Newsletter of IWA Lee & Stort Branch Autumn 2018
A Non-Boating Visitor’s Take on the Ware Festival
It was the sort of blazing hot day we have become used to this summer, and so being by the water lent a welcome cool and refreshing feel to the afternoon. Having met my sister, a resident of Ware, in town, we settled down by the bridge to watch, as the many boats made their way up the waterway. Although not all of them had followed the announced theme of ‘A Life on the Ocean Waves’, each was gaily decorated and had happy and (sometimes) waving crews. A frequent and highly topical choice, was that of plastic pollution, which is, of course, an equally serious problem on both inland waters and the high seas. I did wonder whether ‘Matilda Blue’, sporting a Southern Cross motif, had indeed crossed the ocean to be there! Good to see that humor is alive on the river, e.g. ‘A wife on the ocean waves’, and a penchant for pink flamingos – indeed, I later gathered that two of these, together with a coral island, helped the boat ‘Obsession’ with John and Christine Swallow, to secure a welldeserved win in this competition. We then moved to the main street to see the carnival parade pass through, before being invited by Monica to join her aboard ‘Dobbin’, for a most welcome cup of tea.
Thereafter, we took our seats by the IWA stand to watch the Boat Handling event. (There is no truth in the rumor that I was there to stand guard over the tables, which had been loaned by my Scout Group!) As final preparations were made, a disappointingly small number of spectators assembled, no doubt mainly reduced by those who chose instead to watch the England World Cup match (and whose cheers and groans interspersed the afternoon’s proceedings). Further diversions were provided by Banny’s dramatic man-overboard, and impressive rescue routine by the Herts Boat Rescue, and (less planned) the arrival of a flotilla of no fewer than 22 Canada geese of all ages and sizes. I counted them. None of these, however, could upstage the contestants. The boating skills exhibited by each of the competitors, I found quite striking – with a 180 degree turn that left only inches to spare fore and aft, together with a variety of greetings and embraces on either shore, this was no easy course. Indeed, with the variety of lengths and types of vessel, it must have been very difficult for the judges to choose a winner. In my humble, and very inexpert, opinion, I felt it was a toss-up between Matilda Blue and Paddy Jack. I subsequently learned that ‘Paddy Jack’ carried the day, and at only 15 years of age, Lucy Bolden should be justly proud of her achievement. As the day drew to a close, it was time for further refreshment with my sister, and saying our goodbyes. Alas, my otherwise perfect day was marred by a 41/2 hour return journey to my Walthamstow home, caused by railway track problems. Yes, I know. I should have travelled by narrowboat. This had been only my second visit to the Ware Festival, but I’m sure it will not be my last. Bob Howard.
The Role of the Secretary in the Modern IWA
Mon is clearly once again short of copy for her Newsletter and has asked for observations on my time as Lee & Stort Branch Secretary, or indeed anything else I might like to share with you. I was recruited six years ago by John Shacklock as he was escaping to the south coast. Now here am I, living in Worthing. Perhaps there is a lesson here for future recruitment strategies. John had told me that the job involved writing the minutes for 3 or 4 committee meetings each year; and there was this thing called the Ware Boat Festival, but that needn’t take much time! So I wrote the minutes, and organised the AGMs according to the rules, and someone had to write the monthly Bulletin, and the alternative-monthly report to Region, and do a bit of web editing. Indeed, as Banny would have it, the role encompassed anything involving use of a pen, or at least an e-pen, which is why applying to CRT for permission to hold the Boat Festival, and preparing the risk assessment - which became more challenging each year - did seem to take quite a bit of time. Not so much time, though, as many of the organising stalwarts regularly put in while functioning, with the help of The New Inn, as a well-oiled machine. What would I ask for on behalf of my successor: more feedback from the members on the content of the Bulletin; do they value it, what should it contain? What should it not contain? And please don’t only write in when we get something wrong. With best wishes for the future of the Branch, and the continuing triumph that is the Ware Boat Festival – and the Very Best of Luck to my successor. Mike Jones.
