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Kennet and Avon Weir at Bath By Chris Chandler
Disclaimer: The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this Newsletter but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed herein may be construed as policy or official announcement unless stated otherwise. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in the Newsletter 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 Third Trip Boat A View From the Other Side A Voyage of Two Halves Little Venice Trip
Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 10
Pull, Snap, Stomp Social Diary 2019 / 2020 National Chairman Visits A Family Canal Holiday Essex Waterways Update Just For Fun Branch Committee
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From The Editor As the summer embraces us, with all the work and effort to keep and improve the waterway, I hope you are out on the navigation with the sun on your back. 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 21/08/2019. 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 Something like thirty years ago, this Branch published proposals for a new short canal link between the River Chelmer and the waterway between Springfield Basin and Springfield Lock. We then went on to carry out restoration of the basin, lock and listed bridge. We won a Shell Best of Britain award and the then Borough Council received the Waterways Renaissance Award. Things looked really hopeful for the new linking cut - then the Borough Council changed and, despite much lobbying, it looked as though our proposals would come to nothing. However, in the recent elections, the (now City) Council changed back again and we are now hopeful that the new cut will be incorporated in the City Plan, thus protecting its likelihood of becoming reality. Hooray! If you responded to the CRT boaters' satisfaction survey in March or April, the full results of the survey will be published on the CRT website "in due course". I'm afraid my own regular summer treats will not be possible this year; the paddle steamer "Waverley" is in need of new boilers and has been taken out of service. An appeal has been raised for donations towards the £2.3 million needed to get her back into steam next year and cruising her usual routes, including the Essex coast, the Medway and up the Thames. Wherever you will be spending your summer, I hope the weather will be on your side and I wish you good cruising. Molly Beard 2
From The Regional Chairman Next year I will have been a trustee of the Association for over twelve years and will have to step down from the board. I believe London should have strong representation on the trustee’s board and would ask you to consider voting for Dave Chapman at this year’s Trustees election. He has been a member of IWA for 46 years, the supplies Director for the IWA National Festivals, and chairman of Chiltern Branch since 2013. Full details, of all the candidates and how to vote, are in the summer edition of Waterways. As you may be aware, in order for the country to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, the Government has moved the early May Day Bank Holiday 2020 from Monday 4th May to Friday 8th May 2020. This move has a significant impact on Cavalcade, as it was due to be held on the weekend of the bank holiday of the 4th May. The cavalcade committee, with the agreement of trustees, has decided to hold a two day event next year on, Saturday and Sunday, the 2nd and 3rd of May. Please make a note of this change in your diary, if you would like to help run the event or just visit. This year London Region has lost two branch chairmen, Craig Haslam from the Lee & Stort Branch and Michael Phillips from the Middlesex Branch. Craig has been chairman of the Lee & Stort Branch for the last 15 years. Under his leadership the branch has achieved much, perhaps most notably the restoration to public use of Ware Town Wharf after it had been taken over by squatters. Under Michael’s leadership the Middlesex branch has done a lot of work with local authorities on planning applications in Brentford and the Park Royal areas of London. Both branches have new Chairman Mike Newman taking over the leadership of the Lee and Stort Branch whilst Roger Still has taken on the role for the Middlesex Branch. Finally, your region receives a donation, each year, from the efforts of our members who take the London Walks around the canals. Each year we like to donate this to a deserving waterways charity. This year we selected the Susan Trust who are restoring Susan the only surviving timber-built Chelmer barge. She was built by Prior's of Burnham-on-Crouch for Brown's Timber Yard in Chelmsford, and closely resembles the traditional horse-drawn Chelmer Lighters, which worked the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation from its opening in 1797. Brown's, founded by canal engineer Richard Coates, was both the first and the last firm to use the Navigation, running barges up from Heybridge laden with timber until 1972. The restoration work on Susan, is being carried out at St Osyth Boatyard in Essex. This boatyard has an excellent reputation for its work on the restoration of Thames Sailing Barges. On completion of the restoration, The Susan Trust intend to apply for a public passenger license, to enable Susan to give trips on the Navigation and thus provide funds for her future maintenance. Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Person Deputy National Chairman
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Third Trip Boat In time for the busy summer season, Essex Waterways has added a third trip boat to its Chelmer Cruises schedule, increasing operations and enabling boats to run from two locations on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. Chelmer Cruises’ existing boats, Victoria and Albert, are both based at Paper Mill and are primarily available for private charters. Victoria can hold up to 43 guests and is proving popular for wedding receptions and parties. It can be chartered as both a moving or static venue depending on requirements. Albert is a 13.7 metre narrowboat that holds up to 12 people and is often booked by families who want a private trip up the 13.8 miles of the navigation.
