IWA Chelmsford Branch Newsletter Summer 2021

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Top Lock at Devizes on Kennet and Avon By John G Carlaw

Disclaimer: The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this Newsletter but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed herein may be construed as policy or official announcement unless stated otherwise. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in the Newsletter The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor House, Chesham HP5 1WA 1

Content From The Editor From The Vice Chairman Canoe Hire From The Regional Chairman Time To Cruise Again Committee Vacancy Summer Cruise

Page 2 Page 3 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 7 Page 8

Vicar’s Viewpoint Essex Waterways Update Essex Waterways Vacancies Black Country Ring Social Diary Just For Fun Branch Committee

Page 12 Page 13 Page 15 Page 16 Page 19 Page 20 Page 20

From The Editor With our arms filled with Pfizer, batches EK4244 and EM4965 for me, the prospect of going out seemed to be more of a reality but the weather appeared to have other ideas.

The April showers did not appear and the sunshine did not want to be seen. Then May deposited its precipitation in one continuous down pour and sure some people grew webbed feet.

With some of the Covid-19 restrictions being reviewed and lifted. I hope you took the opportunity to get out and meet up with family and friends.

We still need you 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 AutumnNewsletter 21/09/2021.

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 Vice Chairman The last few months have brought many changes as the Country goes back to the ‘new normal ‘.

Something that has remained a constant in the life of the village where I live in Heybridge Basin is the Navigation. It would be easy to take this beautiful waterway and all it represents to so many for granted.

The recreational use that I see daily on my walks, paddle boarders, walkers, canoeists, fishermen, swimmers and of course the boaters clearly demonstrates that the navigation brings so much joy to so many and makes such a difference to health and wellbeing. So far this year the weather has been mixed with many people back to work and the schools open so visitors have been at a much more manageable level. I have noticed a reduction in litter and less tension whilst people learn to share the space and respect each other’s point of view. I very much hope that during the summer holidays this sense of calm will continue and visitors will enjoy their time on the Navigation but will respect the special place they have come to see.

I see the Navigation staff in their blue tops and the Essex Waterways vans going about their daily tasks.

I see the kiosk open with its lovely seating area and the trip boat waiting to take visitors. I note the work parties and volunteers strimming the vegetation, cutting grass and other tasks and I want to make sure all those visitors and waterway users know how much work and how much money it takes to maintain the waterway that we appreciate so much. So many people do not know this.

I was therefore pleasantly surprised and heartened by two recent positive events. The first was a complimentary article in Maldon & Heybridge Life Magazine from the local vicar Reverend Asa Humphreys about the Navigation which is reproduced here. The second was a chance encounter with a lady who has recently moved into the village and has become a C&BN volunteer. She was most impressed with the training course and all the information that she had learnt about the Navigation including the willow for cricket bats and had worked on a few work parties. So apart from the work she is completing she is also an excellent Ambassador. Congratulations to the volunteer trainer you have done an excellent job and to all those other people who work so hard on the maintenance of the Navigation it is appreciated.

Rebecca Loader Canoe Hire

The increased interest in canoeing on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation has resulted in many enquiries about canoe hire. Essex Waterways has therefore introduced a canoe and kayak hire operation at Paper Mill Lock which is already proving popular.

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From The Regional Chairman The long days of Covid 19 lockdown are hopefully over and, with the easing of restrictions, we can start thinking about being able to enjoy the Inland Waterways again.

I was first elected your Region Chairman ten years ago after the previous chairperson had to resign due to ill health. That summer’s newsletter was the first time I produced these notes for you. At that time, we were looking at how we could support boats visiting London for the Olympics by carrying out work parties to clean up the canals. One thing that has not changed since 2011, is the need to broaden the age profile of the association and to widen the membership base so that others recognise us as being a broad “church” representing not only the boating and heritage interests, but also all other users such as walkers and casual visitors.

