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Barge and Butty Stephanie Mason & John Grieve
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 The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Unit 16B First Floor, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham HP5 1WA 1
Content From The Editor From The Chairman From The Regional Chairman Easter at Tamworth IWA Membership Essex Waterways
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Chelmer Waterside Photos Social Update Just For Fun Branch Committee
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From The Editor Hope everyone has been making the most of the late summer weather we have been having. We still need you to dig out those photographs, write that article, document those waterway memories as we would still like to increase our contributors to the next Newsletter. Last inputs forWinter Newsletter 21/12/2023. For those on e-mail please send your input to chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk Those without just give me a call. 07837 576464. From The Chairman Hello everyone hope you are all keeping well and enjoying your waterways activities. At our September social we had a good number of people attend to hear Jonathan Swann, the Essex Waterways River Warden talk to us about his work on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation which was very interesting. Jonathan is trying to balance the needs of all the waterway user groups, Boaters, Anglers, Canoeists, Paddle Boarders, Swimmers, Walkers and most importantly not forgetting the Wildlife!! Jonathan explained the need for licenses to help maintain the waterways and how his approach is to work with people taking time and trouble to ensure they follow safety advice and consider others. If you see Jonathan out and about on the waterway, give him a cheery wave, he does a difficult job very well.
At the beginning of the meeting Molly Beard came along and handed over to me a very important piece of Branch history ‘The Gavel’. This was made by Roy Cox a previous Chair of the Chelmsford Branch in 2013 from I think a piece of recycled wood from Springfield Basin. I am not 100% on the recycled wood story although I should really know this as I was a member of the committee in those days. Molly was the Chair of the Chelmsford Branch for many many years, and we owe her a huge debt of thanks for leading us for so many years and for being a supportive friend to The Chelmer and Blackwater and The Inland Waterways Association. We hope to see you in the future Molly and wish you all best wishes. I am of course honored to be the custodian of the Gavel and be the official Chair from this year’s AGM. I have been Acting Chair for 2 – 3 years now and served on the committee in the late 90s as the Publicity Officer during the restoration of Springfield Basin. Rebecca Loader 2
From The Regional Chairman Have you signed the “Fund British Waterway’s” Petition? If not please go to our website https://waterways.org.uk/fund-britains-waterways where you will find a link to the petition. This is important as we need to demonstrate to government that people care about the waterways. If you have already signed, please encourage your friends and family to sign as well. Thank you. By the way, if you are confused by the two campaigns on funding the waterways we are running the difference is this; the “Protect our Waterway’s”, campaign is IWA’s campaign, whilst the “Fund British Waterway’s” campaign, is being run by a collection of waterway and other interests joining together under a single banner. Both campaigns are intended to put pressure on the government for better funding of the waterways. At the last count, the “Fund British Waterway’s” had over 90 organisations signed up! This year at the AGM, I was once again appointed as a Trustee of the Association. I am hoping that this will allow me to better represent you, the members, at the highest level of the Association, as well as furthering my commitment to widening the membership of the Association so that we are recognised as being a broad “church” representing not only the boating and heritage interests, but all other users such as walkers and casual visitors. You may have noticed that we have had five Chief Executive Officers (CEO) since our long-term CEO, Neil Edwards, retired. Phil Hornsey became CEO during the final year of the pandemic, and after just over a year he left to accept a new opportunity. Trustees then took the decision to appoint an interim CEO, while a longer-term