IWA Chelmsford Branch Newsletter July 2013

CHELMSFORD B RA N C H N

e

w J

s u

l

l

e

y

2

t 0

1

t

e

r

3

Heybridge Towpath by Roy Chandler

Campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the Inland Waterways 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

1

Content From the Editor Branch Chairman Regional Chairman Essex Waterways Update Magazines Social Events

Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6

Social Meeting Update Hazel Blackwater Boats Just for Fun Branch Committee Harp Concert

Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 9 Page 10

From The Editor Your membership is very important. We need your continued support to the Chelmsford Branch and Inland Waterways Association but most importantly for the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation which is operated by the Inland Waterways Association’s subsidiary company, Essex Waterways Ltd. We would 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, the next closing contribution date is as follows Autumn 21/08/2013 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.

John G Carlaw

From Branch Chairman Before I retired, this time of year was probably the most frustrating. I would stand in a hot, stuffy classroom full of children, look out of the window at the glorious blue sky and dream boating! The most accurate description of that feeling can be found in “The Wind in the Willows”, in Ratty’s reverie, shortly after meeting Mole. There was a deep yearning that nothing could dispel until that magic moment when “Essex Girl” slipped her mooring and we were away.

I don;t know how many of you will already have had a boating holiday this year, or have one to come, but I do hope the weather was / will be kinder than seems to have been the case for most of the season. No longer having a boat is, for me, still very painful and there is still that ache to get afloat, but this is somewhat mitigated by meteorological conditions so far.

The weather might have had an effect on the number of members wanting to visit the tug “Portwey”, about which we had a talk earlier in the season. It was decided that too few had expressed an interest and so, unfortunately, the visit was cancelled. Other “extra-curricular activities” have been discussed in committee and it is hoped that you will be able to support them, as and when the time comes.

You might well be interested to know that we are in the IWA group taking part in a major consultation exercise, which will last until July 16th, regarding the location of a new Lower Thames crossing. Kent and E Sussex Branch is taking the lead, as it is most likely to be affected in several different ways. For more information on the internet, go to lowerthamescrossing@dft.gov.uk I look forward to seeing you all at the first meeting of the new season, on 10th September.

Molly Beard 2

Regional Chairman Summer is here at last and so far it looks as if we should have some good boating weather. Chelmsford Branch and Essex WRG are out and about looking after the Chelmer and Blackwater. The Navigation is looking better and better every year. I found out the other day that Essex Waterways has raised at least £3m from grants, donations, and works in kind for the maintenance of major structures and improvements since we took over running the Navigation. That is an incredible amount of money and is in no small part down to the hard work of Roy Chandler and he must be congratulated on this achievement.

On the 3rd of July we had the news that the government had decided to postpone the transfer of the Environment Agency Navigations to the Canal & River Trust. The Environment Minister Richard Benyon said that cuts to his Department’s budget in the Government Spending Review announced last week had led to economies having to be made which resulted in the transfer being unaffordable in 2015/16, as had originally been planned. This must be very bad news and we must now expect increasing prices and reduced maintenance on the Rivers Thames, Medway, Nene and Ouse.

One of the things I said I would do when I first started writing these notes was to explain what each part of the IWA did. I have to apologise for not doing much over the last couple of years but here goes with the next instalment. IWA has three layers, the branches, like your Chelmsford branch. The Regions, such as the London Region, which is a collection of branches, your branch is part of that region. At the top is the board of Trustees and a group of committees and limited companies that support them in running the Association for you. The Trustees are elected by you and have overall legal responsibility for the Association. They must by law ensure that the Association does what it was set up to do, the money held at all levels is used correctly and wisely and that we operate within the law. Look out for the Trustee election notices in Waterways. The Limited Companies allow us to do things like run the IWA shop and the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation without putting the Association at risk and to comply with the law. So what is my role? Perhaps the most important one is to keep you, through your branch committee, informed on what is going and to represent your view to the trustees and the national committees. I also represent the region to outside organisations, like the Canal & River Trust, where we are talking about things that effect more than one branch’s area.

