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Ellesmere Port National Waterways Museum By John G Carlaw
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: Island House, Moor House, Chesham HP5 1WA 1
Content From The Editor From The Chairman From The Regional Chairman Blackwater Boats IWA Recovery Group The Restoration of Susan
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Essex Waterways Update AGM Minutes Social Events Crick to Oxford Just For Fun Branch Committee
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From The Editor Having had the equinox, equality of night and day , with the sun passing the celestial equator and the days becoming longer, no more going to work in pitch darkness. I had a walk along the navigation and and it was so good to see the plants, leaves and shrubs pushing new life above ground. Time to get out an enjoy the tow path. 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 21/07/2019. 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 To all who were able to attend the AGM in March, thank you. We do our best not to prolong the business meeting and this year were rewarded afterwards by a really interesting and inspiring talk by a founder member of the West Mersea Branch of the RNLI, which has also been the subject of a recent series of television documentaries. At the same meeting, Paul Strudwick distributed pamphlets documenting "IWA's Vision for London" the result of some considerable consultations with waterway user groups, local authorities, CRT, fire brigades etc. There are obviously a number of identified problems building up on London's waterways and anybody who plans to go boating there for the first time should have sight of this pamphlet, in order to be forewarned and also to have the opportunity to give constructive suggestions where appropriate. Although the pamphlet does not cover the Chelmer & Blackwater, the Region committee wishes to maintain a list of remaining heritage sites, including sites around the C&BN, so, if you are aware of any sites or views that should be protected, let Paul Strudwick know about them. If you are interested in going on a dirty weekend or even a week or two, I have a copy of the Waterways Recovery Group's very attractive 2019 Canal Camps booklet, which details information about the dates, sites and work to be done. I'll bring it with me to meetings. Finally, I must acknowledge the kindness of two members of Kent & E. Sussex Branch, whom I have known for very many years. Knowing how much I miss "Essex Girl" these days, they invited me to crew for them on one of their cruises and I accepted immediately. Then, somewhat later, common sense got the better of me: I haven't wielded a windlass or even helmed a boat for so many years that I'd probably be more of a wobbly liability than a help and I had to change my mind - thank you, Angela and David. Molly Beard 2
From The Regional Chairman Spring is coming and the waterways are once again alive with the sounds of birds and boats moving along them. I hope you are able to get out and join us at some of the waterway events around London this year. Of course the success of these will depend on the weather so let’s hope for some good, not too hot, and with just enough rain to keep the canals and rivers navigable. Over recent years, there has been a large increase in the number of boats on London’s waterways and greater demands on the waterways corridor for leisure and commuting purposes. This is putting increasing stress on the infrastructure of London’s historic waterway system and leading to conflicts of interest between stakeholders. We believe there is a need for action to protect everyone’s enjoyment of this important asset and maintain it for future generations. London Region has, to help its campaign for a vibrant inland waterway system in London, produced its Vision For London. It sets out our ambition for waterways that meet the highest ecological standards for both habitat and pollution, and that are free of rubbish. It highlights various areas of concern, from the threat of non-native plants and animals, to the need to reduce the amount of plastic entering the London Canals and River Navigations. It suggests ways, we think, the waterways could be managed so that every boater who wishes to have a permanent mooring can find and afford one, and where all boaters can find suitable overnight moorings, while travelling around the waterways. Please have a look at it on our website at https://www.waterways.org.uk/branches_regions/london/pdfs/ vision_for_london Over the last few decades, much of Londons’ waterways heritage has been lost. To support branches in protecting the remaining heritage we have appointed a Region Heritage officer who will produce and maintain a list of remaining heritage objects (for example original lock furniture – hooks, bollards and capstans) across London Region including our C&BN. But he can’t do this on his own! He will need your help going out and about to identify where things are and reporting back. We will be writing to you soon to tell you more about how you can help. Finally, can I remind you that IWA’s premier event in London, Canalway Cavalcade, is over the weekend of the 4th to 6th May 2019. I know your branch is arranging a coach trip on the Sunday so why not just join us for a day. Alternatively just come by train, the nearest tube station is Paddington. It is a really great family day out. As always, we are looking for new volunteers to help us run Cavalcade. If you fancy dipping your toe into the water of volunteering, please contact the team via the on-line volunteer form which is on the IWA Cavalcade page of the IWA website, or email them at cavalcade.volunteer@waterways.org.uk Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Person Deputy National Chairman
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Blackwater Boats Blackwater Boats was first established on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation in 1991, originally comprising of four narrowboats, it was purchased by Ron and Judith Abbott in October 1994. The narrowboats were used for holiday and short break hire providing four berth accommodation, and self steer hire for up to eight people until they were sold in 2004. In 2001 narrowboat ‘Blackwater Rose’, previously used privately by Ron and Judith, was introduced after being extensively refitted to provide skippered trips and charters until 2012. ‘Blackwater Rose’ was replaced with a wide beam boat, ‘Blackwater Dawn’, equipped with a disability access platform lift and disability access toilet facilities. At the beginning of the year, following 25 years of trading, Ron and Judith announced that they wished to retire. ‘Blackwater Dawn’ has now been purchased by Essex Waterways Ltd who will retain her on the Navigation and run her as part of their Chelmer Cruises operation. She has already moved to Heybridge Basin where daily ticket trips will be offered from the Daisy Meadow car park Kiosk which is being re-furbished by Essex Waterways.
