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Paper Mill Lock by Angela Allen
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 distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA
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Content From the Editor From the Chairman From the Regional Chairman River Stour A Winter Day on the Wey Cavalcade Wendover Arm Trust Volunteers Wanted Salmarsh Coast Cotswolds & The River Severn
Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10
Basingstoke Canal Mid Week Working Parties Essex Waterways Update Victoria VIP Trip Afternoon on C & B Chelmsford River Festival Social Events New Trip Boat Just for Fun Branch Committee
Page 12 Page 15 Page 16 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 23 Page 23 Page 24 Page 24
From The Editor Having joined the retired fraternity at the beginning of this year, I have been making the most of my time enjoying the weather, riding my motorbike, bicycle (not at the same-time) and visiting the Navigation. Recently I was exposed to a video of the Navigation, look here https://youtu.be/ 8enZ8HSfYLs to see the full 14 miles. Well worth a look as it does show how good the Navigation is. 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 Autumn Newsletter 21/09/2018. 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 I hope you're having a good summer. Head Office has sent out a request for members to submit information about any missing or unsatisfactory facilities on CRT waters. It is hoped that the system can be brought up to standard, with good facilities a maximum of five hours' cruising apart. If, during your meanderings this summer, you have any issues with sanitary stations, water points, pump-out sites etc., do give details to Paul Strudwick or one of the committee members, so that the information can be passed on to H.O. Email or a written note handed over at the September social meeting would be ideal. In the past, I have mentioned the world's last sea-going paddle steamer, 'Waverley'. This year, between the 21st September and 7th October, she will be cruising in the Thames area, to and from London Tower Pier, Southend Pier, Clacton, Whitstable, Gravesend and points in between. This lovely ship is supported and maintained by volunteers, voluntary donations and, of course, the cruise fares. I recommend her. For information, see waverleyexcursions.co.uk or call 0141 243 2224. At the time of writing and, in the words of the Eton Boating Song, "jolly boating weather" is the order of the day. If you are boating it is to be hoped that the wet spring will have topped up aquifers and reservoirs sufficiently to maintain good water levels. Happy cruising! Molly Beard
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From The Regional Chairman With summer here I expect you will soon be getting out to enjoy the inland waterways whether by walking, cycling, angling or boating if you are not doing so already. This year we have moved our boat from Harlow where it has been for the last 11 years to a new mooring near Rugby. Later in the summer we hope to visit the Festival of Water at St Neots. We want to pick up a few more destinations towards the Silver Propeller Challenge on the way. The future of our inland waterways is by no means certain, with doubts about long term funding. In the same way that our local roads might look pretty good until we have a few hard winters, so lack of investment in our waterways will mean a gradual decline. In the near future the Canal & River Trust havs to renegotiate its government grant and the Environment Agency, which is responsible for the Thames amongst others, is challenged by budget constraints. Our association needs to be ready to fight to ensure both organisations succeed in negotiating adequate, long term funding for our waterways. Over recent years we have begun to understand more clearly how waterways can build and renew communities, through health and leisure, social cohesion and integration, regeneration, trade, heritage and tourism. This is why in London we need to really think about the role of our waterways. We see how attractive our canals and rivers are to people who want to live afloat and we must manage these desires alongside those of people who wish to enjoy them as visitors. One of our National campaigns at the moment is to improve the provision of Boaters’ Facilities. We are concerned that many navigation authorities are not meeting what we consider the minimum standard acceptable and failing to keep those facilities they have provided fully working. If, when you are out and about on the waterways this year you find a serious problem with a water point, rubbish and portable chemical toilet disposal point, or a pump-out facility, in addition to notifying the navigation authority, can you let Chesham office know so we can build up a national picture of the situation. In London the capacity of waste disposal facilities is insufficient to meet the demand and are not maintained to meet the needs of the number of boats that use them. Something we need to campaign to change. One major problem across the region is the lack of recycling points and clear information about what can and can’t be recycled. Part of the problem is that each council has its own policy on what can and can’t be recycled and how. There are different rules at either end of the Chelmer and Blackwater. For more on how you can get involved please go to Home > News & Campaigns > Campaigns > GapTracker on our website. Finally, this time last year, I was writing about my vision of what can we do in the last three years of my term as your region chairman, to make IWA London Region more relevant to all waterway users in and around the capital. I thought I would give you a short update of progress so far. In March we held a very successful meeting of volunteers in London to look at how IWA's long term vision can support the work being done by each branch and how we can be more effective in campaigning for the waterways in the London Region. Then in May we held an open meeting with some of the liveaboards in London to explore how we can work together to improve the situation. Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Person https://www.facebook.com/iwalondon/ and at paul@greenboater on twitter