The new boat, Blackwater Dawn is an 8.2 metre wide-beam trip boat with disabled person facilities. Based at Heybridge Basin, Blackwater Dawn will operate one-hour round trips for up to 12 passengers in the day and will then be available for private charter in the evenings. It will operate during the summer months, from April through until the end of September. Commenting on the new boat, Roy Chandler, Chairman, Essex Waterways says, “The addition of Blackwater Dawn will allow Chelmer Cruises to operate a pay-as-you-go service for visitors to Heybridge Basin. People often make a spontaneous decision to take a boat trip and until now, we haven’t been able to accommodate them. It is great that we now have Blackwater Dawn at Heybridge, not only for the one-hour trips, but also for anyone wishing to charter a boat for a dusk cruise on the picturesque Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. To coincide with the launch of Blackwater Dawn at Heybridge Basin, Chelmer Cruises has also improved its information point and kiosk at Daisy Meadow. The kiosk has had a make-over, including new signage and new seating. The seating has been built out of recycled timber from a weir repair that took place last year. Light meals, snacks and drinks are available at the kiosk. Roy Chandler adds, “Our new kiosk is looking great and has been expanded in response to feedback from customers who were looking for somewhere to find out more information about the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation as well as a place to relax, have a snack and enjoy the view.” A full programme of evening cruises and events is being planned. To find out more about this or for other information, please visit: www.chelmercruises.com or call Chelmer Cruises on 01245 226245. David Hewitt 4
A View From the Other Side of the Towpath This is the story of our stay ‘on the other side of the towpath’. In August 2017, my wife and I complete with dog and windlass set off for a midweek (Monday to Friday) stay in a lock keepers cottage. First I will give a brief history of the cottage and then the story of our stay. Cottage The cottage was built in approximately 1812 and is adjacent to lock 31 at Lowsonford on the Stratfordupon-avon canal. It was first called the Lock House and then Ned’s Cottage after Ned Taylor (born 1921) who lived in it for most of his life. It was taken over by the National Trust as part of the south Stratford canal in 1960. In 1992, the National Trust transferred the canal to British Waterways and the cottage to the Landmark Trust including Ned’s tenancy. After Ned’s death, the Landmark trust refurbished the cottage in 2005, renamed it Lengthman’s cottage and opened it up to holiday lets.
Our stay Arriving on Monday afternoon, the cottage had flowers on the table and a welcome tray. The accommodation consisted of a large enclosed garden (ideal for dogs) with parking for two cars (just). Inside, there was a bathroom, kitchen, lounge/dining room, double bedroom and a bedroom with two single beds. Although described as sleeping 4 people, it would have been rather cosy for four adults. After unpacking, we had a cup of tea and through the living room window watched some boats pass through the lock on a surprisingly busy canal, although a hire base wasn’t far away. Soon, I couldn’t resist the temptation to put my windlass to use and helped some boats through the lock. The boaters were perplexed as I had a windlass, wife and dog but no boat! I explained that we were renting the cottage and, during the week, some boaters even recounted their stories of Ned. After tea, we took the dog for a walk along the towpath before retiring for the night. We had a couple of friends stay with us for the day on Tuesday, but before they arrived, we visited the Finwood Hill farm shop for some home reared steak. During the week, this is only open on Tuesdays and is a short walk up the hill from lock 30. By now, our dog (Bella) was getting used to the narrowboats and seemed happier on the towpath greeting people rather than in the garden. Our friends arrived and we mostly chilled out. However, we did visit the Fleur de Lys pub for lunch, this is visible from the cottage and hence only a short walk and is famous for its pies. Late in the afternoon, after our friends had gone, a Canal and River Trust employee turned up. He explained that one of his jobs was to keep the overflow sluice clear next to the lock. He also showed us how to clear the silt from behind the bottom lock gate (simply open and shut it a few times) as it seemed to build up quite quickly.