CANAL & RIVER TRUST HOSTS ITS ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING
The Canal & River Trust yesterday (26 September) held its Annual Public Meeting at the IET Austin Court, Birmingham, attended by a mix of waterway stakeholders, partners, boat licence holders and Sarah Whitney BSc FCA members of the media. has been director of Chair Allan Leighton welcomed guests Whitney Consulting, a before chief executive Richard Parry spoke real estate, economic, about the importance of creating a Trust that is finance and investment fit for the future, how the charity is working consultancy, since 2012. towards that goal, and is widening the appeal. She previously held Attendees heard an overview of how senior positions at CB the Trust is funding the task of caring for the Richard Ellis, DTZ waterways now and sustaining their care for the Holdings, and longer term; working with partners and those PricewaterhouseCoopers. who live, work and She holds non-executive Jennie Price CBE has travel along the positions at University been chief executive of waterways; engaging College London and The Sport England since communities with Land Trust, and is a 2007, and has recently the work the Trust senior visiting fellow at announced her carries out; the University of departure later this Cambridge. managing our water year; she is also chair resources; and of the Youth United making sure the Foundation, a member Trust is in the best of the Health & shape possible for Wellbeing Advisory the future, with new Board at Disney, and a brand positioning Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of and a new devolved Management. regional structure. After the Annual Meeting, the Trust held the 15th meeting of its governing Council where Jennie Price CBE and Sarah Whitney were appointed as trustees of the Canal & River Trust. They replace Frances Done CBE and Manish Chande who have completed their second volunteer terms as trustees and retired from the Board. th
THREE MEN IN A BOAT meets LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin . . . . When relaxing and eating after Banny's birthday walk, Banny, Don and John agreed to go on a boat trip. This seemed to meet the approval of their respective wives. (Subsequently, we wondered what they wished to get up to while we were away but that's What’s On, When? another story). Our monthly get-togethers are Day 1 (Friday) as follows, always at the On Friday 1st June, we New Inn in Roydon, at 8.00. agreed to set off from Little Hallingbury at high noon. So, at 12th November 3pm, we eventually got under way, 10th December Mince Pies & having provisioned the good vessel Mulled Wine Tara Rose with salad, fruit, wine, If you are interested, please beer and toilet rolls - the staff of inform Terry (back page), life. Sorry, forgot to mention Sue's to amass order numbers. frozen soup - it was delicious, Sue. th 14 January 2019 In spite of the delay due to a th VERY slow narrowboat ahead of us 11th February AGM at one point, we reached the 11th March 8 April junction of the Lee and Stort by early evening and settled down to a repast consisting of a cold collation with our well- earned glass of the aforementioned vino. Shock, horror! at this mooring (which was, according to Banny, so isolated no-one could reach it on foot) along came someone asking "are you going to be moored here for long?” In fact it was merely a fellow boater (and wife) who wished to use the spot to paint his boat during the next week. Nice couple - we wished them luck and good painting. Day 2 (Saturday) Early start (8am - late according to Don's wife!) Mostly uneventful journey to King’s Cross. Captain and crew all learning their respective responsibilities for the coming voyage - yeah well sort of - it just depended on who was where and not doing anything else. We tried using the mugs
labelled ‘Captain’, ‘First Mate’, ‘Cabin Boy’ and ‘Crew’, but the use of these to decide on duties was soon abandoned, due to general apathy. Still, everything seemed to get done in a timely and effective manner. Back to King’s Cross! The place is unrecognisable - well laid out, security, good cleaning services, a book-selling boat with bands playing pleasant music in the evening - you had to be there! They even played jazz in view of Banny's taste in music. There were also good toilets and a fine Waitrose store - you can tell we were roughing it! Day 3 (Sunday) Boating effectively abandoned for the day - we all decided to visit Lord's Cricket Ground to watch a one-day cricket match between Middlesex and Surrey. Simon (Banny’s son) was disappointed he couldn't join us as it appears he is a Middlesex member. To get to Lord's we embarked on a 3 mile walk through Camden and Regents Park along the canal. The entrance for 'oldies' was only £11 each and they did not even ask for proof we were over 65 - handy for quick entrance if not for the ego! This was Banny's first day at a 1st class cricket match - he later remarked on how quick the day passed - we have another convert to cricket!!!! Upon our return to Tara Rose, we dined well and sat on the quayside solving the problems of the world. Our discussions were pleasantly interrupted by a young (by our standards) Taiwanese lady who was obviously fascinated by the canal life, the boats and their occupants. She asked us if she could see the boat and Banny showed her round the magnificent facilities of Tara Rose, (carefully avoiding the discarded socks, underpants etc.) All was carefully recorded on her video camera and we expect to see Banny imminently as a star of Taiwanese Youtube. This was merely the beginning of Banny's new and probably illustrious future career in films and TV, but more of this tomorrow! More nice music from the 'book' boat and settled down for a peaceful night. (I did say we were in King’s Cross - extraordinary) Day 4 (Monday) We arose sometime after the 'crack of dawn'. After a visit to Waitrose, we found that Banny was AWOL (absent without leave). A sighting from John saw a bewhiskered figure next to a 'posh' narrowboat on the opposite bank.
