Northampton Branch Newsletter —
November 2024
Branch Achievement Award is awarded to the IWA Branch which, in the opinion of a panel consisting of the National Chair, Deputy National Chairs and Chief Executive, has made the greatest progress and achievement in promoting the Association’s aims and objectives during the past year. All Branches are considered, without need for nomination. The award consists of a silver salver, donated to IWA by former National Chair David Stevenson for the purpose in 1998, and I am pleased to say David was present to see the award being bestowed.
The citation read “Celebrated for their exceptional work on the Northampton Arm, transforming it into a thriving space for boaters and walkers, while supporting local schools, artists, and community groups. With 17 locks, the Arm is is one of the longest adopted stretches of Canal & River Trust managed waterways. Working closely with local partners, schools, artists and corporates, the Branch has ensured the waterway has benefitted from painted and ceramic murals, a mosaic trail, new benches, towpath resurfacing and instaltion and maintenance of defibrillators. None of which wouldbe possible without the support of our members, volunteers and our hard working committee.
Branch Chairman Bernard Morton receiving the award on behalf of the Branch from Mike Wills, National Chair.
More awards for Branch members on page 12
waterways.org.uk/northampton
We are proud to say that our Branch has won this award four times now, far more than any other Branch.
We havehad avery wet September and October is continuing with rain. Flooding on therivers and canals havehad a big impact on boatingthis year.
Thephoto belowshows a boat moored alongthetowpath belowthe locksat Stoke Bruerne withthetowpath completely under water. With the River Tovein flood, there was nowherefor thewater to go as theriver was the same height as the canal so theweirs were useless. CRT had to closethecanal from Stoke Bruerneto Cosgrove(which is about five miles) andthereare two marinas in this section. The water had risen by between 12 and 14
Canal at Stoke Bruerne in flood from the River Tove. Left is showing the permanently moored boats opposite the water point which is under water, right is showing a boat moored on the towpath which is also flooded. Rowena Lloyd
inches sothis stretch was closed for safety reasons.
With global warming continuing this could be a regular occurrence and something the government should take into consideration when cuttingthe waterway grant, as the canals and rivers can and do help to prevent flooding.
What ever you are doing over the festive season enjoy yourselves whether boating, walking or whatever, don’t forgetto share somememories with others. Make a NewYears Resolution and send meyour boating tripsfor others to see. My trip details areon page 14. I'm looking forward to reading your boating memories.
January 2025
14th 2.30pm IWA Northampton Meeting at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne. Speaker Tim Coghlan –Twenty Years of the Historic Boat Rally at Braunston
December 2024
10th 2.30pm IWA Northampton Meeting at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne. Speaker Kay Andrews - Challenging the myths and misconceptions of the history of canal folk art.
February 2025
11th 2.30pm IWA Northampton Meeting at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne. Speaker Roger Butler—Discovering the Newport Pagnell Canal. There is not much visible left of this 1.25 mile long abandoned branch which ran from the Grand Junction Canal at Linford Wharf to Newport Pagnell. Roger uncovers the
Branch Chairman’s Jottings Jottings
byBernardMorton byBernardMorton byBernardMorton byBernardMorton
With Autumn upon us onceagain, I find myself wondering where did summer go? A sizeable chunk was, of course, spent boating as Sandie and I had a very enjoyable seven-week trip on theThames in June/July. Weheaded down theGrand Union to Brentford, up thetidalThamesto Teddington, then on up to Lechlade wherewe stopped for a pleasant couple of days. Our return journey was back to Oxford and then up theOxford Canal eventually rejoining the Grand Union to get to our homemoorings. The weather was a real mixed bag – somehot sunny days, afewdays of rain and some really chilly days. For once, we made good use of allthevariety of clothing we always takewith us boating!
We were accompanied by our great friends, Linda and Ian Bekusch, and although we had donethistrip severaltimes before,this was when we were working peopleand had two weeks annual leaveto fit thetrips into. This time, we went at a much more leisurely pace, shorter boating days being necessitated not only by our aging bodies, but also by theneedto stop around 2pmto securegood moorings for thenight. There wereplenty of interesting placesto explorealong the way, not only towns like Kingston-upon-Thames and Windsor but also Runnymede to viewthe MagnaCartamemorial and Henley where we had ideal moorings closetothefinish lineto watch the ladies racing – a week beforethemain Regatta.
