Cargoes Summer 2022

Summer 2022

mer 2022

Newsletter of Newsletter of Guildford & & Reading Guildford Reading, Kent & East Sussex Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches & Oxfordshire Branches

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Index Basingstoke Canal Society John Pinkerton Focus on Accessible Boating Association

Page: 5 Page: 9 Page: 11

British Canoeing

Page: 38

Chichester Ship Canal Trust

Page: 12

Guildford & Reading Branch Sales and Publicity Stand

Page: 5

Kent & East Sussex Branch – IWAKES Dartford and Crayford Creek River Adur Thames & Medway Canal Association River Medway River Stour Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Future Events

Page: 26

Page: 33

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Newbury Reading Crofton Beam Engines

Page: 14

Mikron Theatre Group

Page: 42

Oxfordshire Branch Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Page: 34 Page: 34

Region Chair Report

Page: 4

River Thames

Page: 25

River Wey & Godalming Navigations National Trust

Page: 19

South London Branch

Page: 37

Towpath Walks

Page: 37

Wey & Arun Canal Trust Future Events

Page: 21 Page: 24

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Future Events

Page: 35

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Obituary Tony Davis Tony Davis, who died from cancer on 15th February 2022, aged 83, was one of The Inland Waterways Association’s loyal supporters for over 50 years. He was IWA’s principal representative on the Thames for over 30 years, and a recipient of the Cyril Styring Trophy, IWA’s most prestigious award.

Trained in Estate management, Tony joined IWA in June 1967, and was involved in the early years of IWA London & Home Counties Branch Working Party and production of its magazine Navvies Notebook. He was involved in all aspects of the branch and established a slide library with over 500 photos covering the branch’s waterways for promotional use. Tony was secretary to the trade show at IWA’s National Rally at Guildford in 1970 where Waterway Recovery Group was launched. He was a keen supporter of the Basingstoke Canal restoration and attended Operation Ashton and other WRG big digs.

In 1971, when the branch was renamed London and South East Branch, Tony joined the committee and became IWA’s representative for the River Wey. He was passionate about preserving the “Right of Navigation” on the backwaters of both the Wey, and later the Thames, and amassed various legal documents and statements from past commercial operators testifying their long public use.

In 1974, new IWA branches were being formed in the South East, and Tony took the lead with a Guildford Branch, becoming its first branch secretary. He remained active on the Wey & Godalming Navigations and became an IWA appointee on the Thames liaison committees when Thames Water Authority took over the Thames Conservancy that year. He continued as IWA’s principal representative on successive committees on the Thames for the next thirty years through the eras of the National Rivers Authority and the Environment Agency. His accumulated knowledge and calm reasoning earned the respect of Thames Navigation managers and other river users, proving him to be a most valuable ambassador for the Association.

Throughout this period, Tony maintained his active support for the Basingstoke Canal and in 1991 he was chairman of the organising committee for the re-opening of the Canal by HRH The Duke of Kent.

In 1994, Tony took on chairmanship of the now IWA Guildford & Reading Branch, before standing down from the branch committee in 2001 after thirty years continuous service. He was awarded the Cyril Styring Trophy, principally for his work on the Thames. At the same time, he was appointed as IWA’s first Honorary Consultant Planner, providing assistance on planning issues, property management and building surveys advice, using his qualification as a fellow of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. His assistance included dealing with the lease and rent review issues for IWA’s offices.

Tony had a very active retirement, moved his new narrow boat to France in 2003 and enjoyed extensive cruising on the French waterways up until late 2019 when he was hospitalised following a fall in Guildford High Street. He was also a long serving trustee of the Elsa Conservation Trust, which supports conservation education in Kenya.

Neil Edwards

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Editorial Welcome to the Summer edition of Cargoes. I hope you were able to enjoy the good weather we experienced in April, although, at the time of writing, we could do with some rain!

Several IWA events have been able to take place around the country, one especially close to our area - Cavalcade.

The Chichester Ship Canal is celebrating its 200th Anniversary this year with many events throughout the year. Several IWA members were able to attend the first major event which I understand was a brilliant day and very well supported.

The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust is celebrating its 60th Anniversary with the Reading Water Fest and Newbury Water Festival. Please support both if you can.

British Canoeing is hard at work trying to eradicate Floating Pennywort from our waters and recently had another successful day on the River Wey. I hope you have a pleasant Summer on, in and around our waterways.

Chris Jones – Editor

From the Region Chair It is a good feeling to feel things are getting back to the new normal. Chichester Canal Trust’s 200th Anniversary was a colourful affair with celebratory salvos and a good mixture of entertainment. IWA Cavalcade returned to Little Venice in style with a good number of boats and stalls. Some local visitors expressed their delight that the event had returned .

Adequate funding for the waterways continues to be a concern.

Both EA and CRT need assurances on long term funding to plan for the regular maintenance of the waterways. It seems perverse that funding may be cut just when our canals and rivers have proved their contribution to the overall health of the nation. IWA will continue to lobby at national and local level for sufficient funding.

Finally, be assured that the changes to the IWA leadership team are being carefully managed to meet our obligations as a charity and an independent voice for the waterways.

Photo: IWA Website Verna Smith, Region Chair Cover Photo Courtesy:

K &A Reading Branch, Graham Puddephatt

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Guildford & Reading Branch Branch Chairman Thank you to those members who attended the AGM on Zoom. I do apologise to everyone who tried to join the original AGM but were unable to access the Zoom site. The IT issues were entirely down to my inexperience/incompetence.

We have a busy schedule for the summer months attending events on local waterways but can only take the sales stand if we have sufficient helpers to erect and run the stand. We will have to cancel our bookings if offers of help do not materialise. All money raised on the sales stand is distributed to branch waterways and this year we intend to give monies to some boating organisations that operate accessible craft.

Have a great summer on or near the water.

Verna Smith (acting Chair)

Sales & Publicity Stand After a quiet couple of years the Sales Team is looking forward to attending more events this year.

Please 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.

The Sales Team

Future Events Sat 4th June: Reading Water Fest Fri 1st - Sun 3rd July: Newbury Waterways Festival Sat 17th September: River Wey Festival, Dapdune Wharf, Guildford.

Basingstoke Canal Society There’s a spring in the step of the Basingstoke Canal Society The Basingstoke Canal Society is increasingly working with the canal’s council owners to help maintain the waterway, including plans for spot dredging and weedcutting.

In addition to the regular society weekend work parties, we are increasing our support by building a team of volunteer leaders which will enable more general canal-side maintenance and the resumption of corporate days.

6 Indeed, a corporate team just had great fun painting the five St John’s locks and collecting several bags of litter - everybody wins!

Other priorities include our project for a new electric boat at Woking with associated electric charging points, and work to develop different sources of funding, including wider lobbying and how we involve the community through membership and other schemes.

Team review constitution Our Governance working group has undertaken a review of our constitution and drafted a new set of Articles of Association, including the Objects of the Society.

Society directors agreed that steps should be taken to update these legal documents, which had been in place since 1977. The new draft Articles now encompass present day practices and company law, and also better reflect our current activities and focus.

Members will be asked to vote on the new Articles at our AGM in May. Wellbeing at the canal Wellbeing is a significant priority within local and national agenda at present and this is no different for the Basingstoke Canal Society.

We are proud to encourage people, groups, organisations and our many volunteers to understand and develop their own wellbeing, when fostering feelings of comfort, happiness and health is often neglected in our hectic daily lives.

The Society has just launched a new section on its website which includes articles on the Activities on the canal include canoeing activities and sources of wellbeing visitors can benefit from along the canal. Being closer to nature and to the water can help us to feel more grounded with the world around us and, as our lives begin to return to pre-Covid levels of activity, it is important to continue taking time for self-care.

