact the Chairman to apply to join the Branch Committee or do so at the AGM
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Any item for discussion of which the Branch Chairman has been notified in writing at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the relevant AGM
Cover Photo Courtesy: Joanna Richardson
FBW Westminster Bridge
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Editorial Welcome to the Spring edition of &DUJRHV. What weather we are having, as I write we are into the 10th storm of this winter! Just as well our boat is on a trailer in a marina… As you know, IWA’s Les Etheridge, is chair of Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW). FBW have been holding rallies in different areas of the country to draw attention to the problems facing all waterways and therefore the environment around them. We recently held a Campaign Cruise on the Thames outside Westminster. There was a large group of us on Westminster Bridge supporting the boats in the water. A lot of noise was made by their horns and sirens which we hope was heard within Westminster. More details on future plans are included in &DUJRHV this time.
5 Also in &DUJRHV is an article by IWA Oxfordshire’s Branch Chair, Ian Lindsay. Please do take note of what he has written and help if you can. Many thanks to all contributors for the articles and photos you have supplied for this edition of &DUJRHV. I hope everyone enjoys reading them and has a wonderful summer in and around the waterways. Chris Jones Editor
Fund Britain’s Waterways Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW) announces a May Day Bank Holiday Weekend of Action After launching at the end of June 2023, six months later FBW has created an impressive coalition of member organisations totalling well over one hundred, representing hundreds of thousands of users and supporters of inland waterways. A public petition has attracted close to 50,000 signatures. Three well-reported Campaign Cruises in Birmingham, Gloucester and past the Palace of Westminster on the Thames have substantially raised awareness of the challenges facing our canals and rivers and the need for action. Our plans for 2024 include an important weekend of action over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend (4th to 6th May 2024) to highlight the impact of insufficient funding for Britain’s 5,000 miles of inland waterways. The weekend of action is planned to take place across the country on waterways managed by different inland navigation authorities. It will coincide with IWA’s annual Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice in London, which this year will be themed on Fund Britain’s Waterways. Boaters attending Cavalcade are invited to join a Campaign Cruise past the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 8th May, as the culmination of the weekend of action. Parliamentarians will be encouraged to view the event and express their support for the continued maintenance of the waterways to enable them to keep on delivering economic, health, environmental and well-being benefits. We hope that activities taking place across the country over the weekend will attract local and national media attention, building up to the Westminster Cruise on 8th May for which we will be aiming for national coverage.
6 We are looking for local groups to organise events during the weekend of action to spread the word that waterways need to be properly funded to stop them from falling into decline. Events can be as simple as a few boats gathered together at a “public” location where flyers can be handed out and people be encouraged to sign our petition or get more involved. If you or your organisation could organise an event over the weekend, please contact Hazel Owen hazelowen.awcc@outlook.com and 07929 204811. Please also contact Hazel if you can help promote the FBW cause at any events you are involved in at any time throughout the year. About Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW): FBW brings together a wide range of organisations with the sole purpose of campaigning collectively for an increase in government funding of Britain’s inland waterways to avert their decline, and to promote awareness of the huge economic, environmental and social wellbeing value they provide. Established in June 2023, it already has over 100 members representing hundreds of thousands of users and supporters of inland waterways. Contact: For further information about Fund Britain’s Waterways contact info@fundbritainswaterways.org.uk
Guildford & Reading Branch Branch Chairman After our normal winter “hibernation” we are looking forward to taking the Sales stand to the Reading Water Fest and the Wey River Festival, Guildford again this year and will need help at each event to enable folk to have a break. In an ideal world it would be good to have enough helpers to just do a half day. You will read elsewhere that the Oxfordshire branch is really struggling but we would still like to show the IWA flag at the Oxford and Banbury festivals so I am appealing to you to pass the message on to anyone who may be able to help, or take your boat for a trip, maybe? The dates below. The AGM will be held in person this year at Dapdune Wharf, thanks to the National Trust. The ever popular Mark Rudall will give a talk on Steamboats. While the Thames struggles to maintain its infrastructure the use of volunteers on the Basingstoke is a great example of hybrid working with volunteers undertaking tasks for which they are trained, supervised by the Canal Authority. The net result is that it is estimated that the Canal Society contributed £55,000 in real money and volunteer time last year. See you at the AGM Verna Smith (Chair)
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Sales & Publicity Stand After a good 2023 we are planning to attend the Reading Water Fest and Wey River Festival again, and also support IWA Oxfordshire with any of their events. More events may be added if we can get the volunteers to help with them. We are really in need of additional help at these events and hope more of you will put yourselves forward. Please contact Chris Jones or any member of the Sales Team if you can help at any of the events, our email address is: chris.jones@waterways.org.uk. The Sales Team
Future Events Mon 11th Mar, 6.30pm for 7pm start: G&R Branch AGM. By kind permission of NT at Dapdune Wharf, Guildford. Followed by our Speaker, Mark Rudall. Subject: “Steampower, the Waterways and Fossil Fuels”. Sat 8th June: Reading Water Fest Sept – Date to be advised: Wey River Festival. Dapdune Wharf, Guildford Sept: - Date to be advised: Oxford Canal Festival Sat 5th & Sun 6th Oct: Banbury Canal Festival: (IWA Oxfordshire Branch)
Basingstoke Canal Society “Your Fund Surrey” Grant Secured for our new electric trip boat .LWW\! After 2 years of fundraising within the local community and with much effort from many Basingstoke Canal Society volunteers, we’re excited to share that we have recently secured the full amount of funding required to proceed with the ordering and production of the Basingstoke Canal Society’s new electric trip boat. The last £75,000 of investment required came from a successful Your Fund Surrey grant application. In total over £165,000 has been raised, and in addition to Surrey County Council's “Your Fund Surrey” grant, we have achieved this through the generosity of local businesses and residents to the Basingstoke Canal. The Basingstoke Canal Society wants to thank the many individual contributors who have made this possible in addition to the £75,000 from “Your Fund Surrey”. The Shanley Foundation and the Syder Foundation awarded grants for our project, and many locally based businesses also supported with corporate donations from Waitrose, Lansbury Estates, AECOM, The Ion Group, Tim and Liz Dodswell and S C Johnson. This is in addition to generous legacies.
8 Many artists also donated paintings for auction as well as the Basingstoke Canal Authority who donated the remaining paintings by Nancy Larcombe. Surrey County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety Councillor Denise Turner-Stewart said: “We are thrilled that Basingstoke Canal Society has been successful in their application to “Your Fund Surrey” for a grant towards a new electric trip boat. Making the Surrey countryside, including our waterways, accessible to everyone has huge benefits to our residents' well-being, so we are delighted the new boat is more suitable for wheelchair users. Using an electric boat will also help with Surrey’s goal to be a carbon net zero county by 2050. This is a fantastic project and I look forward to seeing the boat out on the canal.” The Basingstoke Canal Society Chairman, Ian Moore highlighted: “Huge thanks go to Gren Gale and the Fundraising Team, in particular, Diane Sanderson for leading our submission to “Your Fund Surrey”. The grant will help the Society replace our aging diesel-powered trip boat .LWW\ based in Woking. By replacing a fossil fuelled trip boat with an all-electric boat, it will reduce our annual carbon emissions by an estimated 3.5 tonnes in an urban environment, helping us meet the Climate Emergency goals set out by both Central Government and the County Council. Our trip boat .LWW\ carries nearly 2,000 passengers a year, and raises many thousands of pounds that go straight back into helping to maintain our fantastic canal. Brayzel Narrowboats are building the new .LWW\ trip boat and we hope to have the new boat in the water for our Summer 2024 boat trips. At the same time as launching our new trip boat, we will install charging points to kick-start the electrification of the Basingstoke Canal. The work will include installing three charging points, one of which will be dedicated to .LWW\ and the other two open for public use. The Basingstoke Canal is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) so it’s particularly important to protect its environment with this new “greener” trip boat and charging points for other boaters too. The new electric .LWW\ will also be designed to be better adapted for wheelchair use and have better facilities for all users. Charlotte Rodgers, Press Officer BCS A Productive Winter of Work – An Update From the BCA Works were undertaken to replace the upper gates at Lock 3 in Woodham. This was a combination of our supplier Greenoak measuring and manufacturing the gates earlier this winter and then a different company lifting them into position with a crane barge, and then finally our skilled ranger team doing the final fitting of the gates. This involves fitting cills (a bit like a windowsill at the base of the gates for them to butt up against) and the saw-cutting of the gates to get them to meet tightly in the middle to reduce leaks. These gates are now fully in operation.