It transpired that Banny had met an acquaintance looking after a narrowboat involved in a BBC Breakfast broadcast about Brexit. He had volunteered to help to polish the brass portholes of said boat, which can be clearly seen in the background of the broadcast. Fame indeed! (He did not appear personally in the broadcast). We left eventually en-route for Paddington Basin, only stopping briefly to disentangle a plastic bag from the prop. Progressing through Camden, we exchanged various reminiscences: • Lifting an engine from a boat using the bridge and a pulley. • Visiting the Irish pub (Castle?) and keeping our heads down. • But perhaps the most poignant – the memory of Andrew’s remark “I have had these gloves for 10 years, but after one weekend on your boat, they’re knackered!” and he also fell in the cut, climbing along the rudder of a barge to get to Vanessa. At Paddington, we embarked for a sandwich-bar lunch but were reluctant to stay due to the 'fresh' breeze (i.e. cold) and the traffic noise. At this point I need to digress. At the recent Little Venice Festival a certain inept captain of his vessel dropped his anchor while completing his mooring activity, (stern mooring to the bank) unfortunately, he neglected to ensure that the end of the mooring chain was attached to his boat. The chain slipped quickly and gracefully over the bow, with only a cry of “Oh S***" to accompany the departure. Banny had kindly offered to try to recover the lost anchor and chain and so we proceeded to cruise in small, ever decreasing circles around the estimated point of location of the lost anchor/chain. Shortly before this exercise, Don, following the instructions of Sue to earn his passage by painting new flower designs at the bow, had commenced his artwork activity. Both residents and visitors were bemused to say the least, by the sight of Tara Rose going in tight circles in the Paddington Basin with a painter trying to overcome the effects of this disconcerting boat movement, and John and Banny heaving a line and hook over the stern and 'dragging’ for the anchor. At this point, John fell into the footwell on the stern. He blamed Banny for leaving the bucket on the stairs. Don had some sympathy for this argument as John was stone cold sober at the time, and the bucket was left as evidence of this incident. Details of Banny's liability insurance were exchanged and Banny eventually gave up in the anchor search, to the relief of the crew but the disappointment of
the spectators who were beginning to enjoy the spectacle. We had now reached the point in our cruise where all 3 participants were engaged in their own chosen pursuits. John was rediscovering East London with all the changes and developments; Banny was magnet fishing at each lock, looking for treasure (he actually found 2 lock handles and 3p) while Don was trying to remember painting techniques not used for 20 years. We embarked for the passage through Camden, aiming to moor in Hackney for the night. The Camden locks were manned by volunteers, whose help we gratefully accepted. (At our age, we are not proud!) Don continued to paint in spite of the distractions of Camden market and the Jacuzzi's. (I see your surprise at this remark what have Jacuzzis to do with the Regents Canal?) Upon leaving Camden, Banny remarked "watch out for the Jacuzzis" but without further explanation. We were shortly faced with the sight of 2 floating hot baths with just about 6 inches freeboard. One was entirely occupied by males and one by 5 females and one male. I shall refrain from making further comments on the desirability of which we would have preferred to join in these times of PC. On leaving Camden, Don asked John whether his bruised torso was ‘giving him gip’ He manfully protested that he could live with the pain, and said that he had some Ibuprofen to dull the discomfort if necessary. Unfortunately, at this point, he demonstrated his possession of the pills by waving a plastic bag full of white pills in the air. The 4 residents on the opposite bank surrounded by a 'fug' of strange smelling smoke, looked up at this point - he seemed to have got their attention! John and Don then collapsed in laughter - You had to be there! We reached City lock, only to find a wide plastic bathtub waiting to come through in the other direction. This vessel was manned by a multinational and multi-ethnic crew who had several things in common. They were: Young, Cheerful, Pissed & Friendly! We had a jolly conversation with same while helping them transverse the lock and received a free beer for our troubles. (Most of them worked in a bar and we have rarely seen such a well-stocked vessel - alcoholically speaking). I should add that John did not get a free beer as he was being 'chatted-up' by one of female members of the party. With no further incidents, we reached Victoria Park in Hackney and moored up for the night and enjoyed an excellent Pasta,
