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Tower Bridge by Stephanie Mason
Disclaimer: The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this Newsletter but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed herein may be construed as policy or official announcement unless stated otherwise. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in the Newsletter
The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA
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Content From the Editor From the Chairman From the Regional Chairman Victoria Celebration The Maid of the Loch Wey River Festival IWA Annual Meeting
Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 7 Page 9
Essex Waterways London and The Thames Social Events WRC BITM Working Party The Saltmarsh Coast Just for Fun Branch Committee
Page 12 Page 15 Page 19 Page 20 Page 23 Page 24 Page 24
From The Editor As you be aware the IWA has updated its brand and you will see I have incorporated the colour and ripple pattern in the Newsletter header to follow the many activities that take place on and around the water. The logo is comprised of three propeller blades and a central hub. Each blade represents a key aspect of the IWA, and the core symbolises the volunteers and members that are at the centre of the IWA. Having been the editor of the Newsletter since 2012, I have attempted to keep up to date with styles and the visual requirements and think that this is another step forward to link and celebrate our waterways and its members. 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 Spring Newsletter 21/03/2018 Tell us about your own waterway experiences, your holiday or send in Readers Photos. For those on e-mail please send your input to chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk Those without just give me a call to arrange for collection. 07837 576464. From The Chairman Head Office has caught up with its membership records and has found those who have been members for fifty years. After Christmas they will be sent special plaques and a letter from the National Chairman, Ivor Caplan (see below). Of the memberships in Chelmsford Branch and they are: Mrs.E.M.Aplin, Mrs.J.V.Rayner, Mr.& Mrs. P.R. Greenwood, Mr.T.Cottrell, Mr & Mrs P Chaplin and Sir Alex & Lady P. Stewart. Our congratulations and thanks to all of them for their loyal support for so long. By now you will have heard that we have a new National Chairman, in the form of Ivor Caplan, who has been tireless in his work over many years, on behalf of the waterways. At the same time, the Association is re-examining its vision and objectives and rebranding its image, of which the most visible sign is the new logo.In the past, while involved with other charities, I have viewed rebranding and new logos with considerable scepticism - they usually involve a great deal of expense and waste when stationery, clothing and, sometimes, even heavy equipment have to be changed. My local recycling centre did very nicely, thank you, when a different association went through a rebranding exercise, only to follow it up with another a few years later. However, it seems to me that IWA's new propeller logo is a lot more meaningful of practical realities than its predecessors. Not only does it represent the boating interest but the different colour and design on each of the three blades is significant - the natural green leaf design of one, the watery blue of the second indicating our interest in more than just boating and the red brickwork on the third showing our involvement with the built infrastructure of our waterways. Look out for it: it might even appear on the front of this edition of the newsletter. If the newsletter reaches you before Christmas, I wish you all a good one; otherwise and, in any case, a very happy new year to you. Molly Beard 2
From The Regional Chairman To start with, I would like to wish you and your family all the best for the New Year. I hope it will be a happy and prosperous one. In the dark days of winter, it is often difficult to remember how much we enjoyed this summer’s cruising the Inland Waterways. The Association is always looking at ways to enhance people’s enjoyment of the waterways. In 2018, we will be launching a new Challenge to all members to recognise their journeys to the far flung corners of the waterways network. Look out for an announcement in the New Year. After a successful first seventy years of existence, the association is in the process of refocusing its efforts and re-branding itself to meet the challenges of the next seventy years. Many of you will have seen the new propeller logo and I am sure you’ll have your own view on the change. However, the logo is only the outward sign of the changes that are needed in the way the Association works. To explain what the trustees are trying to do and how we believe the Association can continue to support the waterways in the future, we intend to hold a seminar in London later in the winter or early spring. This will be an opportunity for us all to get together and talk about how we envisage the future. At the end of the meeting we hope you will understand why the trustees are making changes and the important role your branch can play in moving the association forward. It will also, of course, give you an opportunity to meet other members of IWA from across the region. In addition to myself, I hope the new chairman, Ivor Caplan or the Chief Executive, Neil Edwards, will be able to join us. I will contact you to tell you about ticketing arrangements soon. Next year could see a number of changes in the way our waterways are managed. The Canal and River Trust (C&RT) are reorganising and reducing