Middlesex Branch Newsletter email: middlesex.newsletter@waterways.org.uk
No. 32 Spring 2014
IWA award for 60 years at the London Boat Show John Fevyer (left) of the Middlesex Branch receives, on behalf of the IWA, a special 60th anniversary award from Peter Gordon, Chairman National Boat Shows, in recognition of IWA exhibiting at every boat show since the first show in 1954. Photo: onEdition
Inland Waterways Association Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Diary Dates 2014 Branch social evenings 11 February Branch social evening Talk by Ray Orth, Wendover Arm Trust. 11 March AGM plus Branch social evening Rickmansworth Canal Trust: Mark Saxon on the work of the Trust Fabian Hiscock - historic boat ‘Roger’ David Montague - the Rickmansworth Festival. 8 April Branch social evening Roger Squires - The Droitwich Ring. 13 May Branch social evening Tony Brooks - Boat Electrics.
10 June Branch social evening James Taylor/Fiona Shipp - Basingstoke Canal Trust. 9 September Branch social evening Richard Thomas - River Lee to the Thames. 14 October Branch social evening Alan Scott-Davies – Haunted Canals based on his book, Shadow on the Waters. 11 November Branch social evening Tony Brooks - getting the boat ready for winter.
Middlesex Branch social evenings are held at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Rd, Uxbridge. Social meetings are not held in July, August or December. For more information contact the Social Secretary Lucy Smith on, middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk or 07947 451376. Entrance is free and all are welcome including non members.
Festivals and events 3-5 May
IWA Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice, London. Nearest tube stations Warwick Rd and Paddington.
11 May
Ruislip Woods Festival - 12pm - 4 30 pm free entry. At the Willow Lawn between the Lido's railway station and the Water's Edge pub. HA4 7TY.
17-18 May Rickmansworth Canal Festival , GU Canal between Batchworth and Stockers Locks, and Ricmansworth Aquadrome. Not far from Rickmansworth Metropolitan Line stn. 24-26 May Crick Boat Show.Crick Marina, West Haddon Rd, Crick, Northants, NN6 7SQ. 4-6 July
Ware Boat Festival – River Lea - Riverside at Ware.
5-6 July
Stratford River Festival – Stratford upon Avon.
12 July
Hayes Carnival, Barra Hall Park, Hayes, Middlesex. (TBC)
13-14 September Slough Canal Festival - Bloom Park, Slough. (TBC) 20-21 September
Hanwell Locks guided tour – London Open House weekend.
Inland Waterways Association 2 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Chairman’s Column I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a belated happy and prosperous new year. This is a special year for the branch as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. The branch was formed in September 1994. Although we are still in the early stages of planning it has been suggested that we could hold some sort of event at the Slough Canal Festival which takes place on the second weekend in September. If we do it would be great to see as many of our members at the Slough festival as possible, to help us celebrate. It is rumoured that Land and Water has been taking silt samples on the Slough Arm, does this mean that we might see movement on the long awaited dredging we have been promised for so long? I hope so, but certainly will not be holding my breath. The Slough Arm also features in The London Waterway Partnership's Strategic Waterway plan. One of the proposals is to "create a link to the Thames via the Slough Arm" Well what is being suggested is that work starts on collating and reviewing earlier proposals for the link, defining the potential merits of the connection and exploring the feasibility. There is a very long way to go and
only a slim chance that this may happen but at least there is a start. It looks as if 2014 will be a busy year for the branch. On the second Tuesday of each month, from January through to November (excluding July and August) we have our monthly social meetings which are open to all members and their guests. For this year we have a full programme of talks with speakers booked for every meeting. The branch sales stand also has a busy schedule with a number of outings throughout the spring / summer months. However we really could do with more volunteers to help us run this stand. Please contact me, or any of the committee members, if you are able to help. The dates and venues are set out on page 14. One problem that we do face is a reducing membership and therefore the branch will be having a major recruitment drive, visiting the various marinas in our area seeking people who would like to join. This is an activity where all members can help. If you know someone who is interested in the canals be that as a boater, fisherman, walker, cyclist or even just a feeder of ducks, talk to them and see if they would like to join us in campaigning to keep the canals the vibrant and enjoyable facility that they are. Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hillingdon Canal Club for the use of their premises for our monthly social meetings and committee meetings. The socials would not happen without the use of these facilities.
