a load of cliquey crap?

letters to the Editor

Camp reports: do you “love to read the different styles, banter and injokes” or do we sound like “a cliquey bunch who all get rat-arsed”?

The letter and editorial comment in issue 289 about camp reports prompted some replies...

Dear Martin, Fortunately we live in a free country, have our own views and are free to express them.

I read the letter from John Felix (Navvies no 289) on canal camp reports. I am in my 80s and have been an armchair subscriber to Navvies for decades. I make sure to send my subscription, and a decent donation by return partly to thank all the team for their dedication and hard work producing such a varied and informative magazine. Also to ensure I don’t miss an edition as I particularly look forward to reading the canal reports together with the fact files which put them into context for me.

I love to read the different styles, the banter, and the “in jokes” which I mostly don’t understand, but have fun trying to work out. They make me wish I were young enough to join in, but they are the next best thing. I can’t wait to get issue no 290, with lots of canal camp reports hopefully.

Thank you Martin and all the team for regularly producing such an informative and amusing magazine, I don’t take all the hard work for granted.

Keep up the good work.

Derek Horsnell

Martin I can see John Felix getting his head bitten off but personally I’m with him. The camp reports are the worst bit of Navvies for me and I never do more than skim over them and look at the photos, for all the reasons stated by John. However, I do read those which have not been written in a student rag week style, such as the Lancaster report in the latest issue. That’s what a report should read like in my view.

I do wonder whether the other kind of camp report is counterproductive. I wonder how representative they are of the camps themselves and worry that they are. I’ve never been on a camp, despite being an armchair supporter of WRG for many years, and the reason for that is entirely down to the impression the camp reports have given me. From reading them I expect to encounter a cliquey group of regulars who all get rat-arsed down the pub every evening and if you don’t want to try and break into that circle over a number of camps you’ll feel rather awkward. Now I accept that may well be totally and utterly not what WRGies are like in reality but that’s the impression that comes across to me in Navvies and I’m not particularly keen to book myself into a week of confirmation of my fears. So I’m probably far more likely to dig with one of the canal societies who submit reports and who give off a more inclusive feeling through their more factual style.

Sorry, this probably won’t be received well but I’m just telling you the truth from my point of view.

Regards

Andy Overton

Hi Martin I thought I would just respond to your editorial on camp reports in Issue 289.

The fact file part is interesting but I must admit that I really enjoy reading the entertaining part of them (even when I don’t know the people involved) and even more so when I do! It would be great if these could continue and I hope you receive lots this year.

Regards

Hi Martin I just received Navvies 289, and just wanted to re-iterate my previous comments about the fact files. These are just what is needed, I like to see the information about progress. I generally tear them out and keep as an ongoing reference.

Keep up the good work.

Andrew Harris Whitby, Ontario

Dear Martin Re: Camp Reports. The letter from John Felix reminded me of something similar I wrote many years ago on a similar theme. Age has hopefully matured my opinions and made me a little more sanguine about the stuff that Martin puts in the magazine.

First, should camp reports appear at all in Navvies. I spent a few hours scanning through some early issues and even the great GKP was adamant that publicity was everything and camp reports played a major part in that.

Second should Martin print everything he receives? Again, read Navvies Notebook issue 25 where Graham Palmer says “If it is interesting and/or relevant it will be printed. I am not prepared to compromise on […] free speech and the ability to be unfettered by convention.” I don’t see anything that has changed in the 48 years since he wrote that.

Finally should all the camp reports be full of facts and nothing else? Absolutely not. I’ve been on a few camps where most of the week was either spent brick cleaning or shovelling sh*t. The fact that someone can write a report that covers those interesting pastimes and make it readable and funny deserves the highest commendation. As the chairman of a local Scout group I particularly enjoyed the report on the second week on the Lancaster Canal in Issue 289.

Martin’s ‘Fact Box’ is very useful as an overview of the complete project and if I want to know more I can probably log in to the local societies web site.

