From London Region Chairman, Paul Strudwick

Let us hope that we will be able to enjoy the Inland Waterways this summer, spring is not far away and hopefully we will be able to get out and about on the cut. Planning is going ahead for a resumption of Cavalcade over the weekend of the 30th April to the 2nd May at Little Venice. For more details have a look at our website. Let us hope we have a successful event that everyone can enjoy and I look forward to seeing you there. As we move back into more normal times, I believe we could be approaching a critical time in the future of our waterway network. The money on offer from the government for the Canal and River Trust, when it was set up, was well below that needed for a sustainable future. Whilst the removal of the dead hand of the Treasury has allowed the trust to use its assets more profitably and to diversify its sources of income, we must have serious concerns about the poor standard of some of its assets. The time is fast approaching when this original miserly settlement from government runs out and comes up for renegotiation. There must be a real risk that the Treasury, in trying to balance the books, after the vast sums of money that have been spent on Covid, will see the waterways as an easy target for cost savings. This has certainly been the case in the past on EA waters where their settlement has been savagely cut in recent years even before Covid. As I said when I first became your Region Chair to ensure that the, then embryonic, Canal and River Trust is not starved of sufficient funds would need firm leadership. Only time will tell if their attempts to market themselves as a charity that is focused on the health and environmental benefits to the areas around the canals, will persuade government to value their work and give them a reasonable settlement. But the Canal and River Trust are only responsible for about a half of the network and funding for all the network is at risk. I still believe the only organisation that can give that leadership on a national level, is the Inland Waterways Association. At a local level you can help by supporting your local branch and region to lobby for the future of your local waterways. Last year I asked if there was anyone who could help in raising funds across the London Region to support the work of the region and its branches, unfortunately no one put their hand up. If you could help please do contact me. IWA is always needing to raise funds to support its works of protecting and restoring the country's 7000 miles of canals and rivers. One way you could help the association champion improvement to, and the heritage and restoration of, our waterways is to buy a ticket for the Giving Lottery https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/inland-waterways-association. Forty percent of your stake goes straight to the association. You could even win £25000.

Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk

I am writing this awaiting a predicted storm and wondering if my trip on the tidal Thames will happen but am looking forward to a spring and summer of resumed waterways activities as we come out of Covid restrictions. My boating might be a bit curtailed as my boat, historic Grand Union Carrying Co motor ‘Fulbourne’ is currently being re-bottomed but am looking forward to some summer boating if we can put it back together in time!

Your committee has been busy on the campaigning front. We are encouraging members to fill in the current consultation on managing Moorings on London’s Waterways. Details on this and a link to the survey can be found at:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/london-and-south-east/managingmoorings-on-londons-busy-waterways Current plans involve creating three quarters of a mile of new towpath mooring space in central London, installing approximately 150 rings into the concrete edge on the Grand Union Canal, Regent’s Canal and Limehouse Cut. Work is due to commence in February. Vegetation will be cut back on the Limehouse Cut to make new and existing rings accessible as part of this work.

The implementation of Safety Zones on the River Lea is causing heated discussions and actions. Mooring is now being monitored by a contractor.

Planning applications affecting the waterways are still at a low level compared to pre-pandemic levels but still require monitoring. We are seeing more interest in requirements being written into planning permissions requiring the removal of spoil by water transport. A recent application for a permanently moored commercial barge at Kings Cross has caused concern. We have traditionally taken an anti stance on permanently moored barges especially after having witnessed how the waterspace by Paddington Station has been taken up by floating restaurants and shops. Others might say that it brings a previously quiet area to life. We would be interested to hear members’ opinions. Speaking of Paddington, one of our committee has mentioned that the license for the current floating garden at the end of the basin expires this year. Paddington Basin

On the navigation side the only major stoppage in the Branch area this winter is the three month stoppage on the Hertford Union Canal to continue the work started last year on the wall repairs. Half a million pounds worth of the repairs are being funded by Historic England through the Heritage Stimulus Fund, part of the Government's Culture Recovery Fund.

New restrictions on the use of Limehouse lock, apparently due to failing gate seals, are causing concern. Currently it is only operational when the river level matches the basin which severely restricts its use. We are also in discussions with CRT to enable boaters to make passage plans when heading to and from Limehouse and Brentford. The current online booking system makes it difficult.

The Branch has recently made a £1,000 donation to the Gasworks Dock Partnership who act as a vehicle for the community led regeneration of Cody Dock on Bow Creek. This is towards the cost of a new ‘rolling’ bridge over the dock entrance. Details are on their web site. https://codydock.org.uk

The London branch of the Waterway Recovery Group is looking to recommence its weekend digs in the near future. At a national level its programme of week long Canal Camps has been published.

The London Canal Museum has reported increasing numbers of visitors. The Museum celebrates its 30th birthday in March. Our friends at IWA Towpath Walks are encouraging those who have attended their excellent walks to vote for them as London Walks is up for the Tourism Superstar 2022 Award, the link is at:

Hertford Union Canal Drained

https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/uk-ireland/tourism-superstar-2022-meet-10-26203980

Please note the date for our AGM, we look forward to seeing some you.

IWA CANALWAY CAVALCADE 2022

FREE ADMISSION BOATS / FOOD / DRINK / MUSIC / ENTERTAINMENT / CRAFTS / FAMILY FUN

After a two year absence we’re so excited to be welcoming you back to Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice. This iconic venue has been hosting the event since 1983 and will be transformed once again by over a hundred colourfully dressed boats, live music, theatre, refreshments, craft stalls and plenty of family fun for all to enjoy. This vibrant festival is one of the biggest and brightest events in the nation’s waterways calendar and a firm favourite with visitors. Organised by volunteers from The Inland Waterways Association (IWA), the event takes place over May Day Bank Holiday weekend – 30th April to 2nd May -

at Little Venice in Paddington.

There is a packed programme of events both on and off the water including a pageant of decorated boats on Saturday; boat handling competitions; an evening procession of illuminated boats on Sunday and a parade of historic and working boats on Bank Holiday Monday. Younger visitors can try their hand at kayaking, visit a Teddy Bear’s Picnic or watch a traditional Punch & Judy show in Rembrandt Gardens. Dressing up as the boat people did and learning about daily life on canals will also be featured; also trying your hand at rescuing someone who has fallen in the water, some help on water safety and dressing up as Lifeboat crew.

Opening Times:

Saturday 30th April 10 – 6pm Sunday 1st May 10 – 6pm and 9pm – 10.30pm Monday 2nd May 10 – 5pm

For more details of what’s on, timings, how to get there, how to book in your boat, having a stall or how to volunteer - plus a full listing of food & drink, craft and other stalls, please visit the website: www.waterways.org.uk/cavalcade. Follow us on Facebook (search for IWA Canalway Cavalcade) or use #canalwaycavalcade on Twitter and Instagram.

To all our wonderful volunteers and those who have always wanted to get involved but haven’t yet had the chance. Come and join the fantastic team of volunteers who organise one of the most successful and best attended inland waterways events in the country – IWA Canalway Cavalcade.

Preparing for this and future years we need to strengthen the team and fill some much-needed roles in the committee. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who love getting stuck in and have a positive and eager ‘can do’ attitude for the following:

�� Secretary �� Assistant Secretary �� Publicity Assistant �� Social Media Manager �� Commercial Assistant �� Site Services Assistant

All roles above require attendance at around eight committee meetings per year, and the need for general availability during the week to take on duties attributed to the role. You will of course also be required to attend the event too.

For more information, or to register your interest, please contact:

Christine Smith, Deputy Chairman - Email: christine.smith@waterways.org.uk and 07774890750