Visitors to the Basingstoke Canal can hire pedalos, canoes, kayaks and rowing boats from the visitor centre in Mytchett. There are a variety of walks to choose from too, such as the Odiham Circular, the Frimley Lodge Park/Basingstoke Canal Hiking Route or from West Byfleet to Hampton Court. Our “Rambles on the Basingstoke Canal” booklet includes details of 12 walks suited to families through to experienced walkers meaning everyone can reap the rewards of time spent on the canal.

7 Society set to celebrate this summer It’s a bumper year for events on and around the Basingstoke Canal this year, starting with the super spectacle of up to 30 colourful canal boats along the towpath beside Frimley Lodge Park.

The Boat Rally is part of the Society’s celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the canal’s re-opening in 1991, originally planned for last year but delayed by pandemic.

The Rally adds an extra dimension to the popular Surrey Heath Show, as it appears for the first time in the show’s history. Volunteers will be on hand with a membership stand displaying archive photographs from the working canal, its restoration and more recent infrastructure improvements. We’ll also be promoting the canal ecosystem as an important haven for the community, the role our volunteers take in supporting boat trips for less able people, and feature canal art activities.

We’ll also be helping to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June across Frimley, Fleet and Woking. We’ll return to Frimley Lodge Park for a Family Fun Day on 2nd June, before a Boat Rally at The Fox and Hounds in Fleet, featuring live music, a display of canoe and kayak skills by the Fleet Sea Scouts and a BBQ. Thank you Asahi!

We welcomed 24 volunteers from Asahi in Woking to the St. John’s locks last month (April) for a day of painting and litter picking to spruce up this section of canal for visitors.

This was a great collaboration with the Basingstoke Canal Authority who supplied all of the painting kit, while Society volunteer leaders were on hand to help the teams and guide the task.

It was a very successful day, with the locks sporting a smart, fresh coat of paint and the team collecting about 200 Asahi volunteers taking a well earned break kgs of litter!

8 Exhibition Reaps Rewards for Kitty Our “Replacing Kitty; Exhibition of Canal Art” was a resounding success, raising over £3,200 for this project.

The society is working to raise £200,000 for a new sustainable, solar-electric trip boat, with electric charging points along the canal in Woking. It marks the first step towards making the canal fully electric for all users.

The Basingstoke Canal Society has already committed Artists with Jonathan Lord MP, who opened the £70,000 of its own money to the exhibition, and society fundraiser Gren Gale, 2nd fund, while a crowdfunder, from right community donations and the exhibition and auction has further boosted the coffers!

Our thanks go to all the artists who dedicated time and creative effort to supporting our cause, everyone who came to see the exhibition or who bid on favourite pieces, and all of our volunteers who helped to carry, organise, publicise and steward the event.

Storm Eunice The Society’s team of 87 lengthsmen were put on alert by lengths manager, Barry Jones, when Storm Eunice ripped through southern England, with a “call to arms” to go out as soon as it was safe to do so to report damage suffered as a result of the storm.

It was important that detailed information be provided regarding fallen trees, including exact location and size with photographs proving particularly useful in showing the precise nature of the problem.

An impressive response from the team resulted in the reporting of 111 tree issues, which were swiftly submitted to the Basingstoke Canal Authority on its dedicated Task Request portal, as they came in.

Just three days after the storm we were able to show that almost 100% of the canal’s 33-mile length had been visited and reported on – a remarkable effort.

The timely delivery of this quality reporting meant the authority’s rangers were able to prioritise their clearance effort and deal with the potentially most serious issues (that could seriously weaken the canal bank) first, before moving on to work to keep the towpath clear and accessible.

Our lengthsmen operate on a regular basis all year round and it is testament to their dedication that we can so readily help with the maintenance of the canal in cases of extreme weather.

Lisa Taylor

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Trips aboard the John Pinkerton II and Kitty Boat Trips Kitty started public boat trips this year on Saturday 9th April with trips at 11am, 1pm and 2.45pm. John Pinkerton II started 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 01256 765889 (10am - 8pm). 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 Theme Trips - Special cruises from Colt Hill Wharf in Odiham Thurs 20th May. 7pm-9.30pm: Darling Divas – introducing singer Emma Carver. Special evening cruise with fish & chips supper at departure.

A 2½ hour cruise, the direction to be determined by the skipper. Recommended for adults only.

Fish & chips is included in the ticket price of £27.50 Tues 21st June. 4.00am to 6.30am: Midsummer morning dawn canal cruise with continental breakfast. This is the first time we have run this “bucket list” adventure. An opportunity to see the sunrise on midsummer’s day 2022. Departing at 04:00, we head eastwards to catch the first glimpse of the sun at dawn.

Sunrise is at 04:48.

A 2½ hour cruise, turning around near The Barley Mow before heading back to Colt Hill wharf. A chance to see a variety of wildlife too, so bring your cameras and binoculars.

Continental Breakfast will be served on the return trip (e.g. fruit juice, coffee, croissants) which is included in the ticket price. If you have special dietary requirements, please note when booking, or contact the Booking Team. jpbookings@basingstoke-canal.org.uk . Price £15.00 Fri 24th June: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm: Dom Hall Jazz Quartet. Special evening cruise with fish & chips supper at departure.

A 2½ hour cruise, the direction to be determined by the skipper. Recommended for adults only.

Fish & chips is included in the ticket price of £27.50.

10 Fri 8th July. 7:00pm - 9:30pm: A special evening cruise with a selection of Italian foods and a glass of prosecco. The ticket price includes a mouth watering selection of delicious food from Italy and a glass of Prosecco for you to savour, whilst enjoying the delightful scenery of the Basingstoke Canal. A 2½ hour cruise, taking you westwards to Greywell and King John’s Castle where you can get off to stretch your legs while the boat turns. Recommended for adults only. Price £25.00.

Fri 22nd July. 7:00 pm - 9:30: Sea Shanties- A musical cruise with “Gale Force 8” with a fish and chip supper. An evening cruise on the Basingstoke Canal. Fish and chips will be served on departure and the galley is open all evening to purchase hot and cold drinks from our extensive range of wines, beers etc. Price £20.00.

Thurs 11th Aug. 2pm – 4.30pm: An afternoon cruise with crafts and activities for children A family friendly trip including crafts and activities aimed at ages 5-10 years. Come dressed in your finest royal costumes. Make a crown or maybe a sword. Colour and stick all the way to King John’s castle ruins. An opportunity to let off steam while the boat turns round for the homeward journey. Look out for the lift bridge, swans, ducks and other wildlife along the way.

The galley is open for hot and cold drinks and snacks for the duration of the trip. Feel free to bring your own picnic too. Price: £6 Child - £10 Adult 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Byfleet Boat Club Queen's Jubilee Parade An informal parade of decorated boats will leave Boveney Lock at approximately 12.00 noon on Saturday 4th June bound for Windsor Town to congratulate Her Majesty.

This informal event is supported by Byfleet Boat Club but is open to all boaters prepared to decorate their boats appropriately. Any craft owners interested in joining should contact Terry Simmons on 07973 819009.

12 The Association of Waterway Cruising Clubs Each year the AWCC run a competition for the best waterways club magazine. Byfleet Boat Club was this year's winner and Commodore Brian Clarke is pictured here presenting the 2022 AWCC Interclub Trophy to Editor Mike Chamberlain Mike Chamberlain

Chichester Ship Canal Trust Chichester Canal celebrates 200 years in style!

On 9th April 1822 there was a cold easterly wind as the community gathered around the canal basin to mark the formal opening of Chichester Canal. Exactly 200 years to the day, there was bright sunshine as the community once again gathered at the canal basin, with hundreds attending.

The invited guests were delighted to be part of the occasion.

