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Colwich Lock Little Haywood By Stephanie Mason & John Grieve
Disclaimer: The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this Newsletter but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed herein may be construed as policy or official announcement unless stated otherwise. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in the Newsletter The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor House, Chesham HP5 1WA 1
Content From The Editor From The Regional Chairman Blast From The Past Branch Social Fifty Years A Volunteer
Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6
Essex Waterways Update View From Above Birmingham Canal Just For Fun Branch Committee
Page 7 Page 11 Page 12 Page 16 Page 16
From The Editor As the weeks have slowly passed by as part of the lockdown due to this pandemic and those of us that have had to follow the governments guidelines on shielding, it is good to start to raise our heads and be outside. I have had a few pleasant afternoons walking along the Navigation (following the social distancing rules). I hope that as more of the restrictions are removed more of you will get out and about. Stay safe.
I hope that the Newsletter helps to remind you of all the work that has been ongoing on the Navigation and once we emerge from the current situation you will be able to volunteer and help on the Navigation.
Take this time to dig out those photographs, write that article, document those waterway memories as we would still like to increase our contributors to the next Newsletter. Last inputs for Summer Newsletter 21/08/2020.
For those on e-mail please send your input to chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk Those without just give me a call. 07837 576464.
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From The Regional Chairman This will be my last time I will be writing to you as a Trustee of the Association as I have done the maximum number of years allowed by our constitution and have to step down. I will, at least for the moment, be continuing as your Region Chairman as now you don’t have to be a Trustee to be a Region Chairman. We are living through strange times and no one can predict what the future holds so I have decided to start by looking back to when I first became your Region Chairman in 2011 to see what has changed. It’s strange how everything changes but nothing changes. Back in 2011 I was expressing concern that the money on offer from the government for the, then, new Canal and River Trust was well below that needed for a sustainable future. The Trust has done much to fix the holes but the funding settlement I was talking about back in 2011, comes to an end soon. The negotiations with the government for a future settlement of money to run the canals will take place against the background of the damage to the economy caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. I believe that the threat to the waterways caused by the economic situation is real and on-going, future funding, will become a real issue in the next few years. If the Canal and River Trust is not to be starved of funds, it will need our support and lobbying at the highest level. But this issue goes much wider than just the waterways run by the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency’s waterways have been underfunded for years. Their budgets will also be coming under even greater threat. The situation for the waterways, across the country, could be as bad as, 75 years ago, when the association was formed. I believe the only organisation that can give the leadership to the waterways movement, to prevent this happening is the Inland Waterway Association. At a local level you can help by supporting your local branch lobby for the future of your local waterways. With the present restrictions on meetings and other gatherings your branch is looking at ways to keep you involved. Some of these are explained in this newsletter. The Region, and head office, are running Webinars on a variety of subjects and if you haven’t seen one yet, I strongly recommend you join one, they are a great way of keeping up with the waterways. Full details are on our website. Hopefully the restrictions on meeting up with people resulting from Covid 19 will have been lifted in time for next year’s Cavalcade. It will take on special importance and we need to try and make it even more memorable than usual to make certain IWA's campaigning message is heard by the widest possible audience. Paul Strudwick London Region Chairman
There are two recent Webinars which you can view featuring the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation: ‘Looking after the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation’ ‘A journey up the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation’ Go to the IWA Waterways website Webinars page and head over to the YouTube Channel.
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Blast From The Past Article from Essex Chronicle 1975
Tis article followed an IWA Rally of Boats in Chelmsford in 1973 to promote the Navigation and campaign for it to be open to recreational use after commercial traffic ceased in 1972 ‘Victoria� is now operated by Essex Waterways Ltd.
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Chelmsford Branch Social - What Does The Future Hold? As you will know we had to postpone our April and May meeting due to the general COVID 19 risks and shut down. Our planned meetings in September and October may still be able to go ahead. The Galleywood Heritage Centre is quite a large hall and can take a quarter of its usual capacity which is 30 people. It has both an entrance and exit into the main hall and all the necessary risk assessments and protocols have been put in place by the Charity who run the hall. For us to hold the meetings the following will be necessary:•
Our speakers willingness to come and give a talk
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IWA Head Office permission
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An on-line booking system managed by IWA Head office / or booking with our social secretary by email or telephone
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A number of members/ guests wishing to attend and your willingness and agreement that you will abide by the appropriate social distancing rules set by your committee on the night.