Yes I know that there are lots of ‘in’ jokes but I can live with them if they make me smile. Perhaps we ought to remind the people who write the reports that those of us who haven’t been on a camp for a few years probably don’t know that when the report mentions someone called ‘Mucky’ they mean Mick Beattie. (Sorry, that’s going back a few years).

Anyway Martin, keep up the good work and to quote the great Duke of Wellington “Publish and be damned”.

Spencer Greystrong

Dear Martin Firstly, thank you for producing 6 excellent copies of Navvies each year! (Creep over.)

You asked for comments on Camp Reports. Most importantly, please keep your potted ‘Fact File’ for each report. The ‘Why?’ and the ‘Wider Picture’ are particularly important for the sad people like me who want to know how my three courses of bricks fit into a 40-year project.

As a relative newbie in WRG terms, I like the variety of styles of reports and am happy to accept whatever comes in that respect. I think ‘technical’ comments are probably better in a stand alone article, rather like David Smith’s on artificial coping stones or an earlier one on ‘shuttering’ (I think). I am happy with the current level of informal banter within reports and, two years ago, when I started, it gave me a flavour of the sort of people I was joining!

So, in summary, ‘steady as she goes’, I think, please.

Malcolm Parker

Hi Martin Re camp reports (And no, that is not a comment on your journalistic style!) I am a dedicated armchair follower of your restoration projects, I am grateful to all who take the time to submit reports to you. Yes, I prefer some styles to others, but that is a question of personal taste and it would helpful if we could all remember that your magazine reaches a wide audience ranging from the inveterate restorers to those on the fringes who are considering dipping their metaphorical toes in the water for the first time.

Keep up the excellent work and thanks for such an interesting and informative journal. Mike Lott

Dear Martin To me the camps are one of the main reason WRG exists as a key way to support local restoration work. So to stop including camp reports in the magazine as someone has suggested would be like removing the heart from WRG. I have supported WRG for more years than I care to remember and I look forward to the camp reports. It gives me a good flavour of what WRG is up to and how people enjoy it. Yes there may be occasionally comments made I don’t understand but I just pass over them.

I am what would be called an armchair supporter but even for those that are active many will only go one or made two camps in a year and so the reports tell them what WRG is doing in many other places. So keep the reports in; and to those who write them, thanks; and to those who don’t, why not? Many of us want to hear what has happened. It enables us to feel more part of WRG and all it does.

David Chalmers

Good morning Martin Please keep the status quo regarding camp reports. I used to be in Kesrg and worked with ken,sue,roger,mike, dave,brian, and am still in the 200 club. I also went on canal holiday with mike and brother before he was chair, and I’m now a member of BITM with Dave.

Yours

Ray Crane (80)

Dear Martin Re family camps (issue 287). I’m delighted to see that family camps are back. My lot all helped on the Mont staying at Four Crosses Village Hall starting with the International Camp (1976?) My nephew from America said it was the best holiday he had ever been on - age 9.

Now regarding Himalayan balsam. [which the family camps spend some of their time removing from canals] It’s the very best late flowering plant for insects - especially my bees we don’t need to take them to the heather (using petrol). I think this is better than nettles! Almost all of our garden plants are from abroad. Buddleia is a real weed rooting into my wall!

Regards

Janet Williams

Dear Martin Many moons ago (but within the last two years!) Navvies had a quiz question along the lines of ‘How many miles do our vans travel each year?’. Did you ever publish an answer? If so, I must have missed it so what is the answer, please?

Malcolm Parker

I don’t think we ever did publish an answer: I’ll see if I can get one for next time ...Ed Dear Martin Whilst rummaging through the family archives, I came across this ticket overprinted (in faded biro) ‘Family McCarthy’. I cannot recall Mrs Mac attending, though young Ian Mac (lately of pension age!) thinks he may have attended. It has the look of the once active Navvies Anonymous mob, whilst my withered elderly brain also recalls a ‘Cosmo’ tribe. The organiser’s address at the bottom doesn’t ring any bells with me.