IWA AGM. It was with great pride that I received the Branch Achievement Award, presented by MikeWills, National Chair, atthe AGM at the end of September. For details see page1. Allowmethe opportunity for some bragging but this isthefourth timeour Branch hasreceivedthis award – morethan any other Branch!
I was also presented with apersonal Richard Bird Medal for my roleas Chairman of the Branch. Further details are on pages 12 but I would just like to record heremy gratitude to the Branch Committee, you our loyal members and all our volunteers without who’s sterling effortsand hard work neither of these awards would have been possible – thank you all!
BRANCHWORK BOAT. During the summer, the Branch took possession of an ex-CRT work boat called Watford. Surplus to CRT’s requirements, Watford was offered to us along with agrant of £5000. Wepurchased the boat for £840 (estimatedvalue being £3-4K) and we have been granted a freemooring at thetop of theWatford flight of locks and afree licence. We are liable for insurance and any repairsnecessary which will comeout of the grant from CRT. We knewthat there was a problem with the hydraulics, and
thishas been assessed by a specialist company in Daventry who pronounced that anewpump, replacement of hydraulic hoses and fluid were required. This has allnowbeen installed so Watford is fully operational.
Later, it will be used on theArm for offside vegetation clearance which has been needed for a longtime. It is also plannedto useWatford for the final section of towpath restoration near Lock 13 where it will be used for transporting materials.
WATER TRANSFER SCHEME.
You may well have read about this scheme in the press but, if not, briefly theaim isto use the canal system to transfertreated recycled water fromthe Birmingham areato an areasupplied by Affinity Water in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. This is not a newidea, of course, asthe Llangollen Canal, the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and Fossdyke have all been used for water transfer for many years and this brings in extraincomefor CRT.
This is a huge undertaking with enormous infrastructure considerationsto be taken into account such as numerous pumping stations. We, as aBranch, are concerned with theimpact thescheme might haveon currents (especially through our tunnels),theeffect of raised water levelson moorings and headroom under bridges to name afew. Therehave been severalconsultation events aroundtheareaaffected andtheBranch has been represented at some of these. If you areinterested in further information, there is a website www.guctransfer.co.uk which has allthe detailsto date.
SOCIAL MEETINGS
ANDANNUAL
DINNER.
Our programme of monthly socialmeetings is underway, and I hopeto seeyou at someofthem, if not all. I think you will agree that there is an interesting variety of topics, and we haveorganized amix of afternoon and evening meetings to reflect your wishes.
Our Annual Dinner is fast approaching, and youmay still be in timeto get booked in for this asyouread this issue of Endeavour. Pleasecontact Sandie Morton on 07917 163860 or sandie.morton@waterways.org.uk as soon as possible.
JOHNJEFFERIS RIP. John and his wife Nancy wereloyal,longstanding members of the Branch. Because of this, his family kindly donated funds collected at his funeralto theBranch and we are very grateful to them. For John’s obituary seepage 10.
SEASON’S GREETINGS.
It always seems strange to sign off my Jottings for our November issue (being written towards theend of October) with my best wishesto all our members and your families for ahappy and enjoyable festive season. I have just been listeningto theBudget so I will be celebrating the1p reduction in beer tax with a fewextrapints!
TASK PARTY DATES
December 1st,17th. January 5th, 21st. February 2nd, 18th. March 2nd, 18th. Contact geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 016044 53932
Every Tuesday,EveryThursdayand SecondandlastSundayin month. Contact:athinabec@aol.com orphone 01908 661217/07721319404
December11th.January8th. February12th.March12th. Contact:stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk
December12th, 28th.January9th,25th. February13th, 22nd.March 13th,29th.
Obituary John Jefferis 1935-2024
John was a long-standing member of the Inland Waterways Association, Northampton Branch. His love of the waterways had begun as a child; during the Second World War his family took steamboattripsontheThames when seaside holidays were not possible.
In the 1950s John studied Mechanical Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge. He joined the college boat club, enjoying training on the river and the cooked breakfastsprovided forthecrew!