the number of their regions. They have said that they intend to introduce a new licensing regime for boats kept on their waters. In London, C&RT have told us they intend to implement a new strategy to control moorings. The ongoing saga of the takeover of the Environmental Agencies (EA) waterways by C&RT should come to a head. Whilst we understand that the government is still minded to allow the takeover, Brexit appears to be taking up all the government’s time and the merger may not happen for that reason. If the government decides not to merge the two organisations, we will need to start a campaign for better funding of the EA waterways. Finally, can I remind you that IWA’s premier event, in London, Canalway Cavalcade, is over the weekend of the 5th to 7th May 2017. If you can’t come by boat why not join us for a day, the nearest tube station is Paddington. It is a really great family day out. As always, we are looking for new volunteers to help us run the event. If you fancy dipping your toe into the water of volunteering, please contact the team via the on-line volunteer form which is on the IWA Cavalcade page of the IWA website, or email them at cavalcade.volunteer@waterways.org.uk Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Person Deputy National Chairmen
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Victoria Celebration Trip On the last Saturday of October Essex Waterways Ltd invited guests to a celebration trip and cream tea experience on Victoria. The purpose of the trip was to celebrate the first season of running Victoria and to thank those who had helped fund and operate this new venture. The trip boat Victoria was purchased from the Paper Mill Lock Tea Room in May with the aid of a LEADER grant and loans from the members of the Inland Waterways Association. It was felt that a trip for the Funders, IWA and EWL staff who had been involved with the running of the boat, and EWL staff would be a suitable celebration and an opportunity to meet and thank everyone involved in the venture. The Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford had also been invited to experience the natural beauty of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. It was a grey but mild afternoon and the guests were duly counted on to Victoria to be greeted by staff that included Sue Clift, Victoria Trip Organiser and who also provided the cream tea, Dell the Skipper and crew members Bob C. and Jane.
There were nine Funders, five staff from Head Office and the IWA Chief Executive, IWA Trustees including the retiring Chairman and EWL Directors and staff. Roy welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress and all the visitors and thanked them for coming. It was a two hour trip down to Rushes Lock and back. En route the guests enjoyed viewing the pretty autumn countryside, chatting and consuming the cream and strawberry jam scones. Back at Paper Mill Lock all the guests said they had enjoyed the celebration. Essex Waterways had planned to operate 40 trips during this first season but due to demand over 50 trips were run. A successful first season. Chris Chandler
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The Maid of the Loch Loch Lomond is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland. It is close to Glasgow and is easily accessible by public transport. The Loch is 24 miles long (39 km) and between ž mile and 5 miles wide (0.9 and 8 km) and has a maximum depth of 620 feet (190 m). There are about 30 islands in the loch although this increases when the water level is low. The loch is fed by mountain streams and it overflows at Balloch to form the River Leven. A road runs along the western side of the loch but the best way to view the loch and the surrounding mountains is by boat. Scheduled boat trips on Loch Lomond were first introduced in 1818 by a paddle steamer named ' Marion '. She was built in a shipyard on the Clyde and sailed up the River Leven to the loch. Later boats were also built on the Clyde and sailed up the River Leven but the ' Maid of the Loch ' would have been too large for this and so she was built on a large slipway near the pier at Balloch.
Construction of the ' Maid of the Loch ' started in 1952 at Inglis's Pointhouse Shipyard on the Clyde now the site of Glasgow's Transport Museum. The hull was built in sections and the sections were initially held together with nuts and bolts. Each section was referenced and numbered. When the hull was complete, it was dismantled by removing the nuts and bolts and the sections were then loaded onto railway wagons for transport to Balloch. The railway line at Balloch was extended from the station across the main road to the side of the slipway. A large rail-mounted crane then lifted the sections into place on the hull and the sections were finally riveted together. The ' Maid of the Loch ' was finally lowered into the loch on 05 March 1953.and entered service later in the summer. The ' Maid of the Loch ' proved to be very successful for many years until foreign holidays became popular. In the 1970's her future became uncertain because of increasing financial losses and she stopped running at the end of the 1981 season. The boat was sold and became a licensed restaurant but successive owners failed to make it profitable and she ended up in the ownership of a local brewery. In order to reduce their losses, the brewery started to remove some of the metal fittings and sell them for scrap but the money raised was less than the cost of the removal and transport to an industrial area. No further fittings were removed and the boat was left moored at Balloch pier and abandoned. The ' Maid of the Loch ' had become an eyesore.