Also most interesting is the venue: ‘The Pindar of Wakefield’: is it still there, and who or what is a Pindar? The reverse side carries a useful and clear map. Maybe some senior WRGie might be able to tell us if it was a ‘good do’ and if it raised any cash for the cause, whilst Yorkshire readers can further our knowledge of the Pindar - I look forward to reading about it. ‘Mr Mac’

navvies diary

Canal Camps cost £70 per week or as stated. Bookings for WRG Camps with Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA. Tel: 01494 783453, enquiries@wrg.org.uk. D

Aug 25-Sep 1CC201823 Cotswold Canals: Inglesham Lock Aug 25-Sep 1CC201824 Grantham Canal: Lock 14 Aug 31-Sep 6WAT Wendover Arm: Profiling & lining Fri-Thu Aug 31-Sep 2Family Camp Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Sep 1/2 London WRG Wey & Arun Canal Sep 8/9 KESCRG Cotswold Canals: Inglesham Sep 8/9 NWPG Cotswold Canals: Stroud Phase 1A or Phase 1B Sep 8/9 wrgNW Hollinwood Canal Sep 15/16 wrgBITM Wendover Arm: Block laying on Bentomat lining Sep 22/23 London WRG Buckingham Arm Sep 22 Sat WRG Logistics Sep 23 Sun WRG Committee & Board Meetings: Location TBC Sep 29/30 wrgFT Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Oct 3-10 wrgNW Montgomery Canal: Redwith, leak repair. See page 41 Sep 30 Sun WACT Wey & Arun Canal: Grand Opening of Thriscutt Slipway 2:00pm Oct 5-11 WAT Wendover Arm: Profiling & lining Fri-Thu Oct 6/7 KESCRG Cotswold Canals: Inglesham Oct 13/14 London WRG Lichfield Canal Oct 13/14 NWPG Wey & Arun Canal: Birtley or Shalford or Dunsfold Oct 19-27 WRGFT2018 Wey & Arun Canal: WRG Forestry Camp, Kirdford Oct 20/21 wrgBITM Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Oct 20-27 CC201825 Grantham Canal: Lock 14 Oct 20-27 CC201826 Wey & Arun Canal: Birtley and Shalford (NWPG camp) Nov 2-8 WAT Wendover Arm: Profiling & lining Fri-Thu Nov 3/4 BB2018 Lichfield Canal: Bonfire Bash, WRG Reunion Nov 3/4 wrgFT WRG Reunion Nov 3 Sat WRG Committee & Board Meetings: at Bonfire Bash Nov 10/11 NWPG Cotswold Canals: Stroud Phase 1A or Phase 1B Nov 17/18 London WRG Cotswold Canals Nov 17/18 wrgBITM Thames & Medway Canal: Slipway gabions removal Nov 30-Dec 6 WAT Wendover Arm: Profiling & lining Fri-Thu Dec 1/2 KESCRG Cotswold Canals: Xmas Party joint dig - LWRG to organise Dec 1/2 London WRG Cotswold Canals: Christmas Party joint dig with KESCRG Dec 8/9 wrgBITM Maidenhead Waterways: Christmas Work Party Dec 8/9 wrgFT Cotswold Canals Dec 7/8/9 wrgNW Uttoxeter Canal: Dig including Christmas Meal Dec 26-Jan 1 CC201827 Christmas Camp: Location TBC Jan 2019 London WRG Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation: 12/13 or 19/20 Jan

WRG and mobile groups

h number e.g. 'Camp 201823' should go to WRG Canal Camps, Island House, Diary compiled by Dave Wedd. Tel: 01252 874437, dave.wedd@wrgbitm.org.uk