Chelmer Cruises other 12 person trip boat, ‘Albert’ is currently being re-furbished and re-painted and when finished will move to Paper Mill Lock to operate alongside ‘Victoria’. Response to our request for volunteers to skipper and crew the two smaller boats has been good, but we are still seeking volunteers who will be trained for the role with the assistance of Ron Abbott together with Del Bosworth our Boat Operations Manager. If you are interested in volunteering please contact The Navigation Manager, 07966 375351 or david.hewitt@waterways.org.uk For information on Chelmer Cruises trips and charters see: www.chelmercruises.co.uk email: victoria@waterways.org.uk or call 01245 226245 Roy Chandler
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IWA Waterway Recovery Group Carry on Camping. The IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) has released it’s programme of weeklong residential working holidays for 2019. This year WRG are running 23 Canal Camps across 13 different waterways that all need the support of up to 20 volunteers each week. In 2018, over 390 volunteers joined WRG up and down the country, to undertake 2262 volunteer days (18096 hours) restoring canals. If time had a value, that’s over £260,000 of labour costs! But of course the time and effort of all IWA and WRG volunteers is priceless. The aim of the Canal Camp programme is to support the admirable work of local canal restoration societies. Across all the Canal Camps in the UK, volunteers will have the chance to learn new skills, meet new people and get stuck into tasks such as restoring locks, re-lining canals, creating towpaths, removing vegetation and uncovering archaeological artefacts. Leading the way. Volunteers are the life blood that keeps WRG alive and each year over 90 volunteer leaders, assistants and cooks are needed. The leadership teams bring invaluable experience, passing down their knowledge and skills to the next generation of Canal Restoration volunteers. WRG’s leadership teams are responsible for making sure each canal camp is a fun-filled, enjoyable experience – they run the canal restoration site, organising social activities in the evenings, and ensure that everyone is still smiling by the end of the week! With support from IWA’s Technical Support Officer, Mikk Bradley, the leadership teams ensure each week is a well-planned, working closely with the host canal restoration society. Mike Palmer, Chair, Waterway Recovery Group, says, “We are looking for volunteers from all walks of life to help us with our canal restoration projects. In return for helping to preserve our industrial heritage and restoring our beloved canals, we can offer volunteers a fantastic chance to learn new skills such as bricklaying, restoring a flight of locks, building a new section of canal, or even rebuilding a bridge. It’s also a great opportunity to have fun and mix with different people who all share a common goal – to bring our waterways back to life.” Family Canal Camps 2019. The IWA recognises families would like to get involved with canal restoration and aims to provide an opportunity to introduce children to restoration work. By offering family volunteering the charity hopes to engage children from a young age and enable them to find out about canal restoration and heritage, working outdoors and learn new skills. The aim of family residential weekends are to introduce a new generation to the world of waterway restoration and maintenance. After three successful weekends and fantastic feedback in 2018, WRG has extended the programme for 2019 to cover three residential weekends for families. If you would like to book up a Camp in this area or further afield, please visit WRG’s website www.wrg.org.uk. Alternatively, you can call WRG head office on 01494 783453 ext 610, or email enquiries@wrg.org.uk.
