Sou'Wester May to August 2024

Sou’Wester

Horse drawn barge Tivertonian celebrates 50 years in business on the Grand Western Canal. (Photo: Mike Wolds)

May - August, 2024 Issue 196

IWA South West and South Wales Region

South West and South Wales Region Committees

South West & South Wales Region Committee

Chair: Hannah Rigley* Members: Baz Juniper

Hon. Secretary: Andrew Strawson* Roger Morgan*

Sou’Wester Editor: Sandy Wright* Tony Pugh*

Navigation Committee

Representative: Andrew Strawson*

Avon & Wiltshire Branch Committee

Branch currently inactive. If you are interested in any committee positions for this branch, please contact Hannah Rigley

Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Branch Committee

Chairman: Roger Morgan*

Hon. Secretary: Tony Higgins*

If you are interested in any other committee positions for this branch, please contact Roger Morgan or Tony Higgins.

South Wales Branch Committee

Chairman: Tony Pugh* Members: Mike Synan

Hon. Secretary: Vacant Chris JL Yewlett

Treasurer: Henry Brown

Minutes Secretary: Vacant

Membership Officer: Tony Pugh*

Publicity Officer: Vacant

Volunteer Co-ordinator: Vacant

West Country Branch Committee

Vice Chair: Mike Slade* Members: Ray Alexander*

Hon. Secretary: Vacant Julian Gibson

Hon. Treasurer: Mike Aldridge Maurice Pinner Pat Robinson

Volunteer Co-ordinator: Mike Slade* Sandy Wright*

*Contact details for these appear inside the back cover.

Region Chair

Welcome to Sou'Wester No 196 and to the beginning of another main boating season! Whilst for many, the winter doesn’t feature much time spent in and around our inland waterways, plenty of activities have continued on different fronts. And it’s great to see some of this progress highlighted here in Sou’Wester.

In this issue I wanted to say a special thanks to Ray Alexander who has stepped down from his role as West Country Branch Chairman. While it is good to know he will be remaining an active IWA member, I wanted to highlight some of Ray's fantastic achievements during his six years as Branch Chairman.

The first is his publication of the booklet 50 Years of Progress in Somerset and Mid-Devon this February (featured in this issue). Ray played a part in that progress latterly, having been an active Branch member for around 10 years, but it was an inspiration to create this booklet to mark the achievements of so many individuals and organisations that have breathed new life into the area’s waterways since the early 1970s.

Ray has also successfully made efforts to strengthen the links the Branch has with its corporate members and local waterway-related groups and organisations. This was particularly evident in the West Country Waterways Forum he organised in October 2022. This collaborative event brought together numerous different groups to share their learnings of waterways projects to better their local communities.

I, for one, have learned a lot from Ray during my time with IWA. I particularly remember the trip we took in March 2023 around the West Country, highlighting many of the areas featured in the 50 years publication and the vast heritage present in our area. On behalf of the Region, I wish him well and hope he enjoys a bit more free time!

In national news, IWA is supporting the Fund Britain’s Waterways activities in May, including a weekend of action on May 4 - 6, to highlight

the impact of insufficient funding for our inland waterways. The weekend concludes with a campaign cruise past the Houses of Parliament on May 8. If you are interested in volunteering to support the campaign, do take a look at the Fund Britain’s Waterways pages on the IWA website. Finally, it’s great to see the range of events listed within the What’s On pages – I do hope you manage to attend a regional or national waterways event this year and I hope to see you there. Otherwise, do get in touch if there’s anything I can help with. I wish you all an enjoyable spring and summer season.

Hannah Rigley

Notices

To be held at 2.30pm on Saturday, May 11, 2024

Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Cwm Lane, Rogerstone, Newport NP10 9GN

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence/Introduction

2. Minutes of previous AGM and any matters arising

3. Report of Chair

4. Treasurer’s Report and accounts

5. Election of Committee

6. Any other business (previously notified to the Chair before the meeting).

Immediately after the AGM, the new Committee will meet to appoint its officers. A conducted tour will be available both before and after the meeting. The Canal Centre has a cafe, should you wish to purchase refreshments. For those unable to attend the AGM, a Zoom link will be emailed to members before the meeting.