01494-783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk 01494-783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk Roger Leishman 01442-874536 rwleishman@gmail.com 01494-783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk Tim Lewis 07802-518094 london@wrg.org.uk Bobby Silverwood 07971-814986 bobby@kescrg.org.uk Bill Nicholson 01844-343369 bill@nwpg.org.uk Ju Davenport 07808-182004 nw@wrg.org.uk Dave Wedd 07816-175454 bookings@wrgbitm.org.uk Tim Lewis 07802-518094 london@wrg.org.uk Mike Palmer 01564-785293 mike.palmer@wrg.org.uk Mike Palmer 01564-785293 mike.palmer@wrg.org.uk Nigel Lee 07802-854694 nigel.lee@wrg.org.uk Ju Davenport 07808-182004 nw@wrg.org.uk www.weyarun.org.uk/events37 Roger Leishman 01442-874536 rwleishman@gmail.com Bobby Silverwood 07971-814986 bobby@kescrg.org.uk Tim Lewis 07802-518094 london@wrg.org.uk Bill Nicholson 01844-343369 bill@nwpg.org.uk 01494-783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk Dave Wedd 07816-175454 bookings@wrgbitm.org.uk 01494-783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk 01494-783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk Roger Leishman 01442-874536 rwleishman@gmail.com 01494-783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk Nigel Lee 07802-854694 nigel.lee@wrg.org.uk Mike Palmer 01564-785293 mike.palmer@wrg.org.uk Bill Nicholson 01844-343369 bill@nwpg.org.uk Tim Lewis 07802-518094 london@wrg.org.uk Dave Wedd 07816-175454 bookings@wrgbitm.org.uk Roger Leishman 01442-874536 rwleishman@gmail.com Bobby Silverwood 07971-814986 bobby@kescrg.org.uk Tim Lewis 07802-518094 london@wrg.org.uk Dave Wedd 07816-175454 bookings@wrgbitm.org.uk Nigel Lee 07802-854694 nigel.lee@wrg.org.uk Ju Davenport 07808-182004 nw@wrg.org.uk 01494-783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk

Tim Lewis 07802-518094 london@wrg.org.uk

navvies diary

Canal societies’ regular working parties

3rd Sunday of month ACA Snarestone Peter Oakden 01827-880667 Every Sunday if required BBHT Bugsworth Basin Ian Edgar 0161-427 7402 Every Tuesday BCA Basingstoke Canal Chris Healy 01252-370073 Once per month: pls check BCNS BCN waterways Mike Rolfe 07763-171735 2nd & 4th w/e of month BCS Basingstoke Canal Duncan Paine 01252-614125 Thursdays Sep-Apr BCT Aqueduct section Tim Dingle 01288-361356 2nd Sun & alternate Thu BuCS Buckingham area Athina Beckett 01908-661217 Every Mon and Wed CCT Cotswold (W depot) Reg Gregory 01452-614362 Every Mon am Thu pm CCT Cotswold (E end) John Maxted 01285-861011 Various dates CCT Cotswold Phase 1a Jon Pontefract 07986-351412 Every Sunday ChCT Chesterfield Canal Mick Hodgetts 01246-620695 Every Tue and Thu CSCT Chichester Canal Malcolm Maddison 01243-775201 Every Tue & Wed C&BN Chelmer & Blackwater John Gale 01376-334896 Every Friday ECPDA Langley Mill John Baylis 01623-621208 Most Wed and Sun DSCT Derby Canal Keith Johnson 07845-466721 Second Sun of month FIPT Foxton Inclined Plane Mike Beech 0116-279-2657 Thu and last Sat of month GCS Grantham Canal Ian Wakefield 0115-989-2128 Tuesdays H&GCT Oxenhall Brian Fox 01432-358628 Weekends H&GCT Over Wharf House Maggie Jones 01452-618010 Wednesdays H&GCT Over / Vineyard Hill Ted Beagles 01452-522648 Thursdays H&GCT Herefordshire Wilf Jones 01452-413888 3rd Wed and last Sat K&ACT East Kennet & Avon Mike Bennett 0118-969-9861 2nd Sunday of month LCT Lancaster N. Reaches Robin Yates 01539-733252 Every Wed/Thu/Sat/Sun LHCRT Lichfield Hugh Millington 01543-251747 3rd Sunday of month LHCRT Hatherton Denis Cooper 01543-374370 2nd full weekend of month MBBCS Nob End Ian Astbury 07855-471117 Alternate Saturdays MWRT Maidenhead w/ways Ian Caird 07581-092001 Two Sundays per month NWDCT N Walsham Canal David Revill 01603-738648 Weekly PCAS Pocklington Canal Richard Harker 07702-741211 Every Wed and 1st Sat RGT Stowmarket Navigtn. Martin Bird 01394-380765 2nd Sunday of month SCARS Sankey Canal John Hughes 01744-600656 1st Sunday of month SCCS Combe Hay Locks Derrick Hunt 01225-863066 Last weekend of month SCS Stover Canal George Whitehead 01626-775498 2nd Sunday of month SNT Sleaford Navigation Mel Sowerby 01522-856810 Every Thu and Sat SORT Sussex Ouse Ted Lintott 01444-414413 various dates SRL Baswich, Stafford John Potter 01785-226662 1st weekend of month SUCS Montgomery Canal David Carter 01244-661440 Every Tuesday morning TMCA Thames & Medway Les Schwieso 01634-847118 Most days, please contact WACT Wey & Arun Canal Northern office 01483-505566 1st w/e of month (Fri-Thu) WAT Little Tring Roger Leishman 01442-874536 Every Sun WBCT Swindon Oliver Gardiner 07785-775993 Every Wed WBCT Wootton Bassett John Bower 01793 636297 2nd and last Sun of month WBCT Pewsham Ray Canter 01249 659111

