River Medway news from Mike Marsh

Environment Agency News….

Allington Lock – Remains closed to passages on weekdays until the end of May due to unexpected delays to the improvement works. The lock will operate on weekends and bank holidays. EA has apologised for any inconvenience caused and appreciate the patience of boaters whilst they work to improve the site. The Environment Agency is pleased to announce that the Allington Lock slipway and car park resurfacing is now substantially complete and is available for public use on weekends and bank holidays. EA looks forward to welcoming back both powered and unpowered river users to use the launching facilities. It expected that the car park will be available 7 days a week very soon.

Teston Lock – Work will start in June to remove the gantry and sluice. A new eel pass will be installed as well as CCTV and the lock area will be refreshed.

Porters Lock – As part of the lock gate replacement programme EA has been successful with an award from the Innovation Fund to research the use of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) which is made entirely from recycled plastic. The EA team is working on options for materials, designs and carbon efficiency.

DEFRA underspend – The EA successfully bid for a pot of EA national underspend. The funding deadline passed and EA was able to deliver 44 projects.

New Paddlers Guide – This follows the Respect, Protect, Enjoy themes of the Countryside Code. A non-branded website has been set up to host the Paddler’s Code Respect, Protect, Enjoy. This can be viewed at https://paddlerscode.info/ . With several paddlers groups and clubs now located on the Medway, this will be a welcome addition to help with enjoyment and safe navigation.

Maidstone River Festival….

https://www.maidstoneriverfestival.com

This now annual event is taking place on Saturday 29 th July. The River Festival started 40 years ago and is the town’s biggest annual event. Ther e will be dressed-up boats, raft races, fun and games for all the family and the traditional illuminated boats parade. The evening will end with a big bang as an awardwinning fireworks display will go off from the top of Fremlin Walk in the town centre. The event is sponsored by various local business es which include Kent County Council and the Kentish Lady River Cruises. As with last year’s event, we hope to distribute IWA publicity material at the event.

Anti-Social Behaviour….

The Police and the EA were out in force at a weekend in April. They cautioned some youths with catapults and had a productive day and plan to make regular patrols. Boaters and the public are encouraged to report all incidents, so the team know where to focus their time and efforts.

Leigh Flood Barrier….

The Environment Agency scheme to build a flood embankment and pumping station in Hildenborough has received planning permission from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. The works planned at Hildenborough include a new embankment, pumping station, kiosk and flood defence wall. This will form part of the larger flood protection scheme involving increasing the capacity of the Leigh Flood Storage Area (Leigh FSA) by approximately 25%. Once completed the overall scheme will reduce the risk of flooding for 1,430 homes.

At a cost of around £21.5m, construction has started at the Leigh FSA and is expected to begin at Hildenborough in 2024 (to be confirmed). The full scheme is expected to be completed in autumn 2025. The Leigh barrier is one of the largest in Europe. If you want to take a closer look at the barrier, book a trip on the river with Tonbridge River Trips on the electric boat Enid May. I did just that on a sunny Saturday in May and it is a delightful and informative hour cruise up to the Barrier and back. Glyn who runs the boat, is very knowledge on this part of the river. To book a trip go to https://www.tonbridgerivertrips.co.uk .

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust

Another charity with an interest in the Ouse, the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, is starting a project to tackle nonnative species. In partnership with South East Water, South Downs National Park, Environment Agency and University of Brighton, OART has produced a comprehensive strategy for the control of non-native species on the River Ouse. With 87 species currently invading the river they are looking forward to tackling them with funding being awarded for five years from April 2023. Such work is nothing new to SORT as we have been pulling Himalayan Balsam where we work for many years. OART hasn't involved SORT so far but we are making contact with OART to offer our help and experience.

Much of our attention remains at Isfield Lock as we continue to maintain the general area. We are upgrading the “bridge” on the concrete dam between the lock chamber walls by replacing the boards and painting the scaffold sides to make it look a lot neater. Lots of mowing and strimming takes place usually but not so much this year as the area has been so wet and even under water at times. The photo was taken on a recent work-party day when the river and cut were very high, with the river level at the same height as that in the cut. The force of the water had breached part of our bund at the lower end of the cut to make the river and cut a single stretch of water. For SORT to cut into the river, we would need the permission of the Environment Agency but nature doesn't believe in such formalities. Dave (Evvo) Evans

Kentish River Stour news from Malcolm Hasler

Welcome to the Summer 2023 news from the Kentish River Stour. Once again, I have been unable to take my boat from Grove Ferry to Plucks Gutter and back due to technical faults and mechanical challenges, but I hope to be back on the water in the next week or two. I will then be able to complete Part 3 of my journey from Pegwell Bay to Fordwich, with a detailed description of the passage from Plucks Gutter to Grove Ferry.