After Cambridge, John and his wife Nancy lived in Kettering where John worked for the printing press manufacturer Timsons Engineering Ltd for 35 years.
In his leisuretime, John supported his brother Martin in navigatingthe Kennet and Avon by punt when it was almost derelict, and later John and Nancy took their children Tim and Lucy on many narrowboat holidays. Their weeklong adventures included their first trip on the Southern Oxford with Calcutt Boats, which proved rather challenging due to low water levels. They enjoyed a more successful return visit the following year. On another occasion they descended the River Severn from Stourbridge to Worcester then worked their way up theBirmingham and Worcester canalvisiting the Avoncroft Museum beforetackling theTardebigge flight. On their Leeds and Liverpooltrip they ascended the Bingley Five and visited Saltairemodelvillage. Other holidays were taken on the Shropshire Union and the Mon and Brec. They were often joined on their trips by Nancy’s brother Anthony as first mate, whose company John valued. The holidays gave John the opportunity to share his infectious enthusiasm for industrial heritage, boats and waterways.
Further afield, John and Nancy took a trip across Sweden on the Gota canal and through the Corinth canal on ajourney from Izmir to Venice.
John was made a Freeman of the City of London in 2006 and elected to the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper makers, later becoming a Liveryman, in recognition of his lifetime’s achievement in theprinting industry.
John’s family requested donations at his funeral to go to IWA Northampton Branch in his memory, which his many friends were happy to support. We are happy to report that this money has now been spent on a much needed chainsawwhich will be put to good use ontheArm by our volunteers.
More Awards for members of the Branch
Richard Bird Medals For members whose efforts and support are considered to havebrought significant benefitto IWAover asustained period.
Bernard Morton Acknowledged for his inspirational leadership of the Northampton Branch, brining out the best in histeam. Noneof Northampton Branch’s achievements would have been possible without his exemplary leadership skills, along with his support and encouragement of the committee.
Bernard Morton being presented with the
National Volunteerof theYear In September, The Canal and River Trust East Midlands Region, announced its NationalVolunteer Awards at the King Power Football Stadium in Leicester, and we congratulate Rob Westlake, who volunteers directly for CRT, and leads the StokeBruerne Canal Partnership's Adoption Group, for his well deserved Volunteer of the Year Award. Rob is also an activemember of the Northampton Branch.
Congratulationsto both winners.
We have experienced a number of sad incidents recently on the Arm.
Firstly, back in Junethe fish muralon the North running slip road bridge abutment suffered a graffitiattack, although it had an anti graffiticoating appliedto it, we havetriedto remove it with mixed results. We arenow going to repainttheparts wherethe graffiti cannot be removed, this will happen towards theend of September.
Secondly, sometime in July a caravan or trailer was set on fireat thetop of thetrack outside the gate, blocking the access. This was cleaned up by West Northamptonshire Council.
Thirdly, on thenight of the1st September, the gate at thetop of thetrack was removed from its hinges and a load of rubbish then taken down and dumped on thetowpath between locks6 and7. This included building rubbish, timber and about 20 car tyres.
Fourthly, on thenight of Wednesday, 4th September, the CRT workboat 212 which was moored between 6 and 7 Locks, was vandalised and set on fire and is a complete writeoff. It was dragged from its mooring placeandpositioned up against the bottom gates of Lock 6 which may suggest that was an attempt to set them on firealso.
This is a very sad stateof affairsto seethis sort of vandalism, when theTrust and IWAvolunteers aredoing their bestto improvetheArm
Should anyonesee any irregular activities, please report it totheTrust or in serious cases to thePolice.
When you go cruising again let me know about your trip so we can all share in your experiences. This is where you can suggest new places to visit or to avoid.
Write a report about your cruise, let others know the good and not so good places to moor, eat, drink, places of interest worth visiting and anything else that might help others to enjoy that area. Let us know of any mishaps or interesting things that happened on your journey. Include pictures of your cruise, unusual things scenery and anything else that you want to add. I am looking forward to receiving your reports.
Or maybe you could tell us about the boats you’ve hired or owned.