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The Maid of the Loch (cont) The Scottish Branch of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society came to an agreement with Dumbarton District Council for the Council to purchase of the ' Maid of the Loch ' together with Balloch Pier, the Slipway and the associated Winch House. This purchase was completed in December 1992 and the ownership of the ' Maid of the Loch ' has since been transferred the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, a registered charity. Restoration work started in 1993 and by 2006 the slipway and the steam driven winch were back in working order which enabled the ' Maid of the Loch ' to be pulled up out of the water - the first time that the ship had moved in 25 years. The hull was inspected and found to be in very good condition. The hull was repainted by volunteers and the ship slipped back into the water and moved back to the pier. Work continues inside the ship and so far three saloons have been restored. One is a restaurant, another is a cafe and the third is a cocktail bar. The restaurant has been restored to a very high standard and is hired out for weddings and other special occasions. The bridge and wheelhouse have also been restored and the engine has been cleaned and oiled. Many of the fittings taken by souvenir hunters have been returned - including the ship's bell. Most of the work has been done by volunteers or by apprentices learning practical skills. The ultimate aim is to return the ' Maid of the Loch ' to passenger carrying capability and to provide boat trips on the Loch. The estimated cost of this is ÂŁ5 million. The hull requires structural alterations to bring it up to modern safety standards and a new boiler is needed. The ' Maid of the Loch ' is open to the public and admission is free. There is a cafe and a gift shop on board. It is well worth a visit to see the restoration work carried out so far and to look at some of the before and after photographs on display David Goodridge
ESSEX WATERWAYS LTD Chelmer Cruises on Victoria Departing Paper Mill Lock, North Hill, Little Baddow Chelmsford CM3 4BS Call Sue Clift 07507 055021 email: victoria@waterways.org.uk
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Wey River Festival September 2017 Having had a lazy start to the day we decided to drive to the Wey River Festival (plus we had not pre booked a mooring), the festival was being held at the National Trust Centre at Dapdune Wharf, Guildford, and was sponsored by some local businesses & clubs, with volunteer helpers. It was a free entry day so we were able to look around all the wharf buildings and the Wey Barge William Stevens & Sons Guildford No 1393.
There were the usual National Trust Trip Boats running (not free) which appeared very popular by the queues we saw. There were numberous stalls, including: crafts, an artist, clubs, societies such as the Wey & Arun displaying their progress with restoration, John has a particular interest in this route as he went to school in Cranleigh and remembers 'messing about in and around the canal', there was also books stalls, bric a brac, 'Knots' by Jim using thick or thin rope to make items such as keyrings, coasters, animals, bracelets & fenders, and of course a choice of food and drink. Also present were Surrey Fire & Rescue who had a diver in the river demonstrating, and talking to adults and children through a radio about what he can see under water. We were intrigued by the Surrey Bat Group who had Pipistrelle Bats (tiny), and also a Serotine Bat which John & I were able to stroke, it was so so soft and very small, we could see a good set of teeth though. On our wanders we stopped and had a chat with the owner of Tranquil Rose, a wide beam Hotel Boat which we have seen on and off in various locations over the last few years (it is based on the Wey), but we had not been able to speak other than briefly in passing, or once when we both moored at Teddington Lock for an early tide. We watched the Surrey Wood Turners transforming pieces of wood into an assortment of items, including bowls, clocks, pens, animals, goblets, jewelery holder, plus many more, all which were displayed for sale, they were lovely especially the monkey puzzle tub with lid, the grain on the wood appeared multi coloured, but everything was so cleverly done. We also had a chat to the ladies on the Basingstoke Canal stall, as we had just recently got back from a week on it, quite a memorable trip, but that is another story!
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Wey River Festival September 2017 (cont)
We paused for a coffee and piece of homemade cake, while looking across the Wharf to the towpath side where numberous boats were moored, all sizes & lengths, some breasted up, all decorated with bunting and lights for the illuminated procession which was planned for the evening, and which we unfortunately missed. The weather was lovely, sunny and warm, always good to attract the visitors, and the festival appeared well attended. We had a very enjoyable time especially as the only other festival we have had time to attend this year was Braunston's Historic Narrowboat Rally, we have been too busy BOATING! Stephanie Mason & John Grieve
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IWA’s Annual Members Meeting and the Peak District On 30th October Roy and I went to the IWA Annual Members Meeting at Langley Mill. There were over 100 attendees and after the AGM there was a presentation entitled ‘IWA over the next ten years’ which included a preview of IWA’s new branding and logo to be launched in November. There was an extensive explanation of how IWA needs to move forward with a new vision and how the three operations, The Inland Waterways Association (IWA), Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) and Essex Waterways Ltd. (EWL) all need to be seen as one organization. It was interesting and rewarding to see how Essex Waterways is seen as a success story and one of IWA’s strengths. The new logo is designed to represent all three operations as one IWA. I can see the rational for a new vision although the re-brand will not be welcomed by all. It was disappointing that the Essex Waterways Board was not consulted on the new design. The Cyril Styring Trophy. The Association’s premier award, the Cyril Styring Trophy for an outstanding contribution to the Association’s Campaign which last year was awarded to Roy for his work with Essex Waterways, was this year awarded to Chard Wadley for his dedication and tireless input to waterways over three and a half decades and as the Chairman of IWA’s Ipswich Branch, establishing the River Gipping Trust and their work on this waterway. It is good once again to see the work being done in East Anglia recognized. Honorary Life Membership. This new award is given to members of the Association who had supported the charity for sixty consecutive years or more. The eighteen Honorary Life Memberships included Paul and Janet Chaplin who attend the Chelmsford Branch Social meetings regularly. Congratulations, really well done! After lunch the attendees were divided into two groups and Roy and I went to the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill. Here we were given a tour by the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association and shown where volunteers have worked on restoring the previously derelict section of the canal that joins the Erewash with the Cromford Canal and the Nottingham Canal Basin. A particular attraction at Langley Mill was the construction of the Jubilee dry dock as a means of attracting boats along the canal whilst also creating a source of income – acknowledging the need to ensure that restored canals are sustainable. There are still several miles of canal to restore in order to link the Erewash with the open section of the Cromford including 13 locks and the Butterley tunnel.