courtesy of John's culinary efforts. Day 5 (Probably Tuesday - peace and love man!) Various visits to the Pavilion in Victoria Park - good bread and clean toilets! We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and then Don volunteered to walk ahead to set up the next lock, prior to our departure en-route for Limehouse. Well, upon arriving at said lock, Don found 4 very helpful volunteers to set up the lock and then sat chatting with them awaiting the arrival of Tara Rose. Some time passed - with no sign of Tara Rose. The volunteers said that they reckoned that the captain of said vessel has probably decided to cook a bacon sandwich for the rest of the crew and come along later - Don remarked that (for reasons you will find very obvious) that he thought this was unlikely. At this point, Don decided to return to Tara Rose to investigate the reasons for the delay. Upon arrival he discovered 2 old heads down in the bilges, being scratched vigorously. It transpired that the throttle would only operate at full throttle. With an old BMC diesel engine, this is far from desirable! Eventually with the application of 3 old but still serviceable brains, we realised that the throttle mechanism had reversed on the cam. I am not sure you will understand this, but then neither did we. We managed to eventually correct the fault and proceeded on our way, with John and Banny steering and Don painting. We arrived at Limehouse, took on water, and Sue's soup (very good Sue, especially with the Soda bread from Victoria Park.) Having moored up, the crew investigated the local facilities, and later in the afternoon we all embarked on a stroll through the local park. Upon reaching the far side, John remarked, “I recognize this place". We glanced left and there it was - the Prospect of Whitby. Yes, we know that no-one will believe us but we really did find it by accident. At this point, I need to quote from Nicholson's guide to the London Waterways (published 1997): ‘PAST PROSPECTS’ Arguably, London was the hub of the sixties around which the rest of the world swung. Carnaby Street became the focus of the international scene, the West End put on plays by angry young men and the city's parks echoed to the sound of bells and strange chanting: pervaded by even stranger aromas. Faced with the wealth of outdoor, brotherly peace and love, how did the capital’s more traditional meeting places - its wonderful diverse range of public houses - continue to provide a meaningful experience? One hostelry, of great antiquity and still plying its trade by the river in Wapping, went through
a phase in its illustrious history (possibly one that it might now rather forget) which, for sheer incongruity, must to this day be unrivalled in the licensed victualling trade. License - in its poetic form - perhaps best describes the Saturdays evening's entertainment which took place in a bar, so crowded, that full pints had to be carried from the bar above head height, arriving as half pints at the drinker's allotted slot in the throng. It was less troublesome to throw the empty glasses through the open window, into the Thames, than to return them to the bar and this practice became de rigeur. As did the wearing of old clothing able to withstand the steady shower of spilling ale. By way of further diversion, a bronzed band, attired in natty South Sea island garb and swinging Hawaiian guitars, accompanied themselves and the assembled company, relentlessly singing rugby songs - the lyrics degenerating steadily as the evening wore on. Our observation on this article is that the author had to have been there - we certainly were! As most will know, this is where John, Don and Andrew met Banny and Phil. (and many others). We sat in the Prospect for a while, reminiscing and raised a glass to absent friends. The picture at the end of this journal was taken not long after we returned from this visit to the Prospect - at least it demonstrates we returned in a more reasonable state that we did at some points in our past! When Banny returned from getting his phone repaired we set off for fish and chips in the Grapes another well-known local establishment, only to find that the place was heaving - time for emergency egg and chips. Don prepared some oven chips while John achieved the unimaginable feat of frying 7 eggs! (we were impressed).