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The Opening of Stratford St Mary Lock - River Stour Stratford St. Mary Lock was one of 13 locks on the 25 mile long River Stour Navigation, running from Sudbury to the sea at Manningtree. The right of Navigation was granted by an Act of Parliament in 1705, and the river and its locks and barges were made famous by John Constable’s many paintings in the 19th Century. The Navigation fell into disuse in the early 20th Century, with the last commercial traffic using it in the 1930’s. In 1968 the then Anglian Water sought to have the right of Navigation extinguished by Act of Parliament, but the newly-formed River Stour Trust fought the application and, in a landmark case in the House of Lords, the right of navigation was maintained. This is an early Navigation and it does not have a tow path alongside. Barge owners using it would negotiate with adjoining land owners for their horse to use the bank and Constable’s paintings illustrate barge horses jumping the boundary fences between ownerships and riding on barges to transfer to the opposite bank to avoid obstructive ownerships. The lack of a tow path or adjoining public right of way has severely hampered restoration of the locks and the use of the Navigation by larger craft has also been restricted. However, since 1968 the volunteers of the Trust have worked tirelessly to restore the waterway to through navigation, to be enjoyed by all, and have achieved many successes. The Trust rescued and restored the historic Granary building in Sudbury, built a new lock at Great Cornard, built a visitor & Education Centre at Cornard, re-opened two of the locks at Flatford and Dedham, built two new slipways, and opened a riverside picnic area at Cattewade with access to the river. The annual Sudbury to the Sea canoe weekend attracts over 500 entrants from around the world. The members of the River Stour Trust have been restoring the lock at Stratford St Mary for 12 years and on Saturday 12th May they had a celebration to officially open the lock and waterway surrounding it. It is thought to have been 80 years since this lock was last used. Roy and I were invited to this celebration and we arrived at The Swan in time to have lunch first. I can’t remember the time we last had lunch sitting outside under umbrellas, not because of the sun, but because the showers that were not due for another two hours arrived early.
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The Opening of Stratford St Mary Lock - River Stour (cont) Before the grand opening we decided to explore the area and soon found some familiar faces and we were invited to walk round the site that had been restored. As you would expect, this Suffolk/Essex riverside was picturesque with the lush growth of wild, spring flowers. The artist John Constable was known to paint similar scenes locally. It was still raining but there was soon a large gathering of important guests including an MEP, an MP, The Chair of Essex County Council, The Mayor and the widow of IWA’s Tony Harrison. At exactly the right time, the rain stopped and the special guests arrived. Griff Rhys Jones and Mark Harling were escorted to the top lock gates that were adorned with a pink ribbon. Griff Rhys Jones lives alongside the Stour and is the Vice President of the River Stour Trust and Mike Harling is the Regional Manager of Enovert who have supported the project with grants from the Community Landfill Fund. IWA’s Tony Harrison Legacy Fund also provided funding.
Griff entertained us with his usual banter and praised the volunteers that worked hard to restore the lock. He also praised volunteers that restore waterways throughout the country. It was clear that Griff is a true waterway enthusiast and he has featured in a television programme of a canoe journey down the Stour. Both special guests were standing on the lock gates and after Mike also said a few words of praise he cut the ribbon and the lock was officially opened. There followed an official uncovering of a plaque by Griff, who announced that the lock was to be named ‘The Roger Brown Lock’ after the Chairman who headed the group of volunteers. The lock was then opened up to local waterway users, including the electric trip boat, row boats and canoes, which all passed through. After speaking to the T.V crew for a local news item, Griff took a ride in one of the trip boats before returning to The Swan for refreshments. Roy and I also had a trip along The Stour, really peaceful in an electric boat, and the scenery with cricket bat willows growing either side reminded us of our beautiful Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. After refreshments we left with memories of a lovely day out. Chris Chandler
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A Winter Day On The River Wey We had gone to the marina on a bright, frosty, December day, to have a short cruise to charge the boat batteries. Bueno Vita was white with frost, the dark ropes, plank and pole were all white and furry looking.