Dr Neil Hart, High Sheriff for West Sussex, said, “It was a wonderful day in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Canal”. Councillor Elizabeth Hamilton, Chairman of Chichester District Council, reflected that, “This is a big year for Chichester, and the canal is such a lovely place for people”. Paul Rodgers, Chair of the Inland Waterways Association, said, “It’s been a wonderful event, it’s great to see a milestone event like this being celebrated. It demonstrates what a jewel in the crown of Chichester this basin can be and the canal is”. Adam

Crowds at the Basin - photo by Dave Standley

Fort Cumberland Guard – photo by Dave Standley

13 Porter, Trust funding patron and BBC Radio 2 Newsreader, took the opportunity to record the 4th episode of the popular “Chichester Canalcast” podcast.

The event had been months in the planning by our volunteers, and so many different groups were keen to be part of our anniversary celebrations. The gunfire and display of the Fort Cumberland Guard historical re-enactment group certainly started our celebrations with a bang, while the Victorian Strollers brought the era to life, and there was a guest appearance by John Rennie. Water-based activities included displays by West Sussex Fire and Rescue, the Chichester Canoe Club and the Portsmouth Model Boat Club Display Team.

The Basin was colourfully decorated with bunting and live music entertained the crowds throughout the day, including the Duck Pond Sailors, South Downs Folk Singers and Ukes of Wallington. The Martlet Sword and Morris dancers were very popular.

Younger members of the family were kept busy with children’s activities and Victorian themed games.

Victorian Strollers – photo by Dave Standley

Chichester College students in Graphics and Photography have recently completed a project, bringing the stories of the volunteers to life, on film and in print, and their work was on display in the Heritage Centre.

The day culminated in a flotilla, comprising all the trip boats, tugs, paddleboarders, kayakers, rowing boats and even an inflatable flamingo. The flotilla was welcomed by a water cannon from West Sussex Fire and Rescue and the Mayor and Mayoress of Chichester, Councillors John and Cherry Hughes.

And unlike the opening event 200 years ago, none of the boats went aground!

Duck Pond – Photo by Nadine Duty

Flotilla – photo by David Lusby

14 We are so grateful to the Canal volunteers who have put in so much time to plan and make this event a reality. We’d also like to extend our thanks to all the groups that have supported us in their attendance, and the Rotary Club for their practical support.

Other events coming up this summer, as part of our 200th Anniversary Season: Flotilla – photo by Nadine Duty

10th June – Culture Spark Lantern Procession 20th June – ARTEL contemporary art exhibition opens at the Oxmarket 29th June – Alan Green history talk on board Richmond 3rd July – Dragon Boat racing (Rotary Club) 7th July – Chichester Fringe Comedy evening 16th July – Chichester Fringe Poetry and Music 25th July – Family activities 22nd August – Family activities

Flotilla – photo by Nadine Duty

Ukes of Wallington – Photo by Peter Trimming

For more information visit https://chichestercanal.org.uk/about-chichestercanal/200th-anniversary-on-chichester-canal/ and follow us on social media for all the latest news and pictures. Tel: 01243 771363 (Canal HQ) Catherine Cannon Trustee and Vice Chair, Chichester Ship Canal Trust Editor’s note: Paul Rodgers has since stepped down as National Chair

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Kennet & Avon Canal News Newbury Branch The boating season is well underway for MV Jubilee and our regular public trips are proving to be as popular as ever. Our public trips are on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12 noon and 2pm. For further details and to book online please visit jubilee@katrust.org.uk .

As well as our public trips, we offer private charter trips. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and club outings. The boat comes complete with a fully trained crew. Trip times typically are from around 90 mins to around 4 hours. The boat is ideal for up to 25 passengers.

In the summer we will be running some special evening summer cruises for those who would like to unwind and enjoy a relaxing trip on the canal with a drink in your hand. And in August Jubilee will be turning into a Pirate ship for swashbuckling trips on Tuesday afternoons.

For more information about all our trips, check our website, or call our Devizes office on 01380 721279 (Monday to Friday during office hours), or e mail bookings@katrust.org.uk .

Plans for this year’s Newbury Waterways Festival are gathering pace.

The event will take place on Sunday 3rd July in Victoria Park, which will be full of trade and charity stalls, and entertainment for all. Entry is free. Jubilee will be running extra trips on the day.

As always, boats will form the centre of the Festival and bankside moorings are reserved alongside the park from Friday 1st July to Sunday 3rd July. The traditional boaters’ supper will be held on the evening of 2nd July. With 2022 marking the 45th birthday of Jubilee, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Festival theme is “Let’s Party”.

All attending boats will receive a special plaque marking the event. There will also be a prize for the best dressed boat. For a Boaters’ information pack, please contact Jill Staig on 01635 47392 or email tjstaig@gmail.com .

Future Events.

Sun 3rd Jul: Newbury Waterways Festival

Sarah Foley

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Reading Branch Chairman’s Report Hello, hope you are all keeping well. We are working hard to make the 60th anniversary of the Kennet and Avon Canal start with a bang at the Reading Water Fest. We have the restored working NB Lancing as our visiting guest. NB Lancing was one of the first trip boats raising funds to restore the navigation. 27 years later the Queen was re-opening the canal and the Reading Branch staged the 1st of the Water Fest. This year Water Fest is combined with the Reading Borough Council’s Jubilee celebrations. The event will have stalls and entertainment with the main stage and a floating stage on the Forbury Loop. We are staging a Trust exhibition in the turbine house up by the Blakes Lock Museum. We have prizes donated by Bel and The Dragon and the ABC Marina at Aldermaston awarded for best presented boat and other standout contributions. We will finish the day with the traditional Duck Race. Contact me if you would like to bring your boat.

We have a return of the Towpath Potter providing opportunities for folk to try some pottery themselves. We hope to also have a sculptor demonstrating her art.

The Branch has been working hard to follow up on the trip boat trial with a permanent offering. We are expecting to feature at this year’s Water Fest.

This year we have had to accept that John and Pam Swift have stepped down from the Branch Committee. Both have served the trust for many years both in Reading Branch committee (John as Secretary) and crewing on the Rose of Hungerford. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all the work done over many years for the Trust and wish them all the best for the future.

Reading Borough Council has begun work to renovate and decorate the area around the Horseshoe Bridge at the confluence of the Kennet and Thames.

Hopefully this will include management of the trees around the entrance to the navigation.

Another 1st Mile success is the recovery and removal of the sunken boat under the Gas Works Bridge. This has taken several attempts over 5 years to remove the stricken vessel. It was said to have had a murky past and was sunken deliberately by rivals of the owners. I guess we will never know.

17 We are hoping with the help of members from the Burghfield Island Boat Club to raise awareness to Reading Borough Council that Boats and Boaters and not welcomed and well received in Reading and, as a consequence, unlike the Cities of London, Birmingham, Liverpool, York (and others), who treat the waterways as an asset.

They understand the commercial benefit of the vast number of leisure boaters and the money they have to spend while on holiday breaks. The Town seems to see these boats as a nuisance and an avoidance. We believe that Reading’s policies lose Reading businesses multiple millions of pounds a year.

The Aldermaston Tea Rooms is now open for the season and we have opened for tender to specialist builders to renovate the Wash house in the Tea Rooms Gardens.

This building predates the canal in the 1700’s and was used as a washhouse with tales of its use handed down by working boat people.

The Devizes and Westminster race was held again this year. Living next to a lock we were able to witness the competitors porting around the lock through the day and for the really keen through the Night. A great spectacle and one that helped to keep the canal alive back in the day when it looked like it might not make it.

The police have been active and I’m told have arrested a number of illegal motorbike riders and were able to track some of the miscreants to their homes so were able to bring the crime to the attention of parents. Despite this good work we have still seen a continuation of the Sustrans Cavalcade.

We continue to hold meetings and hope to move to face to face and Zoom mixed meetings in the near future.

If folk are interested in more detail of any of my ramble, or would like to help at Water Fest of some of the other activities please feel free to contact me.

Keep well and look after each other.