Send your articles and stories to tony.clarke@waterways.org.uk
VISIT STOWE HILL WHARF FOR ALL
Proprietor Robert Gudgeon
• Full Repaints
• Hull Blacking/Stern Gear
• Inspection and Repairs
• Engine Repairs and Maintenance
• Complete Fit-Out and Woodwork Alterations
• Plumbing Installations and Repairs
• Electrical Installations and Repairs
• NEW — Fuel Polishing Service
• Stockists of Morris Oils and Grease
• Full rangeof Batteries always available (please let us know your requirements)
By road we are easily found, a few yardsoff theA5 at Stowe Hill towards NetherHeyford. By boat close to Bridge 26
ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN, FROM SIMPLE TASKS TO COMPLETE FIT-OUTS
YOUR ESSENTIAL BOATING SERVICES
OUR LONGEST BOATING TRIP
Chester, Llangollen, Anderton Boat Lift and River Weaver Part 1 by Tony Clarke
Our longest boatingtrip started on 9th Juneon a cold day and we were out for nine weeks. Wewent with friends Mark and Debbie that moor with us at Taverners Boat Club, which, as it happens, was a goodthing to havecompanions. Noneof us had been to any of these places before. The firsttwo weeks the weather was cold and wet, we lit the firethreetimesto get warm and dry the clothes and this was in June!
We went up the ShropshireUnion Canal andknewthat Hack Green Lock near the Secret Bunker was being closed for a week for gatereplacement, as it was leaking and wouldn’t be ableto wait until winter stoppage, so we hadto get through this beforethe closure, after that we could relax a bit more.
We went to Chester first. We allthought that Buckby Locks were bad and heavy BUT these were a lot worse. Theratio on them was a lot different having to wind them at least twice as much, and someneeded two peopleto open or close them! At Beestonthere is a stone lock and a flanged cast iron lock to overcome running sand below.
Chester is a lovely city and well worth a visit. We spent two daysthere and will return again but probably not by boat. On our way back Marks alternator stopped working, hecalled RCR and they took details to get areplacement, I had a generator on the boat so he charged his batteries at night. Also on our way back Lindathrewtheropeto me andneither of us noticed that it was the wrong side of themushroom until I fell backwards and heard a splash asthemushroom fell in the canal! I put a plasticbag in theholeto stop rain getting in, but then realisedthat I could turn my solar panel roundto cover it. Just as well I did as it poured with rain severaltimes after losingthe mushroom.
Wethen went up theLlangollen Canal which was busy when we got to Baddiley Locks and had to queue. Thefirst two locks were ok but when I got to
Chester Cathedral
the last onethe bottom gate wouldn’t close, I triedto shift what was stopping it bythrusting waterto move it, it worked but theother gate wouldn’t close so all I had donewas move it totheother side. I phoned CRT abouttheproblem who said they would be there in 45 minutes. Other boaters cameto help eventually. They used my anchor with two people at the front as I reversed out of the lock and we managed to move it out of the way. They then dropped my anchor in the canal which was recovered withtwo boat hooks!
We moored at Wrenbury where there are good moorings before and after the electric lift bridge. Wehad a lovely meal intheDusty Miller and we can highly recommend it.
A lovely sunny day as we went over the Chirk Aqueduct with the railway next to it
The following night we moored at Whitchurch wherewe met up with friends, and Mark got his alternator replaced thenext morning,
Going over the Chirk Aqueduct was good and lovely views with theviaduct next to it (but higher) - sadly no trains!
A coupleof day later I noticed a lot of water in the bath andthe shower was leaking, so we had to keepthe water pump turned off when not needed. I contacted our friends to get mea newshower unit from Screwfix which we would collect it on our way back.
We arrived at Ellesmereon theSunday lunchtime and we moored just passed the Arm as it was full. Wewill visit on our return journey. To be continued ...
Nice views through the arches of the viaduct
The Leicestershire Branch of the Inland Waterways Association and local partners are organising a celebratory waterways festival on 7th and 8th June 2025to commemorate the 1950 Festival ofBoats & Arts held in Market Harborough, which was an historic event for the IWA and a huge success that became the benchmark for subsequent national waterways festivals.