The water between the pontoons where the boats are moored was frozen and, as we stepped onto our boat we could hear the ice cracking. Soon we were off and the ice broke easily although it was quite noisy. Once out of the pontoon area the ice became thinner, and it was gone as we approached the entrance/exit of the marina. Heading out we took a left turn towards Woodham Junction. Out on the river the trip was peaceful, passing frosty fields, seeing a Jay fly in the branches of the bare trees squawking, its lovely colourful feathers very striking in the sunlight. The reflections on the water were so clear, there was a solitary heron on the bank watching for its lunch until it saw us coming and headed away from the water. Passing Parvis Wharf we saw the day boats decorated with Christmas bauble wreaths, awaiting festive customers, who don't mind the colder weather. We only met one other narrowboat on the move, braving the chilly weather, but there were the usual dog walkers on the towpath.
Returning to the marina we found it a bit trickier getting the boat back onto our berth as the ice was floating and blocking our way, so I used the boat pole to break the ice more and allow our passage back onto the pontoon, one of our dogs - Marna - didn't like the noise of the breaking ice. Once secured, we locked up and headed off by car to our favourite local pub, The Seven Stars at Newark for a lovely lunch. Stephanie Mason & John Grieve 6
Cavalcade Photos of this years Cavalcade from Paul Strudwick
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Wendover Arm Trust - Grand Draw 2018 It’s that time of year again when canal restoration is punctuated by monsoon seasons. That is my experience anyway. It is now time to update you on the next big event on the WAT calendar. This, of course, is not talking about the continuing restoration, which progresses steadily metre by metre, but the WAT Grand Draw - this year on 2nd September and will take place at the familiar St. Mary’s Parish Church in Drayton Beauchamp, Tring. We trust the Mayor of Tring will again officiate. The prizes are as exciting as ever, with the week’s holiday on a narrowboat sponsored by Wyvern Shipping Co Ltd of Leighton Buzzard. The second prize is a day-boat hire from Cowroast Marina sponsored by Narrowboatdayhire.com – for up to 10 guests. The third prize is for two people to visit the dizzy heights of The Shard and a lunch on the Thames. There are also cash prizes up to the value of £100 and a total of ten prizes plus two ‘novelty’ prizes. Tickets are priced at a mere £1.00 each and there will be a book of ten tickets enclosed with this edition of your Branch magazine. The full prize list is shown on the Trust’s web site, as is the full progress report by way of the magazines. Extra tickets are always available from the Promoter, but beware, there are 3 Michael Wrights on the WAT membership list. www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk There was a bit of a setback this year when an investigation into the infill of the canal, which was done in the period 1918 - 1928, revealed that it would not be possible just to re-site the infill to a local area. The infill now is described as “Hazardous”, which requires specialist treatment . The infill was negotiated by Tring Urban District Council with the Grand Junction Canal Company, who were the owners at the time and who asked for it to cease in March 1928. The Trust and Canal & River Trust are now on plan ‘B’ which seeks a possible diversion around the problem The Whitehouses project is still ongoing following the completion of the archaeological dig. In the basement were found bottles of unknown chemicals , which were duly analysed, emptied and made safe. The bottles have been retained and are now safely stored for display at some future location. The water supply from Wendover was interrupted this winter due to the growth of reeds. This has now been dealt with by CRT and the wildlife is returning. The clearance of endless undergrowth is being tackled by the ‘Tidy Friday’ crew, who gather on the Friday following the work party week that finishes on the Thursday. A very successful regime.... Michael Wright. Volunteers Wanted Essex Waterways are seeking volunteers to assist with maintenance and operation of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. There is always work to be done to keep the waterway in prime condition, especially during the summer months when it is busy with boaters, canoeists and the general public. There are also refurbishments and improvement projects in which volunteers can be involved. If you are able to spend some time helping on ‘our’ waterway, please contact David Smart (david.smart@waterways.org.uk 07966 375351) to discuss how your skills or interests might be best utilised.
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More About the Saltmarsh Coast I have previously reported on the Saltmarsh Coast, a project in which Essex Waterways has been involved, managed by Maldon District Council through their Coastal Communities Team. The project involves local businesses and promotes the Maldon District Coast as part of the Council’s tourism strategy which is an important part of the District’s employment economy.
The first project was the installation of an information point at Heybridge Basin between the Daisy Meadow car park and the Navigation tow path. There has been a similar subsequent installation at Tollesbury. The final project is the information ‘Hub’ installed on the sea wall which forms part of the Essex Coastal Path in the popular Promenade Park, Maldon.