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A View From the Other Side of the Towpath (cont) On Wednesday, apart from visiting a supermarket for provisions, we decided that as it was only a short break, we wouldn’t drive to any of the local attractions although there are quite a few nearby. Our old Pearsons canal guide showed a canal ware shop at lock 28 which I seemed to remember from a narrowboat trip quite a few years ago. So we, together with the dog walked to it only to find that it had shut down and by the look of the stand had been for quite some time. In the cottage, there are some walks suggested and for the afternoon, we went on a circular walk.
On Thursday, after breakfast, the only boat and butty of the week was seen. The butty was called the ‘Jam Butty’ and, you’ve guessed it, sold all types of homemade jam. After lunch, as we hadn’t ventured very far south, we walked along the towpath to Preston Bagot. This took us through Yarningale common and across a mini aqueduct near lock 34.
Once again, late afternoon, the same Canal and River Trust employee appeared saying that he had to check the lock and sluice every two or three days. In summary, it was a short, enjoyable but busy (busman’s) holiday. I estimate that about 90 boats, equally split between hire and private boats passed through, of which I assisted just under half of them and the crews appreciated the help and our dog. Phillip Cervini
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A Voyage of Two Halves
The following story is a true log of a Thames trip on board our narrow boat in August 2018. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent, for reasons that will become apparent later. By way of explanation, we had a “Guest Wing” added when we had the boat stretched by 10 feet many years ago, which gave us a dinette/double bedroom and a small toilet with an Elsan, known on board as the “Second Class” facilities. Charlie, who shall remain nameless, suffers from diabetes, which means that he has virtually no feeling left in his feet, causing obvious problems “at sea”, from time to time. 10th Friday: Left home around 10.30 for Fenny. Lots of traffic and heavy showers. Arrived Fenny around 17.00. By now sunny, so we “sat oot” on the afterdeck for cocktails. 11th Saturday: Overcast with some drizzle. Did a few jobs on board, including topping up fresh water. Alf and Beth arrived around 12.30. At 13.30 we drove both cars to Maidenhead, where I got us lost. However, we eventually found Boulter’s Lock, and left Alf’s car in a side road for the week. I then drove us back to Fenny, arriving about 17.00. We “put to sea” soon after, and covered about 3 miles Southward, before mooring for the night. 12th Sunday: Overcast with occasional drizzle. Put to sea at 07.50 and dropped down to Cropredy. There were signs on each of the five Claydon locks saying that due to the water shortage, operation of these locks would be restricted to between 09.00 and 16.00 as from 13th August. In each case a goose had chosen to poop right on the centre of the wording. I was not very pleased either. The Cropredy Festival had finished the previous night, and there were dozens of boats moored, many still decorated with flags and lights. Everyone we spoke to said what a wonderful event it had been. Did a quick shop at Cropredy (Beth wanted to check out the remaining festival stalls selling accessories etc., and found a few things she needed), and we then pressed on to Banbury. We managed to hit a half sunken barge in the middle of Banbury. It is an ongoing restoration project at the Museum, and, despite it being only a glancing blow, we got shouted at by a very fierce looking lady from the museum. We did some shopping at M&S, and then carried on to moor for the night near King’s Sutton.