The boating scene in London has changed much in the last ten years with many more boats moored in the region, many being used as people’s homes. We have tried hard to work with the Canal & River Trust to help adapt the London Waterways to this new reality and ensure they are available to all. Your Region has achieved much in this time and continues to support the work of your branch as best it can.

Generally, the amount of news I have to report to you decreases in the summer months, this year is, particularly quiet. The Environment Agency (EA) are undertaking a comprehensive review of their boat registration and charging schemes. At present each of their major Navigations, Thames, Medway and the Anglian region have different ways of calculating the cost of a boat licence. They are proposing to bring a common approach to licencing and charging across all their waterways. Personally, I think that is a good idea and is an improvement over the current situation. However, I am concerned that they appear to want to balance the navigation costs with navigation income. I think this could lead to some very steep increases to license fees or a sharp drop in standards. They are carrying out a detailed consultation and if you have a boat on any of the EA waterways or occasionally visit them, I recommend you look at their survey https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-and-business/navboat-reg-charge/ Last time I wrote to you I expected that the Volunteer Hub, would have come on line. Unfortunately, as I write this has not happened but I’m told it should become live soon.

Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Person

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Time To Cruise Again May 2021 Following a long winter, and with Covid-19 still restricting normal activities, we were eager to go to Brinklow Marina to check our boat Bueno Vita in mid-May. We were also able to see the changes at the marina, as Brinklow had been taken over in January 2021 by the Castle Marina's Group. A 12-week improvement plan soon started, replacing all the pontoons including water and electricity points, erecting a toilet and shower block, new office, and tidying up around the grounds.

Castle also employed Marina Manager Dave and Harbourmaster Mark, so the marina was being run in a more organised manner. They have an Open Day planned for Saturday 7th August, 2021. It was good to see all the changes.

It was even better to board Bueno Vita, open her up and let some air through. Over the weekend I spring cleaned inside, and John washed and polished outside, ready for our return on Friday for a long bank holiday weekend cruise.

Friday soon came and we were back at our boat early. Once unpacked we left the marina with me navigating and in charge of the tiller (as John got a work call). This was the first time I had actually taken our boat out of any of the marina's we had berthed at. It went smoothly, and turning right onto the Oxford Canal we headed towards Braunston, we soon saw lots of cruising boats.

It was a beautiful warm, sunny day, no wind, birds singing, green trees, some full of blossom, especially white hawthorn everywhere. We passed through the short, 2-way Newbold Tunnel, stopping at the Rugby moorings for lunch.

Heading off again we passed up through Hillmorton Locks (3) duplicated, and were surprised that there wasn't any queue's, especially as we had seen so many boats on the move. We moored near Bridge 81, the other side of the hedge to Dunchurch Marina. Later looking out of the boat window across to the field, we saw a hare and watched it for ages, fascinated.

Leaving on Saturday morning we noticed a lot more vegetation and trees had been cut back on both sides of the canal, improving visibility, and making passing oncoming boats easier.

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Time To Cruise Again (cont) At Braunston we stopped briefly at Midland Chandlers, where we couldn't get the bulb we wanted, so instead got the whole replacement navigation light which is LED (we had already replaced the other one, so they match again).

Passing under Braunston Turn we headed towards Napton Junction, it was along here we saw the chap (broker) who sold us our boat, and who invited us to breast up for a catch up, staying on our own boats we chatted for ages, we also said hello to some fellow Sea Otter boaters we knew who passed while we were here, heading off again we soon stopped for lunch before turning right at the junction.

Heading down the 3 Calcutt Locks, and sharing with another narrowboat, then as we approached Stockton we turned before the bridge and moored, as we did not plan to go down the flight of locks this time. It was another beautiful day, and hot too, we appreciated the lovely scenery, and hearing the birds singing constantly, we are so lucky. We had hoped for a meal in the Boat Inn at the bridge, but unfortunately they were fully booked, we will be back another time, as the meals are excellent.

Sunday and a misty start, John changed the navigation light while it was on the towpath side, and just finished when 'oops' the screwdriver fell in the canal between the boat and the ground - lost forever!

The sea searcher magnet couldn't find it, but was worth a try.