appointment was finalised. Jonathan Smith, one of our members, stepped into that role until David Pearce was appointed. David Pearce left during his probationary period and Sarah Niblock was asked to take up the role on a part time basis. Sarah resigned, telling us the 3-day per week contract was not enough to deal with all that needed to be done, and her other professional commitments would not allow her to do any more. The board of Trustees, now recognises that they have been too ambitious in asking one person to undertake the role of CEO on a part time basis. Mike Wills, one of the trustees, is leading a small working group to review the immediate priorities of the Association and to make recommendations to the Trustees on the way forward by the end of the year. Finally, with the threat to the waterways from government cuts, the Association needs your help. If you have any skills that you feel could help us in our campaigns and would like to get involved please contact your branch chair, myself, or visit the volunteering page on our website. Paul Strudwick London Region Chair
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Easter at Tamworth Cruising Club 2023 We were having a combined Easter using our boat, and attending a Bond Bug Rally, based at Tamworth Cruising Club (TCC). On Tuesday after dropping the trailer containing our Bug off at TCC, we then drove to Brinklow to cruise back to Tamworth in our boat. It was a lovely sunny day with a cool breeze. Cruising up the Oxford Canal listening to the bird song, passing through the swing bridge at Rose Narrowboats, with the West Coast Main Line Railway alongside us and occasional high speed trains hurtling by, we soon passed under the busy M6, then on through Ansty, seeing a few fellow boaters about. My canal boat planter on the roof had been admired and was full of pansies, thanks to John. When we reached Hawkesbury Junction, we navigated the stop lock, passed under the junction bridge with it's white cast iron railings, and moored for the night. We enjoyed a lovely meal in The Greyhound Pub, it was a busy night for them, I was glad I had pre booked a table. The following day we noticed the HS2 building was progressing, by the time we descended Atherstone Locks (11) the spitting had become rain, and we were in full wet weather gear. Approaching Grendon Dock we were blocked by an adrift Historic Narrowboat, John was able to push it out of our way, but it was very heavy, fully loaded with wood, I phoned CRT to report it as there was no one at the Dock, and no answer to their phone number. We moored in Amington a pretty area, and enjoyed a chippy tea. On Thursday which was mostly dry, we didn't take long to descend Glascote Locks (2), and moor at Tamworth Cruising Club, catching up with several of the Bug Club Members. After lunch we drove back to Brinklow in our Bug to collect the 4x4, returning to Tamworth in convoy. In the evening we all gathered in the Club House for fun and games. Good Friday was a Bug Road Run in convoy (16 Bugs) to the Belfry, then on to Statfold Barn Railway Museum, a fabulous place to explore, well worth a visit if you are passing, it was a lovely sunny day too. After a BBQ we headed into the Club House and a quiz evening kept us entertained. On a sunny Saturday, the road run headed to Southam Antiques, after a wander, some purchases, a shared scone and coffee, we continued on to Shugborough Hall to spend some time, then back to the cruising club ready for the 'Club Supper', before a musical evening with The Mustard Band, they were great, there was also a raffle, and a Whisky bottle game - the nearest £1 coin to the bottle wins - and I won!! Easter Sunday and another lovely day, the Bug convoy went to the Buzzard Valley Vineyard and shops, with Artisan Market. Meeting back at the cruising club for a boat cruise using some members narrowboats/cruisers, and ours, the group boarded and we cruised to Fazeley Junction, mooring at the Pub for refreshments. Later a Bug Member launched his Pond Bug and let other members have a go at navigating it around the club waters, a bit of fun was had by them. In the evening it was back in the Bugs to go to The Red Lion in Hopwas, a canal side pub, where we had a fabulous Sunday Roast. Back at the club house it was cinema night - Elvis. On Easter Monday, a bit overcast and damp at times, the Bug convoy were off to Chugborough Sprint Course for a brief stop before going to Aldridge Transport Museum at Walsall. Another evening in the club house for fun and games.