Graham Puddephatt chair.reading@katrust.org.uk Entry donation to Meetings, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help with expenses). Further details can be found on the Website at www.katrust.org.uk

18 The Eastern End K&A Volunteers (an independent Community Waterway Thegroup) Eastern K&A Volunteers independent Community Waterway Adoption is End authorised

by CRT to(an carry out maintenance work on certain Adoption group) is authorised by CRT to carry out maintenance work on nd parts of the K&A on the 2nd Wednesday and last Saturday of each month. certain If you and lastSavill Saturday of each you parts thetoK&A the 2 Wednesday wouldoflike joinon a Working Party, email Mick for dates andmonth. details If and to would like to join a Working Party, email Mick Savill for dates and details and to check the next one will be taking place. (micksavill@icloud.com) check the next one will be taking place. (micksavill@icloud.com)

Future Event.

Future Event.

Sat 4th June: Reading Water Fest Sat 4th June: Reading Water Fest

Crofton Crofton Beam Beam Engines Engines Our site, pumping station and car-park are now Our site, pumping station car-park open on Saturdays, Sundays andand Bank Holidayare now open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bankover Holiday Mondays and we should be steaming the weekend Mondays and we should be steaming over the weekend th of 28/29th May. of 28/29 May. Unfortunately, our café is closed until further notice, but you are welcome to Unfortunately, bring your own picnic.our café is closed until further notice, but you are welcome to bring your own picnic. steaming we need to raise £30,000 to refurbish our For us to continue us tothis continue steaming neednot to raise £30,000 to refurbish our for engine.For Once is completed, wewe would expect any further major work engine.

Once this is completed, we would not expect any further major work for around ten years. Please help if you can. aroundPlease ten years.

Please help if you can. visit our website for up to date information www.katrust.org.uk Please visit our website for up to date information www.katrust.org.uk

Future Event.

Future Event. & Sun 29th May: Steaming Weekend Sat 28th Sat 28th & Sun 29th May: Steaming Weekend Photo: Crofton Beam Engine Website Photo: Crofton Beam Engine Website

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River Wey & Godalming Navigations Come and Savour Steam on the River!

“Puffing a-Wey!” Saturday 9th July 2022 11.00am - 5.00pm Members of The Steamboat Association of Great Britain are delighted to return to the National Trust’s Dapdune Wharf for a Midsummer Weekend of steam boats after a break of two years.

Although the main day is Saturday 9th July, Steam powered launches and boats are expected to be at and around the wharf in central Guildford all weekend providing a colourful spectacle on the River Wey Navigation. Visiting from across Britain as guests of the Trust, the steam boats are owned by members of the Steamboat Association of Great Britain.

The National Trust’s Dapdune Wharf is an extraordinary, almost hidden, rustic gem in the middle of busy Guildford. The wharf is the historic central depot for the Wey and Godalming Navigations and its sheds and exhibitions transport visitors back to pre-railway days when barge traffic on the waterway was the area’s most important connection to London’s commerce and docks.

“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.

All enquiries to Mark Rudall markrudall@gmail.com or tel: 01252 645486, mob: 07779 654975

20 Renewing the Lock Gates on the River Wey When the lock gates were built along the River Wey over 300 years ago, there was no standard template. Each gate was custom made using local oak to fit the waterway.

As a busy trade route to London, the locks were in constant use from the horse-drawn wooden barges, and inevitably the lock gates became worn and damaged and would need to be replaced. This would be undertaken by craftsmen using local oak, and a team of maintenance workers, often from the same family, would re-instate them.

Although today the traffic along the Wey today is very different, the locks are still very busy and the wooden lock gates suffer from exposure to the elements and boat damage.

Replacing old and damaged locks on the River Wey and Godalming Navigations is part of the annual maintenance programme. This has to be undertaken in the winter so as to cause minimum disruption during the least busy period on the waterway.

Using many of the traditional methods and tools employed by their forefathers, the gates are crafted from sustainable oak. The cast iron fittings are taken off the old gates and reused on the new ones.

The maintenance team then spend up to two weeks installing them, in much the same way as has been done for over three hundred years.

Tales of a Lengthsman -Emma writes a monthly blog for Dapdune Wharf and we are grateful to have been given permission to relay some of her work in Cargoes.

April – Interesting Feathery Faces.

Like so many other workplaces at the moment we have our fair share of sickness among the workforce so I have been covering Thames Lock for a couple of days. It’s the only staffed lock we have and it is where the Navigation joins the River Thames at Weybridge. After the luxury of mostly staffed and automated locks on the Thames it means we can break visitors in gently to our historic and very manual locks here on the Wey.

21 While I was investigating a report of a tree that had come off the worse for wear in yesterday’s blustery conditions, I came across some fairly unusual sights.

That’s the great thing about the Navigation, you don’t have to go far, even in the relatively populated areas, to find something interesting.

A group of bachelor mallards had a tufted duck tagging along. I don’t get too many of those on my stretch. All my local tufties prefer the lakes on the golf course so he was nice to see.

May – Waiting for Cygnets and a knock on the door. This year’s local potential swan parents are sitting well and we are hopeful of cygnets soon. Last year they managed to rear 3 to almost adulthood although they lost 2 fairly late and only one made it through to adulthood. Hopefully they have or soon will find a mate of their own.

I have recently invested in some floating duck and swan pellets. It’s a little more convenient than defrosting and sharing all my frozen sweetcorn and petits pois.

They seem to be a hit.

I fed them on the backwater behind the house earlier. A couple of hours later one of them turned up on the towpath at my back gate. It’s the first time I’ve seen them there. They clearly know where I live!

When we lived on the boat the local swans knew which residents were the early birds, if you’ll pardon the pun, and knocked on the sides of the boats to request breakfast. My husband always called them the mafia; it did feel like they were demanding food with menaces. The geese and ducks always asked much more politely. With that in mind, I am convinced it won’t be long until they are pecking on the door for a snack. If they train the youngsters I think this might be a good few years worth of trouble I’ve made for us. I don’t think 5 litres of pellets is going to be enough! Well, it’s good to keep in with the neighbours.

Wey and Arun Canal Trust WACT News WRG weekend camp helps upgrade slipway for visiting youth groups Thanks to the efforts of visiting teams from London WRG and KESCRG, along with Wey & Arun Canal Trust volunteers, youth groups using the canal to launch canoes at Drungewick now have much improved facilities.

22 Roger Dimmick Lane is used regularly by groups including Scouts, Sea Scouts and the local Renegades youth club to access the slipway and at times it could get muddy. Teams from London WRG and KESCRG spent a weekend working here, laying a new road surface and erecting new fencing and signage.

Some 80 tons of type 1 stone was laid over two days to improve the track, making parking and loading and unloading canoes a lot easier.

Volunteers also made a start on a new timber picnic bench, created from wood from the Tickner’s Heath road crossing project in Alfold.

The use of the canal for paddling has grown hugely over recent years and a local firm Fluid Adventures now operates from the slipway at weekends and school holidays, offering a hire service for a range of canoes and kayaks.

Those with their own canoes, kayaks, rowing boats and paddleboards are also welcome to use the canal (a day licence is needed or British Canoeing members go free).

Tickner’s Heath project opens for visitors: Volunteers have made good progress at the Tickner’s Heath road crossing in Alfold and at the end of April opened the pedestrian footbridge as a viewing platform for the public to see the work going and Surrey’s newest length of canal.

The project to divert the canal and create a new road crossing began in late 2020, with contractors installing the pilings and the prefabricated steel bridge deck for the pedestrian footbridge. Volunteers have undertaken the rest of the construction.

A road diversion is needed before work on the road bridge itself can begin and volunteers have been pushing on to get as far as they can with creating a temporary road while awaiting the Section 278 agreement from Surrey County Council.