On the 25th May the ‘Hub’ was officially opened by the Leader of Maldon District Council, Cllr Henry Bass with councilors, officials, invited guests and Maldon’s MP present. The ‘Hub’ provides information about the Maldon Coast and also has a first floor viewing platform overlooking the estuary and ships graveyard. Roy Chandler
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Cotswolds and the Severn River At the beginning of June Roy and I spent a long weekend away in Worcester. If you have never been to Worcester it is a delightful city and well worth a visit. During our first day we toured the city with its charming timber-framed Tudor buildings, and spent time in the magnificent cathedral. The main shopping streets have retained many splendid Georgian buildings showing quality architecture which forms an interesting town centre. The periphery unfortunately suffers from the vandalism of 1960’s road schemes! The River Severn runs adjacent to the city and we took a boat trip upstream on ‘The Earl’ passing many families enjoying the riverside walk and a few narrowboats underway. It was a glorious, sunny day and we passed the Worcester County Cricket Ground where we could hear the cheers for the England women’s cricket team playing South Africa in a match which unfortunately they lost (despite the hearty breakfasts we saw them eating at our hotel earlier that morning)! We could see the stunning cathedral then further on we travelled past the Worcester Rowing Club and the Pitchcroft and Worcester Racecourse before returning to the trip boat mooring.
A series of flood level markers on a riverside walk wall indicated the extreme heights that the river has reached and the height of the piles on the floating pontoon at the entrance to the Worcester and Birmingham canal confirmed the flood risk.
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Cotswolds and the Severn River (cont) Later that day we decided to investigate the route of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Following the course of the canal on our street map we soon discovered a lock with a narrow boat negotiating its route under the main road. We walked along the tow path alongside the narrow boat with its first time hirers. Roy was soon in his element helping the ladies work the stiff paddles and open the lock gates. Apparently it was their first canal holiday and they were planning to do a circuit up the River Severn to near Kidderminster then Birmingham and then return to base along the Worcester and Birmingham. We eventually reached the busy Diglis Basin Marina and the final lock where the canal joined the River Severn.
During our stay in the Cotswolds we travelled to Cheltenham where we boarded a steam-hauled train on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway. We passed the Cheltenham racecourse before steaming on through the picturesque countryside. Later we explored the pretty stone built town of Stow on the Wold, a popular tourist destination.
The following day we travelled to Bridgnorth, where we enjoyed walking through the attractive town and park where the castle has a greater lean than the tower of Pisa. Next a walk down The Cartway, a lovely narrow hillside street to the river. After a pub lunch beside the river we took a trip up the Castle Hill Railway, the only inland funicular railway before boarding the preserved Severn Valley Railway for a 14 mile journey which follows the winding path of the River Severn through the valley. The journey on the steam train ended in Kidderminster, where we returned to Worcester by coach and had a final walk round this interesting city on a beautiful summers evening. Chris Chandler 11
Basingstoke Canal We were looking forward to our trip on the Basingstoke Canal. We had pre booked the locks, splitting the flights over three days to avoid being stuck above St John's Locks and below Brookwood Locks with no cruising possible. Passage through all the lock flights has to be booked and a licence obtained in advance (even if just the day before) from the Basingstoke Canal Authority. The lock flights have set days when they can be booked in order to preserve water levels, and are chained and locked between bookings. We had a week licence which is actually for nine days to enable passage in and out according to the lock openings. It was Saturday 2nd September, a lovely sunny morning, we were ready and waiting, moored in the shallow edge behind two other narrow boats, below the bottom lock of the Woodham Flight. Soon another boat arrived to join the queue, a diesel powered narrow steamboat. The Lock Ranger arrived soon after to unlock the locks, then follow behind us to stop water leakage, using silt and sawdust. We ascended the 6 Woodham Locks in pairs, passing a row of houseboats between some of the locks, colourful in a tree lined setting. We saw a young wagtail perched on the roof of one of the boats, and above the locks we spotted a beautiful kingfisher, one of many we would see.
As we approached Bedser Bridge at Woking we could see chaos. A trip boat had broken down and was straddling the canal, the two narrow boats, which had gone up in front of us were among the chaos, before one moored and one helped the stranded boat. We hovered back out of the way till all boats were safely moored, before we continued on, passing under Arthur's Bridge where we moored for the night opposite the Bridge Barn, Beefeater, where we had a lovely meal that night.