9 Dredging has been underway on the Canal in Hampshire for the last few weeks and is due to continue almost until the end of March. Companies tendered to carry out what we call spot dredging. This means targeting identified (by boats and depth surveys) spots of shallower canal. This work has been combined with some bank protection works to make best use of the dredgings. Our Tuesday volunteer team did a good job of clearing out the old silt dump area at Broadoak and the rest of the dredgings are being deposited in there, where they will soon dry out and vegetate over. The Canal can become shallower in some areas due to a variety of factors such as inlet ditches and streams bringing in silt and causing sandbars under the water and leaves from all our wonderful trees continually building up on the Canal bed, gradually decomposing and adding to silt levels over many years. Work is now starting on resurfacing the towpath at Crookham. This work has been kindly funded by a grant from Crookham Village Parish Council and is funding resurfacing all the way from Malthouse Bridge through to Zebon Copse Swing Bridge. Our volunteer teams have been very busy with winter cutting both from the towpath and from boats along what we call the “offside” (non-towpath side) of the Canal. This helps to keep back the woody regrowth which is constantly encroaching. By doing different areas each year we manage it on a rough cycle, never allowing any one section to get too overgrown. With over 64 miles of bank to manage it would be impossible for us to do it all every year. Repairs at Lock 8 and Lock 26 were carried out to clear blockages and repair leaks around the bypass culverts (pipes that take water around the lock). Our Trip Boat 5RVHEXG Our trip boat 5RVHEXG, and our Patrol Boat, both had refurbishments and painting in our dry dock, all carried out by a team of volunteers. These boats are now ready for the boating season. Our dry dock allows us to drive boats into a covered area where we can then completely empty the water out leaving the boat resting on props. This enables easy access to the whole of the boat to carry out repairs. Dredging – Why do we Dredge? Dredging has been underway on the Canal in Hampshire for the last few weeks and is due to continue almost until the end of March. But what is dredging and why does the Canal need it? The Basingstoke Canal, as designed, was really in two halves – west of Ash Lock and east of Ash Lock. The section from Ash Lock to Basingstoke was intended
10 to be 4 ft 6 in deep and act as a reservoir for the part in Surrey which was 3 ft 6 in deep. When the canal was used as a commercial waterway, few trees were allowed to grow alongside it, but this has not been the case for many years. Today the canal is one of the most heavily wooded in the country. Although very attractive, the many trees drop their leaves into the canal which then decay and sink to the bottom, building up a layer of silt. The Canal Society used the steampowered dredger, 3HUVHYHUDQFH, from 1975 to 1992 to clear the channel from King John’s castle in North Warnborough to Pondtail in Fleet and in the process removed an estimated quarter of a million cubic metres of silt from the canal. There are two methods of dredging, which are mechanical where the use of an excavator or dredger digs out the silt and suction (or hydraulic) where the liquified slurry and water are pumped into a lagoon. Typically, it is the mechanical method which is employed on the Basingstoke Canal. Steam Dredger 3HUVHYHUDQFH Performing Restoration Dredging In general, companies tendered by the BCA typically carry out spot dredging. This means targeting spots of shallower canal which have been previously identified by boats and depth surveys and is typically on a smaller scale to other types. Spot dredging occurs relatively frequently on the Canal, having been performed initially by the dredger 8QLW\ from 1989-2013 and subsequently by contractors from 2011-present. Dredger 8QLW\ at Work on the Basingstoke Canal Main channel or systematic dredging is larger scale maintenance which typically performed once in a generation and is considerably more expensive as a result. This was last performed on the Canal between 1997 and 2001. The third type is restoration dredging which is where a heavily silted waterbody requires re-creation and as previously mentioned, this was last performed on the Canal between 1974-1993 led by the BCS steam dredger 3HUVHYHUDQFH (an appropriate name, given the huge amount of work needed to be undertaken during this time). So, whilst dredging is an expensive and labour-intensive process, it is a necessary process to allow boats to navigate smoothly along the Canal.
11 Odiham Castle had a new set of Interpretation boards to replace the old ones that were looking a bit worn. This was paid for from a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Lots of tree works have been underway all winter as a result of the last set of tree surveys in Surrey. Inspectors will soon be starting surveys through the Hampshire section and works to these trees will then follow in the Autumn. Boat Trips: The -RKQ 3LQNHUWRQ ,, trip boat operates from Odiham in Hampshire, running public, themed and chartered cruises. Trips last about 3.25 hours and run through farms, woodlands and the occasional small settlement. Information for times and prices for 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/. All bookings are done online but for help email: jpbookings@basingstoke-canal.org.uk, or call: 07506 864411 (10am – 6pm). .LWW\ public boat trips are at 11am, 1pm and 2.45pm from the town wharf in Woking. Trips from Mytchett: Boat trips on board our friendly 12-seater boat 5RVHEXG 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.
Focus on Accessible Boating Association The Accessible Boating Association, (ABA), is a registered charity initiated in 1985. The charity enables people who cannot use existing canal boats to enjoy cruises on the Basingstoke Canal. Two boats are available: 0DGDP %XWWHUIO\ a comfortable 7-berth cruising boat and 'DZQ 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
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Byfleet Boat Club
The highlight of the last 6 months was the Illuminated Parade on 25th November, which saw probably the largest turnout of local people we have ever had, estimated at over 1,000 on the towpath and the forecourt of the boathouse. The number of boats participating went into double figures for the first time in a while and we sold vast amounts of Hot Chocolate, Hot Dogs and even Candy Floss to raise money for charity. The event was a great success and was even acknowledged in the local press. The photo shows 1DUURZERDWV 3DSHU 0RRQ and Acorn dressed for the parade Photo: Rob Hall Mike Chamberlain
Chichester Ship Canal Trust It’s time for an MOT and some onsite maintenance On a cold and sunny day last week, .LQJILVKHU and the tugs were lifted from the water. Coussens, the crane contractor, did a magnificent job as usual, ably supported by a band of canal volunteers. The tug, -XSLWHU, will be transported to its new owners on the Medway. .LQJILVKHU will undergo its biannual checks by the Maritime and Coastal Agency prior to being refloated. %R[HU a workboat, requires some tlc from the volunteers and the other tugs were checked and re-floated on the day.
13 Our grateful thanks , especially to Chris Grimes for organising the lifts with our willing volunteers on the day, plus Richard Bland’s work party management. Well done to all involved on the day! Father Christmas visits to switch on the lights An illuminated model boat display from Portsmouth Model Boat Display team preceded the arrival of 5LFKPRQG and .LQJILVKHU at the Basin… lit and decorated. The first of many families were presented with a chance to go on a boat ride with a surprise visit from Father Christmas who hopped on from his decorated abode along the canal, handing out presents to children and asking if they had been naughty or not. From then, he pressed the switch to make the basin twinkle which was received with massive applause. The OK Chorale Choir and Fishbourne Mill Morris dancers entertained the crowd with their joyous performances. Unfortunately, the inclement weather couldn’t permit the fireworks to happen. Better luck next year. Photos: David Richardson Chichester Canal Trust Website - Janet Osborne
Kennet & Avon Canal News Newbury Branch I'm typing this while looking at the flow meter for the Kennet hoping it starts going down, or the start of this season is going to look very similar to last year! Our 2023 season was very much a "game of two halves". The middle was great. We had some sun, a lot of passengers, a lot of fun, some new trips and a weekend out in Reading to help our branch there with Water Fest.