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IWA’s Annual Members Meeting and the Peak District (cont) As we were close to the Peak district we had decided to rent a cottage at Hognaston near Wirksworth and spend a week exploring the area. During our stay we visited Cromford Canal Basin and saw the narrow boat ‘Birdswood’ on which the other group had a trip. This area of the Peak District has many places of interest to visit. We started with a train ride on the Award-Winning Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. The line follows the route of the river Ecclesbourne and terminates at Duffield. This is a fairly new preserved railway and it is inspiring to see how volunteers have restored diesel multiple units, re-laid the tracks, re-built stations and run regular trains. The following day we went to Crich Tramway Village. It is the home of the award- winning National Tramway Museum. The museum has over 80 vehicles, the largest collection of tramcars and associated works vehicles in the country. Passenger trams operate every 10 – 15 minutes. We spent the whole day here enjoying trips on various restored trams, touring the tram sheds and visitor centre and taking a long walk round Crich Quarry to the Sherwood Foresters’ Memorial Tower. The daily running of the trams is all by volunteers. .
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IWA’s Annual Members Meeting and the Peak District (cont) Within walking distance of our cottage was Carsington Water. We took the footpath through beautiful woodland and arrived at the visitor centre. At the weekends the centre is a hive of activity with walkers, dinghy sailing and fishermen. But on this particular windy weekday it was very quiet and picturesque although the water level was very low. The centre also has a very informative display area where you learn about the history of water treatment. Makes you realise how we take for granted turning on a tap or flushing the loo! We did a lot of touring through the hills and dales of the Peak District and one day we went to Cromford Mills. This complex was one of Sir Richard Arkwright’s Mills where cotton was spun into yarn. Arkwright was the founder of the modern industrial system. The mills are still being restored and are well worth a visit with an informative visitor centre. Whilst lunching at Cromford Wharf we saw the return of ‘Birdswood’ the narrow boat trip boat that travels to High Peak Junction, still busy even on a dullish weekday. On our final day we visited the Midland Railway at Butterley and walked to the Swanwick Junction Railway Museum. No trains operating and we were the only ones wandering around the Princess class locos in the West Shed where we also watched some early film about the launch of these impressive and originally streamlined engines. We also toured the Fork Lift Truck Heritage Centre where we appreciated the fact that volunteers are actually saving examples of these machines, another part of our heritage that could so easily be lost. During the afternoon we had a guided tour of the North Mill cotton mill at Belper, again run by volunteers and which was very interesting and finished off our Peak District holiday nicely. Looking back on this break which was very interesting and informative it makes us aware just how important volunteers are to maintaining our heritage and promoting our tourist attractions. Chris Chandler
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Essex Waterways Update In my last Update I mentioned the week long Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camp in August which worked on improving culverts crossing the tow path between Paper Mill and Rushes Lock. The camp also carried out surfacing of the tow path in this area using material supplied by Essex County Council Footpaths which was brought across the adjoining fields by the local farmer. Such cooperation is really appreciated as this enables us to carry out this type of improvement which benefits those who enjoy using the tow paths. A hired excavator and dumper complemented our own Avant loader for the work.
