IWA Chelmsford Branch Newsletter April 2016

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Excess Water at Paper Mill Lock by Roy Chandler

Disclaimer: The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this Newsletter but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed herein may be construed as policy or official announcement unless stated otherwise. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in the Newsletter

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Content From the Editor From the Chairman New Cut Update 1 Essex WRG Mid week Working Parties Excel London Boat Show Safety First New Cut Update 2 London Canal Museum Essex Waterways Update

Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10

Photos Canal Camp Press Release Award for Roy Chandler Work Parties Social Information New Venue Map Just for Fun Branch Committee

Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 19

From The Editor The year is slowly ticking by and with the clocks springing forward lets all look forward to days of activities and evening strolls along the tow path. Volunteers at the Canal Camp and Working Parties have continued in their efforts to improve and make safe the tow path and waterway, so please take every opportunity to use and share with friends and family.

We would still like to increase our contributors to this Newsletter. Please make time to look out your photos, articles and ideas and send them in for our next Newsletter: Last inputs for Summer Newsletter 21/06/2016. Tell us about your own waterway experiences, your holiday or send in Readers Photos.

For those on e-mail please send your input to chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk Those without just give me a call to arrange for collection. 07837 576464.

From The Chairman It was my great pleasure, shortly before the AGM, to let the Committee know that the Mayor of Chelmsford's Award for Outstanding Voluntary Service was this year won by Roy Chandler.

Unfortunately, it all had to be kept under wraps, especially from Roy himself, until after the presentation and I was unable to make a proper announcement at the AGM, just a few days before. I'm sure you will join with me in heartiest congratulations to Roy. As usual, the business of the AGM was dealt with in quite a short time. Because the committee number is still below the maximum set some years ago and all were prepared to continue, all were returned. At the same time, I am looking to find my successor as Chairman - someone who will bring fresh blood, new ideas and greater energy to the job. IT MIGHT BE YOU! Adam has been particularly busy of late, writing a Feasibility Report on the proposed new Cut for CRACL, the Chelmsford Rivers and Canal Link (see last Newsletter, p.14) The draft report is already very comprehensive and impressive but he is working to add more information and detailed costings.

Look out for Adam's articles in the Newsletter.

Next September, at the beginning of our new season following the summer break, we are moving from Moulsham Mill to the Galleywood Heritage Centre, which has better facilities, including proper disabled access. Please do continue to support our social evenings at Galleywood; Rebecca has put a lot of effort into finding such a venue and we are optimistic of its success.

Last year I reported on the fund-raising Triathlon which took place along the Navigation and I am pleased to say that another is to be held on the 25th September. I look forward to hearing that we have a lot of volunteers from the Branch to help getting set up, marshalling, recording and clearing up at the end of the day. Last year was thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile and, with the experience, this year's should be even better, so do join in.

Molly Beard 2

Chelmsford’s Waterways - The New Cut Update 1 Since my first update we have had two more meetings of CRACL (Chelmsford’s River and Canal Link).

The main area of our discussions so far has been around gathering the necessary information for us to move forward.

IWA have a restoration porttfolio and I have been given access to this. It contains reports and studies from other societies and trusts who are working on various restoration projects. From this I am hoping to identify key items to include in a report. This report would then contain information, covering different areas of the project to help provide a clear picture of the project and an idea of what can be achieved and how.

A lot of discussion has also been around the talk planned at the Essex Record Office and this was certainly a hot topic at our last meeting.

A logo has been agreed and I am just waiting on its circulation, so unfortunately can't provide it in this update, however those of you attending the talk at the ERO will be able to see it before the next newsletter.

I hope you all had a good Winter and hopefully Spring isn't too far away.

Adam Wylie

Essex WRG Working Party The first weekend in March saw another Essex WRG working party; once again supported by a small contingent from the Branch on the Saturday. We assembled at Paper Mill Lock. Our job was to continue the towpath surfacing started by the WRG Canal Camp held two weeks earlier. But before we did that there were a few areas in which the road scalpings had been spread a little to thin.

I drew the short straw and had to get the Wacker Plate to site. This is a very useful item of plant, but SLOW. It moves at about a quarter of normal walking pace, and site was over a quarter of a mile away! The others took the wheelbarrows and tools.