Keith Clayton Chairman – IWA Middlesex Branch
Inland Waterways Association 3 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Twenty years of Middlesex Branch donations As Keith mentioned on the previous page, this year will be the 20th (china) anniversary of the formation of the Middlesex Branch. During this period (since 1995) we have made many donations to waterways related causes and currently the figure stands close to £12,000. Over the last 10 years, the branch has donated £6,860 to many waterways related causes (most of them within or local to the Middlesex Branch). If you would like to nominate a waterways based organisation or an individual with a specific need for a donation, please get in touch with any of the committee. The donations the branch committee make comes in part from our branch members’ subscription fees and also from money donated to the branch. This includes proceeds from the branch sales stand thanks to our secretary Robin. The Committee are always willing to consider donating to any waterways related cause, if you know of any group that might benefit, please let us know and we’ll see what can be do.
Annual General Meeting of the
Inland Waterways Association Middlesex Branch AGM will be held at the
Hillingdon Canal Club UXBRIDGE WHARF WATERLOO ROAD UXBRIDGE UB8 2QX Tuesday 11 March 2014 at 8pm - Bar open from 7.30 Nominations for election to the Branch Committee must be received by the Secretary by 11 March 2014. Secretary:- Robin Bishop, 11 Lichfield Road, Cricklewood, London NW2 2RE. email:- robinebishop@tiscali.co.uk
Inland Waterways Association 4 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Rain and floods cause problems
The heavy rains in recent months have made the ground very soft and the grass verges of the towpath can be too soft for the reliable use of mooring pins. These two boats, paird up, were moored using one pin at each end in saturated grass. The movement from passing boats appears to have pulled the stern pin out.
Tragic death in floods A 47 year old man on a mobility scooter is thought to have inadvertently driven into a flooded lock on the Thames, being unable to see the towpath. The accident happened at the Osney Lock, Oxford on Saturday 4th January. Gabriel Stocks from Wheatley, had been trying to pass floods when he went into the water.He was pulled from the lock by emergency crews but died at the scene. Recent floods along the Thames have covered many of the river's pathways with muddy flood water making it impossible to judge between the river and the path.The tragedy happened in the dark at around 6.30pm.
Inland Waterways Association 5 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Hillingdon Canal Club Hillingdon Canal Club, on the Grand Union main line in Uxbridge was formed in 1989 from the Uxbridge Cruising Club. It was created by members of the cruising club who banded together to make the HCC into the club it is now - voluntarily run by the members for the members.
The clubhouse is currently open three nights a week and the bar is run by club volunteers. The clubhouse holds social nights for its members and as it is affiliated to the IWA and AWCC, all associated members are welcome. Neighbouring is Uxbridge Boat Centre, which has a chandlery and dry dock facility. The club has both ‘finger mooring’ and linear moorings within its facility and currently there are several linear moorings available for narrowboats. These secure moorings are non-residential and for leisure use only. All linear moorings have electric hook-up and access is restricted to moorers only by use of security keys. If you are interested in learning about our club or are interested in more information regarding our mooring facilities, please contact the Club Secretary.