Off again with the sun, and a cool breeze, we headed back up the 3 Calcutt Locks, sharing again. At Napton Junction we turned right and headed for Napton, seeing the windmill on the hill surrounded by scaffolding. At Napton we filled with water, used the services, and

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Time To Cruise Again (cont) then pulled Bueno Vita back to the corner and turned around while there were no cruising boats about, then we moored for the day, again we did not plan on going up the locks this trip.

We went and had a lovely lunch at the Folly Inn, where they are still using marquees and garden tables due to Covid-19, this is working well for them and customers, and gives them more tables than they have in the tiny pub building. Later we walked to the village shop, but unfortunately it is shut Sunday afternoons. We did detour into the nearby Cider Shop, and I got some cider. After a relaxing afternoon we saw the most amazing sunset that evening.

On Bank Holiday Monday, and after another misty start, the sun shone, and we walked back to the shop and got our provisions, including some of their delicious Water Buffalo burgers. It is an amazing shop, post office, gifts, plants, hot food and drinks, cakes and desserts.

Heading back we saw Tim & Prue's narrowboat just mooring, manned by family members. Back at Braunston Turn we headed left, and down Hillmorton Locks (3) duplicated, no queue's again even though lots of boats about. We moored in Rugby, where we had booked the Harvester for our evening meal. During the afternoon we watched the many boats passing each other between the moored boats, and not having a lot of space for manoeuvring, several ended up in the hawthorn blossom on the bend as they came to the end of the moored boats on one side. We all have to learn.

We noticed a lot of multi generations on the hire boats, a lot of young couples, and families, also young groups too, probably the effect of Covid-19 and many people having staycations in the UK, good for the Hire Base Businesses. Hopefully it will encourage a new generation of supporters for our waterways.

On Tuesday after a quick shop in Tesco, we headed back through Newbold Tunnel, and into Brinklow Marina. Back on our berth we felt refreshed, and that we had been away longer than the 5 days.

We are already looking forward to our next trip. Hope you all manage to get some cruising in, or time by the waterside. Take care everyone.

Stephanie Mason & John Grieve

Committee Vacancy Due to the sudden and unexpected death of Dennis Padfield a vacancy on the branch committee has arisen.

The position is for the Publicity and Press Officer in promoting the IWA Chelmsford Branch activities and the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation and attracting more supporters and members to the branch.

The role is to promote the Branch and the Navigation and its events with the local media and press. If you think you could help with this role please contact rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk or telephone Rebecca on 01621 332619.

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Summer Cruise With the end of June approaching we packed our bags and the car and drove to Wiltshire to collect a canal boat from Bradford on Avon marina. This was the starting point of our two weeks of cruising the Kennet and Avon on a round trip heading towards Reading.

We collected a 65 foot classic stern narrow boat, that gave us plenty of space to spread out on.

Once we left the marina we had a pleasant, leisurely cruise along the Kennet and Avon to our first night stop at Semington. There just happened to be a nice pub, selling food as well as beer, a couple of hundred yards from the canal. The short walk back allowed us to see the close of the day.

The Kennet and Avon is a wide beamed canal so looking or waiting for a partner to support you in the locks and the swing bridges makes the day easier and extra company along your route.

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Summer Cruise (cont) At the moorings at Semington there is a notification of the old and the proposed new route of the Wilts and Berks Canal. Other than the notice board the only evidence is the bricked up arch way of the old entrance. The original canal was opened in 1810 and closed in 1914. The new restoration from Abingdon to the Kennet and Avon, 50 plus miles, is underway but with no announced completion date.

Saturday was a short cruise to Sells Green. Five locks and a mixture of swing and fixed bridges. Passing through lock 17 that has been modernised with a pump that recycles water to the top flight, lock 21, of the Seend Locks.

Once reaching Sells Green we moored to explore the very rural area. After an ice cream we returned to the boat and spent a very leisurely, sunny, afternoon reading and watching the world go by. We were also watched by the local wild life from the opposite bank. His fishing efforts did put some of the local anglers to shame as he enjoyed an afternoon snack.