There was a mountain of road scalpings. Wendy says she is not very good with wheelbarrows, so she opted for shovelling and kept it up for the whole weekend – often complaining if there was a delay in barrows returning for re-filling. There was a problem with some of the barrows with flat tyres, causing them to go out of service.

Although the forecast for the weekend was very poor, the actual weather wasn’t bad. We had two very short showers on the Saturday morning, and on the Sunday it was bright and sunny. It seemed like hundreds of people were out walking. The number was slightly exaggerated because most of them walked past us until they reached the end of the surfaced path and saw the mud ahead, at which point they turned and walked back.

The towpath has now been surfaced for about half the distance between Paper Mill Lock and Baddow Lock and there is still a large quantity of scalpings left. I wonder where we’ll be working on our June weekend!

Put the date in your diary Saturday 4th June and Sunday 5th June.

John Gale

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Mid Week Working Parties Since my last report we have helped plant several hundred willows at places all along the navigation.

We also seem to have spent quite a lot of time in the bottom of locks.

First of all we were in Baddow Lock where we continued with the cleaning and painting of the gates, and then after a couple of weeks gap into Paper Mill Lock. At Paper Mill there is a permanent audience as we are right outside the tea rooms. The old top gates were craned out, the new ones were craned in by the contractors who made the gates, and they also fitted a new top cill. The staff with our assistance are fitting a new wooden floor at the bottom end of the lock, a new bottom cill and renovating the bottom gates. At the time of writing this was still on going but it is intended to open the lock by Easter.

General Trimming and Pruning

Public Using the New Surfaced Towpath

Other jobs we have done? Well, when clearing up at Baddow we had a couple of days of bonfires, we have cleared back overhanging vegetation near Hoe Mill, and cleared the vegetation near Heybridge Cemetery where a canal side memorial bench is due to go.

The mowing season is now almost upon us – that’ll keep us busy for the next few months.

John Gale

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ExCel London Boar Show 2016 Tingdene Marinas gave us complimentary tickets for the Boat Show, so having never been there before we were looking forward to the day. The show is on for ten days, we went on the second Saturday and it was only one hour by car, we parked under ExCel which was very convenient for access into the show.

We walked along the Boulevard which has plenty to offer all tastes in the way of food and drink, before finding the entrance to the show. On entering the arena we were met by some impressive sights, all kinds of boats, some so massive it makes you wonder how they got them into the building. A lot of cruisers of all shapes, sizes and colours, there were also speed boats, inflatables, jet ski, yachts, sailing boats, mini catamarans, amphibious vehicles new & vintage, huge jacuzzis for the majestic cruisers - pure luxury. You can look inside a lot of the boats, but some you have to book an appointment for viewing.

The other half of the arena was filled with trade stands for everything 'boat'. IWA had a stand, among names such as Nauticalia, Vetus, Peachman, RYA, and a wide range of chandlery products, life jackets & safety clothing, shoes, navigation & electrical equipment, hardware & lighting, ropes, fenders, boat insulation, and companies offering holidays on cruisers.

In one corner of the arena was a massive pool for water demonstrations, such as motor powered paddle boards, underwater jet ski, how to cope with a capsised boat, how to inflate an emergency life raft,

kayaks and Zorbing balls.

There were also boats outside on the Quay but we ran out of time to explore. We ended the day on the Tingdene Marina display having complimentary drinks and canapes at the berth holders’ gathering, chatting to Tingdene representatives and fellow boaters. It was a fabulous day out.

Stephanie Mason

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Safety First - Kidde Fire Blanket Recall Kidde Safety Europe Ltd has identified a potential safety issue with regard to fire blankets sized 1m² which may impact upon the fire blankets’ effectiveness in the event of an oil pan fire. Kidde states that no reports of any adverse incidents have been received to date, however, testing of certain fire blankets has identified a risk that the affected fire blankets may not fully extinguish an oil pan fire and/or may allow the fire to re-ignite very soon after application of the fire blanket. Accordingly, a recall has been initiated on a precautionary basis to ensure end-user safety.

Kidde state that if you have one of the potentially affected fire blankets, you must not use it on any oil pan fire.

