Lee & Stort Recorder - Spring 2020

Spring 2020 FROM THE BRANCH CHAIRMAN I write this on the day it was announced that all pubs, clubs, etc are required to close for the foreseeable future to stem the spread of Covid-19. I wonder what further restrictions will be in place by the time you read it; no-one knows, of course. One point I am acutely conscious of is that the demography of our membership puts a high proportion in the ‘at special risk’ category; you’ll all know the expert advice so all I can do is implore you to stay safe as best you can.

So far as I know, every boating event through to mid-year has already been cancelled. At our last Canalway Cavalcade committee meeting, just two and a half weeks ago, the prospect of cancellation was discussed but seemed an unlikely necessity; how quickly the whole world has changed in that short interim. It would be wonderful to offer the prospect that, after a certain length of time, everything will be back to normal and we can resume boating as before – a light at the end of the tunnel, to use an analogy that will ring especially true to boaters. But I can’t, of course. A glimmer of consolation, perhaps, is that boating could provide the perfect self-isolation - so long, of course, that you don’t want to end the day with a natter and noggin in the company of others.

We face the prospect of days and weeks in our homes, doing all those jobs we’ve put off for years (the intentions) or watching box sets on TV (the reality). You might spare a thought for the many

across the waterways who will be so badly affected by the current situation – waterway businesses, continuous cruisers who find it difficult to remain 2m away from people walking or cycling past, all those who have lost their jobs, or alone and having no option but to self-isolate. That’s not a prospect I could bear thinking about.

Stay strong, my good friends, during this storm, and look forward to sunny days and calm water in future.

With best regards Mike Newman Chairman, IWA Lee & Stort Branch w: www.waterways.org.uk/leeandstort/lee_stort

BISHOP’S STORTFORD CANOE CLUB… …is proposing to hold its three annual competitions this year on the following dates: Sunday 31st May – the Bishop’s Stortford Hasler Marathon. Racing will extend between the centre of Bishop’s Stortford and Sheering Mill Lock. Competitors will be getting on the water from 10.30am, racing will start at 11.00, and should be completed by 2.00pm.

Sunday 13th September – Sprint Regatta on the stretch of river between Southmill and Twyford Locks. Races will start at 10.30am, and be completed by 3.00pm.

Sunday 1st November Winter Series Marathon.

Racing will extend between the centre of Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth Lock. Competitors will be on the water from 11.00am, racing will start at 12.00, and should be completed by 2.30pm.

If anyone is toying with the idea of a spring or autumn – or even winter – trip up the River Stort, it would be diplomatic, and appreciated, to avoid those dates.

Work continues to help boaters who need extra support The Canal & River Trust is to begin providing ‘Trust Aware’ permits to boaters who have been granted an adjustment to their cruising requirements under the Equality Act 2010. This follows feedback at a series of meetings held with disabled boaters over the past year.

The Trust supports disabled people and those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act by making ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their cruising requirements to ensure that they can use the waterways. Tailored on a case-by-case basis, this could involve allowing overstays on visitor or towpath moorings or adjusting their cruising range.

The permits, which were suggested by the boaters themselves, are intended to let other people know that the Trust is aware of the situation and that there is permission to overstay or move in a limited range. They will be provided automatically to every boater who has an adjustment and boaters can choose whether they want to display them – it is not a requirement of the Trust.

There are currently around 240 boaters with approved adjustments, and around a further 140 in the process of being arranged. Before the advent of the Equality Act 2010, the Trust informally supported boaters with additional needs.

Having formalised the process, there was an initial spike in agreed adjustments as those boaters’ adjustments were transferred. Since then application numbers have levelled off, and they’re reviewed every couple of weeks by the Trust’s team.

Matthew Symonds, national boating manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “We are committed to supporting all boaters and it is important to understand the needs of all, including disabled boaters who may find some of elements of boating a bit more challenging.

“In our recent meetings with disabled boaters we’ve heard that a sign to let other boaters know that we are aware of a boat’s situation would be helpful. We recognise that this is a personal choice and some boaters would prefer not to display anything. Following discussions, we are pleased to offer an optional ‘Trust Aware’ permit for those boaters who wish to put them in their windows.”

The permits will be the size of a licence disc but will be printed on yellow paper to clearly distinguish between the two.

Find out more about reasonable adjustments and the Trust’s equality policy here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-thewaterways/boating/do-youknow-a-vulnerable-boater/disabled-boaters-information

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NEW WEBSITE IWA is hoping for it to be ready by March 2020, and the 40 modules will(?) provide easy access and interactivity. With the embedded databases much more useful access should be possible.

Amazingly, the current site has 3000 pages, which helps explain why local events are so difficult to navigate to.

The new site will allow you to have your own account, which will in the jargon “be heuristic selfprogramming goal seeking, with selflearning targeted to your proven functionality”. I think that means you can see your telephone number and whether you have paid? Presumably if you haven’t paid, it won’t let you in anyway?