Cruises are arranged throughout the year and members are encouraged to attend local canal festivals and ad-hoc cruises when the sun decides to shine. The annual ‘icicle cruise’ in January is a great (although somewhat chilly) outing to Rickmansworth! Members look after the premises by joining regular club work-parties which utilise members skills - from general maintenance and cleaning of the clubhouse and communal areas to plumbing and electrical work. Members who participate in these work parties find it a rewarding activity which brings the members together as a team. Hillingdon Canal Club currently has approximately 90 members consisting of both full and associate members. Full members benefit from a water point, Elsan disposal and refuse bins. There is secure onsite car parking too. All members can use the fully licensed clubhouse with plenty of seating and a new TV, free pool table and darts. There is a sound system too.
email: hccsecretary@yahoo.com. Hillingdon Canal Club Uxbridge Wharf Waterloo Road Uxbridge UB8 2QX
Inland Waterways Association 6 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Flooded Thames
Boats only, it would seem as the rising Thames causes floods on adjacent flood plains.
Photo: K Stokes
Although it looks spectacular the rise doesn’t need to be more than two or three feet to cause these problems. Not much fun for those affected, though.
Inland Waterways Association 7 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
The new Thames bridge at Walton on Thames gets christened by the floods. Photos T.Liddle
Inland Waterways Association 8 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Visitors to Camden Lock on the Regent’s Canal get up close to the new gates Photos: Tim Lewis
Inland Waterways Association 9 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Branch meeting dates for 2014 Social meetings The social meetings are a way of spending a pleasent evening at the Hillingdon Canal Club, what’s more the entrance is free and all are welcome including non members. The evenings consists of speakers who give illustrated presentations on many topics, usually associated with waterways. The topics are many and various, both informative and entertaining. We’ve had speakers showing us their trips along the Grand Canal in China, the Mississippi from Baton Rouge to Chicago, the wonders of the canal system, C&RT fisheries management and loads more. Branch social meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. They are held at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Rd, Uxbridge UB8 2QX. Meetings are not held in July, August or December. For more information contact the Social Secretary Lucy Smith on, middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk or 07947 451376.
Committee meetings Branch committee meetings are usually held on the 4th Tuesday of every second month. They are also held at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Rd, Uxbridge UB8 2QX. Members are welcome to attend. Committee meetings 28 January 25 March 3 June 29 July 23 September 25 November Social meetings 14 January 11 February 11 March 8 April 13 May 10 June 9 September 14 October 11 November
Inland Waterways Association 10 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
London Region Social evenings programme 2014 18 Feb
19.30
Olympic Park Legacy and restoration of Carpenters Road Lock – Canal and River Trust
18 March
19.30
North and East London Branch AGM
20.00
Waterways of Up State New York – Roger Squires Regional Round-up – a chance to hear from all the branches in our region about the work going on in our area including restoration of the Wendover Arm, London canals, the Chelmer and Blackwater, and the River Thames.
15 April
20 May
19.30
Current Restoration Projects
17 June
19.30
Manchester Ship canal - Richard Thomas
Venue – Paddington Central Management suite. 1a Sheldon Square, LondonW2 6PY
Chiswick Pier Trust Spring programme of events 2014 18 Feb
7.30pm
One Thames or Two? A talk on the archaeologies of London River by Jon Cotton, archaeological consultant and former Museum of London curator.
18 March
7.30pm
From Hills to High-Water; The Thames as a Wildlife Corridor. A talk by Brenna Boyle, a zoologist, wildlife guide, and creator of Wild Capital.
30 March 5 April
Mothering Day Cruise. 2pm
Boat Race Blue Badge Walk, meeting at Ravenscourt Park tube and walking to Chiswick Pier. Oxford and Cambridge Race starts at 6pm. Refreshments served and a terrific view at Chiswick Pier.
6 April 16 April
10am to 12
TET River Dipping - Booking essential, please contact the office.
10 May
9.30am
Bird Walk - Booking essential, please contact the office.
28 May 29 May
Half term family cruise. 10am to 12
TET River Dipping - Booking essential, please contact the office.