There is more information on the recall at www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk and any boater finding one of these products should remove the fire blanket and contact Kidde Safety Europe Ltd directly on Freephone number 0800 917 0722 to arrange a replacement fire blanket.

Kidde Safety Europe Director Andy Burnett said: ‘A new fully compliant Kidde branded 1.1 m² blanket, model FB1, has been introduced as a replacement product. ‘If anyone calls our free helpline, we will be able to talk them through how to recognise what blanket they have, or please email admin@kiddesafety.co.uk with any queries.’

BSS Manager, Graham Watts said: ‘It’s important that boaters and boating organisations pay attention to such product recalls and safety alerts’.

‘I urge everyone with a fire blanket, the very next time they are on the boat, to set aside five minutes and check their equipment against the information in the recall.’

The potentially affected fire blankets are 1m² in size and are identified by looking on the website. The fire blanket containers are labelled with the brand name “Kidde” or “Lifesaver” and are marked with the “Kitemark” symbol. The Kitemark Licence Number 35021 is also displayed on the container where marked below.

For help identifying affected fire blankets (images from Kidde Europe website) use the photographs below and if the container looks similar to those shown, contact Kidde using the Freephone number or email in the news release

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Safety First - lCense ‘Novacomet ‘LPG Regulator Recall Following extensive field sampling and tes6ng, Clesse Industries has taken the decision to implement a recall on its regulator product family BP1803 because of concerns about the poten6al of regulator failure in certain opera6onal and environmental condi6ons.

Used with propane and butane LPG cylinders, the recall involves all directly cylinder mounted, wall mounted single cylinder and two cylinder manual changeover versions manufactured between June 2010 and September 2015.

Clesse has provided support for anyone concerned with a dedicated website www.clessesafetyno6ce.com and a toll-­‐free recall helpline: 0800 088 5545.

If you suspect that the regulator you’ve checked is one of the products in the recall, and it falls within the specified dates, Clesse Industries asks that you register the details.

Following registra6on Clesse Industries will check the iden6fica6on, and if confirmed as a recalled product, Clesse states that it will process and supply replacement BP1803 regulators free of charge, as well as contribute to the cost of the product exchange that falls within this recall.

Graham WaSs added: ‘If you do need a replacement, when it arrives, have a suitably qualified registered gas engineer carry out the work, fit the new regulator and check the gas system is opera6ng safely, in order to avoid any risks to either you or your boat’s gas installa6on.

Also keep a note of your regulators age, BSS recommends replacement if it is over 10 years old whatever the make or model.

See www.boatsafetyscheme.org/boat-­‐examina6on/boats-­‐with-­‐gas/ for more gas related informa6on.

The recalled models requiring exchange will display “BP1803” (see Figure 2) and dates between June 2010 and September 2015 (see Figure 3).

Regulators displaying any other model number or dates ARE NOT part of the recall so please iden6fy the product on your system carefully

Figure 2

Figure 1 Figure 3

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Chelmsford’s Waterways - The New Cut Update 2 We had a very good turnout for the Essex Record Office meeting ‘The Future of Chelmsford’s Waterways and what we can learn from Bedford’. Feedback forms were handed to attendees as they arrived and the majority of forms handed back showed a huge support of improving Chelmsford’s rivers. The majority of these also said they were in favour of linking the rivers with the Navigation.

Before the main talk, a briefing session was held to highlight the benefits Chelmsford’s Waterways provide.

Invites to this were sent out to Councillors, stakeholders of the land around the ERO and the local press. This talk wasn’t as well attended by councillors as we would have liked but was well attended by the others that invitations were sent to. For the briefing session, Roy Chandler gave a very informative presentation on what has been done previously to improve Chelmsford’s Waterways and the benefits this has provided to the town. The presentation highlighted the restoration of Springfield Basin, the town being awarded the Waterways Renaissance Award, in recognition of its work on redeveloping Chelmsford’s Waterways and the hard work of volunteers have put in over the years to keep Chelmsford’s Waterways operational and able to be enjoyed by all.

It is a shame more councillors couldn’t attend the briefing session, as it would have been a helpful reminder to them of what can be achieved with the use of volunteers in regenerating the waterways, the knock on benefits this has and the recognition which having a waterway in the centre of a town or city and making use of these benefits can bring.