Although it is high summer we need to start planning for winter. CRT has recently issued some mooring plans for boats without a home mooring. You may find these interesting as London has the largest concentration of these boats. Have a look at them they are at http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/mooring/winter-moorings.

Generally trying to move towards a solution to the mooring problems in London is painfully slow. I had a meeting with CRT to discuss the problem of mooring on Lock Landings in central London and whilst we agreed a way forward nothing has materialised yet. I have also been talking to members of the Greater London Authority who are now looking into the effects of the number of boats in the area. It will be interesting to see what comes out of that conversation.

Finally don’t forget that this year’s National Festival is in our patch at Watford. I understand there will be buses from Watford Underground to the site. I will be there and look forward to meeting you if you can come and support us.

Paul Strudwick

3

Essex Waterways Update Towpath The last Newsletter reported that Essex County Council had commenced informal surfacing of the towpath at Heybridge following preparatory work by Essex Waterways Ltd. and Waterway Recovery Group. This has now been completed from Heybridge Basin to Black Bridge at Heybridge where it connects with the existing footpath cycleway network into the Elms Farm housing area and park. This section of the towpath is a designated Bridleway upon which horse riding and cycling is allowed and Maldon District Council have for many years encouraged its use as part of a recreational route connecting Heybridge Basin with Heybridge and the recent adjoining housing developments. It also features as part of the route of both The Maldon Maritime Trail and The North Blackwater Trail walking routes promoted by the Council. See front cover photograph.

In February Countryside Properties held a series of workshops at Sandford Mill, Chelmsford to encourage local participation and involvement in working towards long-term sustainable uses for land in their ownership between Chelmer Village Way and the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. These involved both stakeholders and the local community and over 200 people attended. A full report of the event can be found on the website: www.chelmervillagepark.com together with an Executive Summary.

Whilst there was no overall consensus across all the sessions, there were key recurring themes raised at the workshops.

These included the problems of muddy footpaths and the potential for low key improvements to these. As a result of this, Essex County Council has provided materials for informal surfacing of the towpath between Sandford Lock and Bundocks Bridge and Chelmsford City Council offered a grant of £2,500 towards the work. Essex Waterways’ volunteers have carried this out and the surfacing work has continued a short distance upstream beyond Bundocks Bridge. With the nearby housing areas at Chelmer Village, Great Baddow and Chelmsford, this is a well used part of the local footpath network providing recreation opportunities.

Paper Mill facilities Whilst excavations for the new toilet facilities at the North Bank moorings at Paper Mill Lock commenced late last year, work had to be stopped due to the saturated ground conditions. Digging a deep hole to receive a large silage tank in close proximity to the water edge posed too much of a risk to the stability of the bank. Conditions have improved and it has been possible to install the tank which will be used as the foundations for the new building. This will provide two toilets and a sluice area. The building will be finished in black weatherboarding and have a slate roof and will be very similar in appearance to the existing store building.

Barnes Lock The programme of lock repairs on The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation for 2013 was subject to re-arrangement when boaters reported difficulties in passing through Barnes Lock. Investigation revealed that the condition of the bottom gate cill was allowing water to leak to such an extent that operating the gates was extremely difficult. The lock was therefore closed to navigation for three weeks to allow dams to be installed and the bottom cill replacement. Extensive repair work was also carried out to the bottom gates together with overhaul of the top gates, paddle replacement and dredging.

The lock repair programme for 2013 includes cill repairs at Little Baddow Lock and Paper Mill Lock, and new bottom gates at Hoe Mill Lock. Bank piling work will also be undertaken to the upper landing stages at Hoe Mill Lock and between Paper Mill Lock and the downstream road bridge.

See following page for photographs

Roy Chandler

4

Sandford Towpath EWL Volunteers

Paper Mill silage tank placement

Barnes Lock gate overhaul

Magazines I have for disposal complete sets of "Waterways World" magazine for years 2000/2010 with index for most and also years 1995/7. These are destined for re-cycling unless a better use can be found. If a note were in next Branch News to the effect that "free to good home but donation to Branch funds appreciated if possible" - I will hold these back from 'The Tip' till any replies might be possible. Is this a possibility. Buyer would collect from CM9 or I can deliver for fuel cost, any options considered. Tel 01621 892556.