The meeting will look different – Chairs will be spaced further apart and grouped for individuals, there will be no raffle and no refreshments so you must bring your own. Masks will probably need to be worn. Hand washing use of gels will be in place. As guidance continues to change we cannot tell you at the moment what our plan will be. This will be advised on the usual IWA website and by email nearer the time with a link to the booking system. It would be helpful to know what you think if you would like meetings to resume so please feel free to email me and give me your thoughts. Many thanks and my best wishes to you all. Rebecca Loader Rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk Social Secretary
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Fifty Years A Volunteer (part two) John Gale continues with his reflections about his connection with the waterways and IWA. On 5th November 1973 I joined the staff at IWA General Office. Becoming a paid member of staff restricted, but didn’t end, my volunteering. During the twenty years I was on the staff I was appointed Company Secretary of Waterway Recovery Group Limited and this involved attending Board Meetings four or five times a year which were always on a Sunday. They were usually in Derbyshire but sometimes at various restoration sites. During this time I was Hon Treasurer of IWALK (IWA’s national sponsored walk). In 1988 I became Hon Treasurer of the 1989 National Waterways Festival at Waltham Abbey. This was much against the wishes of John Taunton (IWA General Secretary) so I had to be careful not to do any of it in ‘work’ time. Shortly before this I had rejoined the Branch Committee and between 1988 and 1995 I edited the Branch Newsletter. I also found the time to serve on the committees of two Chelmsford Branch Rallies of Boats, and to organise several sponsored walks. In 1985 Roy Chandler, Paul Strudwick and I prepared and circulated a report “Springfield Basin … and Beyond” advocating the restoration of Springfield Lock and Springfield Basin and connecting to the rivers beyond. This was well received, but nothing happened. In 1992 Doug Beard aided and abetted by Roy Chandler decided that the only option was for the Branch to do it ourselves. As I had just left IWA but had yet to start a new job I had plenty of time to assist, so I was, I suppose, number three. I looked after the Branch caravan, the Branch tools and once we had acquired the two Branch dumpers I looked after them. I gave them a nice fresh coat of red paint. (This rather confused visiting groups when told to take the green dumper when they were both red). I also spent long periods shovelling in the feeder ditch and practicing my not very good bricklaying skills in the lock. After the reopening of the basin in May 1993 we formed the Essex branch of Waterway Recovery Group and between then and 2017 we went out each month, helping with the Buckingham Arm, the Cotswold Canal, the Derby Canal, Foxton Inclined Plane, the Litchfield, the Hereford & Gloucester, the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal, the Wey & Arun, the Wilts & Berks and, of course, the Chelmer & Blackwater.
In 2002 my volunteering came to an abrupt halt when my mother went into hospital and all my spare time was taken up with hospital visiting, After my mother’s death in 2003 I didn’t come back to volunteering until I retired in 2007.