14 Unfortunately, the start and the end of the season were badly affected by the great British weather. Our start was delayed by 6 weeks because of the flow on the Kennet. Sometimes being on the river part of the K&A has its advantages, like the mixture of conditions available for training, but sometimes it's frustrating. Thankfully once we were able to start it went well. We worked with Visit Newbury to increase our local exposure and they helped fill our new Gin Cruises, which went down very well and tasted good too. Skippering the trips meant I can't testify to the last part, but my other half took great delight in describing the virtues of Gee Gee Gins best offerings to me during her trip! Our themed trips were a great success as usual. Volunteers fully grasped the excuse to dress up as pirates in August and various monsters and ghouls in October. The dressing up carried on in December with Santas trips to Newbury, but the weather returning with a vengeance meant we couldn't use -XELOHH. A flow of 10 cubic metres per second is enough to keep us moored up, but December it was well over 40, not a record we wanted to see set. We are keeping our fingers crossed the recent flooding doesn't delay us too much, as we've got more trips planned for this year. Our normal trips will all be on, as well as the themed ones. We'll be taking part in the Newbury Family Fun Day at
Victoria Park in May and another trip to Reading in June. New for this year is our Summer Season. From June to September Gee Gee Gin is back for an extended run of gin tasting cruises, we are doing evening prosecco cruises and we will be joined by The Inn at Home for beer tasting. New volunteers have joined us and are looking forward to starting their training, but there is always room for more. Look on https://katrust.org.uk/ for details of how to volunteer or join us or any of our cruises. I'm now off to have another look at the flow meter. Paul Kettel KACT Newbury Branch
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Reading Branch Chairman’s Report Hello again, Wishing you a belated Happy New Year. We had very enjoyable Christmas gatherings for Reading Branch, and 0DWLOGD 7RR crew, at “The Narrowboat”. “The Narrowboat” has changed its name from the “Bel and Dragon”, so we took the opportunity to present Natalie’s hospitality Team, with an early edition of LTC Rolt’s Book “Narrowboat”. We did challenge Jess to have read the influential tome before we begin our 2024 trips. We have had a strong reminder that the Kennet & Avon at this end is a powerful River Navigation. We started preparing our trip boat 0DWLOGD 7ZR for winter, in October, when the flow suddenly started to rise. The Red boards were raised, and have not dropped since, and we are now nearing the end of January. This means no boat movement, and no chance yet, to return to our normal winter base for maintenance. We plan to prepare 0DWLOGD 7RR for the 2024 season, working off the pontoon she is sat on, at “The Narrowboat” in Reading. We are working on our crew safety training, so we can cover some theory, off the boat, while waiting for the water to become more friendly, allowing some live on the water training. Rob Coles from CRT spoke at our Reading Branch meeting in January. Rob thanked the Trust and specifically the Crofton Volunteers for running the Beam engines, and maintaining the water level, while they were replacing the summit level pumps. This was the largest budget project on CRT’s work for this year, to pump water up to the summit level from Wilton water. He discussed the recent flooding, with unprecedented volume of water. Storm rainfall in the Marlborough area caused a sudden rise in tributaries of the Kennet. This caused flooding there, which then worked its way down to our area. Much of the flow and monitoring levels reached new highs, with Newbury seeing 40 cubic metres per second, that’s a lot of water!!! The CRT team are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year managing this complex balancing act.
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From a Reading perspective, the flood plain, and water meadows to the west, have been high, and constant. County Lock and the bottom landing stage of Fobney Lock, have been underwater for several months. We have discovered we have a friend literally overlooking 0DWLOGD 7RR, opposite her enforced winter moorings. I would like to thank Kelly, who messaged us a few times, to let us know about some flapping covers, and some rope adjustments we needed to make. This prevented some unfortunate mishaps, and we are truly grateful to a guardian angel. Around October we had reports of Otters in central Reading, and a little later Keith, our boat manager was delighted to see a pair of otters rolling and playing around 0DWLOGD 7RR. They have been seen feeding, and playing on a regular basis since then. Driving through some of the recent excess of water, I experienced a swan swimming across in front of me, with a Heron watching on.
The water doesn’t suit all, and I have seen Deer looking for dry ground around the water meadows. The grass areas on the lock sides, are heaped with mole hills, the little velvet beasts desperately looking to keep their noses dry.
17 In November a lady with a life sized resin horse called Miles, was walking the towpath in stages, towards London. She was doing this in memory of her daughter Brodie, a young rider, raising awareness and money for Riders Minds and PAPYRUS suicide prevention. This was fortunately before the towpath became too waterlogged. www.doitforbrodie.co.uk. Following some changes in the K&A’s board, I find myself a trustee and now appointed as chair. My predecessor Chris Simms unfortunately had to stand down due to ill health, I and the trust wish him well. One of my first duties as Chair was to present David Copley, a certificate and a bottle of wine to celebrate his appointment as an honorary Vice President of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. He recently stepped down as Trustee and was previously Reading Branch Chair. He has been an active Trust member working on restoration of the Kennet and Avon since 1972. Mike Wyatt was also appointed as an honorary Vice President, and I contacted Mike Wyatt’s family for them to pass on the news. This was in in recognition to the work done during the restoration of the navigation, and his work to make the Reading Water Fest an annual event from 1990 as well as being a wellrespected chair of the Reading Branch. Looking forward to Water Fest in June, we are pleased to have one of our Bruce Branch fully accessible boats visiting. The boats offer hire boat holidays and day trips from Great Bedwyn. They will be working with Reading Borough Council and others to offer trips to those who otherwise might not be able to get on the water. We are planning to use the wharfage outside the new Huntley Wharf buildings to host a larger number of boats, now that the development is finally finished. There will be an exhibition in the Turbine house, hosted by a gallery of canal artists, several based on the K&A. The Aldermaston Tea Rooms have been open continuously from the start of the year, and are preparing for some special offerings for Valentine’s day. We are preparing for the Wash house/Toll house information centre to be open and viewable in the Spring. I’m looking for a Belfast sink to make the wash house exhibition more complete - if anyone has one to spare, please get in touch. We have also had permission to use articles from “The Narrowboat” magazine to detail the life of a Toll Clerk, and some detail of the workings of John Gould’s working boats. We have recently been donated some artifacts for the working K&A including a mast from John Gould’s boat &ROLQ. Branch Meetings started this year with Rob Coles from CRT in January, and we have a full list of speakers for the coming year. Our February meeting features Sue Law who will be presenting her new book “The Dark side of the Cut”. Looking at murder and intrigue at the canal side. Come along to “The Narrowboat” in Reading and join the investigation. Non members welcome - please feel free to come along, or contact me for the Zoom access. Keep well and look after each other. Graham Puddephatt chair.reading@katrust.org.uk Photos Courtesy of Dru Marland, Richard Coles and Graham Puddephatt,
18 ³5HDGLQJ«RQ .HQQHW DQG RK VR QHDU WKH 7KDPHV´ 'DQLHO 'HIRH
Future Events 20th Feb: Sue Law talking about her book Dark Side of the Cut. 19th Mar: Lane Redgwell talking about the Thames at Reading. 16th Apr– Volunteer from Crofton Pumping station. Sat 8th June 2024: Reading Water Fest Entry donation to Meetings, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help with expenses). All meeting start at 7.30pm and further details can be found on the Website at www.katrust.org.uk
Crofton Beam Engines Our 2024 Open Season It’s full steam ahead here at Crofton to get ready for our 2024 open season. We’re pleased to release our 2024 Steaming and Non-Steaming open dates. Winter Work Open Day Sat 9th Mar 10:30am to 14:30pm Winter Tour: Over our closed period we will be offering winter tours via prior arrangement on Fridays. A group is a minimum of 8 people. For more information or to book a visit, please contact us. 2024 Steaming and Non-Steaming Days (March to September) There is no charge to enter the site on non-steaming days except for Special Events. There is a charge to visit the station itself to view the boiler and engines. Advance booking is not required on non-steaming days. There is a charge to enter the site on steaming days. Advance booking is recommended. We operate an on-line booking system with Art Tickets (from Art Fund, supporting museums and art galleries across the UK). Booking recommended but not essential. Opening Times: Car Park: 10.30 – 16.30 (17.00 0n steaming days). Site: 10.30 – 16.00 (Last entry 15.30). Station: 10.30 – 15.00 Opening Dates: Mar: Sat 30th & Sun 31st (Steaming) Apr: Mon 1st (Steaming); Sat 6th & Sun 7th; Sat 13th & Sun 14th; Sat 20th & Sun 21st; Sat 27th & Sun 28th
19 May: Sat 4th, Sun 5th (Steaming), Mon 6th (Steaming); Sat 11th & Sun 12th; Sat 18th & Sun 19th; Sat 25th, Sun 26th (Steaming), Mon 27th (Steaming) Jun: Sat 1st & Sun 2nd; Sat 8th & Sun 9th; Sat 15th & Sun 16th; Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd; Sat 29th (Steaming) & Sun 30th (Steaming) Jul: Sat 6th & Sun 7th; Sat 13th & Sun 14th; Sat 20th & Sun 21st; Sat 27th (Steaming) & Sun 28th (Steaming) Aug: Sat 3rd & Sun 4th; Sat 10th & Sun 11th; Sat 17th & Sun 18th; Sat 24th, Sun 25th (Steaming) & Mon 26th (Steaming); Sat 31st. Sept: Sun 1st; Sat 7th & Sun 8th; Sat 14th & Sun 15th; Sat 21st & Sun 22nd; Sat 28th (Steaming) & Sun 29th (Steaming) Steam Experience Have you ever wanted to stoke a huge coal fired boiler or operate the oldest fully working beam engine in the world? Now is your chance! Accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable volunteer, you can light and stoke the boiler, work with the Duty Engineer, enter areas not normally seen by the public, prepare the engines for steaming, and finally take control of the oldest, working beam engine in the world. Please contact us for more information. Please visit our website for up to date information on our Open Days: www.katrust.org.uk Photo and information: Crofton Beam Engines
Maidenhead Waterways Weed Removal - We were pleased to invite back Weedcutter’s specialist weed boat for its final visits for the year. Around 25 tonnes of excess weed was removed on each visit from the channel, clearing the surface and allowing light through to the plant life below.