After the briefing these attendees were then given the opportunity to have a look at the various exhibition displays put up in the foyer. A collection of materials and handouts, including the CRT brochure ‘Water Adds Value’, were handed out that they could take away and read in further detail the benefits of waterways.

CRACL’s logo

Taylor Wimpey held a public consultation regarding their proposed development to the peninsula, titled ‘Chelmer Waterside’. Some of you may already know this name, as it was the name given to the scheme to regenerate this area of land, in the IWA Chelmsford Branch publication, ‘Springfield Basin... and Beyond’, which was written just over 30 years ago. CRACL members attended and in our CRACL meeting since, all agreed that the scheme is a very positive one for the area and will finally improve it. The developers have respected the proposed line of the New Cut, as their plans show no indication of housing etc being built on it’s route. A formal letter is being drafted to congratulate Taylor Wimpey and show recognition of their efforts to allow the New Cut to be realised. There is concern that this area could be used as an access road but it is hoped both could exist, if the road is necessary.

Overall, things are progressing in the right direction and it is hoped a report can be put together soon. This report can then be passed to councillors, stakeholders and any other interested parties to really give them an idea of what is planned and the means to achieve it. It will also contain the costs involved and how we intend to find the funding.

I hope you all have a nice spring and summer and hopefully I will have more news for you.

Adam Wyllie 8

London Canal Museum While my friend & I were in London for the theatre production 'The Railway Children' we took the opportunity to visit the London Canal Museum.

The museum is on two levels and has various canal displays and info boards, a DVD short film, and even an ice pit - the original use of the warehouse, it was very interesting and the museum curator was helpful with any questions.

We were able to go out the back door to the canal basin where there were moored narrowboats (and a cormorant). Visiting boats can moor at the museum but if staying overnight there is a fee.

Back inside there is a vending machine if you want a drink, and a small shop selling souvenirs, books, maps and many other canal related items. I did not leave empty handed, and it's all in a good cause!!

We were only there about one hour but it was well worth the visit and only ÂŁ4 admission; my friend had a 2 for 1 voucher which was even better!

Stephanie Mason

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Essex Waterways Update Little Baddow lock was reopened in early February after the replacement of the gate cills and overhaul of the gates. This allowed time to move downstream to Paper Mill Lock and prepare for the closure here for the replacement of the top gates and cills with the aim of this being complete before Easter.

The lock was closed to navigation at the beginning of March, the dams installed and the temporary footbridge placed over the lock to allow access to the island offices and moorings during the work. Essex Waterway’s DREDGER was used to install the dams enabling this to be done from the water thus avoiding the challenges of using land based plant in the restricted and busy space adjoining the Tea Rooms. Plant hire costs are also reduced by the use of EWL’s own plant.

Pumping out a lock chamber usually reveals an unknown. In this case it was known that the gate cills were in poor condition and would probably need complete replacement. The new oak timbers for these had been purchased and delivered at the start of the work. The need for complete replacement of the cills was confirmed as soon as they were exposed. The unknown in this case was the existence of a timber floor beneath the bottom gates and this was badly eroded with loose boards and missing sections.

Some locks on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation still retain these original features whilst in many they have been replaced with a concrete floor. These timber floors are relate to the area of the gate swing and can be at either the bottom or top gates, or both. The option of replacing the floor with concrete was considered but would be hampered by the continuing ingress of water from beneath. Detailed examination of the floor revealed that the supporting timbers were still in place and in good condition. The decision was made to repair the floor in the original manner, the correct procedure for dealing with this Grade II listed structure. It was possible to procure new green oak and have this sawn into planks and delivered to site within a few days.

Meanwhile the new top gates were delivered, old gates removed and new fitted using the lorry mounted crane.

This work was carried out by Hargreaves Foundry from Yorkshire in conjunction with EWL staff and was completed within three days including fitting new cills.

As this work progressed a close eye was kept on the river levels following overnight heavy rain. When the river level neared the top of the dam work in the lock was abandoned before the lock chamber flooded. The flood conditions resulted in the loss of three days work in the lock and also resulted in the need to lift and reseal the bottom dam.

Work was soon able to continue with the replacement of the timber floor, cleaning down and painting of the bottom gates and fitting of the new bottom cills and capping boards.