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The Restoration of Susan
Susan is the only surviving wooden lighter from the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. She was also the first and only lighter to be fitted with an inboard engine. Her design is similar to that of the earlier horse drawn lighters which from 1797 carried a variety of commercial cargoes between Chelmsford and Heybridge Basin on the Blackwater estuary in Essex. Susan was built by R & J Prior of Burnham-on-Crouch in 1953 for Brown and Son Ltd. Timber Merchants of Chelmsford. She transported timber from the sea coast at Heybridge Basin near Maldon to Chelmsford, a distance of 14 miles. In 1972 all commercial traffic on the Navigation ceased and Susan was no longer required. Subsequently the Navigation Company acquired Susan for use as a maintenance boat but in 1976 they also decided that Susan was no longer required. The Chelmsford Branch of the Inland Waterways Association then purchased her to prevent her from being broken up. In the following years, she was owned by the Chelmer Lighter Preservation Society, Passmore Edwards Museum in West Ham and Chelmsford Borough Council Museums Service.
In 2002, it was discovered that Susan's main keel (keelson) was rotting and that other timbers needed to be replaced. Operation of the lighter was then suspended. Estimates were obtained for the work required to repair Susan but these were all considerably higher than the council could afford. As the council could not commit council tax money to repair a boat, they proposed to have Susan lifted out of the water and placed on a concrete base in the grounds of Sandford Mill. There was considerable opposition to the council's proposal. After many years of operating at Sandford Mill open days and at celebrations in Chelmsford, Susan had built up a considerable number of supporters, many of whom did not wish to see her relegated to a land based exhibit. She would be unlikely to receive adequate maintenance as there would be little incentive or money for this. Susan would be left to rot away.
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The Restoration of Susan (cont)
As a result of the opposition to their proposal, the council then agreed to setting up a charitable trust with the aim of restoring Susan to working order. A registered charity would be able to access funds not available to a local council. The Susan Trust was established in July 2005. In February 2006 the ownership of Susan was transferred to The Susan Trust together with a cheque for £25,000 to start the fundraising. The Hand Over Ceremony was attended by Lord Petre, Patron of The Susan Trust, Councillor Kingsley, Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Whitehead, Leader of Chelmsford Council, other Borough Councillors and members of the public. Fundraising commenced and grants were received from Essex County Council, Essex Heritage Trust and the Augustine Courtauld Trust but then the country entered a period of recession and fund raising became more difficult. In 2009, an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund was refused because lottery money was being borrowed to finance the construction of the Olympic Park at Stratford. By this time, the rot in Susan's keel was becoming more serious and the trustees agreed to get Susan into a dry dock and have the main keel replaced. Three boatbuilders gave written estimates for the work required to bring Susan back to good working order and from these the St Osyth Boatyard was chosen because it has the best facilities and also has an excellent reputation for the restoration of wooden boats. It also has space to store Susan should work have to be halted because of a shortage of money. Susan was towed to the St Osyth Boatyard at the end of May 2010. The first stage of her journey was from Sandford Mill to Heybridge Basin and this took ten hours as it involved passing through nine locks. As Susan completely fills the lock chambers, the towing boat had to be taken through each lock first. The locks were then refilled, Susan pulled through manually and the locks refilled. On reaching Heybridge Basin, Susan was moored in the chamber of the sea lock and her pumps were connected to an electricity supply. The following day, as the weather forecast was good and the sea was calm, the boatbuilder brought his towing boat to Heybridge Basin. At high tide the lock gates were opened and Susan was towed out to sea. She was towed down the Blackwater estuary, past Mersea Island and Brightlingsea to St Osyth, a journey of about twenty miles. Susan went into the dry dock where her main keel was replaced as a matter of urgency in order to prevent possible structural damage to her frame. She was removed from the dry dock and moored on a mud bank in the boatyard until sufficient money could be raised to continue with the restoration. Fundraising continued but it was becoming increasingly difficult because grant giving trusts were favouring social welfare work in preference to heritage projects. A change in government legislation did not help either because registered charities were no longer allowed to reclaim the VAT which they had paid. This increased the cost of restoration by at least 20% or £30,000. Further grants were received from Essex County Council, Essex Heritage Trust and National Historic Ships. Very generous donations were received from the Chelmer Canal Trust and from the Chelmsford Branch of the Inland Waterways Association and by the summer of 2013 sufficient money had been raised to re-plank the hull. Susan went into the dry dock again in September 2013 for the hull to be re-planked but removal of some of the existing planks revealed that many of the ribs and upstands had started to rot and needed to be replaced. Rotten ribs and upstands were replaced and the frame made strong and rigid but it had cost over £30,000 which left insufficient money available to re-plank the hull. Work was halted again and Susan had to remain in the dry dock. 8