Corporate Volunteers - A super team from local employer Alnylam spent the day with us painting out graffiti and clearing the paths by the Green Lane weir in October. They enjoyed the day and the area looks much better now. AGM - We held a successful AGM in November (our 16th since the charity was formally established in 2007) at the Desborough Bowls Club in Maidenhead. Members heard a presentation “Review of the Year” from trustees, received the group’s 2022/23 annual accounts and renewed trustee appointments. We were
20 pleased to elect Dominic Hurst as a new trustee. Just retired as a senior Producer for BBC TV News, Dominic is a keen canoeist, an advocate for environmental issues and a regular clearance volunteer. WRG/BITM - We welcomed back an expert team of 13 from the Inland Waterways Association’s Waterway Recovery Group/BITM (pictured) for the weekend in November, to continue removal of the fallen trees in Lower Bray Cut that block passage and restrict flow. Five large trees - lying right across the channel and already taking root in the bed - were removed using chain saws and a Tirfor winch. WRG have been booked to return and continue this important work in a few months’ time. Bray Cut Clearance - December saw a professional team deployed to accelerate work on reopening Lower Bray Cut and its navigable link to the Thames, utilising a major grant received last year from the charitable arm of city firm Orbis Investments. Finding contractors able to undertake clearance work of this kind - working from the water, in winter (to avoid the nesting season), in an inaccessible and densely overgrown waterway - proved challenging but in the end was successful. We teamed Essex based Weedcutter Ltd (who we use for weed clearance) with a local tree surgeon and the job got underway in mid-December. After a careful site check for wildlife and a team briefing by a professional ecologist, two Dutch made Conver boats (worth £100k a piece..!) with an attached floating platform set off together from the confluence at the Thames and slowly worked upstream. The platform was attached to the lead boat, with chain saw operators working from it in full PPE to cut out fallen and overgrown branches that block passage, without disturbing the bankside habitats. A second Conver boat with a powerful hydraulic forklift attachment followed behind, scooping up and dumping cut wood onto the bank at the designated extraction point. Finally, a shredder reduced the bulk of cut wood after it had been brought ashore, allowing the chippings to be used for mulch. Other cut wood was stacked and left as habitat piles. You can see a short Youtube of the boats in action at https://youtu.be/1f2hnxtiyxk . Richard Davenport Chair of the Trustees - Maidenhead Waterways Group
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River Wey & Godalming Navigations It has been a busy start to the year. From periods of heavy rain, falling on saturated ground, to over 22 trees falling in a single night during the storm in January. The field teams have been out at all hours operating the weirs (trying to manage the water levels and limit the impact on the communities along the Navigation) and then clearing the trees during the daylight hours to keep the Navigation open. It has been a tremendous effort from all involved. I would like to thank everyone who has made the prompt payments for their annual licence fee. This fee goes directly to the management of the Navigation and enables our teams to continue to conserve this beautiful waterway. Current work along the Navigation: In between clearing trees, the field teams have been busy resurfacing and fixing the tow path. They are currently working in the Addlestone area and should be there for another couple of weeks. We are also working with contractors to fit a new security fence behind the elsan point at New Haw. As most of you will be aware, this has been the target of graffiti for a number of years and we are hoping that this will help. The works for this should start in the next week or two but should not cause any disruption to the use of the facilities. Planned works (Spring/Summer): NB: This is an outline plan as reactive works will cause alterations to the schedule below • Feb – Reprofiling of moorings and sandbars along the Navigation • March – works on the access ramps at Walsham Bridge • March/April – Towpath works in the Newark area • April/May – Improvement works at Dapdune Wharf • June – Works boats out of the water for maintenance • July – Bank protection and towpath works in the Send area • July/Aug – Minor repairs at Old Bucks weir • Aug – Various bank protection/repairs
22 Events: Over the coming months we have a series of events based at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford as well as well as a choice of walks to explore the area around the Navigation. All of the events below are free to join unless otherwise stated. Three Surrey properties walk – 25th Feb, 10:30-15:30. River Wey, Winkworth Arboretum and Hydon's Ball and Heath - all on foot! This is a 10 mile plus guided walk that is hard to resist... Meet at Godalming Wharf for a short walk along the towpath to Catteshall,where we head over towards Winkworth Arboretum and Hydon’s Ball and heath, and come back through Busbridge, Westbrook mills and back to Godalming World Book Day weekend – 9th – 10th March – Dapdune Wharf, Guildford. Celebrate World Book Day at Dapdune Wharf with a weekend of storytelling, crafts and activities and a children's book swap. Come fancy dressed as your favourite book character when we celebrate World Book Day Weekend at Dapdune Wharf. Join in with storytelling and the children’s book swap, write a river tale and take part in book themed craft activities. Visit the Book Shed too, where you’ll find reading for all ages, even the grown ups! If you'd like to donate children's books ahead of World Book Day Weekend, email riverwey@nationaltrust.org.uk and we'd love to help them find a new home. Churches and pubs walk – 13th March, 10:30-13:30. The alternative name for this walk is “Through the Albury Estate”, but we seemed to pass so many churches and pubs on our way, in the end that had to be the name…From the cricket ground car park at Albury Heath, we walk through the woods to Albury Park where we'll have a look at the beautiful Saxon church in the grounds. Then we'll head on past the newer church (not open to the public) and to Shere along the Tillingbourne stream. We may stop for refreshments in Little London before returning through the woods to Albury Heath. This is a 6 mile walk. North Downs walk – 24th March, 10:30-16:00. We're borrowing another Trust place for the start of the walk - Clandon Park. Since the Clandon Estate used to belong to the Weston family, and Sir Richard Weston created the Wey Navigation, we thought it was fair... From Clandon, we head to Hatchlands Park, where we may stop for a brief refreshment break and to use the toilets, then press on up to the North Downs ridge and enjoy the level path to Newlands Corner. We potentially have another break at Newlands (this is a 10 mile walk after all) and then walk through the rather lovely yew trail to Merrow Down. From there it is all downhill back to the lodge gates at Clandon - designed, rumour has it, by Capability Brown in 1776. We then follow the public footpath round the back of Clandon to the car park. Easter egg hunt – 29th March - 1st April – Dapdune Wharf, Guildford. This spring, treat the whole family to a hippity hoppity adventure at Dapdune Wharf on an Easter trail. Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. The trail takes place between 29 March-1 April 2024, from 11am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, so come along and explore the beautiful wharf on the River Wey Navigations. Prices are £3 per trail which includes an Easter trail
23 sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg. Bounce through our rabbit racecourse, test out your archery skills, plant a seed, add your pledge to nature and discover what’s in our mystery wellies plus so much more. . *Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies. As we move to the warmer months, I am looking forward to seeing more people out enjoying the Navigation and am excited for another successful season. Please visit our website (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey ) for up to date information. Tristan Brown Wey Navigations General Manager Guildford Flooding January 2024 Following the heavy rain on 5th January the River Wey was in flood. These photos show the flood around Millmead Lock on 6th January.
The channel is full through Guildford, up to the level of the cantilevered towpath. Note that the channel under the 1960s Gyratory Road bridge is wider, presumably with the long term intention of widening throughout
Much reduced headroom under Town Bridge
Water lapping over the edge of Town Wharf
Towpath awash opposite the site of Debenhams store
Picnic benches stand forlorn in the flood
24 Millmead Lock normally has a fall of about two metres but today it is only half a metre
No power generated by the Guildford Hydro Plant because the flood in the lower reach has reduced the head of water available
Fair warning to navigators
Parking at the Britannia is not recommended today
The tide mark shows that the level had been even higher earlier in the day
Lock gate chained back for safety
Mike Lewis
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Wey and Arun Canal Trust WACT News Bill Nicholson MBE Bill’s richly deserved MBE is for 50 years of dedicated volunteer work on canal restoration – a lot of it on our canal but on loads of others as well. In the early 1960s Bill lived at Lymm (Cheshire). On the nearby Bridgwater Canal it was common to see coal barges. From his bedroom Bill could see ships sailing across the fields on the Manchester Ship Canal. Soon afterwards the family moved to Midgham (Berkshire), not far from the Kennet & Avon Canal – then derelict. At the age of 14, Bill joined his first working party – at Bonfire Hanger on our canal. Later he progressed to running Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) canal camps, designing canal structures and supervising construction. Bill is now our ‘go to’ source for all kinds of technical and practical advice. In the early 1980s Bill founded the Newbury Working Party Group (NWPG) which initially worked on the Kennet & Avon Canal, where they built 22 bridges at Devizes, to mention just one project. The group expanded its scope to the Basingstoke Canal, our canal and up and down the country. In 1991 NWPG, with Bill as leader, ran its first week-long camp on our canal, with Bill as Camp Leader. NWPG is still active and has run at least one camp every year since, except 2020. Bill joined our board as a director in 2020. Bill’s day job was as a local authority planning officer, most recently working on HS2 in the Chiltern area. The unique combination of Bill’s practical and professional expertise, mixed in with his huge enthusiasm, is absolutely invaluable for us. This is beginning to sound a bit like Bill’s obituary, which it absolutely isn’t – all of us offer many congratulations and wish Bill many more happy and successful years of canal restoration. Poddle. The 2024 Poddle will take place on Sunday 2nd June. The organising team are finalising the route and more details will be shared in the near future. Please save the date and we hope you will be able join us as a participant or help out with marshalling or catering on the day.