On the Sunday morning we left Sells Green early to take on the Foxhangers, Caen Hill and Devizes Locks. A total of 29 wide beamed locks and rising 237 feet over two miles. We paired with another boat and six and a half hours later we moored at Devizes Wharf.

To address serious water supply problems, a back pumping station was installed at Foxhangers in 1996, capable of returning thirty-two million litres of water per day to the top of the flight-equivalent to one lockful every eleven minutes.

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Summer Cruise (cont) Our overnight at Devizes was very pleasant. A short walk in to town only to find that as it was a Sunday all of the bars and restaurants shut early evening. So it was back to the boat to break out the beer and food for a meal on board and to watch the rainy evening. A quick shop in the morning, to replenished our stores and we set off towards Hungerford. We were now on lock and swing bridge free cruising, so we settled back and pottered along watching the countryside drift on by.

After leaving Devizes we passed little villages of Bishops Canning, All Canning and Honeystreet. Five hours later we arrived in Pewsey Wharf.

What we were not told was that the Wiltshire pubs and bars do not open on a Monday. Again the moorings were very limited, due to residential craft, occupying the over night moorings.. Fortunately there was a Canal and River Trust volunteer who pointed out that we could moor alongside the work boat overnight.

Tuesday was an eight hour cruise to Foxfield. Passing Wotton Rivers, and through the Bruce Tunnel, (five hundred and two yards). Here we reached the summit of 475ft above sea level.

Onward to Crofton, Great Bewyn and mooring by No69 Foxfield Middle Lock. No TV or mobile-phone reception, unless you walked 15 minutes long the towpath up to the A4. Then you might be lucky, depending on you service provider. So it was a cold beer and dinner along with a good book.

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Summer Cruise (cont) Wednesday, we cast off and headed to Hungerford. Just a couple of hours of cruising with a few locks and one at Hungerford Marsh which has a swing bridge across the lock chamber. The bridge was provided for the benefit of the commoners who enjoyed and which for that matter still do rights over Freeman’s Marsh across the canal.

After a quick turn around Tesco we used the towns winding hole to head our way back to Bradford on Avon.

We arrived back at Bradford on Avon marina on the Wednesday afternoon having completed 11 days, 52hrs of cruising over 78 miles, climbing 237 feet above sea level in 2 miles, a tunnel 502 yds and 37 locks each way.

On the Thursday it was back in the car to visit Glastonbury and Glastonbury Tor. Then on to Bridgwater to visit some friends.

It was very peaceful and relaxing two weeks of cruising and we did enjoy ourselves. Would we visit the Kennet and Avon again, we are not sure. People were very helpful, the boat was good, most of the Canal and River Trust Volunteers were very helpful but it is just that the live aboards appear to occupy many of the overnight 48 and 72 hour visitor moorings. A few are moored on the lock only moorings, with out of date registration (some two years out of date), so you have to start planning your over night location / mooring the night before. The other direction to Bath and Bristol is having a lot of dredging carried out and we were informed that the mooring in that direction was even more difficult All in all a good time was had.

John G Carlaw

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Vicar’s Viewpoint I was stopped and asked for my licence the other day. It was my day off and my wife and I were just about to embark on a day out, having dropped off the kids at school. We were stationary at the time, but the officer came across from his vehicle and, after a few pleasantries about the weather and our journey, asked to see my licence.

Thankfully, I had it to hand and he was very happy to see that I had it clearly displayed on the canoe: because we were about to paddle on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, for which you need a licence.

The officer made clear what I had heard in various other places recently, namely that lots of people don’t yet know that you need a licence to paddle, sail or motor (or indeed float) on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. The officer was clearing the duckweed from the waterway and the fees from the licence pay for that maintenance and more besides.

The locks need a lot of looking after too, and the banks need substantial shoring and protecting in places as well.

The contrasting needs of those who use the waterway and the flora and fauna that live on the waterway has required more attention in these past 18 months, as more visitors have discovered the beauty of this place we call home.