Apart from one or two incidents on the river, very little news has come my way, with socials, boat trips, Sunday afternoon teas and Working Parties now being successfully organised by the Grove Ferry Boat Club Committee and members. I look forward to joining my fellow boaters now that the Exam Invigilation season will be coming to an end, another year’s Canalway Cavalcade has been incredibly successful, and the summer is upon us.

Since last writing in Cargoes, there has been the apparent reported loss of a motor cruiser from moorings at Grove Ferry which resulted in extensive searches of the river from Grove Ferry down to Sandwich. The passage of the missing boat was tracked on CCTV at various locations along the river but its whereabouts could not be ascertained. After several days, on the riverbank at the back of Minster, some bow railings were observed protruding out of the water (see picture) and the find was duly reported. Further investigation revealed that it appeared that a boat had been steered into the bank, abandoned, and then set on fire. The vessel had then burnt to the waterline and sunk ( see picture). It is believed that this was indeed the missing vessel, and after one or two reports of damage to passing boats caused by propellors striking obstructions under the water, the salvage of the sunken boat was organised and carried out.

After this, the river at Grove Ferry was temporarily obstructed by a fallen willow tree ( see picture left) but this was partially cleared by volunteers to allow passage over the Bank Holiday weekend for both leisure craft and the River Trip Boat which had bookings to fulfil.

The Boat House and Grove Ferry Boat Club moorings at Red House have been repaired (picture right) ready for the summer season and it is hoped that many enjoyable days and nights will be spent there by members and those entitled to use the moorings.

Finally, looking at the wildlife on the river, beaver activity continues to be on the increase and can be evidenced at various locations along the riverbank. At the estuary, the disturbance to the seal population by the various boats, ribs, jet skis and SUPs is being closely monitored by the Kent Wildlife Trust with meetings being held with various professional bodies and local clubs to advise and educate about the potential harm that can be caused by disturbing the seals or by passing them at too high a speed causing damaging wakes.

That’s it for now. Hope that you have a great summer season on the water. I can be contacted by email at Malcolm.Hasler@waterways.org.uk

Future IWAKES and Other Events

Saturday 29th July 2023: “Maidstone River Festival”: Held between the two bridges in Maidstone Town Centre. A free event for everyone, run and self-funded by local volunteers. The Maidstone 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 are 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 a big bang as an awardwinning fireworks display will go off from the top of Fremlin Walk in the town centre. IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch recommends your attendance!

Saturday 2nd September 2023: “River Cuckmere Walk: from Alfriston to Exceat Bridge or the Haven”: Meet at 1.15pm at Chyngton Gardens, Seaford (BN25 3RP) at the bus-stop located approximately 50m north of its junction with the A259. The bus stop name is “Chyngton Gardens – towards Brighton”. (NB Google Maps incorrectly names this stop as “Walmer Road”). On-street parking is normally available on Chyngton Avenue or Saltwood Road. Alternatively, use Brighton Buses route 12 or 12X from Eastbourne or Seaford.

We will take bus 126 to Alfriston, where those that have pre-booked with Roy Sutton can partake of a pub lunch at “Ye Olde Smugglers Inne”. Their food is excellent: main courses typically £15. Roy Sutton will circulate menus to those that have booked and take orders before 25th August to ensure that we will be served promptly on what will be one of their busiest days. For those not eating, Alfriston is an attractive village with lots of small shops. We depart Alfriston at 2.45pm and walk, with directions given, to Exceat Bridge, roughly four miles, level and good going. Arriving Exceat Bridge around 4.15 pm there is optional tea at the “Cuckmere Inn ”. Then, options are…

- Walk to Cuckmere Haven and back to Chyngton Gardens (2.5 miles)

- Catch a bus back to Chyngton Gardens or Seaford along the A259

- Walk directly back to Chyngton Gardens (1 mile).

The walk is free. Participants pay for their own bus fares, food and drink. Please book with Roy Sutton before 25th August if you plan to eat and by 31st August if you do not. Email roy.sutton@waterways.org.uk . Phone 01342 317569 (except on 2nd September when you should use 07761 075415).