Talks are free to members or £3 to non-members. www.chiswickpier.org.uk or Twitter @ChiswickPier. Chiswick Pier Trust, The Pier House, Corney Reach Way, London W4 2UG Inland Waterways Association 11 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Annual General Meetings of the
Inland Waterways Association
South London Branch AGM followed by the
London Region AGM will be held at the
The Primary Room The United Reform Church Hall Addiscombe Road Croydon CR0 5LP Wednesday 12 March 2014 at 8pm Nominations for election to the Branch Committee and/or the Region Committee must be received by the Secretary by 12 March 2014. Secretary:- London Region Robin Bishop, 11 Lichfield Road, Cricklewood, London NW2 2RE. email:- robinebishop@tiscali.co.uk Secretary:- South London Branch Lesley Pryde, 2 Hepworth Road, Streatham, London SW16 5DQ email:- southlondon@waterways.org.uk
London Region
Middlesex
Chairman
Paul Strudwick 40 Fifth Avenue Chelmsford Essex CM1 4HD
Keith Clayton 7 De Salis Road Hillingdon UB10 0SP
Secretary
Robin Bishop 11 Lichfield Road, Cricklewood London NW2 2RE
Robin Bishop 11 Lichfield Road, Cricklewood London NW2 2RE
South London Libby Bradshaw Ground Floor Flat 61 West Sude Wandsworth Common London SW18 2ED Lesley Pryde 2 Hepworth Road Streatham London SW16 5DQ
N & E London Tim Lewis 5Heronsgate Road Wanstead London E12 5EJ Roger Squires 46 Elephant Lane Rotherhithe London SE16 4JD
Inland Waterways Association 12 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
MIDDLESEX MUSINGS Big plans afoot for Old Oak I see that Queens Park Rangers FC have unveiled plans for a new 40,000-seat stadium in Old Oak that will replace the club's current Loftus Road ground in Shepherds Bush, some 2½ miles away. The new stadium will be part of the regeneration of the area, which is provisionally called New Queens Park, although I’m not sure if that refers solely to the stadium. QPR chairman said they are talking to a number of world-class architects to design iconic tall buildings as well as improving and incorporating the waterside environment of the Grand Union Canal. The whole area of Old Oak is up for redevelopment as part of the HS2 project with costs in the order of a massive £10bn. Anything that improves the Old Oak Common area of west London and includes the canal must be welcome.
boat) on a woman, making her homeless. This has the boating fraternity in a tiz. On one hand there are numerous complaints received from boaters with regard to unlicenced boats, with C&RT accused of ‘doing nothing'. Then on the other hand there are a few boater’s, some of whom may be mentally ill, who refuse to licence their boats. I think that C&RT are stuck between a ‘rock and a hard place'.
Complaint about issue 31
Pressure for more moorings There is mounting pressure to do something about the increasing demand for liveaboard boats and moorings in the London area. The Canal & River Trust have said in some popular areas, this style of living is on the increase and the Trust is concerned that the newcomers may not be aware of or fully understand the requirement for bona fide navigation and may believe it is sufficient simply to move around within a small area. Some therefore get a shock when they find that they are in breach of the rules, while C&RT are forced to embark on a time-consuming and costly enforcement process.
Stuck between a rock & a hard place The Canal & River Trust recently served a Section 8 notice (eviction and seizure of
I have been informed by our chairman, Keith, that he received a complaint from a member of the Hillingdon Canal Club. The complaint regarding a joke that included a reference to the Hillingdon Canal Club. Whilst there was never any intention to offend anyone at the club, the use of the club name in jokes over several recent editions was intended to promote the club name in the minds of our readers. Therefore I feel I must apologise to anybody who was offended by that particular item. In future, to avoid any misunderstandings, there will be no more jokes that include references to Hillingdon Canal Club. Terry Liddle Editor.