Having the Navigation run through all three of my parishes is a real treat, but watching the seasons turn whilst on the water, is an especial treat. It is a reminder that the Bible talks in plenty of places about the beauty of nature showing us something of God’s glory - but also that this world needs us to look after it.

Too much needs doing to protect and restore the natural world around us, for it to be left to just those who find that it is their paid responsibility. I have been struck, as I cycle to various visits and services, by the number of people out collecting rubbish from verges and public parks in and around Heybridge and Maldon.

My children have taken to shouting ‘Thank you!’ as loudly as they can when they cycle past such volunteers - their competitive spirit knows no limit. Perhaps shouting is a bit much, but we can all say thank you to those we encounter who are caring for the natural world.

Whether you hold to a faith or not, we only have these places on loan. May we allow our children to be able to renew that loan in their turn.

Reverend Asa Humphreys Priest-in-Charge United Benefice of Heybridge with Langford and Maldon All Saints with St Peter's Chelmsford Diocese praybridge.org

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Essex Waterways Update With water levels returning to normal it was possible to undertake work at Rushes weir where tree roots had penetrated one of the wing walls and caused this to crack. The roots were removed, the crack tied with purpose made metal straps, new piles placed in front of the wall and backfilled with concrete to prevent further movement. It is planned to place gabions beneath the weir to reduce under scouring.

The two large boats, Lady of Avenel and Thames sailing barge Thalata which winter at Heybridge Basin and were trapped by the Covid19 Lockdown have been able to leave, thus making space available for visiting craft which are slowly returning.

As we moved towards the summer major project work on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation is replaced by work to ensure that the waterway is ready for returning users, although there were plenty of canoeists and paddle-boarders out and about earlier in the year. Lock landing stages along the Navigation were inspected and repairs undertaken including at Hoe Mill, Cuton Lock and Barnes Lock.

At Barnes Lock toe boards were fitted to the narrow bridge over the lock tail.

Cuton Lock was closed for two days so it could be dammed for the top gates to be accurately measured to enable new gates to be made ready for installation later in the year.

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Essex Waterways Update (cont) Attention has now turned to regular grass cutting along the whole length and weed removal.

A shepherds hut frame kit has been purchased and constructed at Hoe Mill where it will become an office for the Camp site which is already busy this year due to more people taking ‘staycations’.

Each year the Navigation becomes busier, not necessarily with boats, but with the number of visitors and over the recent lockdown periods this has created some problems especially with parking on adjoining roads and some anti-social behaviour. The dramatic increase in the use of canoes and paddle-boards has also meant that we are not necessarily benefitting from all the additional licence income that is available.

Many using the waterway are not aware of the licence requirement and this is obviously not fair on those who do pay. Essex Waterways have therefore employed a seasonal River Warden, James Meadows who will patrol the Navigation and check licences and behaviour! He will also act as Assistant Lock Keeper at Heybridge Basin on the Lock Keepers days off and during busy periods.

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Essex Waterways Update (cont)

In anticipation of another busy summer and to provide seven days a week opening of the Paper Mill Office, Alice Cook will be working with Sarah as an administration assistant. We are also seeking a Catering Supervisor to run the Heybridge Daisy Meadow Kiosk and trip boat catering. In anticipation of forth coming staff retirement we will be employing another Lengthsman.

Our General Manager, Anthony Comber, has embarked on a recruiting programme for new volunteers and this has been very successful. We have introduced regular induction and training sessions for these so that the skills that they possess can be put to best use in assisting our regular workforce whether crewing the trip boats or helping with maintenance and improvements. Recruitment has been such that we are now seeking a Volunteer Coordinator so as to fully utilise this additional workforce.

It is with sadness that we report the passing away of Sue Clift our resident caretaker and Victoria catering manager at Paper Mill Lock. Sue was lock keeper at Paper Mill prior to Essex Waterways taking responsibility for the Navigation and she has fulfilled many duties there over the years. She was known to most waterway users and will be missed by all.