EWL staff was assisted by several of our regular volunteers during this work. During the stand down time it was possible to make and install a third new canoe rack for Paper Mill Island to meet the demand for canoe storage.

Needless to say even at this ‘quiet’ time of year there were many members of the public visiting the Tea Rooms and using the tow path who were keen to peer into the empty lock chamber and ask questions about the work.

Notices on the site fencing explained the work in progress and that the new gates are constructed in green oak to the original pattern and dimensions. EWL aims for a minimum life of 25 years for the gates with a mid-life overhaul, hence the replacement of one set and overhaul of the other.

This is the second set of new gates on the Navigation since last autumn when new bottom gates were installed at Ricketts Lock. It is also planned to replace the bottom gates at Hoe Mill Lock during the winter of 2016 which will also see the installation of a new caisson bottom gate and new top gates at Heybridge Basin Sea Lock.

Environment Agency Flood Defence Consent and Listed Building Consent from Chelmsford City Council have been received for a new pedestrian bridge to be constructed over the tail of Paper Mill Lock to improve access to the offices and moorings on the island. This will enable removal of the walkway currently attached to the bottom gates. Unfortunately the permissions were not received in time for the work to be carried out with the lock gate work. This will now take place in the autumn.

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Essex Waterways Update (cont) A138 Chelmer viaduct Work has been progressing well with the construction of the new Chelmer Road viaduct in Chelmsford and the structure is looking almost complete. It is planned to open this to traffic in April and remove the temporary haul bridge over the Navigation between April 11th– 15th. This will not require any closure to navigation. The original bridge will be demolished during May and this will involve a navigation closure for a week, but will avoid the Bank Holiday weekends.

Essex Waterways staff Graham Brown, Navigation Manager has left Essex Waterways and David Smart has been appointed as the new Manager and will be commencing his duties during April. David comes to us from a long term career with Essex Wildlife Trust where his recent role has been that of Reserve Manager at Abbotts Hall Farm as well as being responsible for numerous other EWT reserves. He has considerable experience in business, land management, projects and working with both staff and volunteers. We look forward to David joining our small but dedicated team.

Hugh Turner will be leaving Essex Waterways at the end of April. Hugh has been involved with the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation for many years having established Blackwater Boats in 1991 to operate a fleet of four hire cruisers which were sold some three years later. He then worked for the Navigation Company in various roles which included the operation of VICTORIA the Navigation trip boat. He continued his involvement with the Navigation when Essex Waterways Ltd took over the operation and maintenance in 2005 and joined EWL staff as Moorings and Fisheries Manager soon afterwards. During his time with EWL he also set up and ran the Essex Waterways Helmsman’s School where he was Chief Instructor.

After ten years of maintaining and operating the Navigation Essex Waterways is reassessing its organisation particularly in the light of carrying out major project work with its own staff.

It has therefore reluctantly made Hugh’s post redundant but wishes to thank him for all his involvement and work for IWA and Essex Waterways over the years.

Volunteers Throughout its ten years of operation of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Essex Waterways has been greatly assisted by volunteers who help with both regular maintenance work and with improvements. This extremely valuable help will continue to be important to our operation and will be further encouraged. To assist with this Iain Sanderson is to become our Volunteer Coordinator at Heybridge Basin and in liaison with the Lock Keeper will lead a team based there which will carry out tasks around the basin and up to Wave Bridge. There will be a whole range of tasks to suit all abilities which can be matched to volunteer’s own requirements and availability. Iain has volunteered on the Navigation for many years and is currently setting up this arrangement.

If you wish to join the team at Heybridge Basin please contact Iain on 07950 293656 Following the trial of this scheme, is proposed that similar teams may be established at the other mooring locations along the Navigation.

Roy Chandler

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Essex Waterways Update Photographs - Paper Mill Lock

Bottom Lock Gates Being Painted

Timber Floor Being Relaid

New Top Gates fitted

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Canal Camp February saw another Waterway Recovery Canal Camp on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation.

Accommodation for the week was on the HAYBAY barge at Heybridge Basin and our local hero Bob Crow was Camp Leader. There were sixteen volunteers, including from Poland and Sweden, many being ‘first timers’ and attending for their Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, along with a few regulars.