Day 6 (Wednesday) We set off for a cruise around the Olympic Park in Stratford. Along with the other 'new' sites in London, John was much impressed by the changes in East London since his last visit. Following a stroll around new (and old) Stratford we left the new home of West Ham United football club and sat on a bench next to the canal while discussing the meaning of life and less important issues. We must have looked and sounded like outtakes from Last of the Summer Wine! Bringing our shopping back from Stratford, there was an accident with the egg box. (no names) This led to a lunch of scrambled eggs on soda bread. The chopped spring onion topping was a mistake - they blew away in the wind. Well, time to head home only to be held up by a Dutch Barge wedged across the cut. Soon moved and off to moor at the Watersports Centre near Chestnut. Had a relaxing
drink on their terrace - far cry from roughing it on the canal! The facilities at the centre promised the prospect of a hot shower the next morning!! Day 7 (Thursday) Set off on the last leg of our journey back to Little Hallingbury. After a few locks we met a lady single handed coming the other way. We helped her through the lock and she remarked that, considering we had been on the canal for a week with limited facilities, how clean and wellpresented John and Don looked. We then admitted that we had taken advantage of the Watersports Centre showers that morning. On reaching Harlow Mill Lock, we came across Stort Challenger moored up in the lock with live rock (I use the word loosely) music emanating from inside. After exchanging pleasantries with the crew of said vessel, we agreed to change places, they would move down to the lock mooring and we would move into the lock. With rations low and the crew on the verge of mutiny (I exaggerate to pad out what was otherwise an uneventful journey) we finally reached home port, Little Hallingbury, having tackled 17 locks, most of which were against us. We settled down to a final evening meal, taken al fresco on the after-deck. Day 8 (Friday) Following breakfast and some superficial attempts at cleaning, John and Don attempted to find all the items of clothing and kit they had brought onto the boat - we think we succeeded as no reports of lost and found have been subsequently received. Off home, having had a really excellent journey.
Summary I write these notes not to inform others of our adventures, although I am sure they may be of passing interest only, but mainly so that Banny, John and Don will remember what they did! We had a chance to reminisce about past experiences and friends and I don't think that any of us told the same story more than 3 times. We all agreed that we must do this again!! Please make a note of Banny’s new e-mail address, on the back page.
The Association’s 59th AGM took place on the 29th September in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. As I had to be there in my role of Trustee, Janine and I took the opportunity to have a look round the area, and the restoration work on the Thames & Severn Canal, and the nearby Ebley Mill. In addition to the AGM, the morning meeting included a presentation by WRG Chair, Mike Palmer, on the launch of a new report on the value of Waterways in Progress. Ebley Mill is one of several case studies detailed in the report, an area transformed as part of £115m of investment to excavate the canal, build 550 new houses, and create over 770 jobs. In the afternoon we took a walk along part of the 6 miles of canal that has been restored to navigable standard. We then took a tour round Ebley Mill, a grade 2 listed building, built on the side of the canal in 1820-23. It has been described as perhaps the finest example of a stone-built mill in the country, and is now used as Stroud Council offices. Paul.
The view from Ebley Mill looking east. The view from Ebley Mill looking west.
Ebley Mill Bridge, with Ebley floodgate and Mill visible beyond.
Ryeford Double Lock.
Region report Sept 2018
This year my wife and I decided to move our boat from Essex up to Rugby. Having done that we then went to St Neots, to this year’s Festival of Water. The combined trips won us two of the Associations awards: for the longest trip to the festival, and the most locks on the way to the festival!! We will hold these until next year’s festival which is being held in our Region at Waltham Abbey. It is great news that we are to host next year’s IWA Festival of Water, on the Lee Navigation at Waltham Abbey, over the bank holiday weekend of the 24th - 26th August 2019. The site is on the opposite side of the river from the Olympic White Water Rafting centre, and the event is being sponsored by Lee Valley Park. As always we are looking for more sponsors to support the event. If you know of anyone who would like to get involved in that way please give them my contact details, or ask them to contact the office at Chesham. The event is going to mean lots more work for the Lee & Stort Branch, and I do hope you can pitch in and give us a hand. Your Chairman or I will let you have more details to how you can help as I get to understand what is required. Let’s all work together to make this the best Festival of Water ever, and show the rest of the Association what London can do! With a great fanfare on the 25th of June, the Canal and River Trust announced their new London Mooring Strategy. To be honest I found it a bit disappointing. There was lots of like to do things for some time in the future but the only new commitments were to four new water points and three new waste facilities. Of the new waste facilities one is replacing one removed some years ago due to vandalism and another is really an upgrade of an existing facility. Finally of course they are going to install new signage. The publication of their strategy did make your region committee stop and ask, “What is our Vision for the future of London waterways?” We are now working on that and hopefully will be in a position to offer some ideas soon. In the meantime if you have any ideas please have a chat with your branch chairman.