Roy Chandler

Essex Waterways Vacancy Essex Waterways currently has vacancies for the following positions:A Lengthsman Residential Caretaker Cafe and Catering Supervisor (seasonal) For more information contact Essex Waterways General Manager: anthony.comber@waterways.org.uk

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Black Country Ring Two years ago I wrote an article about our family holiday on the Kennet and Avon Canal. We all enjoyed it so much we booked another school half term canal holiday for the following year. Little did we know what was in store and it would be cancelled due to Covid19! We rebooked the holiday for 2021.

Fortunately Boris said we could go this time so off we went to Great Haywood which is directly north of Birmingham. The very first canal holiday that Roy and I took over 55 years ago was through the centre of Birmingham. It was very derelict at the time but the experience resulted in us becoming canal enthusiasts and joining IWA. This time we would take a circular route - The Black Country Ring which would take us through Birmingham again and we would be able to see how their canal system has changed for the better. The Ring was advertised as having 79 locks and taking about 43 hours.

As it was a Bank Holiday, we left early and arrived at the canal basin at 9.15 am. Louise, our daughter, and family arrived minutes later. Luckily our boat was ready early so we loaded our bags and provisions.

There was great excitement getting to know the layout of our 69 foot boat and choosing our cabins. We set off at midday and made good progress travelling in an anti-clockwise direction on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Lucas 12 yrs. and Bella 9 yrs. couldn’t wait to help at the locks. Indeed they helped at all the locks during the whole holiday. Lucas also soon became very competent at handling the boat. We travelled south through beautiful countryside and moored just below Penkridge. That evening we discovered we had been given double bedding for two single bunks. A phone call to base soon sorted that and our duvets arrived before long.

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Black Country Ring (cont) Sunday was a busy day. Heading towards Wolverhampton, the hawthorn blossom and wild flowers soon turned to neglected industrial units and rubbish caught in the canal reeds. We all found this contrast very interesting and the children realised how lucky they were to live in a lovely Essex village. At Aldersley Junction we entered the Wolverhampton 21 locks and climbed these without seeing another boat. We began to wonder if we had chosen a good route! There were moored boats at the top of the locks, and the weed was beginning to grow but we carried on until we were very relieved to finally find somewhere safe to moor for the night.

The next morning we continued on the Birmingham Main line, taking the Old Main line to Factory Junction which we thought would be more interesting. Again the contrast in scenery along the route was interesting, under motorways, over rivers and other canals and past many new developments. We moored in the centre of the city close to Old Turn Junction. Checking the weed hatch we found we had collected a large amount of plastic. How this area had changed since our last visit, new canal side developments were mixed with the old and the canal sides were busy with people enjoying the atmosphere. We joined them and walked the very recognizable areas bustling with the Bank Holiday weekend tourists enjoying the sunshine and the chance to be outside again. That evening all the restaurants seemed fully booked, but we did manage a restaurant meal which involved ordering on-line.

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Black Country Ring (cont) The following morning started with some excitement. We realised we desperately needed water but had past the water point yesterday. So, very early, Roy reversed back past moored boats, under a bridge and to the water point before returning to our overnight mooring. Then it was a walk round Birmingham, some food shopping and Bella bought some new school shoes. It was very hot that afternoon when we started the long decent out of the city down the 13 Farmers Bridge Locks. A very helpful CRT volunteer helped us through the locks, just as well as we met a boat coming up in a very short pond between locks.

An interesting passing manouvre as our boat was longer than the pond. He advised us not to take the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal at Aston Junction but to continue on the Grand Union to Bordesley Junction and down the Birmingham & Warwick Junction Canal as there was a park where we could moor for the night. The moorings by the park turned out to be next to a Retail Park! To the delight of the children there was a McDonalds! We stayed the night and the following morning treated ourselves to McDonalds bacon rolls and maple syrup pancakes for breakfast. That was a first for us !