If you want to take a look, head to the Forestry Commission car park at Sidney Wood (GU6 8HU).

Switching from red to green: The Trust has been trialling the use of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) in some of its plant and van fleet following the ban on red diesel.

The synthetic HVO being used is made from 100% renewable waste fats and vegetable oils and claims to be better for the environment than regular diesel,

23 reducing net CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90%. As well as significantly reducing greenhouse gases the fuel is biodegradable and safe to use near water, so a good choice for us.

The fuel is best used in newer machinery so for now it is used in the telehandler, small digger, cement mixer, jet wash and large digger, as well as restoration site supervision manager Dave Evans’ work van.

The cost of the fuel works out at roughly the same as regular diesel, but can be stored for up to 10 years.

Dave Evans reports that so far the switch has worked well. “So far we’ve had no problems whatsoever but it does smell a bit like a chip shop sometimes - it has a very different smell to diesel.”

The Trust is already using the cleaner Aspen fuel in its lawnmowers, strimmers and power tools as the fuel is 99% cleaner than ordinary petrol. Being virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents, it means the fuel does not have the usual pungent petrol smell, making it more pleasant for volunteers to use.

River Rally: The Wey & Arun Canal Trust held its annual River Arun Rally on Sunday May 15th, inviting small craft to join the paddle along the picturesque river in West Sussex.

This annual event aims to demonstrate the right of navigation on the River Arun. Each year canoeists, kayakers and paddleboarders travel from Pulborough as far upstream as the tidal Pallingham Quay, helping to ensure that when restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal is complete there will be no legal reason why boats cannot venture from the canal into the Arun.

The rally began in 1983 and the event has been run by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust since 2011, celebrating the long tradition of boats navigating a river which was once part of a waterway route from London to the South Coast.

The number of people using the waterway has been increasing year on year as the popularity of paddleboarding and kayaking has grown, and Trust volunteers have created dedicated landing stages at the longest restored section in Loxwood, West Sussex.

The trip from Pulborough and Stopham to the tidal limit at Pallingham typically takes three and a half hours and the rally is open to all.

24 Poddle Want to join us for our annual Poddle? The 49th sponsored walk takes place on Sunday June 12th, this year covering ‘The Hundred of Manhood’, the ancient name for the peninsula south of Chichester.

The 12-mile route passes through picturesque villages, historical sites as well as the scenic Pagham Nature reserve, Chichester Canal and marina. Lunch and refreshments are provided, with all profits from the event going towards further restoration of the canal.

Walkers can do the entire route or either the morning or afternoon. You can even walk as a team and split any sponsorship jointly between the Wey & Arun Canal Trust and a charity of your choice.

For more details and a sponsor form, go to www.weyarun.org.uk .

Cream teas on the menu with summer boat trip schedule: A full schedule of summer boat trips on the Wey & Arun is now available to book, from Cream Teas, Father’s Day treat to a special Jubilee cruise, as well as regular weekend cruises.

All bookings are made via the website, www.weyarun.org.uk, so come and pay us a visit.

Gill Davies

Future Events Boat trips schedule released Boat trips have resumed on the Wey & Arun with the cream tea trips expected to be a sellout. Bookings are online at www.weyandarun.co.uk.

Poddle date set The Trust’s annual sponsored walk, the Poddle, will this year be held on Sunday June 12th. For more details, head to the website www.weyandarun.co.uk or see above.

Thurs 2nd & Fri 3rd June, 11am & 12.30. Queen's Jubilee celebration cruise: Celebrate the Queen's Jubilee in great style onboard the Wey & Arun's own decorated "Gloriana" trip boat. A special 50 min trip for all the family in our beautifully decorated boat with regal treats on board. Crowns optional.

Adult ticket price is £16 and £10 per child. Bookings online.

Sun 19th June, 12 noon, 40-50 min. Father’s Day Cruise: a 40-50 minute boat trip ideal for families and those wishing to enjoy a short cruise to travel through one of our restored locks. Ticket price includes tea or coffee with a Fruit Shoot for children. Adult ticket price is £9 and £4.50 per child. Bookings online.

Sun 19th June, 1.15 & 3.00pm. Father’s Day Cruise: Enjoy a leisurely canal trip for 1.5 hours on this scenic Sussex waterway. Experience going through two locks with tea and coffee included in the ticket price and a Danish pastry. A free beer for Dads. Fruit shoot drink for children.

Adult ticket price is £15 and £6 per child. Bookings online.

25 nd July, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: This popular boat trip will be 1.5 Fri 22 nd July, Fri 22 22nd 2 4pm, Cream Cream Tea Tea Special: Special: This popular boat trip will Fri July, 2& &a 4pm, Thisalong popular boat trip will be be 1.5 1.5 hours and include cream tea served while you cruise the lovely Sussex hours and include a cream tea served while you cruise along the lovely Sussex hours and include a cream tea served while you cruise along the lovely Sussex countryside.

Price £17 per person.

Bookings online. countryside. countryside. Price Price £17 £17 per per person. person. Bookings Bookings online. online. nd July Fri 29th 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22 th July, nd July Fri July, 2 2& & 4pm, 4pm, Cream Cream Tea Tea Special: Special: as as Fri Fri 22 22nd July Fri 29 29th July, th Aug, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd July Fri 5 th Aug, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd nd July Fri 5 5th Aug, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22 July Fri th Aug, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd July Fri 12 nd July th Aug, Fri 12 12th Aug, 2 Fri 2& & 4pm, 4pm, Cream Cream Tea Tea Special: Special: as as Fri Fri 22 22nd July th Aug, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd July Fri 19 nd July th Aug, Fri 19 19th Aug, 2 2& & 4pm, 4pm, Cream Cream Tea Tea Special: Special: as as Fri Fri 22 22nd July Fri th Aug, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd July Fri 26 nd July th Aug, Fri 26 26th Aug, 2 Fri 2& & 4pm, 4pm, Cream Cream Tea Tea Special: Special: as as Fri Fri 22 22nd July nd Sep, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd July Fri 2 nd Sep, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd nd July Fri 2 2nd Sep, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22 July Fri th Sep, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd July Fri 9 th Sep, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22nd nd July Fri 9 9th Sep, 2 & 4pm, Cream Tea Special: as Fri 22 July Fri

Please check our website for up to date details of all our events and boat trips.

Please check check our our website website for for up up to to date date details details of of all all our our events events and and boat boat trips. trips.

Please Further details and booking from the Trust Office on 01403 752403.

Further details and booking from the Trust Office on 01403 752403.

Further details and booking from the Trust Office on 01403 752403. office@weyandarun.co.uk www.weyandarun.co.uk office@weyandarun.co.uk www.weyandarun.co.uk office@weyandarun.co.uk www.weyandarun.co.uk Northern (Mondays-Thursdays, 8.30am-12.30pm) Northern Office Office Phone: Phone: 01483 01483 505566 505566 (Mondays-Thursdays, (Mondays-Thursdays, 8.30am-12.30pm) 8.30am-12.30pm) Northern Office Phone: 01483 505566 For general information on the work of the Trust, please telephone our For general information on the work of the Trust, please telephone our For general information on the work of the Trust, please telephone our Northern Office on 01483 505566, or visit www.weyandarun.co.uk Northern Office Office on on 01483 01483 505566, 505566, or or visit visit www.weyandarun.co.uk www.weyandarun.co.uk Northern

River Thames Thames News News River The Thames has experienced some problems due to over-running repairs, The Thames has has experienced experienced some some problems problems due due to to over-running over-running repairs, repairs, The Thames and the impact of having to use contractors for repairs has led to some unfortunate and the impact of having to use contractors for repairs has led to some unfortunate and the impact of having to use contractors for repairs has led to some unfortunate delays. delays. delays.