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Basingstoke Canal (cont)
The next day we found out the chap on the steamboat had been knocked off his bike by some cyclists and broken his arm the afternoon before, so they were leaving their boat at Arthur's Bridge. We headed off for the five St John's Locks, which are in lovely setting, a tree lined corridor, and we did notice the pounds were all quite low. We briefly moored at the top where I popped to the Coop for provisions. Moving on we headed to Brookwood Park to moor, it was a short day cruising. After lunch we had a lovely walk around the park and up to the three Brookwood Locks. It was a popular park with many passers by, several whom had stopped to either chat or photograph our boat. We were moored between the two longer steel boats, and people said they rarely saw boats moored here. I know the canal had been closed most of the summer due to water problems and had only just reopened the week before. Later that afternoon another boat joined us, a cruiser which had come up both flights in one day. The next day the two longer narrow boats set off together, and we paired with the cruiser as it was wider, and we had to place ourselves in the lock one front and one back on opposite sides of the lock to fit, as we were both shorter boats. We ascended the three Brookwood Locks before arriving at the renowned, fourteen Deepcut Locks. In some of the pounds the water level was low, between lock 18 & 19 an oak tree had fallen and was blocking three quarters of the channel, then above lock 27 we saw a sunken wooden barge which had obviously been there a long time as it had become a haven for wildlife. The sharing worked well, and the Lock Ranger caulked the locks behind us. As we cruised along Deepcut cutting, which was lined with trees, it made an eerie sight with thick mist, and then suddenly it was gone. Spooky. We moored at Frimley Lodge Park for a late lunch on a lovely sunny afternoon. Later we walked to the Canal Centre Mychett where we saw the other boats moored. There was a lot of air traffic during the afternoon, probably from Farnborough Airfield. this was another popular area for walkers, and the park was great for dogs. The rest of the route we could do as we wished. The only restriction was to be back at Deepcut Locks in four days for the return booking down the flights of locks.
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Basingstoke Canal (cont) Leaving the next morning we navigated the swing bridge at the Canal Centre, passing Mychett Lake, Ash, where we could hear some gunfire from the nearby ranges. Onwards over the aqueduct passing above Lakeside Nature Reserve and Spring Lakes, with a lovely view from the canal before going up Ash Lock, passing under the impressive green and gold Queen's Avenue Bridge. We soon arriving at the first LOW bridge- Wharf Bridge air draught 5'10". We carefully approached as we weren't exactly sure of our air draught (the only measurement we didn't have in our document - and a measurement which can vary anyway), so out came the tape measure. We now know our air draught (fully loaded and full water tank). We could fit under all the three low bridges with a few inches to spare. We stopped briefly at Eelmoor Bridge moorings for lunch, then on past. Farnborough Airfield one side of the canal and on the other side was a tank zooming along the road. Onwards to Fleet where we spotted some Mandarin Ducks, very shy, and moored for the day, going for a wander into town.
The following morning heading off we soon came to Zebon Copse Swing Bridge, with very muddy landing stages (recent improvement works), onwards passing Crookham Wharf and seeing the concrete pillars known as Dragons Teeth (tank traps) near Dogmersfield, where major bank works were still ongoing following a landslide. The navigation was cordoned off to a narrow channel and boats restricted to tick over only. This area is lined with rhododendrons not in flower unfortunately, a lovely waterside area and stunning house at Barley Mow Bridge. Onwards passing Odiham Wharf, and trip boat 'John Pinkerton' moored at Colt Hill Bridge, soon arriving at the end of the navigable canal. The water here is so clear you can see the bottom. We turned and moored alongside Odiham Castle remains, having a walk around the castle before heading along the towpath to Greywell Tunnel. It was very peaceful here and we saw some Dabchicks (Little Grebe) with their stripy young (we saw these previously in 1999 when we had hired a boat). We continued our walk over the tunnel to the Fox & Goose for a lovely lunch and the dogs were given a pot of dogs biscuits - what super service. 14