13th Monday: Cloudy with occasional sunny spells. Put to sea at 07.55, heading South. After a long day, with delays at several places, especially Somerton Deep Lock, we arrived at Thrupp at about 18.00, and had a very good supper at the Jolly Boatman. 14th Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny spells. It was Alf’s Birthday, so we delayed setting off until about 10.00. Tried to stop for the shop near the Wise Alderman, but there wasn’t enough room to moor, and we gave up and carried on. Changed over gas bottles. We arrived at Osney Island around 15.00, and shopped at the new Waitrose on the Botley Road. Had supper at the Punters. It was good to be on the Thames again.
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A Voyage of Two Halves (cont) 16th Thursday: Heavy rain at first, clearing later with a fine evening. Because of the rain, the proposed expedition to the patchwork quilt shop was abandoned, causing wailing and gnashing of teeth on board. Left around 09.00, heading downstream. Before we reached Reading, we were impressed by the miles of temporary fencing for the forthcoming Reading Festival, together with preparations for a temporary footbridge over the river. Shopped at Tesco at Reading – their new longer wharf was almost empty. Moored for the night about a mile below Sonning Lock and had a BBQ. In the late evening, we had a major “Issue” with the Elsan. After removal of the offending equipment to the “Poop” deck, special dispensation was granted for the use of the “First Class” toilet facilities. 17th Friday: Mostly fine with occasional cloud. Put to sea at 08.40, and emptied and cleaned the Elsan at Shiplake Lock, and then set off again. Below Henley was yet another festival, this one called “Re-wind” or something similar. August certainly seems to be the high season for festivals in these parts. We then cruised down to Marlow, mooring opposite the park. Did some serious shopping, and then continued down to Clivedon, after topping up with water at Cookham Lock. I slipped at one lock layby, and nearly fell in to the water. Arrived at Clivedon at 18.00 and had a BBQ supper. 18th Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Spent day at Clivedon. Alf kindly repaired the cratch timberwork, after which, I scrubbed the outside of the cratch cover. Took exploratory walks. BBQ in the evening. 19th Sunday: Cloudy with 20 kt South Westerly wind. Left Clivedon and arrived above Boulter’s Lock at 11.50, after reversing down the lock cut. Alf and Beth collected their car and left about 12.00, driving home. Charlie and Diana, with their dog Eddie, arrived at 12.30, and after unloading, left their car in the side road. Weather improved during the afternoon. Headed upstream, emptied the Elsan and dumped rubbish at Cookham Lock. In the early evening, Charlie fell overboard, whilst we were trying to land. Thankfully he wasn’t hurt, and he was able to get back on board a little further upstream, very wet and rather chastened. We finally moored beside a field upstream of Medmenham. Later, Blow Me, if Eddie didn’t break free and chase a herd of sheep, biting at least one of them before Charlie and Diana were able to restrain him. Diana rang the farmer, but we saw no sign of him. Another BBQ supper, but rather subdued. Apart from the incidents, a pleasant day. 20th Monday: Mostly overcast. Put to sea at 08.00 and continued upstream. Had an incident with a rower, but no-one was hurt, despite a lot of shouting. Shopped at the Reading Tesco again. A temporary footbridge had been erected across the river above Reading as part of the Festival. The cost of the infrastructure for this festival must be enormous. Finally moored at Beale Park at 19.00 and had a BBQ supper 21st Tuesday: Cloudy at first, but later sunny and warm. Left at 09.30. We had hoped to moor lunchtime at Wallingford for patchwork quilt shopping, but no moorings available (more gnashing of teeth on board), so we plugged on to Abingdon. Emptied Elsan at Day’s Lock. Moored just upstream of the bridge, and had supper outside at the Nag’s Head, right by the river. A lovely evening. A day without incidents! 8