That morning we passed under long sections of the M6 motorway and on to Salford Junction. The extreme right turn here would be difficult at any time, but with a wind against us the boat became wedged between the two banks. Luckily some workmen took our front rope and pulled us round. Back onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal we passed a lot of industrial buildings, some very new and in use, some derelict.

Very hot again and lots of hard work doing numerous locks but beautiful countryside with blossom all along the banks. Later that day we moored near a pub! Maybe a fish and chip meal for supper? Sadly not! Scampi and chips was on the menu, but sold out, probably because everything else involved a burger or burger in a bun and chips. Never mind. After a very hot day and no evening meal to prepare, a shower of rain was welcome while a game of Pictionary made us all laugh before bedtime.

Thursday was a cooler start. On to the Coventry Canal, we cruised through the picturesque woodlands of Hopwas where red flags warn of military manoeuvres. More boats around today. During the afternoon we realized we should have a pump out, but any facilities were hours away. Simon phoned ahead to Streethay Wharf and organized for someone to stay on after closing to help us. A great service! That evening we found a quiet mooring near a pumping station for the night.

The next morning Simon went for a five mile jog and came back with lots of fresh food for our last day.

At Fradley Junction we joined the Trent & Mersey Canal and cruised through stunning farmland scenery and thick woods. After the village of Armitage we negotiated a narrow rocky cutting. This was formally an unlined tunnel that had been bored through the rocks. For the rest of the journey we cruised beside the River Trent until we reached Little Haywood. Surely there would be a restaurant here for our last meal? More closures due to Covid and the one pub open was fully booked, so it was the local store for steak or fish and oven chips.

Up early the next morning as there were a lot of boats on the move the previous day. We had to be back at base by 9.30 am and there was one more lock to do. We cruised quietly past many moored narrow boats, including one across the canal that had a missing mooring rope, a gentle push with our bow allowed us to pass. Through the last lock and sharp left at Haywood Junction into the boatyard. So we concluded our holiday, great weather and stunning scenery thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family.

Chris Chandler

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Social Diary At our last committee meeting just a few weeks ago we discussed resuming our social meetings in September at the Galleywood Heritage Centre. The hall is booked and I am now looking for speakers for September, October and November 2021. I have left this much later than usual due to the constantly changing situation. I am therefore unable to tell you, in time for this newsletter copy date what the talk is and who the speaker will be. My apologies for that but I am sure everyone will understand the reasons.

However please put the following dates in your diary and look out for further information on email and the IWA website.

Please check the information before you travel in case of last minute changes.

Thursday 9th September 2021 Thursday 14th October 2021 Thursday 11th November 2021 I would very much like some feedback for future social events so I am going to speak to Head Office to ask if they can arrange a short survey with no more than 10 questions which will come out by email. It would assist me greatly if you are able to answer this.

Spring talks on Zoom The Chelmsford branch hosted two very interesting talks in April and May on Zoom. These were both attended by over 100 IWA members across the Country.

The first in April was Mike Kelley talking about the Cromford Canal and the many challenges of rescuing and maintaining this canal and running a horse drawn trip boat. This talk is now available on the IWA website under IWATV. The second was Brian Margetson talking about Crossing the Severn Estuary, one of the most forbidding estuaries to cross in the UK. This was a particular favourite with IWA members from the Bristol area many of whom are visiting some of the sites that Brian highlighted in his talk. This talk is not available on IWATV unfortunately as there are copyright issues.

Both speakers had lots of interesting information and photographs to show us and I received many complimentary emails after the talks.

We hope to see you soon.

Rebecca Loader

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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) 9 3

4

9

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1

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7 2 1

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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

Rebecca Loader

Vice Chair & Social Secretary

rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk

Philip Cervini

Treasurer.

philip.cervini@waterways.org.uk.

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

Stephanie Mason: Refreshments.

None

Kirsten Smith:

Youth.

None

Adam Wyllie:

Branch Web Editor.

Adam.wyllie@waterways.org.uk

IWA Chelmsford Web Address

http://www.waterways.org.uk/chelmsford

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