Inland Waterways Association 13 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
Middlesex Branch Sales Stand events 2014 Robin will be out and about again thie year with the branch sales stand visiting some of the festivals and events in and around the Middlesex area. 3 - 5 May 11 May 5 – 6 July
Canalway Cavalcade Little Venice, London Ruislip Woods Festival Ware Boat Festival River Lea
13 - 14 Sept
Slough Canal Festival Bloom Park
20 - 21 Sept
Hanwell Locks Open House weekend
If you’re at one of these events and you see the sales stand why not introduce yourself to Robin and have a chat or even spend some time helping, you’ll be most welcome.
Old Oak redevelopment plans Plans are being drawn for the development of Old Oak, the area in west London of mainly industrial and railway land in between Old Oak Common Lane, Wormwood Scrubs, Scrubs Lane and Willesden Junction. Part of the development is the site of a proposed new hub station for the HS2 rail line north, which will also incorporate the trans-London Crossrail project. Figures for an estimate of costs are in the region of £10bn. The Grand Union Canal in the Middlesex branch area passes right through the centre on Old Oak Common and will be included in all the development plans for that area. Exciting times ahead. Inland Waterways Association have published a response to the Consultation on HS2 Phase 1 Draft Environmental Statement produced by the Department for Transport. The response is available on the IWA’s wesite at: www.waterways.org.uk.
Inland Waterways Association 14 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
AND
FINALLY
Dates for committee meetings for 2014 are given below. Members are welcome to attend. Meetings start at 8.00pm at the Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge UB8 2QX.
28 January 29 July
25 March 23 Sep
3 June 25 Nov
YOUR BRANCH COMMITTEE Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Panning/Navigation Membership Sales Social meetings Newsletter Publicity Events Other members
Keith Clayton Michael Phillips Robin Bishop Lucy Smith Raymond Gill Michael Phillips Keith Clayton Robin Bishop Lucy Smith Terry Liddle Lucy Smith Lucy Smith Stephen Bray
020 8573 0883 020 8452 2632 07947451376 07785886255 020 8573 0883 020 8452 2632 07947451376 020 8863 2551 07947451376 07947451376
keith_clayton_1955@yahoo.co.uk michael@shirazphillips.co.uk robinebishop@tiscali.co.uk middlesex.treasurer@waterways.org.uk raycgill@hotmail.com michael@shirazphillips.co.uk keith_clayton_1955@yahoo.co.uk robinebishop@tiscali.co.uk middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk middlesex.newsletter@waterways.org.uk middlesex.publicity@waterways.org.uk middlesex.events@waterways.org.uk
The newsletter welcomes communications from readers. If you have a point to make, a question to ask, or an interesting picture or article worthy of publication send it to us at Middlesex Matters, 39 Hillview Gardens, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 6HJ Email to: middlesex.newsletter@waterways.org.uk. NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Terry Liddle
Middlesex Matters is produced using MS Word 2007. Printed by Colour Image Printers, Loudwater, High Wycombe. The next publication will be the summer 2014 edition, issue number 33
The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of its London Region or of its Middlesex Branch. They are however published as being of interest to our members and readers Š IWA Middlesex Branch 2014 The Inland Waterways Association is a charity campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways and is a non profit distributing company limited by guarantee registered in England number 612245 registered as a charity number 212342 whose registered office is at: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham. HP5 1WA. Tel. 01494 783453 http://www.waterways.org.uk
Inland Waterways Association 15 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex
What can you say...any suggestions...?
Did you know? Chinese sailors eat junk food. A leak in the back of a boat is a stern warning. Sunglasses for sailors don't stay seeworthy for long. The boatyard had a sale advertising 'Ketch of the day'. A young sailor thought all of the waves were just swell. There’s a boater down our local yacht club, he's not a slow skipper, he's not a fast skipper. He's more a half fast skipper. The stewards on Cunard cruise ships have had to undergo compulsory crew cuts. A lady was walking down the gangplank with a parrot on her shoulder. A sailor on the shore asked ‘Where did you get that? The parrot replied ‘We met on the internet!’
Inland Waterways Association 16 Middlesex Matters Spring 2014 https://www.waterways.org.uk/middlesex/middlesex