A Voyage of Two Halves (cont) 22nd Wednesday: Cloudy in the morning, but sunny later. Shopped at Waitrose, and left berth at 08.40. Pumped out and topped up water above the lock. Some wag of a lock-keeper had put up a notice to the effect that any sausages, bacon and eggs seen on a boat by the lock staff would be confiscated and safely disposed of. Arrived at Osney Island around 13.00, and decided to stay put. Shopped at Waitrose, had drinks at the Punters, but had supper on board. 23rd Thursday: Overcast in the morning, but brighter later. Charlie and Diana with Eddie went shopping. Left berth at 09.30 and turned North via the Isis Lock. Eddie went AWOL causing some delay. In the afternoon Charlie tripped when going ashore at Shipton Weir Lock, and cut open his leg badly. Moored upstream of the old quarry site at 16.30. My wife, Freda did her best to clean and dress the wound, which was still bleeding. Eddie later got hold of Freda’s knitting! “Nuff Said”. A BBQ supper. Quite a day. 24th Friday: Some sun in the morning, but it clouded over later, and there was a thunderstorm in mid afternoon. Charlie not feeling well. Left berth at 08.00. Called at Lower Heyford, but no chemist shop. Bought container of Blue, and hurried on to Aynho Wharf. After a lot of discussion, Diana took Charlie by taxi to the Banbury Hospital A & E., to get the wound properly looked at. Had supper on board once they had returned. Stayed the night at Aynho. Bought new gas bottle. 25th Saturday: Overcast with sunny spells, and rain in the afternoon. Left berth at 07.30, hoping to get back to Fenny today, if possible. Charlie was feeling rather better, and able to help with the locks. Emptied the Elsan at Banbury, and shopped for wine and fags at Cropredy, both on “flying visits”. The wooden barge at Banbury, apparently called the Hardy, was afloat and moored a little upstream of the museum, but with pumps running. Difficult going, as water levels were very low, but pressed on to try to reach Fenny tonight. Arrived at Claydon Bottom Lock at 15.50, to find that Claydon Locks had been closed ten minutes early! Stayed the night ready to be the first through the locks. 26th Sunday: Rain all day, often heavy. Left berth at 08.50, met CRT man unlocking the gates and complained about the previous night’s early closure, which he, of course, denied. Heavy going again because of low water levels. Reached Fenny around 10.45, crammed car with 4 people, wheelchair, dog, clothing and bedding (throwing out entire contents of fridge because of lack of room in the car), and headed for Maidenhead. Offloaded a very squashed Charlie, Diana and Eddie into their car, and then headed for home, arriving around 15.30. very tired. Overall, a voyage of two halves. The first week went more or less according to plan (apart from the Elsan incident), but the second week turned out to be rather more “challenging”. For future voyages, I need to reinforce the cratch frame with shelf brackets, and we need to greatly improve the ship’s First Aid facilities. We also need to plan more effectively for any future medical emergencies that might be thrown at us, when “at sea”. Tony Weber
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Little Venice Trip The trip to Canalway Cavalcade had been planned for some time and awaited with some expectation by the branch members who had signed up to go on the trip. It seemed for a while that there would be insufficient numbers to make up a coach party but the invitation was extended to other groups including some Chelmer Canal Trust members. On the day the party set off just after 9.00am from Maldon with a couple of pick-ups in Danbury and Chelmsford. We arrived at about 11.00am on a rather cold day just as the festival opened with many of the group heading for some coffee to warm up. A very enjoyable day was passed in several different ways; this included looking at the variety of boats participating in the festival, boat trips along the beautiful Regents Canal to Camden, walking along the Canal, visiting the volunteers and historic boats, as well as enjoying the local cafes, food stalls, music and trade stands.
Photos by Pam Richards The Festival was very well organised, and there were lots of volunteers on hand to help with directions or information. Congratulations to the organisers Canalway Cavalcade Committee, and thank you all who came on the trip and made it a very special day. Rebecca Loader Social Secretary 10
Pull, Snap, Stomp Take FIVE minutes to help stamp out Himalayan Balsam Have you seen the vast swathes of Himalayan Balsam growing along the bank as you enjoy the water during the summer months? As attractive as it looks, this non-native invasive plant, with its reddish stem and pink-purple flowers is causing the widespread erosion of river and canal banks, leading to problems on the towpath, flooding and the suffocation of fish eggs. Himalayan Balsam grows so quickly that it crowds out our native wildflowers and because it has no root stock, once it goes to seed and dies back, there is nothing left to hold the soil together during the winter months. We need to stop the spread of these plants and in order to do that, we need to pull them out before they go to seed… and we need your help. The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is asking you to get behind their Pull Snap Stomp campaign this year.