The 2-day festival will be hosted at Foxton, as Union Wharf at Market Harborough is now no longer a viable venue, being full of permanent moorings and a hire fleet base. There will, however, be a colourful cavalcade of boats up the Harborough Arm on the Saturday of the event to achieve a visual link to the historic festival site.
The event is being organised by the IWA Leicestershire Branch in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, together with the Old Union Canal Society, Foxton Museum and Harborough DC. Floating traders, historic narrowboats and private craft will be arranged on the main Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal above and below the staircase flight, with land-based activities and attractions, trading stalls, exhibitions, music and fast food all located in the Trust’s event field adjacent to the canal.
The event website https://iwaharborough75.org has all theinformation about the festival. Needless to say, we wouldbe delighted to hear for anyone who might be interested in volunteering to help, either in theplanning and organisation ofthe event, or just over the weekend itself. Please contact Andrew Shephard, Chairman of the Leicestershire Branch at andrew.shephard@waterways.org.uk if you think you might be available.
A Photo of the 1950 Boat Rally at Market Harbrough
WHILTON MARINA CHANDLERY
marinachandlery@gmail.com
The Branch is collecting old printer, toner and/or inkjet cartridges for recycling. I would be most willing totakethem off your hands. This form of recycling may not generate large amountsof funds but, as they say, every littlehelps.Please bring them to the Branch meetings or please email meon sandie.morton@waterways.org.uk
IWA Northampton Branch has a Facebook page. It is at https://www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use itfor discussion purposes. We’d like to hear yourviews. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in discussion on what’s happening.
Please let advertisers know that you saw their advert in Endeavour, that way advertisers know where your business came from!
Events at The Canal Museum Stoke Bruerne
A newvolunteer eventsteam at the Museum has successfully staged a whole series of eventsover the summer. They arenowbusy scheduling winter craft workshops which kick-off on 23rd November with ChristmasWreath Making using rag-rugging techniques led by Sarah Pamphilion. Allparticipants will leave withtheir very own festive wreath.
January’s workshop, Signwriting led by Colin Dundas, is expected to be very popular, withtheopportunity for participantsto create asign panel for their house, room, boat or what evertakestheir fancy.
Winter Workshops at the Museum are:
Saturday 23rd November 10am - 4pm ChristmasWreath Making
Saturday 25th January 10am - 4pm Signwriting
Saturday 15th February 10am4pm Foraging and Whittling
Saturday 26th March 10am 4pm WrappedWire Seaglass Jewellery (TBC)
Prebooking is essentialto reserve your place
Thereis also aregular Craft and Chatter session, in the Museum Café between 10.30-midday on the 1st, 3rdThursdays ofthe month.
All advertisements must comply with the requirements ofthe Trades DescriptionsAct and avoid misrepresentation ofgoodsoffered for sale.TheBusinessAdvertisements (Disclosure)Order 1977 requires that businesses seeking to sellgoods must clearly indicate thisinan advertisement.
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Branch Social Meetings 2024-2025
Depot Weedon (Meet at the Visitor Centre, The Depot, Weedon NN7 4PS)
For more information contact Volunteer Branch Meetings Organiser, Lynda Payton e-mail northampton@waterways.org.uk or phone 07885 190444
Branch Chairman
Bernard Morton
07785375787/ 01604 858294
E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk
Vice Chairman, Joint Task Party Organiser& MembershipSecretary
Geoff Wood
E-mail: geoff.wood @waterways.org.uk
Branch Secretary
Sandie Morton 01604858294
E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk
Treasurer Maria Hobbs
Emailmaria.hobbs @waterways.org.uk
Joint Task Party Organiser
Michael Butler
E-mail: michael.butler @waterways.org.uk
Newsletter & Archivist
Tony Clarke 07305893924
E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk
Committee Member
John Pomfret
E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk
Committee Member
Catriona Butler mail: Catriona.butler @waterways.org.uk
Branch Meetings
Lynda Payton mail: lynda.payton @waterways.org.uk
Planning Officer
Helen Westlake
E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk
Paul Lynam
E-mail: paul.lynam @waterways.org.uk
Non-Committee posts
Website and Media Officers
Gail Anscombe Email: gail.anscombe@waterways.org.uk
Lynda Payton Email as above-
Publicity Officer and Grants Officer Committee Member
Vacancies
The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country's 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.