26 Birtley bridges official opening.
With the restoration of a 700 metre section of canal with two lift bridges completed, an official opening by Mary Creswell, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Surrey was held on 28th October and attended by Trust members, invited guests and many members of the local community. As well as our own volunteers and staff who did nearly all the work on the ground, the work would not have been possible without many other contributors and supporters. Three generations volunteer Our Midweek Working Party carries out a variety of work along the canal including clearing vegetation, brambles, fallen trees, scrub & reeds and general maintenance. Nick Houston, a Mid-Week Working Party volunteer since 2008, was hard at work on a November Wednesday when he was surprised and delighted to be joined by both his son and his grandson. Grandson Charlie had an “Inset Day” off from Rodborough School, Milford and son Jeremy used a “Volunteering Day” away from Premier Miton Investors to take Charlie (already a life member) out for a day’s hard(ish) labour, clearing vegetation along the newly-acquired bridleway at Bonfire Hanger. Nick says they enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Jeremy and Charlie both enjoy kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Perhaps they will revisit Bonfire Hanger one day by water? Would you like to volunteer with us? For more information on all our volunteer groups, please go to our website and look at the Volunteer pages which includes opportunities for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award volunteering. We also have hosted volunteering days for local schools and businesses and would like to hear from you if you want to make an impact in your local community.
27 Canal Trust helps threatened butterflies In mid-September Butterfly Conservation announced the results of its Big Butterfly Count 2023 and it was a mixture of good news and not so good. Good: the number of butterflies recorded in 2023 was the highest since 2019. Not so good: “longer-term trends show worrying declines for some of the UK’s most common butterfly species.” The Wey & Arun Canal and its banks are a marvellous place to spot butterflies. Canal Trust members had a look to see which of the declining species we had seen in 2023 and the answer was “most of them”. Just picking out three, the results tell us “Species that saw a decline from last year include Ringlet, Common Blue and Speckled Wood, all of which also show long-term declines.” In one visit to the Hunt Nature Park in Shalford on 6th August we spotted Common Blue and Speckled Wood butterflies and on 9 th July a Ringlet.
Butterfly Conservation say “If butterflies can feed, breed and shelter, they can thrive. By creating a Wild Space in your outdoor area you can help to reverse the massive losses of wildlife-friendly habitat”. This is exactly what the Wey & Arun Canal Trust is doing in Shalford and many other locations. During the summer months we minimise cutting vegetation on the canal banks so that wildflowers can grow and benefit all sorts of wildlife including bees, butterflies and caterpillars. We are very happy to see that our efforts are producing such positive results. Boat Trips. A private boat trip can be a great way to celebrate a special occasion, or a fun outing for your group or society. We provide the boat and the crew and we can also help with refreshments. The best way to book is to use the online enquiry form on our website or you can contact support@weyandarun.co.uk. For general information on the work of the Trust, please telephone our Northern Office on 01483 505566, or visit www.weyandarun.co.uk
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River Thames News The Thames has experienced more extensive flooding and strong stream warnings than normal lately. This has been attributed to climate change by the Environment Agency while local media have questioned whether the lack of dredging is contributing to the situation. The operation of the Jubilee River, which was built to alleviate flooding in the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton area, has also been questioned after places downstream of its outfall flooded. The response from the EA states that the computer modelling does not agree with local observations and that a new flood relief channel is be built to sort this out anyway. At Lechlade the river has flooded at least four times already which points to water level management issues plus dredging and building on flood plains. It would be good to see some joined up thinking on the links between flooding and local development. There is no doubt that the lack of reliable funding from Defra has increased the number of emergency stoppages due to broken structures. It must be very frustrating for the Thames staff to draw up detailed plans to maintain and improve bridges, locks and weirs only to have the funding re-allocated by mid-year away from the Thames. Hence the need to continue to support “Fund Britain’s Waterways”. I suppose we can expect a drought in July now? Verna Smith Photo Courtesy: Get Surrey and Ian Lindsay (Lechlade Marina)
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British Canoeing (Paddle UK) River Thames Scheme Consultation – www.riverthamesscheme.org.uk
At the time of writing the raft of statutory consultation documents detailing the design concept for the Runnymede and Spelthorne channels had just been released. Whilst Flood risk reduction is the priority, key themes also include new natural habitats, a travel network for walking and cycling and an emphasis on access to green open spaces. Blue open spaces with access to the channels for water recreation is of particular interest. At first sight there is an option to provide a blue open space water recreation facility on a lake in Chertsey that lacks details and is remote from the new channels. Access for water recreation on the new channels and interconnecting lakes is not discussed. Whereas, referring to the Thames Conservancy Act 1932, Section 79 a public right of navigation applies where the River Thames flows. This is a marked change from the Second Consultation, 2022 information that featured access for water recreation on the new channels as a community benefit resulting from the scheme. The summary for the consultation that had 487 responses as follows with a significant number wanting access to the channels for recreation: The most frequently mentioned theme was access, mentioned by 372 respondents. Respondents focused on: the provision of additional and improved walking and cycling routes to promote access to both the river and accompanying new green open spaces and access for water users, especially for those who wish to access the river for recreational purposes (as mentioned by 116 respondents). Sussex River Ouse The river is a popular venue for paddlers above Barcombe Mills that is nontidal water with a public right of access and a valued limited resource in Sussex. A
30 recent issue is the termination of an access arrangement by a third party to portage about Barcombe Sluice that precludes continuing beyond to Isfield. The circumstances for this situation and provisions of the extant Navigation Act are being examined. Outdoors For All Thirty six leading national governing bodies and environmental organisations have joined together to support an “Outdoors For All” manifesto:www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/uploads/documents/Outdoors_For_All_manifesto.pdf.