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Fifty Years A Volunteer (part two) (cont) I was then persuaded to rejoin the Branch committee and I also started putting in two days a week (weather permitting) on the Chelmer & Blackwater. In the summer this was mainly mowing or trying to clear floating pennywort. In the winter period we helped plant willows, repaired and installed landing stages. Other jobs included helping install electricity supplies to the moorings, helping to clear fallen trees, bonfires, climbing into empty locks to shovel silt out, painting and various other small jobs, In 2018 as my health was failing I gave up the physical voluntary work, remaining as Branch Treasurer but now as my sight is beginning to go I am giving up that job as well, although I do intend to remain on the Branch Committee. John Gale Essex Waterways Update The Navigation remained fully open to all users and, with effect from 4th July, Government has lifted all restrictions on boating activity. Users are reminded, however, of the continuing need to adhere to Government recommendations on social distancing and to be considerate to others on and alongside the waterway. During the weeks of lockdown restrictions imposed by the Government, and subsequent bans on staying away from home and distant travel, use of the Navigation, particularly by walkers, cyclists, canoeists and the local population in general has been at record levels, and this has brought considerable challenges in managing the consequences. Whilst the vast majority of visitors have been well behaved and considerate, a minority have left a great deal of litter, caused damage to lock structures and distress to fellow users and neighbours. We have done our very best to cope with these challenges, clear the litter, repair broken items and calm difficult situations. One of the consequences is that the parish councils covering Paper Mill, Little Baddow and Hoe Mill locks have been alarmed at the number of visitors and inconsiderate parking in these areas. The result is that extensive ‘no parking’ restrictions have been applied, with double yellow lines a considerable distance either side of the road crossings at these locations. The car park adjacent to the tea room at Paper Mill (open 10.00 am to 5.30 pm daily) is now operated by the farmer who owns this land, and a charge of £5 per day has been introduced to everyone except those with disabled driver badges. We are pleased to see boaters return to the Navigation, but we are especially pleased to see our volunteers return – their support is invaluable and if you would be willing to help too, you will be made especially welcome. There is something for everyone, whether it is litter clearance, vegetation control, cleaning and painting equipment along the Navigation or minor repairs at the moorings. The more jobs that can be tackled by volunteers, the greater the benefits for all users of the Navigation and the more tasks our employees can tackle to improve the Navigation and its infrastructure. If you can help, please contact our Waterway Manager: steve.cottis@waterways.org.uk We welcomed Steve to this role just as the Covid19 lockdown commenced and it has therefore been an unusual introduction to the job and a real challenge with having to maintain the waterway with social distancing, reduced staff numbers and an unprecedented number of visitors. It will certainly be good if we can return to ‘normal’! Unfortunately because of social distancing rules it will not be possible to hold the planned Waterway Recovery Group canal camps this year and therefore the summer and autumn camps have been cancelled. 7
Essex Waterways Update (cont) The kiosk at Daisy Meadow re-opened in June, the campsite at Hoe Mill re-opened on 4th July and we hope to bring the trip boats back into use when we consider it safe to do so, and in line with Government and NHS advice. In each case, the risks of re-opening have been carefully assessed and additional precautions are in place to mitigate against any spread of infection. Please do not visit the Navigation if you have any symptoms that might possibly indicate an infection. Planning permission has been granted to change the use of the office mooring on the pontoon in Springfield Basin to residential use. The Office barge which has occupied this mooring since 2005 has left the Navigation. Work Complete Since our last newsletter, we have been busy: •
A loose coping stone at the downstream end of Paper Mill Lock, which was preventing use of the gates has been fixed and secured into place.
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Paddle gear at Little Baddow Lock has been fixed. This required a two-day stoppage to dewater the lock so that the repair could be undertaken.
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The landing stage outside Lockside Marina, just above Springfield Lock, has been re-decked, and repairs have been completed to mooring stages along the Navigation.
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The landing stage alongside Tesco at Heybridge has been repaired and re-decked. This was originally provided by Tesco when the store extension was opened, but is now our responsibility to maintain.
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Essex Waterways Update (cont) •
A new sluice has been installed in the sluice room at Springfield Basin. This is similar to those at Sandford and at Paper Mill North Bank, and will allow toilet cassettes to be emptied more easily. The outside of the facilities area at Springfield Basin has been painted.
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A new pump out unit has been installed alongside the lock at Heybridge Basin.
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Repairs have been made to lock gates where pins have been removed by vandals.
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Hot weather this spring has brought on the usual prolific growth of weed, and our weed-cutter boats have been out the length of the Navigation to try to keep it under control. This will continue throughout the summer.
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A new step has been added to one of the balance beams at Rushes Lock to make operation easier.
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The steps leading up to the Navigation from Daisy Meadow car park have been refurbished and a new hand rail added.
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Essex Waterways Update (cont) •
The access track, alongside Treasure Island, to the moorings on the North Bank at Paper Mill has been resurfaced, partly financed with a contribution by the owners of Treasure Island.
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A large willow tree overhanging the Navigation above Barnes Mill has been removed. Low water levels in the Barnes to Springfield reach have been resolved by removing a blockage from the sluice by the weir at Barnes Mill.
We have also been busy with the usual mowing along the towpath and around lock sides.
Planned Work for the coming months •
We will be draining Paper Mill Lock on 7th September to survey for new lower lock gates, which we hope to install in early part of the winter, possibly as early as November.