The project was to be work on the tow path above Paper Mill Lock where Essex Wildlife Trust had carried out bank repairs, pond clearance and erected a new footbridge last year.

Essex WRG had also undertaken vegetation management in this area before Christmas. This section of tow path is well used throughout the year and had become extremely muddy especially adjoining the new bridge where there was mud 200mm deep.

Before and After

The supply of road planings for tow path surfacing had been promised by Essex County Council Rights of Way. The week before the camp saw some frantic chasing to ensure that these would be delivered in time for the camp and arrangements made for their delivery to a nearby farm where the farmer would move all 180 tonnes over his farm track to the work site.

Delivery of plant which comprised a 5t excavator and three tracked skip loaders was on the prior Friday along with the EWL Avant loader and wacker plate. These were followed later in the week by the hire of a dumper as the distance between the planings pile and surfacing site became greater.

The Paper Mill RAIDER workboat was used to transport tools, some volunteers and the all important brew kit to the site. Work was soon underway with the draining of puddles and excavation of mud to allow the laying of the first surfacing and compacting of this. Priority was given to the areas adjoining the new footbridge and then working towards Paper Mill Lock. The path along the moorings had been surfaced previously, but as some of the surface had been eroded by flooding, this was topped up.

By the end of the week the path had been completed beyond the new footbridge and attention turned to moving the remainder of the planings off the farmland ready for future use.

Our Canal Camps are familiar with receiving many favourable comments from the passing public which is always surprised by the volunteer involvement and impressed by the improvements being carried out. This camp was no different, except there were suggestions that we should continue the surfacing up to the Boreham Bridge at Little Baddow. Our thanks go to WRG and their volunteers and especially to Bob for his efficient running of what was an enjoyable and productive camp.

Roy Chandler

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Press Release

PRESS RELEASE – 15 March 2016 Awards and Commendations for Outstanding Voluntary Contribution were presented to local people

by The Mayor of Chelmsford at Hylands on Monday.

Winner of the 2015 Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Voluntary Service was Roy E Chandler for volunteering with the Inland Waterways Association: Essex Waterways.

Nominator, Molly Beard said: “We are absolutely delighted. When the first Chairman of the charity died, Roy was appointed as Chairman and has been volunteering here full-time ever since. His love of the waterway and 100% commitment to the work is absolute!”

Lorraine Jarvis, Chelmsford Centre Supporting Voluntary Action said: “Chelmsford is a place where people give and give and keep on giving! These Awards shine the spotlight on the fantastic contribution volunteers make in this community.”

Highly Commended certificates were presented to: Michele Saich of Barrow Farm Riding for the Disabled, Colin Gooday of the learning disability charity Grapevine Essex and Samantha Tracey from Support4Sight.

A Commendation for excellence in support of local causes was presented to Barclays Chelmsford Corporate Branch and Fairey Associates were Commended for innovation.

- ends Notes: Centre Supporting Voluntary Action os the working name of local support and development charity Chemsford CVS www.chelmsfordcvs.org.uk The Chelmsford Award for Voluntary Service is supported by The Mayor of Chelmsford and was formed in 2014 to recognise outstanding contribution in volunteering by local people.

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Award for Roy Chandler On Monday 14th March Roy and Chris Chandler, Molly Beard and I accepted an invitation from the Chelmsford Centre for Voluntary Service to attend an award ceremony in the Grand Pavilion at Hylands House. Rather surprisingly, the “Grand Pavilion” was a tent! A large marquee which had a proper floor, heating and chandeliers, but it was still a tent. We were then offered teas, coffees and cakes – all very nice.

The event appeared to be the AGM of Chelmsford CVS. There was a long talk on what CVS had achieved locally and another by a representative of the Council for Voluntary Organisations outlining problems faced by Charities and Not –for-Profit Organisations. Following these the Mayor of Chelmsford was introduced and the awards part of the day started. After a few minor awards, we got to the highly commended with certificates awarded to Barrow Farm Riding for the Disabled, Grapevine Essex, and Support4Sight.

But the overall winner of the 2015 Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Voluntary Service was awarded to Roy Chandler for volunteering with IWA and Essex Waterways Ltd. Roy received a framed certificate and an engraved silver salver. Unfortunately he can’t keep the salver as it has to be handed back next year. We understand that Chris has won the job of keeping it polished!