British Canoeing and partners are seeking to extend responsible access to more green and blue landscapes. Signatories include representatives from paddlesport, swimming, horse riding, climbing, rambling, wheeling, flying and many more. The “Outdoors For All” manifesto argues that to meet these targets, rights to responsibly access the outdoors must be expanded. Significantly for British Canoeing, less than 4% of rivers in England have an uncontested public right of access. Currently, access land limits the right to roam to just 8% of England when the government has set its sights on getting 3.5m more people active by 2030, through its “Get Active” strategy. The manifesto also has the support of National Trust, The Canal and Rivers Trust, The Wildlife Trust, Camping & Caravanning Club and Campaign For National Parks. A new name for British Canoeing British Canoeing recently announced a change of name to become Paddle UK in the spring. A key factor is the rise in membership from 34,000 to over 90,000 over the past five years. The change reflects this growth primarily in recreational paddling resulting in a change in members interests to become a broader and more diverse audience. British Canoeing believes the name change recognises the demographics of the evolving membership and is far more inclusive. Also, it captures more fully the breadth of paddling activity that encompasses kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding and paddlesport. This is not the first name change for the national governing body established as the British Canoe Union in 1936. In 2000 it federalised to become Canoe England then 2015 was rebranded British Canoeing. Kevin East Voluntary Waterways & Environment Project Officer
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IWA CANALWAY CAVALCADE 2024 It’s that time of year again and we will soon be back at Little Venice for our Annual IWA Canalway Cavalcade which will be held over the weekend 4th – 6th May. The theme for this year is “Funding Britain’s Waterways” and we very much hope many of you will be able to support the event in person on foot or by boat. If you are coming by boat the link for the boat entry form is: https://waterways.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Canalway-CavalcadeBoat-Booking-Form-2024-V3.pdf. There is also a “Fund Britain’s Waterways” cruise to Westminster on Wednesday 8th May details of which may be obtained from Andrew Phasey at theoldmainline@fastmail.fm. We are looking for volunteers in the planning of the event and over the weekend itself – please see message below from our Volunteer Coordinator, Emma Greenall. Please could you spare some time to help with roles including running the Information Stands, Collect Donations, Distribute Programmes, and assisting the teams on Commercial and Childrens Activities? Whatever time you can offer will be greatly appreciated, even if it's just a couple of hours. We require all volunteers to complete a Booking Form prior to arrival so that we have essential medical and emergency contact information and can thoroughly plan for the event, even if you have discussed attending with any of the team leaders. To complete your booking please follow this link: https://forms.office.com/e/RTnLkgrM6T. If you would prefer to fill in a paper form, go to the webpage and look under the Volunteer section https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/iwa-canalwaycavalcade-2024 If you can spare some time before or after the festival, the Work Camp coordinator is always happy to welcome an extra pair of hands to help build the event on the Thursday and Friday and especially to dismantle the festival on the Monday evening and Tuesday morning. If you fancy building market stalls, gazebos and putting up banners please email pete.fleming@waterways.org.uk to register your interest. Whilst most of these roles take place on site over the event weekend, there are several opportunities for volunteers to help our Organising Committee, such as Publicity, Marketing, Commercial, Volunteer Coordination, and Social Media. If you have skills or interest in these areas, please get in touch with Libby Bradshaw at libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk or on 07956 655037. We look forward to seeing you in May and thank you in advance for your support. To find out more about IWA Canalway Cavalcade visit: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/iwa-canalwaycavalcade-2024. Follow us on Facebook Twitter and Instagram
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Kent & East Sussex Branch Interim IWAKES Chairman’s Piece As soon as I learnt that, for the time being at least, IWA is focusing most of its campaigning energies on Fund Britain`s Waterways I wondered how we as a Branch could play a part; especially as we are distant from the main canal network and our members are not well placed to take part in campaign events and other volunteering activities. I did think that we might have a little spare cash that is not earmarked for local projects. Placed on the agenda for discussion at our recent committee meeting I was delighted that, with very little hesitation, a proposer and seconder arose, an amount was decided and a resolution carried to make a donation to the campaign. I hope this small gesture goes some way to help in its eventual success. May I remind all IWAKES members that the branch AGM will be held on 29th February 2024 at Tonbridge. This venue is chosen as it is thought a convenient location for many members, has good parking and is close to Tonbridge rail station. There will also be an opportunity to ask Les all you wish to know about Fund Britain’s Waterways. I hope to meet many of you on that evening. Peter Wilkinson
Thames & Medway Canal Association
We have tucked our new cabin HQ in the corner of our “green” at Mark Lane. This is quite unobtrusive but the grass in front has taken a bit of a battering. It gives us an ideal focal point to work from and provides enough room for meetings and small social gatherings. The interior is clean and bright with a small worktop and we have fitted our history information boards and a small library to provide an interesting and welcoming base for visitors. This will remind passers-by of our presence and has given us all a huge boost to feel that our work is appreciated and rewarded by others.
33 Vandal bikers have been at it again using a saw to remove the top rail of the fence at Shornemead Crossing which allows them to easily lift the bikes over the bottom rail. Circular walks have been sent out to members. The first starts at the Mark Lane, Gravesend end of the Canal (DA12 2QA) taking in the swing bridge, the canal, Shornemead Crossing, Shornemead Fort, the Thames foreshore and the Ship & Lobster Public House. An old video on YouTube, which may be of local interest, shows a little of how the canal looked before TMCA…. https://youtu.be/EjIhBXz_pv4 The swing bridge in the video is almost unrecognisable, as it is in this early photo, taken when the canal was dry. Network Rail is in the process of installing the long-awaited pedestrian bridge at Shornemead Crossing to allow access to the central section of canal and towpath, giving walkers more varied routes. The Lower Thames Crossing project has been delayed and is now planned to start in 2026. The Albion development at the Canal Basin is on hold. Sustrans, the group responsible for the National Cycle Network, is to restore the towpath surface in the spring which will involve a temporary closure. In the summer National Grid are to bore a tunnel under the Thames to lay a new high voltage connection between Essex and Kent involving a tunnel boring machine, heavy plant and equipment all being taken along the towpath. All things considered it seems our tranquil towpath from Gravesend to Higham will be disrupted for quite some time. Dave Parnell
River Adur On 16th November 2023 Adur District Council imposed an Order stopping up Restricted Byway 3157 in Shoreham, which is an access for a historic slipway. It has been illegally obstructed by Sussex Yacht Club, preventing its use, for decades. On 11th December 2023 IWAKES sent an email to the Branch membership asking them to send their views to ADC. On 20th December 2023 IWAKES sent a formal objection to ADC, attaching 14 pages of evidence.
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River Medway news from Mike Marsh Environment Agency News…. Winter drawdowns –EA has released a programme that includes Sluice to Oak Lock, East Lock to Porters Lock, Porters Lock to Eldridge’s and Tonbridge Town lock to Leigh Flood storage area. This is for EA to carry out essential maintenance on the lock gates and, more importantly, the displacement chambers on the sluices. Whilst the levels are down, the opportunity will also be taken to see where dredging may be needed in the coming months. Litter pick – This year, Nick Dundon EA Team leader, is working closely with Cllr Matt Boughton, of Tonbridge and Malling BC, to carry out a thorough litter pick of the main river, plus tributaries around the Tonbridge Pen. Trees – EA have started clearing large trees from the Navigation, including one that was blocking the River at Bainbridges. They were supervised by an ecologist from outside the Agency to make sure there were no bats in the trees as they were dismantled. Allington Lock – Moorings, lighting and pathways are being upgraded.
35 Cabins/Camping – If you fancy a break by the River Medway why not book one of the EA Cabins at Allington? There are two Scandinavian white softwood cabins for rent at £40 a night, sleeping four. Cabins have heating and electric charging points, with parking for one car and use of the Allington facilities. There are also camping pitches available for £30 per pitch per night. To book go to…. https://therivermedway.co.uk/allington-lock-camping-cabins/ Allington Birdbox – As part of EA’s ongoing pledge to protect and encourage wildlife on the River Medway, they have installed a WiFi Birdbox at Allington Lock. You can connect directly to the camera and view what is happening in real time. Download the Nestera App. Link to this on the EA page or go to your App Store. https://therivermedway.co.uk/allington-birdbox/
Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust news from Roy Sutton Minor maintenance work will resume at Isfield (Sutton Hall) Lock when spring arrives. However, no other work is anticipated as there is no suitable site which (i) fulfils our charitable objective of public accessibility, (ii) has supportive landowners and (iii) has a structure or channel that justifies any restoration work. Furthermore, the skilled team that restored Isfield Lock has now dissipated. Members of the Trust attended the funeral in January of Ken Alderton, a sailor and one of the founder members of the Isfield work-party, who had a penchant for working in holes no-one else could get into.
36
Kentish River Stour news from Malcolm Hasler Since my last &DUJRHV report, things have been very quiet on the Kentish River Stour, especially on the tidal waters between Sandwich (Pegwell Bay) and Fordwich, near Canterbury. Very few boat movements have occurred as we have all been affected by the extremes of weather inflicted upon us and our respective waterways. Indeed, most leisure users of the river have remained at home, as conditions were not conducive to human activities on the water, with only ducks and swans seeming to enjoy the conditions. )ORRGHG VOXLFH DQG YLVLWRU SRQWRRQ
)LVKLQJ VWDWLRQ LV DQ LVODQG Apart from very high tides, continuous flood warnings, extremes of flow and large numbers and sizes of floating debris, I have not heard of or received any reports of concern. In addition, unlike many other waterways, I have not witnessed any damage to boats or heard of any major and/or sustained flooding to land or property, with the flood defences, banks and flood plains doing their job. However, the ground is waterlogged and ongoing rainfall has nowhere to go apart from running off the fields and into the rivers. Any news and/or information can be sent to me: Malcolm.Hasler@waterways.org.uk or mshasler@btinternet.com. There has been no further contact from any party concerning the draft proposals for the refurbishment and/or replacement of the highways bridge at Grove Ferry. Hopefully the promised Public Consultation Meetings will be arranged soon with due notice given.
The Vivian Bulkeley-Johnson Salt This prize is awarded to the person or organisation who, in the opinion of Trustees, upon a recommendation from IWA’s Inland Waterways Freight Group, has made an outstanding contribution to the furtherance of commercial waterways transport in the United Kingdom. The trophy is a hall-marked solid silver salt, presented by Vivian Bulkeley-Johnson, a 1950s IWA Treasurer and member of the Rothschild banking family, who financed the Willow Wren carrying operation.