Canal societies and CRT

Canal & River Trust ‘Towpath Taskforce’ regular working parties

nd2 Saturday of month Audlem Shropshire Union Jason Watts 07824 356556 nd2 Saturday of month Aylesbury Aylesbury Arm Sonny King 07876 217059 Every Thursday Bath Kennet & Avon Steve Manzi 07710175278 st1 Wednesday of month Birmingham Bimingham & Fazeley Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 Alternate Thursdays Blackburn Leeds & Liverpool Alice Kay 07825 196 365 st1 Thursday of month B&T Bridgwater & Taunton Steve Manzi 07710175278 st1 Sunday of month Burnley Leeds & Liverpool Alice Kay 07825 196 365 Alternate Tuesdays Caldon Caldon/T&M Andy Whitehouse 07789 982392 Last Saturday of month Chester Shropshire Union Jason Watts 07824 356556 st1 Saturday of month Colne/Nelson Leeds & Liverpool Alice Kay 07825 196 365 Alternate Thursdays Coventry Coventry Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 rd3 Thursday of month Devizes Kennet & Avon Steve Manzi 07710175278 st1 Saturday & next Tue Fradley Coventry/ T&M Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 th4 Thursday of month Gailey Staffs & Worcs Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 Every Wednesday Gloucester Glos & Sharpness Caroline Kendall 01452 318028 st1 Wed & Fri of month Hatton Grand Union Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 Last Sunday of month Hawkesbury Coventry/Oxford Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 st1 Saturday of month Hemel Hemp. Grand Union Sonny King 07876 217059 nd2 Friday of month Huddersfield Huddersfield Broad Becca Dent 0113 2816811 st1 Thursday of month Knottingley Aire & Calder Becca Dent 0113 2816811 Alternate Thursdays Lancaster Lancaster Canal Alice Kay 07825 196 365 rd3 Thu & Sat of month Lapworth Stratford Canal Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 rd3 Friday of month Leeds Leeds & Liverpool Becca Dent 0113 2816811 Alternate Tuesdays Leicester Soar/Grand Union Wayne Ball 01636 675704 st1 Tuesday of month Littleborough Rochdale Andy Whitehouse 07789 982392 nd2 Sat of month London Cent. Regents/Docklands Debbie Vidler 07825 099167 st rd1 Wed & 3 Sat of month London East Lee & Stort Debbie Vidler 07825 099167 st rd th1 Sat 3 & 4 Wed London West Paddington/ GU Debbie Vidler 07825 099167 Last Tuesday of month Mirfield Calder & Hebble Becca Dent 0113 2816811 Every Tuesday Mon & Brec Monmouth & Brecon Caroline Kendall 01452 318028 nd2 Thursday of month Newbury Kennet & Avon Steve Manzi 07710175278 Alternate Thursdays North Warks Coventry/Ashby Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 th4 Saturday of month Oxford Oxford Sonny King 07876 217059 rd3 Wed of month Perry Barr BCN Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 nd2 Wednesday of month Preston Lancaster Canal Alice Kay 07825 196 365 Every Friday Sefton Leeds & Liverpool Alice Kay 07825 196 365 rd3 Saturday of month Selby Selby Canal Becca Dent 0113 2816811 nd2 Wednesday of month Skipton Leeds & Liverpool Alice Kay 07825 196 365 Alternate Fridays South Derbys Trent & Mersey Wayne Ball 01636 675704 nd2 Thursday of month Stratford Stratford Canal Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 Alternate Wednesdays Tamworth Coventry/ Fazeley Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 Every Tuesday Turnerwood Chesterfield Wayne Ball 01636 675704 Alternate Thursdays Walsall BCN Sue Blocksidge 07917 585838 Every Tuesday Wigan Leeds & Liverpool Alice Kay 07825 196 365 Every Thursday Worcester Worcester & B’ham Caroline Kendall 01452 318028 Abbreviations used in Diary:

ACA Ashby Canal Association BBHT Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust BCNS Birmingham Canal Navigations Soc. BuCS Buckingham Canal Society BCS Basingstoke Canal Society BCT Bude Canal Trust ChCT Chesterfield Canal Trust CBN Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation CCT Cotswolds Canals Trust ECPDA Erewash Canal Pres. & Devt. Assoc. FIPT Foxton Inclined Plane Trust GCS Grantham Canal Society H&GCT Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust KACT Kennet & Avon Canal Trust KESCRG Kent & E Sussex Canal Rest. Group LCT Lancaster Canal Trust LHCRT Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Rest'n Trust MBBCS Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society NWPG Newbury Working Party Group NWDCT North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust PCAS Pocklington Canal Amenity Society RGT River Gipping Trust SCARS Sankey Canal Restoration Society SCCS Somersetshire Coal Canal Society SCS Stover Canal Society SNT Sleaford Navigation Trust SRL Stafford Riverway Link SORT Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust SUCS Shropshire Union Canal Society TMCA Thames & Medway Canal Association WACT Wey & Arun Canal Trust WAT Wendover Arm Trust WBCT Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

navvies diary

Inland Waterways Association and other one-day working parties

Aug 25 Sat IWA Peterboro’ Horseways Channel: Horseways Lock and Channel. 10am-3pm Aug 28 Tue BCP/IWA Oxford Oxford Canal: Banbury Canal Partnership, 9am-1pm Aug 28 Tue IWA NSSC/BPT Burslem Arm: Luke St, Middleport, Stoke on Trent. 10am-3pm Every Sat IWA W. Country Bridgwater & Taunton Canal: Taunton area 10am-1:30pm Sep 2 Sun IWA Northants Northampton Arm: 10am-2pm. Painting, vegetation & litter Every Tue/Sat IWA W. Country Bridgwater & Taunton Canal: Bridgwater area 10am-1:30pm Sep 9 Sun IWA Lincs/SNT Sleaford Navigation: Various work on navigable section Sep 11 Tue IWA BBCW Staffs & Worcs Canal: Kidderminster. Plastics clearance, Br 17 Sep 13 Thu IWA NSSC/CUCT Uttoxeter Canal: Work party at Bridge 70, Crumpwood. 10am-3pm Sep 15 Sat IWA Chester Shropshire Union Canal: Chester area, painting & veg clearance. 10amSep 15 Sat IWA Manchester Venue T.B.C.: Greater Manchester area. Veg clearance, etc. 10amSep 18 Tue BCP/IWA Oxford Oxford Canal: Banbury Canal Partnership, 9am-1pm Sep 18 Tue IWA Northants Northampton Arm: 10am-2pm. Painting, vegetation & litter Sep 20 Thu IWA NSSC/TMCS Trent & Mersey Canal: Cheshire Locks. 10am-3pm. Meet at locks 47 Sep 25 Tue BCP/IWA Oxford Oxford Canal: Banbury Canal Partnership, 9am-1pm Sep 25 Tue IWA NSSC/BPT Burslem Arm: Luke St, Middleport, Stoke on Trent. 10am-3pm Oct 7 Sun IWA Northants Northampton Arm: 10am-2pm. Painting, vegetation & litter Oct 9 Tue IWA BBCW Staffs & Worcs Canal: Kidderminster. Plastics clearance, Br 17 Oct 11 Thu IWA NSSC/CUCT Uttoxeter Canal: Work party at Bridge 70, Crumpwood. 10am-3pm Oct 14 Sun IWA Lincs/SNT Sleaford Navigation: Various work on navigable section Oct 16 Tue BCP/IWA Oxford Oxford Canal: Banbury Canal Partnership, 9am-1pm Oct 16 Tue IWA Northants Northampton Arm: 10am-2pm. Painting, vegetation & litter Oct 18 Thu IWA NSSC/TMCS Trent & Mersey Canal: Cheshire Locks. 10am-3pm. Meet at locks 47 Oct 20 Sat IWA Chester Shropshire Union Canal: Chester area, painting & veg clearance. 10amOct 20 Sat IWA Manchester Venue T.B.C.: Greater Manchester area. Veg clearance, etc. 10amOct 23 Tue BCP/IWA Oxford Oxford Canal: Banbury Canal Partnership, 9am-1pm Oct 23 Tue IWA NSSC/BPT Burslem Arm: Luke St, Middleport, Stoke on Trent. 10am-3pm