Basingstoke Canal (cont) Our return trip we had booked as a two-day trip down the locks. We paired with one of the narrow boats and did Deepcut and Brookwook together, a rather eventful trip as our fellow boaters grounded in lock 24 (we are shallow draught). The pound below was extremely low, and when 'our men' went to check the next pound it was almost empty. Finding lock paddles open they closed them then came above us to open more paddles and let water down, while I phoned the Lock Ranger who had unlocked the flight earlier and then gone straight to the bottom to assist boats up - so was unaware of the problem - but it was voicemail, so I rang the Canal Centre. The Ranger arrived in 15 minutes and who opened more paddles above to fill the pounds. Once we were off again all went smoothly and the boats coming up had been instructed to leave all top gates open for us. We moored at Kiln Bridge at the Italian restaurant, where we had a lovely evening meal. The next day we paired again for going down St John's Locks (5) and Woodham Locks (6) in one day. It had been a good trip, moorings were limited to set points along the route, and apart from the boats we came onto the canal with hire boats on the move. We did encounter leaves and weed on the prop periodically, which is expected at this time of year, but a burst of reverse soon resolves it, the canal and towpaths were very clean, and we saw lots of birdlife, especially kingfishers. We were glad we had made the time to cruise this lovely tranquil waterway, and it brought back memories of our first trip when we could only cruise between Odiham and the top of Deepcut Locks in a hire boat. Stephanie Mason & John Grieve
Mid Week Working Parties It’s been a bit of a funny year so far. It was very wet when the “mowing season” started, so we weren’t able to get out much. When we finally could, we found that the wet weather had really encouraged the grass to grow substantially. Also at this time we found that all our mowers were playing up but, thanks to Grant (the Heybridge lock keeper) these mechanical problems were soon sorted. This meant that the grass at Beeleigh, Ricketts, Rushes and Barnes was soon under control and has since been mown regularly. However, because of the collapsed weir at Little Baddow (see Roy’s “Essex Waterways Update”) which resulted in a drastically lowered water level above Baddow Lock we have been unable to do anything at Baddow, Stonhams or Cuton Locks as we have to get to these by boat. At the time of writing this article I have just been informed that the water levels have been reinstated, so in the next week we will be having a major blitz on these three locks. The locks not mentioned above are dealt with by the residential caretakers, so we don’t get involved with those. What else have we done? We’ve helped dismantle the old gates from Heybridge Sea Lock and taken the resulting iron work to the scrap yard and had another two scrap runs from Hoe Mill, all of which put a little more money into the funds. I’m sorry that this is another very brief report, but there is only so much that can be said about mowing round the locks. John Gale
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Essex Waterways Update I am pleased to report that the work to Heybridge Sea Lock is now all complete and the new sliding gate has been handed over for Essex Waterways to operate. The work undertaken by Essex & Suffolk Water over the last three winters has included the replacement of both the top and bottom timber gates with new, a complete new hydraulically operated sliding gate as well as re-pointing of the lock walls and floor and new paving to the Lock House frontage. We are obviously extremely grateful to E&SW for their investment here which will secure the future of the lock for many years. In early March extreme flood conditions on the Navigation took their toll at Little Baddow, causing the collapse of the downstream sluice wing wall and a washout of the sluice apron, resulting in a hole 1.6 metres deep.
An immediate visit by IWA’s Consulting Engineer took place and a scheme for rebuilding was devised which would involve the fabrication of special shaped steelwork which could be installed using DREDGER. These were fabricated locally so that as soon as DREDGER was available, after completion of the new engine and drive system, work could commence. Meanwhile the Navigation pond between Little Baddow Lock and Stonhams Lock had to be lowered to take pressure off the sluice to prevent further collapse. This unfortunately meant closure of this section to navigation. Discussion with our team of Lengthsmen confirmed that they were very keen to undertake the rebuilding themselves, thus considerably reducing the cost of the work by avoiding the employment of specialist contractors. However, shortly after work commenced another flood on the Navigation resulted in the collapse of the central pier and part of the apron to the summer sluice. This left the central pier leaning precariously into the wash out hole and a situation where it was no longer safe to continue demolition work.
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Essex Waterways Update (cont) As there is no vehicular access to the site, a large sectional floating pontoon was hired which was brought into Heybridge Basin and along the Navigation to the site where it was assembled and an excavator and breaker taken onboard. Demolition was completed with this from the Mill Pool. The special shaped steelwork was pile driven into the bank to anchor the new downstream wing wall.
Next sheet piling was installed along the front face of the two sluice aprons and tied back. These were then concreted using a concrete pump vehicle to deliver concrete to the site from the Mill House entrance. Purpose designed shuttering was installed for both the wing walls and a second visit of the concrete pump enabled these to be formed.