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Easter at Tamworth Cruising Club 2023
With sunshine to start on Tuesday we drove the trailer with Bug back to Brinklow, then returned to the cruising club by prebooked taxi, for a morning of packing and goodbyes, the cruising club had been a fabulous host to our rally, and joined in with us. After lunch we started our cruise back, on reaching Atherstone Locks (11) the rain started! Mooring at the top for a chippy tea due to the late time. Luckily Wednesday was dry and brighter, just a bit windy, so we journeyed through Nuneaton and back round Hawkesbury Junction, arriving back on our pontoon mid afternoon, staying overnight on the boat. Heading home on Thursday, we reflected on a lovely Eastertime, using our boat as a floating hotel, and enjoying the social time with the Bond Bug Club, the best of both worlds. Stephanie Mason & John Grieve 5
IWA Membership Discounts
Valid 01.09.2023 Enjoy the Waterways Through Hire Boats and Leisure ABC Boat Hire - 15% discount on holidays (Direct Bookings Only) All Leisure Boating - 15% discount on holidays (Direct Bookings Only) CanalCruising.co.uk - 10% discount Canal Boat Magazine - 5 issues for £5.00 City Centre Cruises - 10% discount for Sunday lunch cruises Frangipani SUP Ltd - 10% discount Jenny Wren- 10% discount off cruises Roam & Roost Holidays – discount when booking direct online Wyvern Shipping Co. Ltd- 20% discount on published prices Eating Out Kings Lock Tearooms, Aylestone - 10% discount off food The Clifford Arms Pub, Great Haywood - 10% discount off food The Bounty Pub, Bourne End - 10% discount off food Better Value on Boats and Equipment Boatshed Grand Union - 10% discount on brokerage Calcutt Boats - 5% online discount Channelglaze Ltd. - 10% discount on double glazing Cotswold Outdoor - 10% discount IceGripper - 20% discount on ICETrekker Diamond Grip Kings Lock Chandlery - 5% discount (exclusions apply) Midland Chandlers - 5% discount in-store only RoadPro - 5% discount Willowbridge Marina - 10% discount on chandlery purchases and services in the yard Services Birmingham & Midland Marine Services - 10% discount on group bookings Forge Studio - 10% discount Harbour Clean - 10% discount Lee Sanitation - 10% on orders over £100 Paper Wizard - 15% discount River Canal Rescue - up to 15% discount Wavetrain Marine - 5% discount on selected training
For more information, including how to access the offers, visit https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-give/join/become-a-member/iwa-membershipdiscounts
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Essex Waterways Following the so called “heat wave” earlier in the year, July was rather a wash out on the Navigation with the weather deterring visitors. However, August and early September saw a return of visitors and a very busy Navigation including at the more difficult to reach locations. Here are some photos from Paper Mill, Beeleigh and Heybridge Basin. Roy Chandler
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Chelmer Waterside Update
Works are due to begin to construct a new access road and bridge for Chelmer Waterside. Planning permission was granted for a new bridge to be constructed in June 2021 and this will provide a key access route for the new neighbourhood. Over the next few weeks you will start to notice some changes in the area as the team starts with the construction work. This includes: Establishing site compounds in Baddow Road Car Park and the former Gas Works site (off Wharf Road). • Diverting some of the footpaths and cycleways that are necessary to create a safe construction site. Signage will be installed along the routes, which have been approved by Essex County Council. The dismantling and storage of the Bailey Bridge. A small section of the River Chelmer will be temporarily closed whilst this part of the work takes place. Site boards with emergency contact numbers will also be placed in the area. •
Details of diversion routes and the proposed river closure can be found on the link below: Waterside footpath and cycleway diversion routes You can watch a video of how the bridge will be constructed Access road and bridge video The completion of the access road and bridge is due in Spring 2025. Update received from Chelmsford City Council
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Photos of the Bailey Bridge
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Social Updates All Social Meetings Start time: 7.45pm for 8.00pm Refreshments including homemade cake Raffle Donation for entry and refreshments VENUE Galleywood Heritage Centre, J16 off the A12 The Common (Off Margaretting Road) Chelmsford Essex CM2 8TR Contact Details Rebecca Loader Chair and Social Secretary rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk 07817866392 (text preferred)
Thursday 9th November 2023 The Work of the River Roding Trust Paul Powesland Thursday 14th December 2023 Christmas Social bring and share buffet Musical Bingo Thursday 11th January 2024 NO MEETING
Thursday 8th February 2024 Michael Robarts will be speaking about Canoeing on the waterways of Essex.
Thursday 14th March 2024 AGM plus speaker to be advised. I hope you can join us. Rebecca Loader Social Secretary
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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) 2 9
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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 Rebecca Loader
Chairman & Social Secretary
rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk
Kirsten Smith
Vice Chair
Philip Cervini
Treasurer.
philip.cervini@waterways.org.uk.
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
Stephanie Mason: Refreshments.
None
Kirsten Smith
Youth.
None
Adam Wyllie:
Branch Web Editor.
Adam.wyllie@waterways.org.uk
IWA Chelmsford Web Address
http://www.waterways.org.uk/chelmsford
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