Launching in early summer, the Pull Snap Stomp campaign encourages supporters to help stop the spread of Himalayan Balsam by pulling it out of the ground whenever they see it by the canal or river bank, to snap off the root, and to stomp down on it to stop it growing again. Families with young children or grandchildren are encouraged to take part in the campaign as the stalks are very easy to pull up and have a very pleasing ‘pop’ as they are removed from the ground. To support the campaign, people can register to receive an activity pack which gives more information about Himalayan Balsam and how to spot the plant along the towpath. Local IWA Branches are also organising their own local “Balsam Bash” Work Parties, encouraging people to take part. The charity has produced several resource guides to help people find Himalayan Balsam, including leaflets, posters and an online video.
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Pull, Snap, Stomp (cont) Alison Smedley, Policy & Campaigns Officer, IWA, comments; “We are hoping that large numbers will get behind our Pull Snap Stomp campaign this year. Over the years, our Balsam Bashes have made real inroads into reducing the spread of Himalayan Balsam and we hope this will continue. If everyone takes just five minutes out of their walk to stop and pull up some of the plants, we should be able to make a real difference.” The IWA campaign first ran in 2013, and since then it has gone from strength to strength. IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire branch has been particularly successful in removing Himalayan Balsam from its towpaths and it is now hoped that other branches and areas will have a similar level of success. IWA has a dedicated webpage www.waterways.org.uk/himalayanbalsam and will be supporting the campaign via IWA social media feeds. Don’t forget to use #PullSnapStomp for any social media posts. HELP STEM THE SPREAD OF HIMALAYAN BALSAM - #PULLSNAPSTOMP If you are out for a walk this summer, look out for Himalayan Balsam. Take FIVE and stop the spread of this destructive non-native invasive plant. PULL – Individual balsam stems pull up very easily and have a pleasing ‘pop’ SNAP – Break off the root below the lowest growing node STOMP – Pile up all the stems away from the water and the path. Stomp them down to assist the rotting process.
Nicola Kiely Volunteer Support Officer Social Diary 2019 / 2020 I have been working on the social diary for this year over the summer recess period. Due to the need to shuffle dates with speakers I am unable to announce the full timetable at this stage. However there will be some interesting topics which will hopefully include:• The 1953 Essex Flood Disaster • Recent Planning and installation of the Heybridge Basin Lock and sea gate • The work of the Port of London Authority and management of the River Thames • The history and restoration of the Medway Queen Paddle Steamer • The life of a Narrowboat Operator carrying cargo on the Canals from 1973 More topics to be announced later… Our first meeting is Thursday September 12th at Galleywood Heritage Centre. An email will be sent out as usual with a poster from Dennis and full details will be available on the IWA web site. Rebecca Loader 12
IWA National Chairman Visits The Board of Directors of Essex Waterways Ltd were very aware that the current Chairman of the Inland Waterways Association, its parent body, had not visited the Navigation. This was put right with an invitation for Ivor Caplan to visit together with the chair of IWA Finance Committee, Ray Carter, on 11th June. Our visitors were met at Chelmsford Station and whilst in Chelmsford were taken to Springfield Basin to see recently completed waterside developments and a basin now full with boats. A walk was taken to Lockside Marina where refurbishment is underway and then to Springfield Lock. Returning alongside the River Chelmer to the Essex Record Office, the proposed route and scheme for the Canal and River Link was explained, which could link the Navigation with the rivers in the city centre.