The Restoration of Susan (cont)
A grant was received from the Arts Council (PRISM Fund) and additional grants were received from Essex County Council and Essex Heritage Trust. In November 2015, work commenced on re-planking the hull. Susan's hull is curved from stem to stern and in order to obtain even curves along the sides of the boat, extra long planks were needed. These were obtained from a timber merchant in Grimsby. The Susan Trust had to buy trees (from sustainable sources) which were then cut into planks using a horizontal band saw and delivered to the boatyard at St Osyth. The largest tree purchased was 9.6 metres (31 feet) long and cost ÂŁ9,000 (including VAT). Three other trees were purchased but these were shorter and cost about ÂŁ5,000 each. All the planks along the sides of the hull are curved and had to be steamed in order to bend them to the shape of the hull. Each plank was inserted into a long plastic tube and steam was blown in from both ends for several hours. The plank, still in the tube, was then positioned on the hull and clamped to the framework. The clamps were gradually tightened until the plank was touching all the upstands. The plank was then left for several days to harden. The clamps were then removed, the plastic tube was cut away and the plank finally bolted and nailed in position. The re-planking of the sides of the hull was completed in April 2017 but it had cost considerably more than the estimate. Work was halted again until additional funding could be arranged. Grants were received from The Pilgrim Trust, Essex County Council and the Co-operative Bank. Re-planking the bottom of the hull commenced in April 2018 and is now nearing completion. The transom is in good condition and will not be replaced. Work still to be completed is the re-planking of the propeller tunnel, replacement of the capping on the gunwales, provision of the floor and the re-installation of the engine and steering gear. The final task is to design and arrange for the construction of a cover to protect Susan when not in use. This cover should hopefully be used to display exhibitions and give information about the history of Susan and the Navigation. If this is not possible, then a separate display will need to be constructed.
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The Restoration of Susan (cont)
The Susan Trust has raised in excess of £151,000 and of this has spent £130,400 as follows :£85,000 has been paid to the boatbuilders £32,000 for the purchase of timber. £4,000 for bolts and spikes (nails) £7,700 for insurance £1,700 for printing and publicity The aim of The Susan Trust is to restore Susan to working order and this requires that all rotten timber must be replaced with the inevitable loss of some of the original material. This is regarded as acceptable if the replacement of the original is carried out over a number of years. The boat continues to exist and is operational. In Susan's case, her main keel was replaced in 1984 and the transom soon after. The capping on the gunwales was replaced in 2002. Susan is in good company because Victory, Discovery and the Cutty Sark have all been restored in a similar way. Susan is well on the way to full restoration and when complete, she will return to her base at Sandford Mill. The Susan Trusts’ volunteers will operate Susan to give trips along the Navigation. A trip in a historic lighter along a 220 year old Navigation in a conservation area must be a tourist attraction. The revenue from these trips will go towards the ongoing maintenance of the boat.
With re-planking of the bottom nearing completion, the Trust is urgently seeking funds to continue and complete the restoration and thus avoid having to cease work once again. Ceasing work results in loss of the boat-builders to other projects and subsequent delays while new available boat-builders are sought. Hire charges still have to be paid for the dry dock whilst no work is going on. Estimates for the final work are currently being reassessed and it would appear that a further £66,000 will be required to complete the boat building work. If you wish to donate to the restoration and help bring Susan back to operate on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigations please see: www.localgiving.org/susantrust or post to: The Treasurer, The Susan Trust, c/o 143 Linnet Drive, Chelmsford, CM2 8AQ David Goodridge and Roy Chandler , The Susan Trust
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Essex Waterways Update January saw a weekend visit from Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) Forestry who carried out tree work in front of Wave Court, adjoining Wave Bridge at Heybridge. Residents here had requested major work to the trees which were blocking light to their property and the necessary consents were in place. Volunteers with this specialist WRG team have tree felling and tree climbing qualifications thus enabling them to carry out this work for us. They also removed upper branches from willows at Heybridge Basin in preparation for our willow contractors to fell these for cricket bat manufacture. London WRG also visited on the same weekend and worked at Paper Mill Lock. Here they repaired tow path fencing below the lock, re-surfaced the adjoining tow path, cut the roadside hedge in the car park and laid a new concrete path by the office.