Regards.

A.D.Culley. (Member IWA Chelmsford Branch)

5

Social Events The Chelmsford branch of the IWA starts its new season of social events on September 12th, at our usual venue Moulsham Mill, Chelmsford.

We welcome all members, and guests, and hope you enjoy meeting with others, listening to our variety of speakers, and hearing updates from our local waterways.

We would remind you that we have to cover hall expenses, so donations on the night are gratefully received.

To tempt you further, we offer tea, coffee, or squash - and home made cakes, for the small charge of 50p Sept 12th John Dodwell of Canal and River Trust will be updating us on current developments, John has asked that if you have any specific subjects you would like him to cover in his talk, or any questions you already know you would like to ask, then it would be helpful to him to be aware of these in advance, so he can be more fully prepared.

The simplest way to do this would be to e mail Jean.Maxwell@waterways.org.uk and she will pass these on to John Oct 10th Kenneth Templey of Canalability will be speaking to us about this charity, which provides canal boat holidays to disabled and disadvantaged people in their specially converted boats Nov 14th Jimmy Lawrence a welcome return to hear Part 2 of his entertaining talk Dec 12th Tony Plunket will be joining us at our Christmas social to show a DVD on the Diamond Jubilee – strongly recommended by those who have seen it already Jan 9th Craig Haslam will be talking about the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee plus other events Feb 13th Dr Phillipa Noon, the River Manager of Conservations of River Cam will be talking about her work Mar 13th AGM plus speaker Les Etherridge (currently IWA National Chairman) Apr TBC May 8th Tim Whitlock will be talking about Canal Art June TBC We do hope to see you at these meetings

6

Social Meeting Update May 9th It was a pleasure to welcome Tim Coghlan, the Managing Director of Braunston Marina, and well known for his involvement with the Braunston Rally and Canal Festival. His talk was on ‘Evelyn’s War – the recently discovered 1943 Diary of Evelyn Hunt, an Idle Woman’.

Tim had recently been to Tasmania, and there had been filmed by The Australian Broadcasting Company. He was able to show us video scenes of his interview with Audrey, the last survivor of three women, which we then heard more about as he continued the story, interspersing photos with extracts from the diary. This really made the events come to life – a story of essential work carried out by women on working narrow boats during the war. Under these hard conditions the young women displayed astounding light heartedness and demonstrated what amazing women they were.

Many thanks to Adam for sorting the IT! And Chris and Stephanie for cakes and tea making!

Do join us again in September, we have a full program of social events, same time (7.45pm for 8), same place (Moulsham Mill, Chelmsford). Further details can be found on the IWA web site Jean Maxwell

Hazel”, A “Grease Sandwich”, “Side Slip” and Ceilidh.

The 3rd May was always going to be a big day. It was the first time that Hazel had “gone public” since the start of her restoration in June 2011. It was the hard evidence needed to reassure the local authority that their generous grant was being well spent and it was testament to the faith put in her by our Hazel Sponsors. .......so not surprisingly there was growing tension as the day of her launch approached.

Apart from completing the boat on time, there was an awful lot more to do, invite the dignitaries, (including the Civic Mayor), alert the press, ensure that our partners were informed, write to the Hazel Sponsors, publicize the launch and the Ceilidh ,articles for Staly Mag and Old Forge Furniture, sell tickets for the Ceilidh, arrange for evening food, book the band and the comedy act, agree car parking arrangements, get maps of the evening venue, print a new stock of Hazel leaflets, find the Hazel T shirts, dust down the information boards, find the “Give Hazel a New Life” banner, find a PA system, ensure that a video was taken and a photographer was on hand, erect a podium and safety fencing for the dignitaries, crowd control on the towpath, “tidy” the Heritage Boatyard, elect the launch party and agree a Health and Safety Plan....................oh, and don’t forget the ceremonial bottle for the smashing of ! .................and that’s before the job of jacking Hazel onto beams for her traditional sideways slip into “the cut”............and then there were the odd surprises like the beautiful Heritage Boatyard sign board made by a kind and skilled volunteer out of an old wooden bed head, and the cake and “bubbly” for the hard working volunteers, post launch.