A weekend visit from WRG BITM is reported elsewhere in this issue. Heybridge Basin Sea Lock is now closed for the third winter to enable Essex & Suffolk Water to complete the installation of the new sliding caisson gate. The new outer facing sectional dams which were fitted last winter and then removed have been refitted and next will be the installation of the caisson gate. This was also manufactured last year and will arrive on site by barge from Maldon and the sections craned into position. It is a steel gate which will be hydraulically operated running on sliders rather than rollers as before. This final closure for the project will also see the lower timber gates removed and replaced. The new timber gates have been made by Hargreaves Lock Gates in West Yorkshire and they will be assembled in Maldon and also brought to site by barge and fitted by Hargreaves. Brickwork repairs will also be carried out in the lock chamber. New top gates were fitted last year and when the lock is reopened before Easter we will have a completely refurbished lock which should be fit for many more years of operation. Because of Hargreaves busy programme building lock gates, including those for Heybridge Basin, our programme for replacing the gates at Springfield Lock will commence in January. It is remarkable that it was 25 years ago that IWA Chelmsford Branch spearheaded the restoration of Springfield Basin and undertook the rebuilding of Springfield Lock, felling trees at Gernon Bushes to provide the oak for these gates. The gates have lasted 25 years which is their life expectancy, so well done IWA! At the time of the restoration Springfield Basin was derelict and there was no public access at the head of the basin. It has certainly changed since that time confirming our vision for new waterside frontages being built around the basin with boats moored alongside.
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Essex Waterways Update (cont) Unfortunately little progress has been made with linking Springfield Basin to the River Chelmer in the city centre as proposed by the branch’s ‘Springfield Basin.....and Beyond’ publication of 1985 along with the restoration of the basin. The redevelopment of the adjoining former gasworks site also proposed in the publication has however commenced after 32 years! There is still hope for the New Cut or Canal and River Link as the Chelmsford River and Canal Link (CRACL) group are actively investigation its construction with the aim of building it and meanwhile ensuring that redevelopment of the area protects the route. How long before Chelmsford City Council makes their derelict land between Travis Perkins and Lockside Marina on the north side of the basin available for redevelopment, hopefully not another 32 years. Following replacement of Springfield Lock gates it will be the turn of Beeleigh Lock where both sets of gates are proposed for replacement prior to Easter. Our winter work programme is always subject to the effects of the weather and I am very conscious of this as I write with our first proper covering of snow outside my window. The invasive Floating Pennywort has been a problem on the Navigation for many years and regular working parties by Chelmer Canal trust have helped keep on top of the situation. However this year has seen a lot of the weed re-establishing especially on the Long Pond between Beeleigh and Heybridge. EWL as well as WRG have therefore also been involved with removing this. Discussions are to take place with Essex & Suffolk Water about tackling pennywort on the Langford Cut where it is difficult to gain access for removal. At Paper Mill Lock Essex Waterways staff has been busy working on the ‘Big Office’ as it is known. Most of the buildings on the island are subject to subsidence and the big office had a very noticeable lean to the rear, so much so that the Manager’s chair would roll across the office during the course of a meeting! It is proposed to convert the building to a kitchen and smaller office for our Chelmer Cruises operation of the trip boat VICTORIA and thus difficulties would arise with the installation of new vertical partitions and fittings in a sloping building. Following investigation and consultation with IWA’s Consulting Engineer it was decided that the best and most cost effective solution was to jack up the building on the existing foundations which appear to have stopped subsiding.
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Essex Waterways Update (cont) Having spent many years working as a specialist advisor on historic timber framed buildings, I was confident that this was a job that EWL staff would be able to do. A meeting with the team confirmed that they were also confident and looked forward to the challenge. The project was duly planned, but we would require at least two more toe jacks for the lift. Our sourcing of these led us to a Maldon Shipwright who was about to retire and was disposing of his equipment and two jacks were purchased at a fraction of the cost of new. The project start date arrived and I spent the first day on site with the team and by the end of the day we had the rear of the building lifted by 150mm back to level. The rest of the week was spent raising the floor, bricking up the foundations and reinstating the weatherboarding. Work has since continued on the conversion to the new use. The delayed purchase of VICTORIA meant that her refurbishment was postponed so that her trip operation could commence. This is underway and she has returned to Paper Mill with topsides now in grey primer paint. The recent IWA rebranding includes Essex Waterways Ltd and will also apply to Chelmer Cruises and VICTORIA and so this is an ideal time for VICTORIA to be repainted.