In early February our new Navigation Manager, David Hewitt started work and soon saw that every day on the Navigation seems to see something different, from having to deal with a dead sheep above Paper Mill to arranging emergency work to carry out lock gate repairs following boat damage.
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Essex Waterways Update (cont)
Tree work continued in February with contractors undertaking a week of tree surgery at Hoe Mill where disease had been identified in the ash trees along the moorings. Further tree work was undertaken by our own team below Beeleigh Flood Lock in readiness for a start on dredging of the Long Pond the following week.
In addition to the above works, the team of staff and volunteers found time to carry out our annual willow planting, refurbish both the male and female toilets and showers at Heybridge Basin and improve paths at Paper Mill Lock. Work has now started to re-furbish the Kiosk at Daisy Meadow car park and rebuild the adjoining landing stages. Rushes Lock is scheduled for gate replacement at the end of March.
Roy Chandler
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AGM Minutes IWA CHELMSFORD BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 8.00 PM THURSDAY MARCH 14th 2019 The Galleywood Heritage Centre, The Common, Galleywood CM2 8TR
1) Apologies: Kirsten Smith, John Carlaw, and Jane Bowden 2) Approval of Minutes: Approved. 3) Matters Arising from the Minutes: None. 4) Report from the Chairman: Molly Beard reported that the Committee meets four times a year usually on the trip boat ‘Victoria’ at Paper Mill. Molly said that unfortunately the Membership and Memberships numbers were down again this year. This seemed to be the case with many societies. The Committee would like to see more Essex Waterways boaters joining IWA. However, numbers attending the Socials was increasing and this included members from the Ipswich Branch, which, was closing down. Everyone seemed to like the Galleywood venue and Rebecca’s programmes have been excellent. Meetings and trips out have been very successful and the ‘Victoria’ trip during April 2018 had a small increase of income over expenditure. Dennis Padfield produces posters for the Socials and other events which can be viewed on line as well as displays on his narrow boat. Dennis also notifies events on radio and TV and collects publicity material from Head Office to display at the Water Festival. Essex Waterways Ltd. Following the purchase of ‘Victoria’ there has been necessary replacements of equipment and the refurbishment is still on going. ‘Albert’, a twelve seater trip boat with disability access, was purchased last summer. During this winter the kiosk at Heybridge Basin has also been purchased and is currently being refurbished. Hopefully the trip boats will attract many visitors to the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. The work boat ’Dredger’ has had a new engine. Volunteer trip boat crews are needed for the coming season as well as volunteers to help the lengthsmen and weekday work groups. Major repairs have been undertaken on the wharf wall at Cressy Quay, Springfield Basin. Beeleigh Lock gates have been replaced. With the help of Roy Sutton, the IWA’s Consulting Engineer, the sluice at Little Baddow has been rebuilt
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AGM Minutes (cont) Lock gates at Rushes Lock are soon to be replaced. Molly said she was terribly proud of the achievement of Essex Waterways. David Smart, the Navigation Manager, has left to return to a new role with Essex Wildlife Trust and his excellent work with Essex Waterways will be missed. Head Office asked the Committee to state our Branch Objectives. We decided to ‘Promote IWA, Essex Waterways Ltd and The Chelmer and Blackwater’. As a Branch we are happy to welcome new Committee Members. Molly explained that a member does not necessarily have to attend all the meetings. Molly said it would be nice to spread the load and asked if there was anyone who would like to join the Committee. Finally, Molly thanked the whole Committee and others who help in so many different ways. 5) Report from IWA Trustee: Paul Strudwick said he wished to report on the new ‘IWA Vision for London’ and would do so after the presentation by the visiting speaker. 6) Presentation of Accounts: John Gale presented the Financial Statements for the year ending 31st December 2018. John explained various headings on the Income and Expenditure. On the Balance sheet he explained Current assets, Current liabilities, Net current assets and Net assets. Finally the Accumulated fund. There were no questions on the accounts. 7) Election of Committee Members. Molly explained that herself as well as Chris and Roy Chandler were up for re-election. Molly said all were happy to continue. There were no objections. 8) Questions from the Floor. Roy Chandler gave an Essex Waterways update to say that ‘Albert‘ will be operating from Paper Mill Lock and a newly acquired trip boat, ‘Blackwater Dawn’, would be providing trips from Heybridge Basin. Essex Waterways Ltd now had a Director on The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Co. Board and their registered office had been moved to the IWA Head Office at Chesham. The AGM finished at 8.15pm. After the Mersea Island Lifeboat presentation Paul Strudwick distributed copies of “IWA’s Vision for London” publication. He explained it was about moorings in London and IWA’s aspirations for a vibrant inland waterway. He said it was also about the visual impact on the waterscape, facilities, rubbish, invasive species and about the Inland Waterways itself.