37 This is the first year it has been awarded since 2013. It goes to John Spencer who runs GPS Marine, a successful family firm engaged in a wide range of inland waterways activities (based on the Thames and Medway). John has been running a lobbying campaign to promote inland waterways freight across the board, certainly not limiting himself to GPS's sphere of operation. He is largely responsible for the fact that pretty well all the commercial operators on the Thames are now running on HVO with the very substantial savings in emissions and particulates this represents. Over the past couple of years, he has been extremely helpful in guiding the IWA Sustainable Boating Group with its trial work with HVO for use in inland waterways craft, and has won a wide range of freight, logistics and sustainability awards. Subsequent to his nomination for the Salt, John has taken over as Chair of the Inland Waterways Freight Group and will be leading an active campaign to increase the use of the waterways for freight.
Future IWAKES and Other Events Thursday 29th February 2024: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Room 2, Christ Church URC, High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1SG: “IWAKES Annual General Meeting”. Followed by a “Quiz”. Saturday 5th October 2024: “Walk alongside the Tidal Kentish River Stour”. Please pencil in the date. Full details will be in the 6XPPHU &DUJRHV. Tuesday 12th November 2024: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH: “The Basingstoke Canal”: A talk by Ian Moore of Basingstoke Canal Society. Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings. Entry is free with a raffle to cover costs. All IWAKES events are open to non-members and you are encouraged to invite friends to meetings. Similarly, if you know a local club or society might be interested, please tell them.
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Oxfordshire Branch I hope you have survived the succession of named storms with the flooding and damage that resulted, here on the Thames we have but not entirely unscathed. We have arranged the Branch AGM to be an in-person meeting on Tuesday 26th March 2024: 7.00 for 7.30pm: Begbroke Village Hall Lounge, 3, Begbroke Lane, Kidlington, OX5 1RN. The AGM will conduct the usual formal business in accordance with the articles of the association. BUT then the membership needs to address the future. The need for the IWA and its campaigning message has never been stronger given the growing crisis the Canal and Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency and other navigation authorities seem to find themselves in. The IWA nationally/ centrally is facing its own significant challenges but is trying to address them. Here in the Oxfordshire Branch, we face more than challenges - the branch faces EXTINCTION. Verna Smith, who has recently stood down as IWA regional chair, twisted my arm to take on the chair of Oxfordshire Branch a few years ago. Robin Williams was the secretary until last year when he relinquished the role and Roger Badger is having to give up the Treasurers role. I cannot, nor would I want to, run the branch on my own. For the branch to continue it has to do more than just about function, it must run and operate properly, attending events, monitoring and responding to planning applications that affect the waterways and above all actively engaging and campaigning for the waterways. Unless between 4 and 6 people are willing to put themselves forward at this AGM meeting to take on official Branch committee roles then the membership has only 1 choice which is to vote to close down the branch and furthermore to agree that the balance of Branch funds be put into central IWA funds for general IWA purposes. If the Branch members decide to put themselves forward, stand for committee positions and to continue the IWA campaigning fight I remain very happy to continue with a branch committee role to support this and we can agree an ambition of monitoring and responding to planning applications affecting the waterways in the Branch area and manning stands at Oxford and Banbury Canal Festivals in September/ October 2024. Ian Lindsay Oxfordshire Branch Chair
Future events Sept: - Date to be advised: Oxford Canal Festival Sat 5th & Sun 6th Oct: Banbury Canal Festival:
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Tooley’s Boatyard Trust What's happening to +DUG\? We first heard about +DUG\ in 2018 when it was on the Puddle Banks up near Braunston. It had been sunk for four years and was in a sorry state and just about to be broken up. We were looking for a boat with local history to restore and it was the last boat built in Braunston by the Nurser brothers, in 1940 before the company was sold to Samuel Barlow. Also, it was used in the late 50s and early 60s for Blue Line running coal to Banbury Dairy. +DUG\ was perfect! We raised the boat by pumping it out and using buckets to bail for hours. Slowly the water level inside the boat receded and as it did so it exposed holes which we plugged with oakum, Chalico and tin plates. Which reduced the flow of water coming back into the boat and made it easier to pump out. We made it stable and brought it back to Banbury and we have been looking after it ever since. The restoration work is very much in the sense “Canal Time” and things have taken a lot longer than anyone had ever thought. COVID has not helped! We received a modest grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, some of which was used to consult with the public, to ask them what they wanted to see happen to the boat. The feedback was very clear: people wanted to see it being restored, and in a way that people could come and watch. We like to pride ourselves on the fact that we do things at Tooley’s which have happened for hundreds of years. Recently, I found a reference to Joseph Glaze, who was employed by Thomas Cotton in 1809 as an apprentice boat builder and was trained how to build boats at the boatyard. This ties quite nicely to what is happening now, as our apprentice Jacob is currently on a heritage boat-building course and is learning to build wooden boats. He is also under the tutelage of local boater Ian Staples, who has restored many wooden boats in the dock. For the restoration work on +DUG\ this year we are working on the inside of the hull. The sheering of the boat all needs replacing, and we are now having regular sessions on Saturdays, where Jacob will be stripping the old sheering off the inside of the boat, making repairs and then replacing it with new. This will be done with volunteers’ help. If you want to help with +DUG\, then please let us know. The jobs that we need help with are very varied. You don't have to be good with a saw as woodwork is not for everyone, knowledge of steam bending planks would be very helpful, but we also need help with things like social media and fundraising.
40 Boat Trips Throughout the warmer months of the year we run boat trips on 'DQFLQJ 'XFN from Tooley’s Boatyard on Saturdays (approx. 40 mins). All tours are run by qualified helmsman and crew. https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/boat-trips/ . John Madden, Chair Tooley’s Boatyard Trust
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Now that our three Local Authorities have changed their political make-up, we are finding much increased co-operation, which is very welcome. It’s early days to see much change, but Swindon (who own the canal anyway) are funding bank repairs along the section in Rushey Platt, and are about to start work connecting the two separate sections we currently have in water, best illustrated on our interactive map https://www.wbct.org.uk/enjoy-discover/interactive-map Much restoration work has also been accomplished at Pewsham, near Chippenham; much worth a visit. Work also continues at the Canal Park, Shrivenham and at Uffington Gorse, where we are making the woodland there safer and more accessible – and of course, restoring the canal! Our highlight at the end of last year was our Santa trips on 'UDJRQIO\, when in 60 trips through December we carried 220 adults and 181 children, all of whom received personalized presents. The ratio is interesting – the kids take it all in their stride, even if Santa says “My, you’ve grown since last time” if they’ve been before, but the parents & grandparents love it! It’s good publicity too, and also raised just over £500 much-needed funds for the Trust. Our new selfie frame was also a great success! Looking to the future, we hope to be able to announce the purchase of a second steel trip boat and the commencement of restoration work in Swindon and elsewhere. Chris Barry Comms Secretary, Wilts & Berks Canal Trust
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Surrey Care Trust Swingbridge Community boats provide a wonderful experience for young people, community groups, the elderly, and families, particularly those who have limited mobility or special needs. Our boats run excursions from Dapdune Wharf on the River Wey throughout the spring, summer and early autumn. 7UDQTXLOLW\ helps people take time out in a relaxed, purpose-built setting. Are you looking for a special extracurricular or reward activity for your group? Or an engaging team-building or motivational activity for your organisation? Or for an opportunity to volunteer and support your community. 6ZLQJEULGJH 7UDQTXLOLW\ V trips and activities are for you! 7UDQTXLOLW\ is specifically adapted with a wheelchair lift, so it is fully accessible for people with limited mobility as well as other needs, to enjoy a morning or afternoon out. We also offer courses leading to National Community Boats Association qualifications as well as our own courses. All training courses can be adapted to meet different interests and ability levels.
Mikron Theatre Group
Two new shows for 2024 Common Ground - Rambling and our rights of way The Pendale and District Ramblers are looking forward to their 50th anniversary walk. But the path has been blocked by the landowner. How will they find their way through? Maybe we’re all just trying to find our own way. A diverting ramble through the history of land access in England, from the Norman Conquest to Lockdown, via the mass trespass at Kinder Scout. Get your boots and jacket on for a hike through history.