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We have been monitoring small movements to the brickwork at Rushes Weir and intend to undertake some piling to secure the foundations and place iron straps around some of the brickwork to prevent further movement. This will necessitate some vegetation clearance and stump removal as soon as we can without undue disturbance to wildlife.
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There will be additional signage put in along the Navigation to remind canoeists (including inflatables) and paddle-boarders that they need to hold a licence, which can easily be bought on line – just enter ‘Essex waterways canoeing’ or ‘Chelmer Blackwater canoeing’ in a Google search. These are necessary because of the increase in the number of these craft now using the Navigation. Roy Chandler 10
View From Above
Heybridge Basin Sea Lock (Tim Lewis)
Beeleigh Lock (Tim Lewis)
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Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) September 2019 We travelled to our boat on a Friday afternoon, ready for a good get away on the Saturday. Leaving Brinklow Marina on a sunny, warm and windy morning with lots of boats on the move, and the hedgerows colourful with rowan, elderberry, hawthorn, sloes, rose hips, and blackberries to name a few. We cruised the Oxford Canal with the West Coast Mainline Rail Line alongside, passing under the M6 motorway seeing all transport links together, until heading through Sutton Stop Lock at Hawkesbury Junction and onto the Coventry Canal. We experienced a short sharp cloud burst at Marston Junction and then it was lovely again. Onwards we passed CRT's Hartshill Yard, before mooring above Atherstone Locks for the night and enjoying a lovely meal in the Red Lion Hotel. On Sunday we headed down the flight of eleven locks. A volunteer was helping boats at lock 1, and keeping a boat count on the blackboard. Most locks were set against us but we did meet a couple of boats coming up It is a lovely setting with sunny and shady areas. As we cruised we saw lots of hazelnuts, damson, crab apple, hops, white trumpets of bindweed flowers, fields of corn, straw bales, orange flowers, laurel berries, great reed mace, and butterflies. Onwards passing Samual Barlow's base full of historic narrowboats, then through Amington, and down the two Glascote Locks at Tamworth, turning right at Fazeley Junction, passing Hopwas and Whittington, through the swing bridge at Fradley Junction and turning left onto the Trent & Mersey Canal Up two locks and mooring for the night in another lovely setting. On Monday we cruised a bracken lined towpath, through Woodend Lock, the cottage here is occupied again now HS2 has been diverted. On through Handsacre, and Armitage with it's 'LOCAL FACILITIES' sign in front of the stacks of porcelain bathware and toilets, haha, then through the tunnel and cutting, seeing the impressive castle topped Hawkesyard Hall, onwards passing Rugeley, over the Brindley Bank Aqueduct then queued at Colwich Lock, with boats going up and down it worked well, it was the same at Haywood Lock.
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Birmingham Canal Navigation (BCN) September 2019 (cont)
A brief stop at Great Haywood Junction before heading under the bridge onto the Staffs & Worcs Canal, we were soon at Tixal Wide and the pretty lock and cottage. On through six more locks before mooring at Penkridge and enjoying a meal at the Cross Keys.
Leaving on Tuesday morning with the sun shining we arrived at Otherton Lock to find the pound above very low, NB Plover FMC was also below the lock (and had contacted CRT), they were unable to proceed due to being deep draughted, after checking above again we continued with me on the boat staying mid channel and John on foot, we passed through three more locks, the water levels were gradually improving, and arriving at Gailey Round House Lock and shop, we met CRT and updated them on the levels. I took the opportunity to go into the lovely shop, it was just as I remembered it from years ago.