Tuesday 19th September 2023: 7.30 for 8.00pm:

Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH:

“SS Shieldhall”:

Graham Mackenzie will describe this 1954-built, Southampton-based former sludge tanker. She is unique as a time capsule providing a working example of steamship machinery both above and below deck, typical of the cargo and passenger ships that plied the oceans of the world from the 1870’s until the mid-1960’s, by which time they were all but extinct.

The ship is of special interest as she is built on the classical lines of a 1920’s steamer with a traditional wheelhouse. The hull is of riveted and welded construction and this unusual feature is representative of the transitional phase in British shipbuilding when welding took over from riveted practice. The hull has a slightly raked bow and cruiser stern. The teak decks and emergency steering position aft add to the classic effect. Shieldhall was effectively obsolete mechanically at the time of her launch having steam machinery representative of the late 19th century at a time when the diesel engine was coming into its own. Now believed to be the largest working steam ship in Northern Europe, she is owned and operated entirely by voluntary effort. More information: https://ss-shieldhall.co.uk/the-ship/

Thursday 9th November 2023: 7.30 for 8.00pm:

Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH: “IWA Kent & East Sussex Waterways”

Roy Sutton will show 45-year-old photographs of IWAKES Branch ’s waterways.

Thursday 29th February 2024: 7.30 for 8.00pm:

Room 2, Christ Church URC, High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1SG: “IWAKES Annual General Meeting”

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 bring friends to “physical” meetings or to tell them about “virtual” meetings. Similarly, if you know a local club or society might be interested, please tell them.

IWAKES Events Organiser needed

Could you organise IWAKES’ social events programme?

We need someone to contact speakers (suggested by the IWAKES Committee) and book venues (also suggested by the Committee). Details of confirmed events would be forwarded to be included in Cargoes and the IWAKES web-pages. Details would also be forwarded to Head Office to be sent to IWAKES branch members by email shortly before events take place.

If you are willing to do this then please call Roy Sutton on 01342 317569 or email Peter Wilkinson at peter.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk .

Oxfordshire Branch

Future Events

Sat 30th Sept - Sun 1st Oct Banbury Canal Festival: Along CastleQuay, Lock29, Tooley's Boatyard, The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury Museum, General Foods - The Waterside Bar, North Car Park 2, Spiceball Park, Bridge Street Community Garden. The main programme of activities include: Trading Market, Floating Market, Boat Trips, Historic Boats, Museum Activities, Arts Performances, Local Community & Charity Stalls, Fairground Attractions, Food & Drink, Live Music

Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Tooley’s have brought out an app that keeps all your boat details in one place. It also includes tips on maintenance, handling etc. Why not try it for free.

Throughout the warmer months of the year we run boat trips on Dancing Duck from Tooley’s Boatyard on Saturdays (approx. 40 mins). All tours are run by qualified helmsman and crew.

https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/boat-trips/ .

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

In common with many charities, we have found that the cost of living crisis has led to a drying up of the grant income on which the Trust partly depends; this, coupled with a fall-off in volunteering – again, a national phenomenon – has led to a considerable reduction in our restoration activities. However, boat trips continue and much background work is still going on in preparation for the resumption of restoration. In particular we have bucked the latter trend, as since Mike Gibbin became our CEO we have successfully recruited a significant number of new volunteers in what one might call senior management roles. So we are becoming much better placed to get on with our project in due course. We are also ramping up our approach to the big donors.

However, it’s not all gloom & doom – there’s just been a Coronation! As Queen Camilla has been a long-standing Patron of the Trust, we were delighted to receive two tickets for the Coronation stand, right by the Victoria Memorial. I was amazed and proud to be chosen to represent the Trust there. The stand was set up for the many charities for which the King and Queen were Patrons; we found ourselves sitting behind two lovely ladies from the Wey and Arun! Apart from the Royals’ charities there were also those from the NHS, the Royal Household and various Government departmentsprobably some 2-3,000 peoplewith the best view in the world! The day started well but, weatherwise, went downhill from then on. We ended up soaked, but wouldn't have missed this incredible experience for the world! What a privilege to have been there!

Chris Barry Comms Secretary , Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

Boat trips on Dragonfly

Trips last approximately 20 mins. Fares are £4 for anyone aged 2 or over. Trips (depending on season) run at weekends and Bank Holidays, plus Wednesdays during the spring & summer school holidays, from 10.30 am - 3.30 pm and run approximately on the hour and half hour. To book, call (but do not text) the boat team on 07401 220076 or preferably email boat.bookings@wbct.org.uk