Boating organisations are increasingly frustrated with communications Boating organisations organisations are are increasingly increasingly frustrated frustrated with with communications communications Boating between themselves and the Environment Agency and are having to escalate between themselves themselves and and the the Environment Environment Agency Agency and and are are having having to to escalate escalate between straightforward queries to senior EA staff. straightforward queries queries to to senior senior EA EA staff. staff. straightforward Hopefully none of these issues will affect your boating activities in the coming Hopefully none none of of these these issues issues will will affect affect your your boating boating activities activities in in the the coming coming Hopefully season but do keep up to date with EA notices. season but but do do keep keep up up to to date date with with EA EA notices. notices. season I would like to include a “Thames Quiz” in the next edition of Cargoes and would like like to to include include a a “Thames “Thames Quiz” Quiz” in in the the next next edition edition of of Cargoes Cargoes and and IIwelcome would would questions from Cargoes’ readers.

I am aiming for a balance of would welcome questions from Cargoes’ readers.

I am aiming for a balance of would welcome questions from Cargoes’ readers. I am aiming for a balance of questions that are relevant to all boaters. questions that that are are relevant relevant to to all all boaters. boaters. questions Please forward your contributions to me verna.smith63@gmail.com Please forward forward your your contributions contributions to to me me verna.smith63@gmail.com verna.smith63@gmail.com ...

Please Verna Smith

Verna Verna Smith Smith

Future Future Events Events Sat 28th – Mon 30th August: Thames Traditional Boat Festival, Further details on Sat 28 28th – Mon Mon 30 30th August: Thames Thames Traditional Traditional Boat Boat Festival, Festival, Further Further details on th – th August: Sat details on the Visit Thames Website.

A fun day out for all the family. the Visit Thames Website. the Visit Thames Website. A A fun fun day day out out for for all all the the family. family.

26

Kent & East Sussex Branch Past Events Our Annual General Meeting had been planned to be held live at Christ Church United Reformed Church in Tonbridge but was changed to Zoom following fears about the new threat from Covid Omicron.

We are very grateful to Bob Fox, our “Zoom Champion” for making arrangements.

The Committee is unchanged excepting for the previously announced retirement of Sue Schwieso, our Social Secretary, who was thanked for her work for the Branch over many years. We need a Social Secretary. Could that be you? Contact us if so.

This year’s other IWAKES Branch open meeting was held at Strood Yacht Club, in April, where a large audience attended an excellent talk by Simon Judge on “Crossing the Wash”. The crossing from Boston Grand Sluice to Wisbech (thence to Peterborough) was made in company of other members of the St Pancras Cruising Club. It was sandwiched by numerous pictures of the full circular journey, including the tidal Trent and River Witham.

Thames & Medway Canal Association Our first open event this year was the AGM in April, the next being our Canal Open Day on Sunday May 22nd. We hope to have a covered stall set up for things to buy and we are also hoping to get the boats on the water to give rides to members.

Biker vandals have yet again been destroying the steel railings, enabling them to ride their bikes in the RSPB area, which is a never-ending battle. The winter weeks have been very productive with our valiant Work Party labouring at the Higham end continuing to improve the area at “The Vista” and Obelisk.

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

Unfortunately, heavy use has taken its toll but it will hopefully be fully operational again in the not-too-distant future.

27 We also had two benches kindly donated by the Old Gravesendians Rugby Club. One (pictured) we have just installed along the Nuralite stretch.

Our vigorous lobbying of Gravesham Borough Council for the Canal basin to Mark Lane section to be developed suitable for navigation had varying degrees of success. We continue to monitor developments but planning issues have gone quiet recently.

The towpath around “The Vista” has a small wild flower area which is beginning to grow with new plantings of flowers. Shorne Parish Council donated several new hand tools surplus to their requirements which came in useful and we have added to our machinery having bought two motorised reed cutters.

Much time has passed since the Shorne Mead crossing keeper’s cottage with its roses was last seen. Network Rail has now cleared the area which can be seen on the right-hand side just past the level crossing on the video available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp3d45RgBNQ We hope this is in preparation for a long-awaited footbridge over the railway as the crossing has been closed for a couple of years.

Network Rail, which owns the canal, has given Sustrans responsibility for upkeep and repair of the bridges and towpath which is very pleasing for us.

They plan to upgrade the towpath surface and have replaced the winding gear cover (pictured) at the swing bridge.

Dave Parnell

28

River Medway news from Mike Marsh The Environment Agency is transforming how enforcement is managed and resourced on the Medway. It has created a comprehensive database with pictures of every powered vessel in the water. There will be weekly patrols on land and water and increased presence with joint operations with fisheries. EA will be raising awareness with communications, social media and posters. It has successfully closed over 130 unregistered boat cases, taking the compliance rate from 64% in June 2021 to 88.2% today. A Red /Amber/Green system will be used….

• Green - compliant • Amber - 1 year no registration, no M number, other offence such as speeding • Red - over 2 years non-registered or no Boat Safety Certification.

Allington Slipway has now been refurbished with a one-metre extension and removal of a hump to allow better launching of trailable craft.

Teston and Hampstead Sluices have failed their FRAP (Flood Risk Activity Permit) so work on Teston will be put back to summer 2023 and Hampstead Sluice construction will be reviewed.

This year EA will be consulting MRUA (Medway River Users Association) on the lock gate replacement programme – choice of materials, designs and site preferences. The plan from next year will be to replace all the gates, refurbish all the sluices and refit all the lock sites from Sluice weir up to Town Lock. One site a year for the next 6 years. This will represent a huge investment programme of works. EA will be organising a stakeholder workshop later in the year.

April 25th is the Kingfisher Trust’s first trip with passengers. The Trust only has eight skippers at present and is looking for volunteer skippers for the new season. The Trust does great work for the disabled community in offering enjoyable experiences on the river. It has a new all-electric boat this season. https://www.kingfishermedwaytrust.org.uk/index.html

29 A new Canoe Trail leaflet is being produced by Explore Kent in consultation with the EA and other groups. Details can be found on the website https://explore-kent-bucket.s3.eu-west1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2016/05/14130151/Medway-Canoe-Trail.pdf There was a Category ‘1’ Oil pollution incident (pictured) near Hampstead Lock earlier this year. An investigation is ongoing but there is lack of evidence of the perpetrator at present.

Working with Kent Fire & Rescue service, EA is establishing a Medway Water Safety Forum for all interested parties.

This will help coordinate direct action, awareness raising campaigns and response to any related incidents.

Medway River Festival is back on Saturday July 30th 2022 after a pause of a few years.

The organisers are planning a day all the family can enjoy. The River Festival started 40 years ago and people of all ages in Maidstone have great affection for what was the county town’s biggest annual event. There will be dressed- up boats, raft races, fun and games for all the family.

There will be illuminated boats in the evening, and it will all end with an award-winning firework display which will go off from the top of Fremlin Walk in the town centre. It is being sponsored by Weston Homes, Kent County Council and The Kentish Lady among others.

30

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust SORT has started some work to preserve the chamber of Henfield Wood Lock (Lock 13 of 19). This lock is surrounded by trees, fallen and growing, and is hardly visible. Firstly, we shall be removing the fallen timber and doing some scrub-bashing to get a better view of the chamber. We shall then look to take down any trees which are, or might soon be, causing damage to the structure.

It will be interesting to see the extent of the remaining structure.

There is an awful lot of silt in there so we're hopeful that the walls are generally in good condition. The lock is on one owner's land but we need access through another's to reach it with a vehicle and the tools we need.

Both owners are very supportive of our intentions and work has commenced.

Storm Eunice's visit to the Sussex Ouse Navigation didn't generally have much of an impact, fortunately, but there was one spectacular, unwanted result. This large, dead oak tree decided to pay a visit to

31 the chamber at Polebay Lock, which is Lock 11 of 19. Examination of the stump shows the inside of the trunk to be very rotten and feathery so little wonder the tree came down. The chamber doesn't seem to have suffered from its unwelcome visitor. SORT has liaised with the landowners on both sides of the lock and the one, from whose land the tree fell, readily agreed to remove it. He has a contractor with a big machine which grabs and cuts. Apologies for the detailed technical description!