Personally, I suspect as there are 3000 pages, at say half an hour, to transcribe (or port) to the new site, with the part-timers at HO working typically a 15 hour week, so, 100 weeks of effort. Projects always overrun, so I forecast 2023. Currently the web site handles 10,000 visits a week, does that include you? https://www.waterways.org.uk.

One new feature: we will be able to log the hours we spend as volunteers, this will help IWA with supplying matched funding, when they apply for grants. Apparently the new site will use map technology to display the things we might want to do with the data. Display friendly for mobile phones is inbuilt in the design, as access to web sites by mobiles1, has, for some time been overtaking access via PC based browsers. We are all fond and used to swiping nowadays2. I am

minded that Lady Isabell Barnett was prone to a little bit of swiping now and again3.

NORTHAMPTON ARM Our enthusiastic East Midlands volunteers have done an amazing turnaround job on this neglected, overgrown, rundown, unsavoury arm, that links the canal to the river, into an artistic paradise. Even the local gongoozlers now choose it as a favoured picnic destination.

They picnic on the grass, surrounded by 6000 daffodils - a must visit for our best Wordsmith Wordsworth.

SILVER PROPELLER SCHEME This be going well with a few stalwarts within a Knats Krotchet4 of achieving a visit to all those lost waterways where there be dragons. (Perhaps they should be getting out more? (or I suppose they are actually getting out more?)).

WHAT OUTCOMES Our branch will use the information gathered today, to produce a flyer, using the IWA supplied template, hence canvass for a branch secretary, words by Mike and distribution by Terry. Terry has also revitalised distributing the newsletter to the local libraries, which seems to have dropped off Mon’s radar (though I think it was actually stopped before her time as editor).

(Yes, it was!)

1 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/02/mobileweb-browsing 2 Speak fer yourself Missis?

3 Actually that was all rather sad she was such a nice person 4 Not mine. Borrowed from Humphrey Lyttelton died 86 in 2008

The powder mills were founded in the 17th century, and were centred on the need for water to power the processing mills, to move the materials and end product around the site, and ultimately transport to London. The site for gunpowder production grew over the centuries, and the internal waterway system expanded to include three levels connected by locks, with aqueducts allowing the levels to cross each other.

The Royal Gunpowder Mills were used throughout the second world war, but closed in 1945. The canal system slowly fell into disuse, and became choked with weed, or drained. The site was decontaminated in the early 1990’s.

The section that still survives is now a museum and open space, to visit and discover the canals and buildings that still survive. They have many school educational visits and run with a large team of volunteers.

At last summer’s IWA Festival of Water, the Royal Gunpowder Mills were represented with a stand, as they were neighbours to the event. Over the weekend, they spoke to the Waterway Recovery Group and local IWA members, and as a result of that WRG will be holding a Family Camp weekend at the Royal Gunpowder Mills on the 8th/9th August 2020. It is also hoped that London WRG will have a weekend in the autumn, when vegetation clearance and possibly brickwork repairs on the canal walls will take place. There is also a possible week camp to be held over the Christmas and new year period, also doing vegetation work.

The Family camp weekend is for children aged 6 to 14, along with their parents, grandparents or even great grandparents. They will be enjoying outdoor activities including making birdboxes, insect hotels, scavenger hunts, and some canal related activities. It will be based on camping, meeting Friday evening, with two days in the Royal Gunpowder Mills. If you would like to take part, please contact Alex Melson on: alex.melson@waterways.org.uk. *****

CANAL & RIVER TRUST TO TACKLE ‘IMPROPER’ MOORING AND MAKE WATERWAYS SAFER The Canal & River Trust is reaching out to boaters who have moored their boats in a way that could be dangerous or cause problems for other boaters or waterway users.

The charity regularly receives feedback from boaters about craft that are poorly moored, blocking facilities, or making it unsafe for boats to navigate. The Trust is addressing the problem, letting those who are moored inappropriately know there is a problem, and ultimately acting against persistent rule-breakers.

Matthew Symonds, national boating manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “While the vast majority of boaters are considerate neighbours, every boater has a story to tell of a badly, or simply dangerously, moored boat.

“So we're going to be stepping up our efforts to contact all boats that we see moored inappropriately. A boater may not realise that the way they’re moored may be causing a problem, and we think a polite reminder of good mooring practise will result in them moving somewhere safer, or where they won’t be affecting others”.

From Monday 10th February 2020, the new ‘Improper Mooring’ process will be applied where a boat is moored in a way that

affects safety or impedes other boaters or waterway users. It will be recorded by the Trust’s Licence Support Team and, initially, a letter will be sent to the boat owner highlighting the problem. The boater will also receive a booklet to help them understand how they can moor more appropriately. The Trust intends the process to help and educate boaters that may be new to the water or unaware of the issues caused by poor mooring.

If a boater does not address their inappropriate mooring the process will allow the Trust to take action that could ultimately result in the revocation of the boater’s licence.

If, after the first letter, there are further instances of poor mooring, the Trust will send a formal reminder which clearly sets out how T&Cs and/or byelaws have been breached, and that this could result in the termination of their licence. Should there be no resolution, a second reminder will be sent, issuing a final warning. A final letter will be sent informing the boater of their licence being immediately suspended.