At Coven Heath we cruised a very narrow channel, with high sided rock on the left, and passing places recessed in the rock fortunately as it would be long way to reverse. Then onwards past Autherley Junction and taking a left turn at Aldersley Junction onto the BCN Main Line and the start of the 21 Wolverhampton flight of locks, a boat was already in the bottom lock going up, but after chatting they waited for us at the next lock so we could share the flight, as we were both short boats we fit in together with us behind them. There was a lot of rubbish and weed in the flight but as we neared the top the water cleared, but there was still some floating debris. We had made good time up the flight sharing the work, our companions stopped at the top saying bye and we headed off to Horseley Junction and turned left onto the BCN Back Waters, firstly the Wyrley & Essington Canal (known as the curly wyrley), stopping briefly for provisions while John cleaned the prop by removing plastic and weed. The route now had masses of floating lily pads, scum, weed, rubbish and lots of coots, some walking on water well weed! As we neared Lane Head it was like cruising through sludge, we moored at CRT's secure moorings, access by a locked gate, with a grassy area opposite on the towpath side. 13
Birmingham Canal Navigation (BCN) September 2019 (cont)
On Wednesday we headed off cruising through lily pads, weed, chunks of wood and branches, in some parts when you could see the water it was so clear we saw shoals of fish. At Sneyd Wharf we saw some CRT chaps who wished us luck with the route! The floating duckweed here was so thick again it slowed our boat down. We continued onwards, going into reverse periodically to free weed from the prop. Going straight on at Birchills Junction (right takes you to Walsall) there were parts with lovely rural views over fields. At Pelsall the area was very well maintained, with park seats and walk areas, weed free canal and newly painted bridges (there had been a show here recently). We even met another narrowboat here the first one since Wolverhampton. Stopping briefly at Brownhill Services, then onwards turning right at Catshill Junction onto the Daw End Canal then turning right at Longwood Junction onto the Rushall Canal and down two locks,. Below the locks the water was covered in weed, and a long straight stretch before the remaining seven Rushall Locks, the water was clearer here, soon we turned left at Rushall Junction onto the Tame Valley Canal, which was much clearer and tree lined, we moored just off the Hampstead Aqueduct in the shelter of the trees as it was very open and windy.
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Birmingham Canal Navigation (BCN) September 2019 (cont)
Thursday was bright and sunny and we headed down the 13 Perry Bar Locks, only to find part way down between lock 6 & 7 the pound was EMPTY, we opened some lock paddles above while waiting for CRT and got some good photo's. We eventually reached the bottom lock where I was amazed to see the bottom of the lock because the water was so clear. From here we could see 'spaghetti junction' where the M6 motorway passes overhead, we passed underneath these interlinked roads and soon passed Salford Junction continuing on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, no weeds here. Arriving at the three Minworth Locks where there was a queue, but with boats going up and down we were not there long, on through Curdworth Tunnel and then down some of the spread out 11 Curdworth Locks, which are in a lovely setting, mooring at Bodymoor Heath to enjoy a meal in the Dog & Doublet. Friday we set off to complete the rest of the locks, then along a tree lined cutting and nature reserves, we saw a Little Egret, it was a very rural area, with long straights so you can see a long way ahead. Soon we passed under the impressive Drayton Footbridge (a Gothic Folly) with an open swivel bridge. At Fazeley Junction we turned right back onto the Coventry Canal, to queue for the two Glascote Locks, where John helped a broken down Historic Boat in the lock pound, it had a very badly fouled prop. As we returned passed Samuel Barlow's Base John rescued a small boat drifting mid channel as the boatyard staff couldn't reach it and the occupant couldn't get the engine started, it turned out the key was in the ignition wrong. Just as we cruised between Polesworth and Atherstone there was a cloud burst, and a large tree trunk was adrift across the canal, we had seen it tied to the armco barrier on our outward journey, we moored and managed to hook it and pull it back to the barrier and re tie the ropes, we both got rarher wet in the rain. The sun soon dried us off as we headed back up Atherstone Locks, continuing on to moor at Hartshill and have an excellent meal at the Anchor Inn. Leaving on Saturday we passed around Hawkesbury Junction back onto the Oxford Canal, seeing a lot of cruising boats, including NB Brandywine and saying hello, we were soon back onto our pontoon in Brinklow Marina. It had been an eventful week, but we were glad we had done the BCN Backwaters, it is good to explore new parts we have not been to before, although it is a shame more boats don't use this route. Some locks needed an antivandal key. The weather was very mixed with sun, warmth, cold, wet and windy, but we were prepared for all these. It is now time to plan for 2020, however the Covid 19 Pandemic has had an impact on these plans. Stephanie Mason & John Grieve
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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) 1 1
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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.
24 Longleaf Drive, Braintree CM7 1XS
Philip Cervini
Treasurer.
philip.cervini@waterways.org.uk.
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
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