On the admin side of things, we have submitted our application to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation to the Charity Commission. We have also been having constructive discussions with the Environment Agency.

David Evans

River Stour news from Malcolm Hasler The Kentish River Stour, its environment and the public have all been waking up after what has appeared to have been a protracted Autumn, Winter, and Spring. However, intensive preparations are in hand and plans being drawn up for a busy and enjoyable Summer of boating, fishing, BBQs, and all the associated leisure activities.

Work boats from The Boat House and Grove Ferry Boat Club can be seen regularly cruising the river to strim moorings and berths, clear fallen trees where possible, and ensure that locations such as Red House, Richborough, Plucks Gutter and Grove Ferry are all ready to receive visitors over the next few months. Training for boaters is ongoing along with additional First Aid training.

All the temporary bridges installed to provide access to construct new overhead power lines have now been cleared and the navigation is open to all for the full length of the tidal extent of the river providing water levels remain adequate above Grove Ferry.

As we continue to work to ensure that the many leisure users of the river can enjoy their water sports, side by side and in harmony, we all hope for a fun and enjoyable summer without incident.

The Boat Trips have started to operate again out of Grove Ferry (worth prebooking at busy periods) as have the longer trips from Plucks Gutter out to Pegwell Bay to see the prolific seals in the river and on the riverbanks, to listen to the commentary during the cruise detailing the history of the river.

I finish this brief report as I pack and head off to Little Venice, Paddington, for four days as a volunteer for the IWA at the Canalway Cavalcade 2022. I can be contacted by email at Malcolm.Hasler@waterways.org.uk or at mshasler@btinternet.com and will welcome any news items for future reports.

32

River Adur news from Brendan Whelan The situation at Stows Gap, which is located on the A259 close to the centre of Shoreham, is still unresolved after over eight years. A 300m stretch of Tidal Wall is needed to remove the risk of flooding to both homes and commercial properties.

The land is owned by the Sussex Yacht Club but there is a right of way leading to a public slipway.

The matter is complex because the exact location of the slipway is in dispute and, understandably, the SYC has concerns about safety.

A local councillor has indicated that Adur District Council would be amenable to closing the access but want the land owner to provide indemnity should there be repercussions. The Adur Planning Committee made it clear that, ideally, the access to the river should be improved but if that isn't possible then an alternative public launching facility must be made available.

It is one of those situations where parties need to sit down and agree a reasonable compromise. Statistically, it is inevitable that flooding will occur again if this final stretch of the Tidal Wall is not built. In the meantime, it is rather like playing Russian Roulette with people's homes and livelihoods.

Other locations for a slipway on the Adur are under consideration but, as would be expected, there are many legal issues to be overcome. Life is never simple.

33

Future IWAKES and Other Events Sunday 22nd May 2022: 10.00am onwards Mark Lane, Gravesend: Thames & Medway Canal “Open Day”: Boat rides to members!

Saturday 30th July 2022: Maidstone Town Centre: “Medway River Festival” with evening fireworks.

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) so we can ensure enough tables at the pub. You will be very welcome if you prefer to attend for only part of the itinerary.

Thursday 6th October 2022: 7.30 for 8.00pm Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH (map below) “Puffing a’Wey” by Mark Rudall, a stalwart of the Steam Boat Association of Great Britain.

Thursday 26th January 2023: 7.30 for 8.00pm “Sustainable Boating on the Inland Waterways” by Bowman Bradley: Arrangements for this talk are still being made. It may be a physical meeting at Strood Yacht Club, or a ‘Zoom’ webinar or a hybrid. Full details will be in the next edition of Cargoes. Meanwhile, please reserve the date.

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES ‘physical’ evening meetings.

Entry is free with a raffle to cover costs.

All IWAKES events are open to non-members and you are encouraged to bring friends to ‘physical’ meetings or to tell them about ‘virtual’ meetings. Similarly, if you know a local club or society that might be interested then please do tell them.

34

Oxfordshire Branch Branch Chairman The branch AGM was successfully held as a Zoom meeting on Tuesday 5th April. More than a dozen members joined for the brief formal AGM element of the evening followed by a fascinating talk by John Henn of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust. John gave an informative potted history of the canal and a wonderful pictorial tour of the canal, the work that the trust has undertaken and their ambitious plans for the complete restoration of the waterway. If you missed the talk do have a look at the work of the Trust on their website.

The Oxfordshire branch is planning to have a stand at the Oxford Canal Festival on the 17th September and the Banbury Canal Festival over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd October, do please let me know if you can help to man the stand at either (or both) of these events.

Enjoy the summer however you use the waterways in our area, whether as a boater, canoe or paddle boarder, towpath walker or practical volunteer.

Ian Lindsay

Tooley’s Boatyard Trust In addition to being one of the oldest boatyards on the canal network, Tooley's also boasts one of the oldest working forges. The blacksmiths would originally have made fittings for the canal and the narrowboats operating on it, including shoeing the horses that pulled the boats. The Forge would also have served Banbury, providing a general blacksmith service to the local population including sharpening knives and shears.

Our current blacksmith, Jamie Simmons (pictured), has made a whole range of items: fire grates, companion sets, garden gates, catches - in fact "if you can think it, he can make it"!

35 Meantime, our Easter boat trips proved hugely popular, particularly with youngsters, who enjoyed the themed quiz and 'egg hunt' while taking in the sights and sounds of the Oxford Canal.

Regular Saturday trips will start on May 7th, and bookings are already being taken. These 40-minute trips, plus guided tour of the boatyard, make an ideal introduction to the pleasures of the Canal.

For more information go to: https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/boat-trips/, John Madden Chair Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Wilts & Berks Canal Work continues behind the scenes on our two big projects – The Melksham Link and the M4 crossing; we expect some significant announcements on both during this year. Meanwhile, much is happening; Wilts Council has granted us a peppercorn lease on some 8 acres of land at Naish Hill, including over ½ Km of canal between Pewsham & Lacock – more on all this below.

We have had several grants recently; the first, of £3,500 from the Nineveh Charitable Trust, is to be used in the reconstruction of the recently rediscovered carpenter’s workshop at Pewsham; the second, of £2,500 from the Worshipful Company of Grocers, is to help our ongoing work in volunteer management and biodiversity. Boating wise, the generosity of just three of our volunteers has enabled the purchase of an electric outboard motor and two batteries; the motor has been successfully used in our trip boat The Mary Archard, which took its first passengers over Easter, in blissful silence!

But the big news concerns the release of over £110,000 from our “loans to donations” programme. In this, many members had loaned the Trust varying amounts of money to help refurbish our pub The Peterborough Arms; this was successful, and it has now been open several years, surviving Covid. One member kindly asked for their loan be converted to a donation; we were obliged to send invitations to all the others who had made loans, with the result that many did so, releasing the above sum with the added benefit of attracting Gift Aid. This, along with other donations received in the last financial year, has enabled the Trust to

36 offer each of our five Branches sums of £10-20,000 to undertake significant restoration work in their area. Thus we can start work immediately on restoring the towpath on the Naish Hill section described above; Royal Wootton Bassett Branch is doing much the same on existing towpaths plus establishing a “bee route”, important for biodiversity. In Swindon, the Mouldon Hill section was incompletely restored some 20 years ago; the aim now is to complete at least part of this section and rewater it.

Our West Vale branch is already doing restoration work at and around Canal Park, Shrivenham that includes the installation of a solar pump to rewater the short stretch of canal there.

East Vale Branch has just agreed a lease on a 364 metre stretch at Elms Farm near Wantage, enabling us to resume restoration work there.