John Gale

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Work Parties Early January saw a weekend visit to the C&BN from London Waterway Recovery Group and several old friends back on the Naviga6on. Once again using the HAYBAY accommoda6on and travelling to Paper Mill Lock on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday was spent moving logs off the island to the car park using the RAIDER workboat, levelling spoil from the sewage plant installa6on and laying woodchip. Meanwhile EWL Lengthsman Sam was busy in the workshop making a second canoe rack to go with the one that had previously been produced for the island.

On Sunday both canoe racks were erected on the island leaving space for an addi6onal rack for future expansion of the storage facili6es. We were not to know, at the 6me, that this would also be required within a maSer of weeks.

Word was put around that the logs were available to our volunteers and the large pile became no6ceably smaller during Sunday only to completely disappear on the Monday.

Our thanks once again to London WRG for some very useful work at a 6me when EWL staff are busy concentra6ng on lock refurbishment. We look forward to a revisit later in the year.

Essex Waterway Recovery Group has also been busy on the C&BN, see the separate report from John Gale.

Roy Chandler

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Social Information 14th April 2016 at Moulsham Mill Chelmsford Michael Taverner will join us from the National Coastwatch Institution – Southend Station Watchkeepers are the eyes and ears along the coast, keeping a visual watch, monitoring radio channels, using radar and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. They remain vigilant at all times. Surveillance work is mainly routine but watchkeepers are trained to act in an emergency, report and, if required, co-ordinate with the search and rescue services.

12th May 2016 at Moulsham Mill Chelmsford Mike Petty comes to talk to us about Cambridge and the Fenland Waterways

IMPORTANT NOTICE CHANGE OF VENUE FOR SOCIAL EVENINGS FROM NEXT SEASON SEPTEMBER 2016 Our social meetings will move to The Galleywood Heritage Centre from September 2016 The Galleywood Heritage Centre, The Common, Galleywood Chelmsford Essex CM2 8TR

Why are we making this change?

Your committee have been concerned for some time about the access to the first floor at Moulsham Mill. As there is no lift this can be a problem for anyone who has a disability or mobility problem. We have been searching for a long time for a suitable room in the Chelmsford area at a reasonable cost, with car parking plus access to the hall via a slope or level surface with availability on our usual Thursday evenings. The Hall is bigger than Moulsham Mill and also has a good kitchen. Please tell your friends and bring along a visitor. We would like to make this move a great success. A full page map is enclosed in this issue. From the A12 use junction 16.

Rebbeca Loader

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Location of The Galleywood Heritage Centre

!"

To Chelmsford

St Michaels Church Keene Hall

Horse & Groom PH

Eagle PH

Stables Nursery

P

Heritage Centre

A12 Junction 16 London – Colchester

The Galleywood Heritage Centre, The Common, Galleywood Chelmsford Essex CM2 8TR

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Just For Fun SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3 x 3 block contains the numbers one to nine (1 - 9) 7

3

5

6

9 3

9

9

8

6

7 1

7

7 1

4 6

6 7

4 5

3

6

7

3

4

9 1

4

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Branch Committee If you have any topics or subject that you wish to bring to the committees attention please use the contact details below Molly Beard:

Chairman

molly.beard@waterways.org.uk

John Gale:

Vice Chairman & Treasurer.

24 Longleaf Drive, Braintree CM7 1XS

Paul Strudwick:

London Region Chairman.

Paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk

Chris Chandler:

Secretary.

Chris.chandler@waterways.org.uk

Roy Chandler:

Planning and Conservation.

Roy.chandler@waterways.org.uk

John Carlaw:

Newsletter and Membership.

Chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk John.carlaw@waterways.org.uk

Mike Huggett:

Publicity.

Mike.huggett@waterways.org.uk

Stephanie Mason:

Refreshments.

None

Kirsten Smith:

Youth.

None

Rebecca Loader

Social Secretary

rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk

Adam Wyllie:

Branch Web Editor.

Adam.wyllie@waterways.org.uk

IWA Chelmsford Web Address

http://www.waterways.org.uk/chelmsford

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