Make no mistake, this was a good team at work! There was a calm determination amongst everyone to make sure that this would be a day to remember. There was talk of inviting TV and getting Hazel on to the One Show. But the Trustees declined to take the idea forward, not because they didn't want publicity, but because a TV film crew would want to take over; we would be at their beck and call on the day, the timetable would have gone to pot; they would have had us running ragged to meet their every whim, bless ‘em. No ! this day was about Hazel and those who had laboured on her behalf. It was a local, home grown affair, done the way WCBS do things...... with an extra large dollop of uncertainty !........... but an instinct that knows “it will be all right on the night”.

Pictures By Steve Riley The day dawned fair, according to the script. Rumour had it that a certain Boatman had been at the yard since 6am, “thinking it through”. By 10am Hazel had been jacked up to the critical angle, astride three sets of double beams.

Between the beams and Hazel’s bottom boards were two sheets of metal with grease in between – the “grease sandwich” which would act as the “sledge” for Hazel’s dash back to water. Bow and stern had restraining warps and on the canal side, she was “pit propped”. All was ready, and so, Hazel’s big day drew to a close. It was a great occasion and made possible by so many contributions, from so many different quarters. It was Wooden Canal Boat Society at its best.

Hazel has put down an early marker.

Nick Lowther ( Trustee and Volunteer )

7

Blackwater Boats Bumblebee Cottage Boxted Road Colchester, Essex. CO4 5HF www.blackwater-boats.co.uk ron.blackwaterboats@btinternet.com

Tel 01206 853282 or 07802 514400

22nd April 2013

New boat for Essex river cruises A NEW boat that can accommodate wheelchair users and other people with disabilities or mobility problems is being introduced by Blackwater Boats for trips and longer charters on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, near Chelmsford.

Official Boat Naming and Launch Trips taking place 2pm on Sunday 28th April.

Called ‘Blackwater Dawn’, the traditional style wide-beam river boat, with open views from the covered forward deck, will be fully operational from May 2013.

Wider than the previous ‘Blackwater Rose’ Narrowboat it now replaces, it includes galley facilities, a large toilet compartment and a platform lift - enabling safe and easy access for older people, and those with a disability.

Owner Ron Abbott, who runs Blackwater Boats with wife Judith, said: "We have wanted to cater for a wider range of passengers for a while and our new vessel allows us to do that. Many more people can now experience a river cruise, with all its scenery, wildlife and other sights and sounds.”

Blackwater Boats have been offering trips and charters on the Chelmer and Blackwater for rivers the past ten years from Sandford Lock, near Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, Essex. Prior to that the proprietors spent another ten years operating holiday hire boats from the same location.

Charters offered range from two to six-hours which allows for either a short trip or a longer cruise through locks before returning to Sandford Lock. Prices range from £5.50 per adult for a one-hour trip to £190 for a six-hour cruise for up to 12 people.

Mr Abbott added: “Previous charters have included birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Guests can bring aboard their own refreshments to enjoy during the river cruise, perhaps stopping for a riverside picnic, or be taken to a convenient landing place to visit a local pub or restaurant.”

Photo images and brochure attached. For further information please contact: Ron Abbott 01206 853282 (Home) or Mobile 07802514400 email; ron.blackwaterboats@btinternet.com

8

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) 8

9

3

1 2

4

7

6

5

6

4

2

1

3 5

4 5 1

6

3

1

4

9

5

3

7

3 4

2

9

1

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:

Chairperson

molly.beard@wareways.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

Jean Maxwell:

Social and Fundraising.

Jean.maxwell@waterways.org.uk

Kirsten Smith:

Youth.

None

Adam Wyllie:

Branch Web Editor.

Adam.wyllie@waterways.org

9

Eileen Cannom Presents _f!\ light classical Harp Concert Performed by Kirsten Smith

On Saturday

io" August

2013

At Maldon United Reformed [hurch, Market Hill NIIaldon Ipm until 2pm Refreshments from 12.30pm Free, Donations to Inland Waterways Kindl짜 sponsored by

Jewell Motor Company, Ford Specialist, The Causeway, Maldon

10