We then moved on to Paper Mill Lock to see our operation there and be greeted by David Hewitt, Navigation Manager. We were joined by Jim Jenkins, EWL Director, and our visitors were introduced to Sarah, Del and Sue. Volunteer Rob was busy on the ride on mower but still had time to say hello. Lunch was taken on board trip boat ALBERT as we travelled downstream to Hoe Mill with Del and Ian providing the crew. Following a look at the Hoe Mill site we drove down to Beeleigh Falls and Lock where Jim explained the complex layout of the rivers and then on to Heybridge Basin where we were joined by Colin Edmond, EWL Director. We visited the refurbished Kiosk where we met Jane Basil the Kiosk Manager and also saw our trip boat BLACKWATER DAWN. It was a quiet day at the basin due to late tides and assistant lock keeper Paul Heywood was busy mowing the picnic area. Both visitors enjoyed the day and Ivor included the following in his report for the forthcoming IWA Trustee Meeting: Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation I take every opportunity to promote the strengths of Essex Waterways in demonstrating the knowledge of running a navigation that IWA has. Regrettably, as chairman, I had not visited Essex Waterways and I remedied this on 11th June when myself and the national treasurer were invited on a tour. We were most impressed with the quality and variety of the Navigation and the opportunities for income generation, for instance from trip boat operations. Our thanks go to Roy Chandler and all the staff and volunteers that we met for their commitment and enthusiasm. Roy Chandler 13
A Family Canal Holiday
Last summer, at the beginning of the school holiday, Roy and I and our daughter Louise and our grandchildren Lucas 10 and Annabelle 7 took ‘Albert’, the new Chelmer Cruises trip boat from Paper Mill to Heybridge Basin. We had a lovely day and we decided a family canal holiday would be great fun. It is many years since we had a canal holiday as our own boat is used for river cruising. We have never cruised the Kennet and Avon canal and this would bring back many pleasant memories of our early canal experiences. This year, during the spring half term, we set off to the Hilperton Marina near Trowbridge. When ‘Blue Goose’, our 69ft. narrow boat, was ready we excitedly boarded with all our bags and plenty of food, conveniently delivered by Tesco. The children are excellent swimmers so there were a few groans when told they had to wear life jackets! However, they appreciated this safety requirement when they saw the depth of some of the locks. We had decided to travel up stream towards the Caen Hill Flight and then return and travel to Bath. So, on a beautiful sunny afternoon we set off and our crew soon enjoyed working the swing bridges and our son-in-law, Simon, soon got the hang of steering.
We moored for our first night near the junction of the Wilts and Berks Canal junction. It had been a long day so it was early to bed for all. We were up at the crack of dawn and Simon was soon cooking breakfast. Another beautiful day and we all enjoyed working the locks and swing bridges. We arrived at Lower Foxhangers Bridge late afternoon and took the opportunity of turning the boat round at the winding hole. It was a short walk to the bottom of Caen Hill Flight and then the steep climb up to the top. It was worth the effort as the panoramic view was picturesque. Whilst we had previously visited this engineering masterpiece, we wanted the family to see the flight. Unfortunately the tea room was closed.
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A Family Canal Holiday (cont)
It was raining the following day so we made good use of all our wet gear. The children were not daunted and still rushed out to help with locks and swing bridges. We moored for the night near Biss Aqueduct and found a supermarket which seemed in the middle of nowhere. Lots of card games were played that evening and we all laughed a great deal during a game of Pictionary! The sun was up the next morning as we headed towards Bradford-on-Avon. The children had fun on a zip wire that evening and we enjoyed the historic town after our evening meal at the canal side restaurant. The next morning was more zip wire whilst Louise and Simon did the shopping. We then travelled towards Bath and enjoyed the lovely views over the Avon Valley and the River Avon running close by. What intrigued us all was the number of live- aboards moored all along the tow path. Some boats were neat and tidy, others were amazing!. How can you live in a shed mounted on barrels? Or in a rusty hulk with the roof covered in tat. Oh well, it was entertaining and very different to our early canal cruising.