Chris Chandler Chelmsford Branch Secretary
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Social Events 2019
Thursday April 11th 2019 Athina Beckett - The Buckingham Canal Society The Society is currently restoring the canal towards a navigable state and to provide wildlife habitats, cycle ways and routes for walkers along the restored towpath. The restored canal will re-establish a lost link in the national waterways network, and the project will be part of the green infrastructure of the region, creating connections between existing wildlife habitats and creating aquatic and wetland habitats for endangered species. Additionally, it will offer a potentially valuable tool for use alongside other flood management initiatives.
Thursday May 9th 2019 Adrian Wright - Railways to the Seaside An explanation of how railways and seaside holidays developed together and a look in more detail at ‘The Fenchurch Street to Southend Line’
All meetings will be held at The Galleywood Heritage Centre, The Common, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8TR. Time: 7.45pm for 8pm.
We welcome all members and non-members to the monthly socials, and appreciate a small donation on the door. We also offer tea, coffee, or squash along with homemade cake.
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Social Events 2019 (cont) Other Social Events We were hoping to visit JS Wright & Son (makers of Cricket Bats from Willow grown on the C &BN) at Gt Leighs but unfortunately due to the very stringent Health and Safety regulations they now have to adhere to they have ceased all tours of their Yard. One of the problems of opening out of working hours is the safety precautions they have to undertake, added to which unless the Yard is working it is not particularly interesting. The Directors have said how sorry they are about this as they have had a long association with the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation going back fifty-eight years.
Sunday 5th May 2019- IWA Canalway Cavalcade Little Venice Enjoy a day out with IWA Chelmsford Branch Join our coach trip to IWA Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice. https://www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/canalway_cavalcade/iwa_canalway_cavalcade Coach Only ÂŁ18
Leaving From Maldon - White Horse Lane Car Park
09:00am
Chelmsford - Moulsham Mill
09:30am
Brentwood - High Street
09:50am
Returning 06:00pm Festival is free entry, or explore local area. Please email our social secretary Rebecca Loader. rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk as soon as possible to book your place, arrange payment and pick up.
Visit to Boat builder / repairer We are hoping to make a visit to the workshop of Katie Cole in Southminster who repairs mainly fiberglass boats but sometimes wooden ones as well. This would be followed by lunch at possibly the Royal Corinthians Yacht club or another Burnham Restaurant. The visit is subject to Health and Safety approval / risk assessment / appropriate insurance cover from Head Office. More information to follow. Rebecca Loader Chelmsford Branch Social Secretary
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Crick to Oxford Many years ago we cruised down the Oxford Canal in a hire-boat as far as Thrupp, and thought it such a lovely route we planned to return one day and this day came in June 2018. Leaving Crick Marina we soon entered the somewhat 'wet' Crick Tunnel on the Grand Union Leicester Line. Next at Watford Locks we booked in with the Volunteer Lock Keeper and had to wait a while. The flight consists of a single lock, followed by four staircase locks and then two more single locks going down. We noticed through the hedgerow Watford Gap Services. Onwards we took a right turn at Norton Junction onto the main Grand Union Canal and soon navigated through Braunston Tunnel, then down the six double Braunston Locks and paired with another boater mooring for the night near Braunston Marina. The following morning we headed off turning left under Braunston Turn Bridges which is still part of the Grand Union Canal, then left again at Napton Junction onto the Oxford Canal. Watching Napton Windmill on the hill as we skirted around it and towards the nine single locks at Napton. We ascended with boats heading in both directions so the journey flowed well. Cruising onwards passing Priors Hardwick and Fenny Compton to moor at Claydon. While cruising we saw wild roses, honeysuckle, pink hawthorn, blackberry flowers, buttercups, purple vetch, reed mace, livestock, greenfinch, swallows, cygnets, ducklings, moorhens and young (such cute little black balls of fluff), and woodpeckers to name a few. Such a pleasure to see on this pretty and interesting route. Just as we prepared to leave the next morning three narrowboats appeared. So we joined the rear of the convoy, the 'trio' were travelling together, two single handers and one couple. One of the single handers had a Bichon Frise on board and could not believe it when he saw we had three. Proceeding down the five Claydon Locks one by one we had plenty of time to chat and help each other. The locks continued throughout the day and what a scorcher it was. At Cropredy I took photo's of the lock, cottage, bridge and boat from all angles as it is such a lovely setting. We stopped briefly at Cropredy Wharf (former coal wharf) for services, then moored opposite on the towpath side for lunch. Continuing on to Banbury we moored near the Tom Rolt Bridge where we saw the 'trio' already moored. The dogs loved the park alongside our mooring.