Recent work on upgrading DREDGER with a hi-ab and generator has provided EWL with a vessel with which we can undertake most projects on the Navigation and in particular the installation of lock dams and bank piling. However the more intensive use has shown that the Harbourmaster ‘outboard’ engine which dates from the 1950’s is suffering from severe wear in the drive shaft gears. We are therefore planning a further upgrade to install a new engine and hydraulic drive. Our mid-sized former WRG WORKBOAT has had a new outboard fitted and will soon be ready to commence operation. A grant of £1,000 was provided by London Region IWA towards the outboard. Roy Chandler
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London and The Thames 2017 With a schedule to keep to for this trip we moored at Teddington Lock ready for the morning tide at 7:15 am. An early start and the lock keeper was packing us all in, with a narrowboat up the middle alongside us, but while the lady was tying her boat to ours she slipped and fell in the lock, with a flurry of action she was safely back on board without injury, just shock, and apparently the water wasn't too cold.
We led the group of narrowboats down to Brentford, and it is only our second trip on the tidal Thames. At Brentford we paired with NB Midnight and shared all the locks up the Hanwell Flight on a lovely sunny day (shame about the duckweed & debris in the canal throughout). We moored at Bullsbridge Junction for the night
Leaving the next morning we turned right onto the Grand Union Paddington Arm, although industrial to start the hedgerows were so pretty with many different colours and berries. On through Alperton and over the North Circular Aqueduct with it's centre island, then Kensall where we soon found ourselves in among the Nottinghill Carnival, seeing revellers everywhere, some with fabulous costumes and dancing to music, we needed ear plugs the nearer we got - the music so loud it made the boat vibrate on the canal as we approached Little Venice. Police were everywhere, land, canal & air. Passing through Little Venice we headed down into Paddington Basin to find the last mooring for the night, where we cleared the prop again from debris and duckweed which had persisted the whole day. The following day we headed back to Little Venice and onto the Regents Canal through Maida Hill Tunnel, passing the London Zoo, then Camden and down the three locks sharing with another narrowboat, on through St Pancras Lock, passing Kings Cross, and stopping briefly at The Canal Museum in Battlesbridge Basin, we have been round the museum before but I did some shopping in their gift shop. Next we travelled through Islington Tunnel before going down City Road Lock (where I took a dip below the lock last year, complete with watch & mobile) onwards down Sturt's Lock, Acton's Lock & Old Ford Lock before turning left onto the short Hertford Union Canal to moor for the night beside Victoria Park, a lovely place to walk with the dogs and have ice cream.
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London and The Thames 2017 (cont) The following day we went down the three locks to turn right onto the River Lee with the Westham Stadium and Orbit visible in front, down to Old Ford Lock (yes another one) where the duckweed and debris was particularly bad, getting to the lock was like cruising through sludge! Below the lock we did a sharp left turn into the Queen Elizabeth Park, passing 'up close & personal' with the Westham Stadium turning right where we saw Carpenters Road Lock on the left (to be pre booked if wishing to use this route) then to pass the Orbit very close up, while still passing around the stadium, bearing right at City Mill Lock (on left, again to be pre booked for passage), then along the Bow Back Rivers to moor at Three Mills where we spotted NB Rosery but no one was aboard! Along side Three Mills is the tidal Bow Creek, just mud banks while we were there, but the Oast House & Mill were photogenic. Onwards passing Bow Lock to continue round to the right and down the Limehouse Cut and on into Limehouse Basin, and moor along the Wall in readiness for our early start next morning for a 5:15 am Thames tide.
I do not do mornings, but managed to get up when the alarm went off at 'silly O'clock' 4am, this gave us time to do last minute preparations for the voyage up the Thames, and have breakfast, feed dogs and walk them (in torch light!) although the area was quite well lit.
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London and The Thames 2017 (cont) Time to go and we entered Limehouse Lock joining a fellow narrowboat, we were all in position at 5:25am and by 5:30 the lock was empty, the gates opened and we were off onto the Thames in the dark! We had our navigation lights on, and let PLA (Port of London Authority) know we were on our way up the Thames. It was not long before we saw the sun rising, with the camera at the ready we got some super pictures, we soon passed under Tower bridge, with HMS Belfast, the Shard, London Dungeons, and the Gherkin nearby, it was amazing to see the London Eye, Big Ben & Houses of Parliament from our own boat. Also seeing the impressive Battersea Power Station (now redundant), and the unusual Harrods Depository Building. We passed under many bridges all different designs, colours, either painted metal or stonework, including the Millenium Footbridge. The weather was kind, cool, sunny, and the Thames calm like a mill pond, except for the odd early Clipper and a couple of commercial tugs towing barges, which made some unwanted wash. We saw some impressive boats moored along the way, also cormorants and noisy parakeets for most of the trip. Cruising through the pretty area of Kew and soon after passing Brentford Junction where some boats came out onto the tide to follow us as we passed Richmond Lock and Sluices, some of the arches were blocked off to navigation. We proceeded through the 'lit' arch and onwards back to Teddington Lock where we moored for a while above the lock, to walk the dogs and relax after the early start, and let PLA know we had completed our journey up the tidal Thames.