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A Family Canal holiday (cont)
After winding the boat, we moored that evening near the centre of Bath and walked into the city to look for a restaurant. The next morning was very warm and after Simon had returned from his jog we set off to explore the city. We walked through the Sydney Garden Tunnels and continued down the canal to the final deep locks to the River Avon. Alongside the river we passed a plaque installed by IWA in 1977 acknowledging 250 years of navigation between Bristol and Bath with the first cargo arriving on 16th December 1727. Later we sat beside Pulteney Bridge and weir for refreshments. Unfortunately, time was running out so we had to return to ‘Blue Goose’ for our last evening meal. The following morning was bright and sunny as we travelled along this picturesque waterway and over the Dundas and Avoncliff aqueducts and back to base. We all had a great time on our family canal holiday and it brought back happy memories for Roy and me for the numerous canal holidays we had with friends when we were young. Out of four couples we are the only ones still boating.
Chris Chandler
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Essex Waterways Update Both upper and lower gates at Rushes Lock were replaced with new before Easter and a lock ladder was installed. This was the only lock where we had not fitted a lock ladder as it was the only lock where we had not carried out major refurbishment since taking responsibility for the Navigation in 2005. The new gates were once again made by Hargreaves Lock Gates and installed by our own team with assistance from some of our loyal volunteers – thank you.
Essex Waterways Chelmer Cruises trip boat operation has taken over the KIOSK adjoining Daisy Meadow car park in Heybridge Basin. We have therefore been busy stabilising the kiosk, refurbishing it and installing new equipment. The KIOSK will be selling teas, coffee, ice cream and snacks as well as tickets for the trip boat and canoe/paddle-board licences. The landing stages each side have been rebuilt to make them wider and safer. The downstream stage has been turned into a waterside seating area with fixed tables and benches and the upstream stage will be used by our trip boat BLACKWATER DAWN.
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Essex Waterways Update (cont)
There is also a new lower level canoe landing area. The previous seating area on the opposite side of the tow path has been surfaced with stone slabs and new matching tables and benches have been fitted. I volunteered to make the tables and benches and was able to use timber reclaimed from shuttering at Little Baddow Weir for the benches. A surprise visit from Maldon District Council’s Public Health department has resulted in the KIOSK being given a 5* rating, matching that of our VICTORIA catering at Paper Mill Lock – well done team! The area is looking much smarter and already receiving many favourable comments, do make use of our KIOSK when visiting Heybridge Basin.
Trip boat BLACKWATER DAWN is operating from the KIOSK and after a few early mechanical problems is now providing ticket trips on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays crewed by volunteers. We aim to operate each day as soon as more volunteers are available. At Paper Mill our other small trip boat ALBERT has been repainted with the help of volunteers and is proving very popular in providing charter trips. We still require volunteers to crew these boats.
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Essex Waterways Update (cont) Unfortunately our replacement six wheel plant trailer has been stolen from Hoe Mill. Although well secured, determined thieves managed to drag it through the roadside hedge to take it away. The Lockside Marina Management Company is currently completing refurbishment of Lockside Marina and it is looking very smart. With mooring sites full along the Navigation, this is the only site where there are currently moorings available. Development opposite the marina on the Chelmer Waterside site off Wharf Road is progressing very rapidly with several blocks of apartments appearing.
Work is underway at Springfield Basin to refurbish the mooring pontoon and improve the facilities ready for the three residential moorings that have been permitted there. The facilities will include an additional toilet and laundry room for the residential boats. By the time you read this at least two of the new residential boats will have arrived on the Navigation. As soon as river levels permit, work will commence on the Paper Mill weir to stabilise this as there are areas of scouring beneath the apron. Clearance work will also take place at Rushes weir so that earlier movement on the wing wall can be monitored and investigated. Many of you will know John Gale as Chelmsford Branch Treasurer. John has also been a regular volunteer on the Navigation since we took over in 2005. Usually working at least two days a week throughout the year he has helped us maintain the tow paths and lock surrounds with regular grass cutting and assisted with all sorts of other maintenance jobs. He has also been a key player in both Branch and Essex WRG working parties throughout the years. John has decided that it is now time to retire from regular volunteering and we would all like to thank him for his many years of help on our waterway. Thank you John. Roy Chandler
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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
9
1
7 7
3 2
6 1 6 4
9 5
8
8
6
8 2
1 9
7 3 9
6 8
6
2
1
3
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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