IWA branch abbreviations BBCW = Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire; Other abbreviations: BCN = Banbury Canal Partnership BPT = Burslem Port trust; CUCT = Caldon TMCS = Trent & Mersey Canal Society; CRT = Canal & River Trust

Mobile groups' socials: The following groups hold regular social gatherings

London WRG: 7:30pm on Tues 11 days before dig at the 'Rose & Crown' Colombo Street, London NWPG: 7:30pm on 3rd Tue of month at the 'Hope Tap', West end of Friar St. Reading. page 26

IWA and partners

For WRG, canal societies and CRT working parties see previous pages

David Venn 01366-324102 david.venn@waterways.org.uk Colin Garnham-Edge bcpontheoxford@gmail.com Steve Wood 07976-805858 steve.wood@team.waterways.org.uk Steve Bulgin 07855-794256 stevebulgin@icloud.com Geoff Wood geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk Mike Slade 07977-263840 mike.slade@waterways.org.uk Chris or Steve Hayes 01522-689460 workparties@sleafordnavigation.co.uk David Struckett david.struckett@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976-805858 steve.wood@team.waterways.org.uk 4pm Jason Watts jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk 4pm 07710-554602 secretary@manchester-iwa.co.uk Colin Garnham-Edge bcpontheoxford@gmail.com Geoff Wood geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk John Lawson 07940-878923 john.lawson@waterways.org.uk Colin Garnham-Edge bcpontheoxford@gmail.com Steve Wood 07976-805858 steve.wood@team.waterways.org.uk Geoff Wood geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk David Struckett david.struckett@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976-805858 steve.wood@team.waterways.org.uk Chris or Steve Hayes 01522-689460 workparties@sleafordnavigation.co.uk Colin Garnham-Edge bcpontheoxford@gmail.com Geoff Wood geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk John Lawson 07940-878923 john.lawson@waterways.org.uk 4pm Jason Watts jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk 4pm 07710-554602 secretary@manchester-iwa.co.uk Colin Garnham-Edge bcpontheoxford@gmail.com Steve Wood 07976-805858 steve.wood@team.waterways.org.uk

MK = Milton Keynes; Mcr= Manchester; NSSC = North Staffs & South Cheshire & Uttoxeter Canal Society; RGT= River Gipping Trust; SNT = Sleaford Navigation Trust;

in pubs. Please phone to confirm dates and times

SE1 8DP. Contact Tim Lewis 07802-518094 Contact Phil Dray 07956-185305