After forty eight hours the shuttering was struck to reveal two new wing walls to enclose the new sluice aprons. The upstream pond was re-watered and the Navigation re-opened in time to allow boats through to attend the Chelmsford River Festival. A site tidy was undertaken just leaving the rebuilding of the sluice access bridge to be completed. This un-programmed work has resulted in a major infrastructure renewal which has been successfully undertaken by EWL’s own staff who must be congratulated on their achievement. We are also extremely grateful for the help and cooperation received from the owners of the Mill House throughout the project, and to IWA’s Consulting Engineer, Roy Sutton. Roy Chandler 17
Victoria VIP Trip Chelmer Cruises trip boat VICTORIA attended the Chelmsford River Festival in Springfield Basin where cream teas were offered on board and the availability of boat for outings, receptions and parties was promoted. As the boat was to return to her base at Paper Mill Lock the following day, Chelmsford City Councillors were offered the opportunity to travel from Springfield Basin to Sandford Mill.
This would provide them with the opportunity to see the recent developments at Springfield Basin from the water and the potential of Sandford Mill related to the Navigation at a time when its future is being considered by the Council.
Nine councillors accepted the invitation including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the past Mayor. There were also three students on board who were shadowing one of the councillors. All found the Navigation of interest especially as some had not been to Springfield Basin previously. On returning to Paper Mill we learnt that a booking for a wedding reception had been received that morning from someone who had seen VICTORIA at the basin the previous day.
Roy Chandler
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Afternoon on the Chelmer and Blackwater
Tuesday the 24th April was the planned branch boat trip on the C &BN on the barge ‘Victoria’. There were a few concerns: firstly this was the first trip of the season for ‘Victoria’ and she was having a new coat of paint in Heybridge. This work was due for completion a few days before the trip but due to high water levels - would Victoria’s paintwork be finished in time, and would she make it back to Paper Mill Lock in time?
Due to the efforts of David Smart (C &BN Manager) and the team all was well and when the passengers arrived at Paper Mill a newly painted ‘Victoria’ and her crew were waiting for us. The second concern was the weather: the proceeding few days had been lovely but the forecast for the 24th was rain.
However, again we need not have worried. There was no rain and the sun also made an appearance. Thirty three passengers enjoyed a 2 hour trip with a cream tea. Apologies for anyone who wanted to go but there was not sufficient space available, as the tickets sold very quickly. Hopefully a few people were able to take advantage of the one way trip to Chelmsford on Saturday the 30th of June instead. My thanks to Angela Allen for taking some photographs of the afternoon trip.
Rebecca Loader Social Secretary 19
Chelmsford River Festival The Arts and Culture Festival team invited members of the IWA, Chelmer Canal Trust, Essex Waterways Ltd and Sandford Boating Club to attend the concluding event of the week-long Festival. Boat owners from Sandford Mill, Papermill and Hoe Mill were contacted by David Zelly (Secretary of the Sandford Boating Club) and asked if they intended to attend, with their boats. In a rash moment of enthusiasm, I volunteered to act as Harbour Master. I soon found out that the job involved more than arranging where the various boats would be moored and included providing a Risk Assessment. The risk assessment was based on the Inland Waterways template and contained seventeen items of which only three directly were the responsibility of the IWA. The event organisers have adopted the document as a template for future events. David started to provide information about the boats that indicated that they would be attending. Besides ‘Victoria’, (which would be offering Cream Teas), there was ‘Blackwater Dawn’ giving boat trips. ‘Jaden’ would be a base for publicity of the Navigation, so these boats needed prominent locations. I started by contacting the owner of the pontoon and was to obtain permission to moor boats along its length. At this pointed out the poor condition of some of the decking and that care would be needed The owners of the boats moored in the basin were also contacted and informed as to what was proposed for the weekend. During the week several emails were received updating the names of boats that said they would be attending, with several provisional attendees. This meant that I could start to place the boats at locations within the Basin. To do this I printed a map of the basin and using labels (based on the approximate lengths of the boats) located the boats at suitable places along the quayside. I also had to consider their need for electrical supply using shore lines. ‘Victoria’ not only needed shore line power but a point of easy access for her role in providing refreshments. ‘Blackwater Dawn’, similarly required an access point for those who booked a trip. ‘Jaden’ was moored across the head of the Basin to position the display promoting the Navigation. Saturday 30th June 2018. I arrived at about eight thirty to start sorting out my contribution towards the event. This involved putting up the presentation boards on the side of my boat and putting up the banners loaned by the IWA head office. Ray and Martin were the first to arrive aboard ‘Electra’ followed by Dave Zelly with ‘Camelot’. ‘Domino’ arrived soon after and asked if they could access electricity. The simplest means of connecting them to a shoreline supply was to tie them to ‘Jaden’ and connect then to the same source, as supply sources were somewhat limited. During the early part of the afternoon other boats arrived and were moored in their allocated locations. ‘Victoria’ arrived with her passengers, who had travelled from Papermill and enjoyed a ploughman’s lunch on the way. The best place for ‘Victoria’ to moor would be in front of the former Waterside Place Restaurant which not only had an electrical point available but also an easy access point. The owner of ‘Lismore’ agreed to move closer to the head of the basin allowing ‘Blackwater Dawn’ to have an easy access point for her trips along part of the navigation. ‘Snoopy’ from Hoe Mill arrived and tied up just below ‘Victoria’.