42 Jennie Lee - The extraordinary life of the radical MP you’ve never heard of… In 1929, Jennie Lee left her coalmining family in Scotland to become Westminster’s youngest MP – so young that, as a woman, she couldn’t even vote for herself. Tenacious, bold and rebellious, Jennie cut her own path through history. She fought with her every breath for the betterment of all our lives and believed that every person deserved their share of the fruits of the earth – for wages, health, and housing, and for art and education too. Her role in the foundation of the Open University and the expansion of the Arts Council aided Jennie’s fight for bread and roses, and in doing so, changed the twentieth century. Oh yes, and founder of the NHS Nye Bevan was her husband. But Jennie is no footnote in someone else’s past. Tell her story and say her name – this is the one, the only, Jennie Lee. Please visit our website for booking details, times and venues. www.mikron.org.uk
The Puppet Theatre Barge The Insect Circus (until March 24th) The Insect Circus invites the audience to forget reality and become immersed in the strange and beautiful world of insects. Beetles and grasshoppers, wasps and dragonflies, demonstrate their dexterity with great skill and humour. Presented using marionettes, the show breathes new life into the traditional techniques used in Victorian trick marionettes. This show has no words and is accessible to the D/deaf and Hard of Hearing. Suitable for ages 4+ PEA (March 29th - May 19th) Tiffany is twisting and turning and her mind won’t stop whirring- she just can’t fall asleep! She knows there must be a PEA hidden underneath her bed. As Tiffany adventures down through worlds of mattresses and mysteries, she meets the restless bed folk. Join Tiffany on her quest to find the PEA. All the stories tell us that stepmothers are evil. Maybe the fairy tales are wrong... Age Recommendation: 4+
43 Suitcase Circus (May 4th - June 2nd) Meet Wobulous Discombobulous, the anarchic sock as he presents a line up of extraordinarily talented performing objects, all with their own unique and captivating storylines. Suitcase Circus features the most unlikely of performers including the world's only acrobatic potato sack, a daredevil ski glove, an incredible dancing milkshake straw, the hypnotic tie snake Windsor Knot, and the lovable yet bizarre magical Mexican hat Timrek. Suitable for age 5+ Email info@puppetbarge.com Box Office: 020 7249 6876. Website: www.puppetbarge.com
Towpath Walks Group The 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: london@walks.com. It is Very Important to watch the IWA website - www.waterways.org.uk - or the London Walks website – www.walks.com – for any late changes to the walk. Towpath Walks Group is looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal (and elsewhere). This 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. Sun 3rd Mar: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square – St. Pancras. Meet King’s Cross (meet by Taxi Queue sign next to Pret A Manger) Sun 17th Mar: Limehouse – Thames – Docklands. Meet Westferry (DLR)(by Cycle Hire Point) Sun 31st Mar: Regents Canal: Little Venice – Camden meet Warwick Avenue Sun 7th Apr: Regents Canal: King’s Cross -Hitchcock’s Hackney – Kings Cross. Meet by Taxi (meet by Taxi Queue sign next to Pret A Manger Sun 21st Apr: Royal Victoria Dock – East India Dock. Meet Royal Victoria (DLR)(IFS Cloud/Seagull Lane exit) Sun 5th May: Regent’s Canal: R.Tyburn – Little Venice. Meet Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit)
44 Sat 18th May: Grand Union Canal: Kensal Green – Little Venice. Meet Kensal Green Sun 19th May: Grosvenor Canal and Battersea Power Station. Meet Victoria (Wilton Street exit, opposite Apollo Victoria Theatre) Sun 26th May: Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse. Meet Mile End Sun 2nd Jun: Regents Canal: King’s Cross -Hitchcock’s Hackney – Kings Cross. Meet by Taxi (meet by Taxi Queue sign next to Pret A Manger Sun 16th Jun: River Wandle and Wandsworth Canal: Meet Earlsfield Station (National Rail) Sun 7th Jul: Regents Canal: Little Venice – Camden meet Warwick Avenue Sun 21st Jul: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square – Camden. Meet King’s Cross (meet by Taxi Queue sign next to Pret A Manger)
London Region London Region Socials (Combined with North and East London Branch) Our Region Socials started again in February, and for various reasons, these have moved these to THURSDAYS, sometimes the 2nd Thursday and sometimes the 3rd Thursday depending on the availability of the venue. We are pleased to be able to continue to hold these at the London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 9RT. Thurs 15th Feb: Puffing along the Caledonian Canal, Libby Bradshaw. In September ten of us from St Pancras Cruising Club had a week on the Clyde Puffer, VIC 32, on the Caledonian Canal. The talk will include some of the history of VIC 32, the Caledonian Canal and our adventures along it. Thurs 14th Mar: A talk on Lifeboats as we celebrate 200 years of the RNLI – Wayne Bellamy, Station Manager supporting Teddington and Chiswick RNLI The RNLI was formed in 1824, on March 4th so this year we are celebrating the past 200 years with many events around the country. There are now 238 Lifeboat stations around the country and 242 beaches are watched over by RNLI Lifeguards. Four Lifeboat stations were opened on the River Thames in January 2002 following the enquiry into the Marchioness disaster where so many people lost their lives. Since they have been on station Tower Lifeboat station has become the busiest in the country with Chiswick the second busiest. Wayne has been on station at Chiswick since the start of that station. Lifeboat sales products will be available to buy and donations would be very welcome. A talk on Lifeboats as we Celebrate 200 years of the RNLI – Wayne Bellamy, Station Manager supporting Teddington and Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat sales products will be on sale and donations would be very welcome.
45 April: To be confirmed – this will be publicised shortly on the link below. Thurs 16th May: Speaker tba Thurs 13th Jun: Waterways Chaplains further details to follow. Details of all these events may be found using the following link: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events The talks start at 7.30pm. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available beforehand and in the break. You are welcome to join us in a local pub for a drink afterwards. Please bring your friends, they do not need to be IWA members. If you would like to be added to my circulation list and are not on the IWA London Region circulation please email me as below: Libby Bradshaw libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk 07956 655037
South London Branch South London Branch Meetings are held on the 2nd 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. 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. For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson. Tel: 07803 904803 or email: shea.richardson@waterways.org.uk Wed 14th Feb: No evening social. Group visit to Wandle Industrial Museum, Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD. 2pm - 4pm. (Free Entry but donations welcome). RSVP to lesley.pryde-coales@waterways.org.uk. Wed 13th Mar: 7.30pm. IWA South London Branch Annual General Meeting. Followed by a talk on “The Silver Propeller Challenge” by Paul Strudwick. Wed 10th Apr: IWA South London Branch social meeting. 7.30pm. Speaker to be confirmed. Contact Shea Richardson on 07803 904803 for more info. Wed 8th May: Parliamentary “Fund Britain's Waterways Cruise” on the River Thames. Boats will cruise past Parliament at lunchtime. More information at www.waterways.org.uk . Wed 8th May: 7.30pm. Speaker to be confirmed. Contact Shea Richardson on 07803 904803 for more info. Wed 12th Jun: IWA South London Branch social meeting. Speaker to be confirmed. Contact Shea Richardson on 07803 904803 for more info.
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IWA Chesham Head Office Staff Administration Manager (PT): Tracy Higgin Volunteer Manager (FT): Jenny Hodson (07531 004531) Membership Assistant (PT): Rachel Bryant Administration Assistant (PT): Kelly Gascoine
ext 601 ext 605 ext 600 ext 615
The Inland Waterways Association South East Region Chair: Vacant
IWA Guildford & Reading Branch Committee Acting Chair: Verna Smith Tel: 07986 244479 Email: verna.smith63@gmail.com Secretary: Chris Jones Tel: 07711 784374 Acting Treasurer & R. Wey: Mike Lewis Basingstoke & R. Thames: Vacant
Email: chris.jones@waterways.org.uk 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 & &DUJRHV Contact: Roy Sutton Tel: 01342 317569 Email: RoyDavidSutton@Yahoo.co.uk Treasurer & Royal Military Canal: Peter Wilkinson Membership Secretary: Les Etheridge Social Secretary: Vacant
IWA Oxfordshire Branch Committee Chair: Ian Lindsay Tel: 07889 070623 Email: ian.lindsay@waterways.org.uk Secretary: Vacant Treasurer: Roger Badger
&DUJRHV co-ordinator & Jericho: tba 1RQ &RPPLWWHH 5HVSRQVLELOLWLHV Thames RUG 3: Sue & David Cooper
Next issue: Summer Copy date: 27th May 2024 Opinions expressed in &DUJRHV are not necessarily those of IWA. IWA, 16B Asheridge Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2PX. Tel: 01494 783453 Company No: 612245. Charity No: 212342 www.waterways.org.uk &DUJRHV Editor: Chris Jones chris.jones@waterways.org.uk
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cavalcade 4th - 6th May 2024 | Little Venice, London #CanalwayCavalcade
There’s something for everyone at Canalway Cavalcade; a vibrant canal festival in the heart of London’s waterways. Whether visiting by boat or on foot, it’s a bank holiday weekend of fun for the whole family!
Free entry
Visit our website to find out more about the event:
waterways.org.uk/cavalcade The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Company registration number 612245. Charity registration number 212342. Registered office: Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, HP5 2PX Photo © Joe Dixey.