Leaving Teddington we cruised past Kingston upon Thames, Hampton Court Palace, through Molesey Lock and Sunbury Lock, passing Walton on Thames to arrive at the junction for the River Wey below Shepperton Lock where we moored for the night, before heading back onto the River Wey for our second weeks holiday on the Basingstoke Canal the next morning, but that's another story.
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London and The Thames 2017 (cont)
Limehouse Lock
London Eye and Big Ben
Battersea
Hamersmith Bridge
Kew Bridge
Richmond Sluices
The trip up the Thames was well worth the early start, and following advice and safety precautions we were confident in our plans, getting the right holiday period for the safest tide time recommended (when the Thames is quieter from traffic). Knowing and speaking to other Sea Otter narrow boaters who had done the same trip helped alay any anxieties I had, talking to Chris at the marina, and the Limehouse Lock Keeper (BMWL) on several occasions. A brilliant experience. Stephanie Mason & John Grieve
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Social Events 2018 11th January 2018 Linda Pargeter - The Wherry Maud Trust
8th February 2018 Malcolm Case – The History of Navigation at Sea 8th March 2018 AGM followed by David Smart Navigation Manager talks about the challenges of managing the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation 12th April 2018 Kevin Bruce – A Trip up the Blackwater in old photographs April 2018 Afternoon tea on board Victoria from Paper Mill Lock along the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. Details to follow. 10th May 2018 To be confirmed
Venue The Galleywood Heritage Centre, The Common, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8TR 7.45pm for 8.00pm All Welcome!
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WRC BITM Work Party “American native Penny Wort banned from entry into the U.K. in 2014 spotted floating around the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation causing problems and needs arresting� My first thought was that this was some local newspaper headline about a dodgy person and the reason for Essex Constabulary issuing their special anti-theft outboard motor covers, but no, I jest. Having been tasked with leading our C&BN weekend again, I arranged a site visit a week before with David Smart, Essex Waterways manager. He explained that he had two tasks for us. The first being the removal of the invasive species, floating pennywort, which grows 20 cm in a day and chokes waterways with a blanket of green preventing amongst other things, navigation by boats. The C&BN has one of the worst infestations of this in the country and has to be kept under control, as it is virtually impossible to eradicate. Our second task was to cut a swathe through the wood from the track running parallel to the north eastern side of the navigation from Chapman's bridge in Elm farm country park. Also clear that offside bank of the navigation of all brambles and trees (apart from the cultivated willows used to make cricket bats) to enable a 14 ton long reach tracked excavator to gain access and dredge the shallow canalised section there. I arrived at Heybridge around mid-day on the Friday of our weekend to open up our accommodation, the Haybay barge and get everything prepared. It was forecast to be very cold with the possibility of ice. That concerned me, as I had 17 volunteers coming and 10 would be working from three boats removing the pennywort. Our van containing all our tools and catering equipment arrived from Wiltshire early in the afternoon, with the other volunteers arriving later. Nine of us enjoyed a pleasant evening meal in the Jolly Sailor pub and then retired to the Haybay, meeting the final late arrivers there. Saturday morning was bright and sunny and we were lucky, no ice. John Gale arrived early and joined us for a hearty breakfast made by our cook June. I delegated John Gale as leader of the boat teams as he volunteers there twice a week, knows the navigation well and has operated all the boats. I meanwhile drove off to the country park site along with local Alan Parkinson and four of our regular volunteers. We drove our van right down to Chapman's bridge where we established our trusty Burco for the boat teams and the wood/ bankside group to assemble for lunch and tea breaks. Work progressed well throughout the day, both with the three boats cruising up and down the cut depositing their loads of pennywort on the banks at least 3 metres from the water. The land based team had cleared an access trackway through the wood wide enough for an excavator and were commencing clearing the massively high and dense brambles along the bankside with brush-cutters and hand tools, whilst local Bob Crow ably removed the trees with his chainsaw. 20
WRC BITM Work Party (cont) The boat teams consisted of locals John Gale and Wendy along with father and Son Dave and Barry (of Essex WRG). They were all on the versatile Buddy catamaran work boat. Three of our groups members were on one of the Raider boats (aluminium commando assault type craft) , our chairman and another of our members along with Essex Waterways Colin Basil were on the second Raider. The weather was very good to us and by the end of the day a great amount of work was done. We returned the boats and van to Heybridge and retired to the Haybay to warm up and have an excellent meal made for us by June. June had decorated the lounge with balloons and birthday posters to celebrate Dave James (her husband) 60th birthday. She also presented him with a massive cake she made and iced to look like a pint of beer. We all enjoyed devouring it and finished the evening consuming the plentiful supply of on board Adnams ale. Sunday was another bright sunny day and the sunrise over the estuary was beautiful. There was a little ice, but it soon cleared. After another hearty English breakfast we headed off to the boats and Chapman's bridge for our final day.