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Chelmsford River Festival (cont)
‘Summer Breeze’ was the last to arrive, having encountered a few problems with the weed on the way from Barnes Mill. This caused his batteries to drain. It was a mass of weed collected on the propeller that was the final straw. This boat is unique on the navigation as it is totally electric powered. That evening, a lively social gathering by those boaters who were staying overnight took place. Sunday 1st July 2018. Again, I arrived early and set up the displays. Ray helped by placing signs in various locations to guide visitors to the Basin. Both he and Martin also put up bunting to highlight the area. Everything appeared to be ready for the anticipated influx of visitors. As the event was due to commence at ten o’clock a steady flow of visitors began to arrive. Many visitors stopped to ask questions about the navigation and showed interest in the display. Some came on board to see the work that I had been carrying out on my boat. Several enquired about membership of the IWA and were given application forms. During the morning ‘Blackjack’ arrived and tied up on the new mooring bollards on the renewed wharf side next to Smith’s Yard site. Later that morning, Michael Morgan and his steam launch ‘Olive’ arrived, having also struggled with the weed. During the day several musical groups played outside the former restaurant.
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Chelmsford River Festival (cont)
Dave Zelly spent time showing visitors over his boat and discussing the navigation. As the afternoon wore on various boats left on their return trips to their home moorings. Towards the end of the event the cruisers began their journey back to their home mooring. At Springfield Lock an incident took place with a group of youths who were abusive towards the boaters with the potential threat of a supermarket trolley being thrown into the lock. On the advice of Roy Chandler, the police were contacted and informed of the situation. When Dave Zelly and myself arrived at the lock we found a small number of youngsters were using the lock as their private swimming pool, despite there being NO SWIMMING notices on the lock gates. Comments by the youngsters about spoiling their fun and how long were we going to take were made, but not responded to. On refilling the lock, I had grave concerns, when a youth plunged into the cut above the gates when the paddles were fully open. My fears, of him being sucked through the opening, were unfounded as he safely climbed out on the other side of the lock. The police subsequently contacted my partner and said they have added the lock on to their patrol list and have had words with those residents and youngsters that were there. They had noted that there were plenty of No Swimming signs and shared our concerns. My personal conclusion was that the event was highly successful and if asked again I would be more than willing to take part, as I think many others would do. Dennis C Padfield
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Social Events 2018 Please come and join us for the first social evening of the year Thursday 13th September 7.45pm for 8.00pm. Tim Wander will talk to us about Marconi Radio operators and the Titanic. Raffle and home made cakes. Next Year Your social secretary is busy preparing the programme for next year from September 2018 to May 2019. Please look out for information on the IWA website, newsletters and emails from Head Office. Venue The Galleywood Heritage Centre, The Common, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8TR 7.45pm for 8.00pm All Welcome! New Trip Boat Essex Waterways Chelmer Cruises operation on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation is to be expanded with the purchase of a 12 person boat. The cruiser narrowboat with disabled access was previously operated by The Lyneal Trust as a day boat. At 45ft long, features include a hydraulic wheelchair lift, saloon, small galley, a wheelchair accessible toilet compartment and a large front well deck under a glazed cratch.
To be renamed ‘ALBERT’ as the partner to Chelmer Cruises existing trip boat ‘VICTORIA’, it will operate from Heybridge Basin providing ticket trips with the potential for evening charters. Essex Waterways is seeking volunteers to carry out some refurbishment work and to operate the boat, please contact the Navigation Manager, David Smart 07966 375351.
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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) 4 6
5
3
5
3
3
9
1 6
1 9
3
5
4
3
6
8 6
8
2
5
7 4
5 8
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 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
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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