In these circumstances, the boater will be directed to remove their boat to a specific location where it must remain until investigation into the mooring conduct is concluded, and they have been contacted with the outcome, which could be licence termination due to serious or persistent breach of the Trust’s terms and conditions.

The process is aimed at preventing persistent poor behaviour or serious instances, and as such will focus on more acute issues. Rare or singular historic instances will be considered but the Trust hopes that the initial informative letter will help address these instances.

IWA IS A VOLUNTEER DEPENDENT CHARITY AND NEEDS YOU! IWA’s London Region Committee has been changing the way we work. Last year, we set up a Region Planning & Conservation Group, consisting of branch planning officers and our Region Heritage Officer, to try and strengthen our response to the threats to the waterways environment in London. But the Region Committee desperately needs a

volunteer co-ordinator and people to advise it on things like, Press and Publicity, Fund Raising and Youth Engagement.

Don’t be put off because you are not an expert, this could be your opportunity to develop new skills, or build on your existing experience and knowledge.

Interested? Please give me a call.

Paul Strudwick, London Region Chair Person.

Stella Ridgway has been appointed as the new representative for Friends of the Trust and David Kent the new angling representative.

Allan Leighton, chair of Canal & River Trust, said: “I would like to thank all Private Boating: those who put themselves forward for Tim Allen election, and all those who voted for Helen Hutt them. I’d also like to thank the outgoing Dave Mendes da Council members who have contributed Costa to the success of the Trust these past Phil Prettyman years.

“The Council plays an important Business Boating: part in the governance of the Trust and Heather Duncan brings new voices, ideas and perspectives Carl Onens to our work. As we continue our work to bring to life our 2,000 miles of Volunteers: waterways, I very much look forward to Ian McCarthy working with the new representatives David Williams when they join us in March.”

Employees: John Ellis

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CRT SHARES RESULTS OF FIRST WATERWAY EXPERIENCE SURVEY PERIOD The Canal & River Trust is sharing the results of its new ‘Waterway Experience’ survey, which is distributed in fortnightly waves between April and September, and is designed to complement the annual Perception survey (formally Boat Owners’ Views) by getting boaters’ up-to-date feedback about the waterways they cruise.

The Trust is pleased to report that boaters’ experiences have generally improved over the summer months of 2019. Boaters responding to the monthly survey are reporting greater satisfaction with their experience of cruising the Trust’s waterways. When it comes to the overall upkeep of the waterways, 31% of boaters rated them at eight or more (out of ten), compared to 19% in the perception survey.

The Waterway Experience survey also gave boaters the chance to comment on a variety of upkeep tasks and services the Trust provides. Boaters felt the Trust did well at managing congestion at locks, visitor moorings and other facilities, ensuring there were places to moor that were deep enough, providing short stay visitor moorings, keeping the grass verges cut, and the overall condition of locks. However the availability of facilities and keeping the towpath and waterways free from overhanging branches were the biggest problem areas, alongside dealing with non-compliant boaters and unlicensed boats. Keeping the water deep enough for cruising was both one of the highest praised and most criticised categories.

Matthew Symonds, national boating manager at CRT, said “The survey has highlighted some of the areas where we need to do more. We’ve already addressed some of the issues as they’ve been highlighted throughout the summer and are working with our regional teams to consider how we can make things better for boaters. Thank you to every boater who has taken the time to let us know how they feel. We want boaters to enjoy the time they spend cruising and, working together, we believe we can target those areas most in need of attention.”

Boaters can get in touch with the Trust by filling out a webform, calling 0303 040 4040, tweeting @CRTcontactus or getting involved in a local user forum.

With the ever changing world of the present Coronavirus Pandemic, events included in this Newsletter, may be cancelled or rearranged. Your Region is looking at ways we can keep in touch with each other and support the Waterways at this time.

More details will be posted on the website www.waterways.org.uk and the London Region Facebook Page as they become available.

In the meantime, if you have any queries please contact Mike or myself.

Paul Strudwick, Region Chair.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Branch Chairman Mike Newman m: 07887 540 398 mike.newman@waterways.org.uk Secretary, Membership Secretary Position Currently Vacant

London Region Chairman Paul Strudwick m: 07885 240 281 paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Carole Beeton m: 07905 701 948 carole.beeton@waterways.org.uk

Joint Events Officers Banny Banyard m: 07860 669 279 banny.banyard@waterways.org.u k

Joint Events Officers Terry Stembridge m: 07709 205 498 terry.stembridge@waterways.org.u k

Magazine Editor Monica Hawes m: 07943 169 800 monica.hawes@waterways.org.uk Craig Haslam m: 07956 848 025 craig.haslam@waterways.org.uk

Bob Langley h: 01707 646 876 bob.langley@waterways.org.uk George Cutting m: 07721 654 410 george.cutting@waterways.org.uk

IWA is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no 612245. Registered charity no 212342.

Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Tel: 01494 783 453. Web: www.waterways.org.uk