As our numbers were reduced by five for most of the day (mainly the local volunteers), we decided to only take two boats out, the two raiders. The teams said they could get further up inlets than the Buddy could. Like the private one at Heybridge where the owner removed the chain for us, allowing us entry and the teams cleared right up past the sailing barge moored there.
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WRC BITM Work Party (cont) Work also progressed well clearing the offside bank of trees and brambles for about 200 metres north west from Chapman's bridge. I believe access to the cut from that side is required, rather than the towpath side, as the excavator could not cross either Chapman's or Beeleigh bridges, two narrow weak bridges, the only way to access the towpath. The weather held up well for us and a fair amount of work was completed. The land team decided to finish slightly earlier than planned, as they were all quite tired and most had a long drive home. We had decided the previous night as the days are short to have a late lunch back on the Haybay, rather than stopping earlier on site for it. The boat teams returned about an hour later at the original planned time, so we had a staggered lunch. Unfortunately with dashing around sorting the kit out in the E.W. Heybridge store and from the boats, I did not get to see everybody before they left to thank them for all their splendid efforts and work on a job well done. Many thanks to everybody who attended for just getting on with things and making my job as leader so much easier. Special thanks to David Smart for organising all the boats, equipment, accommodation, access to sites and work for us. Thanks also to Colin Basil for helping us, being the Essex Waterways representative with us on the weekend. Our group always enjoys coming to the C&BN, as we are always assured there is plenty of well organised work for us and are greatly assisted by the E.W. team attending our weekends. we hope our efforts help in a small way to maintain what in effect is ‘our own waterway.” Finally, I know all police forces are short of resources and officers and have to prioritise, but I didn't think WRGBITM volunteers would become “Specials “ for our C&BN (Chilly & Bracing Navigation) weekend and be asked to assist with arresting Penny Wort. Bob Kearney
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The Saltmarsh Coast Essex Waterways has for some while been involved with a project arranged by Maldon District Council and known as the Coastal Communities Team. The aim of the team is to work together to promote the Maldon District coast as part of the council’s tourism strategy. Tourism is an important part of the District employment economy. With the forth coming Essex Coastal Path being opened as part of a national coastal access route, the acknowledgement of the local coastal heritage and attractions becomes all the more important.
Maldon District’s coast will be promoted as the Saltmarsh Coast and branding has been designed for this. The first project involves the installation of visitor information points at Heybridge Basin and Tollesbury. These provide a map of the locality showing walks available together with information. There is also recorded information at the touch of a button and a photocell counter to record the number of passing visitors. The Heybridge Basin installation is positioned at the end of the Daisy Meadow car park just prior to the steps leading up to the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation tow path. It was unveiled by officials from Maldon District Council, Heybridge Parish Council and the Coastal Communities Team in early November just as a bird watching group was passing and able to stop and participate in the ceremony. Roy Chandler 23
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) 7 7
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Branch Committee If you have any topics or subject that you wish to bring to the committees attention please use the contact details below Molly Beard:
Chairman
molly.beard@waterways.org.uk
John Gale:
Vice Chairman & Treasurer.
24 Longleaf Drive, Braintree CM7 1XS
Paul Strudwick:
London Region Chairman.
Paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk
Chris Chandler:
Secretary.
Chris.chandler@waterways.org.uk
Roy Chandler:
Planning and Conservation.
Roy.chandler@waterways.org.uk
John Carlaw:
Newsletter and Membership.
Chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk John.carlaw@waterways.org.uk
Dennis Padfield:
Publicity.
dennis.padfield@waterways.org.uk
Stephanie Mason: Refreshments.
None
Kirsten Smith:
Youth.
None
Rebecca Loader
Social Secretary
rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk
Adam Wyllie:
Branch Web Editor.
Adam.wyllie@waterways.org.uk
IWA Chelmsford Web Address
http://www.waterways.org.uk/chelmsford
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