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Crick to Oxford (cont) The next day we went into Banbury to see Banbury Cross and the statue of the Lady on the Horse. We had a wander around the lovely town with some interesting buildings including the famous Lamprey's, and the nearby impressive church, before heading back via Tooley's Boatyard. Leaving Banbury we cruised some very rural areas, under lift bridges (open), seeing the M40 in the distance, and passing through intermittent locks including the Aynho Weir Lock. Which is diamond shaped and has a very shallow rise/fall, then mooring at Aynho after the lift bridge. We watched the trains passing on two tracks one above the other. We had a lovely meal at the nearby Western Arms, a good job I booked when we moored as we got the last table. We also said hello again to the 'trio' who were in the bar area.
When we left the next morning the 'trio' had already gone, we soon came upon a narrowboat adrift so we reported it to CRT as the boat was partly in the reeds so we were unable to stop, edging past it carefully, we noticed it's front rope was short and frayed. There was another photo opportunity at Somerton Deep Lock (12ft). A pretty setting, before arriving at Dashwoods Lock where the lower gates would not fully open. We were able to get out just, but phoned CRT again to report it, they answered "hello Stephanie" my number was registered from my earlier call.
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Crick to Oxford (cont) Onwards we shared some locks with a couple in a cruiser, as we were both short boats, Mr was having to do all the locks on his own so sharing with us made it easier for him. John ended up doing all the locks, but it worked well. The route took us onto the River Cherwell briefly between Blake's Lock and Shipton Weir Lock (another diamond lock) where we saw two beautiful low flying kites which were following a tractor mowing grass. At Thrupp the canal bends at a right angle with a lift bridge to open, soon after we moored near the Jolly Boatman Pub. With a dull, windy, drizzly start we headed off with more locks and lift bridges. Passing Dukes Cut which heads down to the Thames. Soon the day was hot and sunny, we cruised past a residential and conservation area, some of the bridges had fantastic painted murals of wildlife and canal scenes on them. Then at the fork junction where Isis Lock drops down to the Thames on the right, we headed left passing residential boats and on into the Oxford Basin where the canal terminates. Here we turned (max 30ft winding area) and moored on the limited visitor moorings. We were the only visiting boat. Having seen the 'trio' moored back near Isis Lock and as they walked to Oxford town passing our mooring they stopped to talk, in fact many walkers stopped to chat. Apparently it was rare for visiting boats to make these moorings - glad we are only 30ft. Eventually we set off into town which was only five minutes walk away, the buildings are fabulous and the camera was very busy. We had thoroughly enjoyed this lovely route and had time to help some Day boat hirers who got stuck trying to open one of the electric lift bridges. We saw many kingfishers, as well as a mix of our wonderful bird varieties, flowers filled the hedgerows and there were smells of elderflower everywhere. The weather had been mostly hot and sunny, breaking records in temperatures (we moored in the shade as much as possible). The Cleg flies (relative of horse fly) were a bother most of the time and they particularly liked me. The insect repellant did not always put them off. The trip brought back special memories of our previous journey, the Oxford Canal is one of my favourite routes. We will be back again. Stephanie Mason & John Grieve
Paddle Boarders on C & B N
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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) 8 4 7
7 6
9
7
9 8
2
6
8 1
1 6 4
5 2 2
3 3 9
2 5
5 8
6
7
5
8 3
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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@team.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
Dennis Padfield:
Publicity.
dennis.padfield@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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