Back to the M4 crossing – the initial grant from National Highways of some £42,000 has now been spent on the background work necessary to proceed to Phase 2 of this project, whose total budget is around £15 million. Part of this work was a cost-benefit analysis, which concluded that for every pound spent on restoring the canal the local community would benefit by £1.79 – and this was a conservative estimate. We have now submitted this work to National Highways in order to proceed, if they agree, to the next phase; this would mean a grant of £870,000 to do the necessary feasibility and design work to proceed to the final stage – which is building the underbridge plus a short section that passes under a road culvert recently constructed in anticipation of the canal’s restoration. Hopefully we will know the outcome of this bid by the time of the next issue.

Exciting times indeed!

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 half-hourly 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 https://www.wbct.org.uk/enjoy-discover/take-aboat-trip-with-us .

We very much hope we shall be able to resume our usual trips once the blockade has been lifted.

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London Region South London Branch We are delighted that now the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, the committee has decided to return to having in-person 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 8th June: Social meeting and talk by Alan Burkitt- Gray: “The Failed Canals of South London” South 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

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 them at: london@walks.com. It is Very Important to watch the IWA website -

38 www.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.

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).

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 15th May, 2.30pm: Limehouse – Thames – Docklands. Meet Westferry (DLR) (by Cycle Hire Point) Sun 5th Jun, 2.30pm: Grand Surrey Canal, Royal Navy Victualling Yard, Greenland Dock. Meet Surrey Quays Sun 19th Jun, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square – Camden.

Meet King’s Cross (meet by taxi queue) Sun 3rd Jul, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse. Meet Mile End. Sun 17th Jul, 2.30pm: Limehouse – Thames – Docklands. Meet Westferry (DLR) (by Cycle Hire Point) Sun 7th Aug, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square – Camden.

Meet King’s Cross (meet by taxi queue) 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.

British Canoeing Canoe Portages Blakes Lock, Reading. Both portage points were scheduled to be renewed when the lock was closed from February to early April for renewing the lock head bullnoses and resurfacing the head landing path.

Work for the portages was held over to after Easter to enable participants in the Devizes-Westminster Canoe Race to portage at this transfer point between the K&A

39 Canal and River Thames in training/route learning schedules prior to this major event in the canoeing calendar. The renewed portage points will comprise a pontoon at the upstream end of the lock and a fixed platform on the opposite side of the lock island. EA consulted British Canoeing on the proposed designs and technical advice was provided. EA has been requested to commence this work before the summer months and the main paddling season.

Abingdon Lock, River Thames. Work to provide a portage point by the renewed downstream lay–by has been rescheduled for 2022 having been delayed by adverse river conditions last year. The new arrangement is an improvement that will replace the existing downstream portage point adjacent to the lock gates that is awkward to use and close to other traffic.

Anchor Sluice, Barcombe, River (Sussex) Ouse, where an access issue has arisen. The river is regularly used by paddlers upstream of Barcombe Mills as it is one of only a few places in Sussex with access to non-tidal water on water having a public right of navigation. Paddlers proceeding to Isfield Weir must portage about the Anchor Sluice where there has been a long-established informal portage route along the riverbank on the opposite side to the Anchor Inn. A recent development are reports to British Canoeing for the landing and launching portage points to be obstructed and the landowner challenging paddlers. Unless resolved it means a resource for paddling a non-tidal flat-water route in Sussex is at risk.

Lower Thames Fish Passes: Fish by-pass channels are proposed by EA at Chertsey, Sunbury and Teddington Weirs. British Canoeing has met with EA to discuss these schemes with a view that the channels are an opportunity to be engineered for joint canoe and fish pass use. Discussions are continuing and a further meeting is awaited. BC has cited the success of the joint canoe fish passes on the River Medway that have created a legacy of recreational socio-economic gain and demonstrated an overall added value to these publicly funded schemes.

Paddlers Guide to Fish Spawning: It’s currently the breeding season for much of the UK’s fish population. Paddlers need to avoid disrupting spawning, damaging eggs to protecting and improving the health of our rivers and its inhabitants that is in everybody’s interests. Being responsible in the water is extremely important for British Canoeing to provide advice and guidance that is posted at: https://britishcanoeing.org.uk/uploads/documents/Watch-out-for-spawning-fish6.pdf The Big Paddle Clean Up, 4-12th June British Canoeing invite the whole paddling community to join in a week of action and help us to remove 1,000 sacks of litter from our inland and coastal waters.

More information at https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2022/join-in-thebig-paddle-cleanup Kevin East, Volunteer

40 Floating Pennywort: The Battle to rid our waters of invasive species Plants and animals that did not originate in the UK can cause serious environmental problems and cost our economy about £1.7bn each year.

Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), that have often been introduced accidentally to our waters, can outcompete native wildlife, while damaging ecosystems and spreading disease.

British Canoeing, along with its partners and volunteers, have been tackling the problem of Floating Pennywort, which blocks waterways, making it hard for people to paddle and fish.

Find out more: Help stop the spread of Floating Pennywort Ben Francis, British Canoeing’s Environmental Project Officer, organised the Big Floating Pennywort Removal Day at the River Wey Navigation (Surrey), on 21st May, as part of National Invasive Species Week.

Below, Ben reports on the battle to remove the plant from the Thames region.

Great progress at the River Mole I have supported the work of the volunteers on the River Mole, in Surrey, to remove floating pennywort from a heavily infested section of the river.

Purley Canoe Club have led the hard work and organised two more voluntary action days next winter, following four in 2021.

The actions on the River Mole have seen the group’s efforts move further downstream with each day.

It has also been a fantastic example of collaborative working between stakeholders.

Three paddling clubs, two local authorities, three landowners, government agencies and local residents have all been helping to protect their waterway.

41 School holiday action days I met with the Addlestone Canoe Club during the school holidays. It was a great opportunity to show the group, of all ages, about Floating Pennywort.

I explained what it is, why it is harmful and how to remove it safely. As a result, we were able to remove plenty of fragments and leaves from the River Wey Navigation. This will help to prevent large rafts forming later.

After the hard efforts on the water, we enjoyed some lovely hot food, prepared by the volunteers, back at the club house.

Wendy Dodson, who organised both days, said: “Thank you to all the club volunteers who took part. The areas cleared have stayed Pennywort-free.”

“Riddance not control” I was lucky to join Whoosh Explore Canoe Club twice this year to support their continued efforts in Hertfordshire and Essex at the River Lee Navigation.

During the first outing in February we learned the importance of the “forensic search” to check the river and banks for any small fragments, including leaves and stems of Floating Pennywort. This is especially important in areas like reeds.

In the summer, it can grow up to 20cm a day starting from the smallest fragments. Removal over the winter and spring, when growth is much more limited, gives groups a good chance to prevent “mats” forming later in the year, which can choke the waterway. We also completed a litter pick to protect the river from another growing threat.

On my second visit, we looked for signs of regrowth on a “Pennywort patrol”.

We were joined by the Canal and Rivers Trust, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Angling Trust, Vauxhall Angling Club, Thames Water and the Environment Agency, to discuss the challenge of keeping the river free of the plant.

Ben Francis, Environmental Project Officer

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Mikron Theatre Group

Small Scale on a Big Scale 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!

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 world of weather

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

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Rachel Bryant Membership

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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 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 Tel: 07768 132703

Chair: Les Etheridge

Email: les.etheridge@waterways.org.uk

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. Stour: Malcolm Hasler Thames & Medway: Bernard Snell Dartford & Crayford: Brian Franklin

R. Adur: Brendan Whelan Northfleet Harbour: Vacant R. Rother: Malcolm Jones 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 Webmaster: Robin Williams

Cargoes co-ordinator & Jericho: tba Non Committee Responsibilities

Thames RUG 3: Sue & David Cooper Next issue: Autumn Copy date: 27th July 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