Attached photo shows Steve Bragger from Stanstead Abbott’s Marina, accepting the Tiller Pin Trophy, on behalf of Lee Valley Park. The Tiller Pin Trophy is handed on at the following year’s venue, during each Festival of Water. Paul Strudwick.
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You will notice we are currently in need of a BranchSecretary. It’s a very interesting role, getting the inside gen on all things Branch-related. Just right for someone wondering what to do with all the spare time on their hands. Everyone who is interested, please contact Mike Newman (back page). New Boater-Led Boat Maintenance Services At Stonebridge Lock The Canal & River Trust is letting boaters know about its plans for Stonebridge Lock. Following a significant amount of work, much coming from the community, to improve the area, a boater-based social enterprise will now use the site to provide a new boat maintenance yard. The aim is for Stonebridge to become a hub for the boating community, providing the services most needed by boaters. The new venture will focus on the smaller ‘in-water’ repairs and maintenance which affects many boat owners. This will initially include Boat Safety Scheme Examinations and associated repairs, servicing, and gas works, as well as tuition in boat handling and engine servicing. With a call for more waste services in the area, the team is also planning to introduce a ‘Bins by Boat’ service, similar to that previously trialled in Paddington. The team intends to collaborate with boaters and will be attending community events and holding open days to meet local boaters and hear their ideas. Sorwar Ahmed, senior boater liaison manager at CRT said: “This is great news for both the local community at Stonebridge, and for boaters exploring the Capital. Since the former pub on the site was demolished for safety reasons, we have been keen to bring the area back into use and for it to support the spirit and vibrancy of the community. This new boater-led
boat maintenance yard will provide a fantastic service to the boating community and comes with a commitment to work together to make things better. “The London Mooring Strategy consultation identified the need for several improvements in facilities, and we hope that this positive reactivation of the site will go some way to reducing issues faced by boaters. There will be qualified professionals onsite at all times which we believe will help to keep the existing facilities in a better state of repair. “We are also adding to our commitment to boaters by providing a managed oil bund, so boaters can dispose of waste oil in an environmentally friendly way, and we will be re-designing the facilities compound to improve waste and recycling services. “Stonebridge Lock has gradually been improving, thanks to the dedication of Steve in the café, the boaters who live in and visit the area, the Stonebridge Lock Coalition, members of the wider local community, and the Trust’s lock keepers and staff amongst others. We’d like to thank everyone who gives up their time to help look after the area and bring activity and vitality to this special place.” In 2018 Stonebridge won for Community Activity, for the transformation of a heavily vandalised area on the River Lee with the highest repair bills of any operational property on the waterways into a busy community hub enjoyed by local people. Last year, the Trust secured a £12,000 grant from the Tesco Bags of Help programme, which involved the charity Action for Kids and a range of local partners in building an edible garden and terrace next to the café, and converting an empty room into a volunteer welfare and training space. The Tottenham Marshes Fete and the Apple Day also brought hundreds of people to the area to enjoy the river and the marshes. The Trust is keen to work with local people and organisations to improve the look and feel of the area over the longer term. There have been discussions about various adoptions of the towpath and surrounding area to involve local people in voluntary activity to keep the towpath, lock-side and navigation clean and healthy. If you’d like to get involved in looking after Stonebridge Lock, please contact: Sandile.Mthiyane@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Committee Members
Chairman Craig Haslam m: 07956 848 025 e: craighaslam5@gmail.com
Secretary, Membership Secretary Position Currently Vacant
Treasurer Carole Beeton m: 07905 701 948 e: robandcarole@msn.com
Joint Events Officers Banny Banyard Terry Stembridge m: 07860 669 279 m: 07709 205 498 e: banny.banyard@btinternet.com e: terrystembridge32@hotmail.com Magazine Editor Monica Hawes m: 07943 169 800 e:monicaforboats@hotmail.com Mike Newman George Cutting h: m: 07721 654 410 m: 07887 540 398 e: georgecutting@btinternet.com e: mike.newman2@btinternet.com The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this newsletter, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or an official announcement unless otherwise stated. IWA accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. The 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