The Branch is seeking Armchair Committee Members to join meetings via Zoom. Contact details for the Branch Chairman Tony Pugh can be found on the inside back page.

EDITORIAL

Firstly, thank you to everyone who took the time to comment on my first issue of Sou’wester. I do appreciate it.

I’m pleased to bring you another bumper, 32 page issue. We seem to have a good mix of stories –looking back, looking forward, and even up to the heavens.

We seek the history of a ferry boat, mark two 50 year celebrations and, sadly, pay tribute to the late Jim White, an outstanding ambassador for the Cotswold Canals Trust.

Looking forward, it’s exciting to hear how a business is expanding on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal; also, that the Rolle Canal will play its part in Bideford’s new Heritage Harbour status.

And just how might Halley’s Comet bring more visitors to the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal? See page 6.

But first, can you help?

Missing Sou’westers

As Editor of Sou’wester, I am entrusted with its archive of issues going back to the year dot (February 1961). Unfortunately, out of 194 issues there are two missing: numbers 142 (early 2007, I believe) and 184 (mid 2020).

Might any members out there have a library of back issues containing either of these editions? It would be great to complete the archive with an original, if there’s one going spare.

I do have a scan of issue 184, but of course an original would be preferable. For issue 142, I have neither original nor photocopy or scan.

It would be great to know the Region has a full archive of Sou’westers. If you think you can help, please email me at sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk

Sandy Wright

TOWPATH TRACKER FOR HALLEY’S COMET

On December 9, 2023 Halley’s Comet reached its furthest point from Earth and it will take 38 years to appear in our skies again. A unique project to annually track its return has been launched on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal towpath which already has a special link with the solar system.

In 1997 the Somerset Space Walk was created by Pip Youngman along the towpath, modelling the size and position of the sun and planets on a scale of 1mm to every 530km. The sun is located near Higher Maunsel Lock, midway along the canal, and the planets are set out on the towpath in each direction. So, whether you walk towards Bridgwater or Taunton, you pass each planet in order, ending up at Pluto, the furthest from the sun.

Adding a moveable Halley’s Comet marker post is part of an upgrade for the Space Walk, organised by South Somerset Astronomical Society. In co-operation with Canal & River Trust, it plans to refurbish the planets and add interpretation boards including QR codes that people can scan for more information.

The Halley’s Comet marker will be moved to scale annually along the Taunton side of the Space Walk; that equates to some 300 yards per year. It currently stands between Obridge and the Children’s Wood in Taunton.

The new Halley’s Comet marker features a QR code to scan for information.

(Photo: Phil Reilly)

The project is intended to generate more interest in the Space Walk and encourage more visitors to the canal. Grants were obtained from Taunton Town Council, Monkton Parish Council and North Petherton Town Council for the work, but current funding does not permit a similar exercise to be carried out from the Bridgwater end.

HORSE-DRAWN BARGE CELEBRATES 50

YEARS

Back in 1974, shortly after the reopening of the Grand Western Canal, the horse-drawn barge trip boat Tivertonian was set up by Tony Stockwell.

Based at Tiverton Wharf, the business was purchased in 1985 by the Brind family: Pat and Ray with their two sons Philip and Ricky. 20 years later, Philip took it on with his wife Jacquie, both passionate about keeping tradition alive. Today, Tivertonian is one of the last horse-drawn barges in the UK and the pair have planned a number of celebrations for its 50th anniversary this year.

There’s a free, public Open Day at the wharf on Saturday July 13, with stalls, live music, licensed bar and food. Also, a special anniversary film can be viewed on their website.

A new series of Serenity Sunday Afternoon cruises has been created to mark the anniversary. Running through til October, these special 2.5 hour ‘mindful’ trips have an emphasis on peace and tranquillity. No commentary, no noisy engine, just immerse yourself in the sounds of nature. For more information 01884 253345, www.tivertoncanal.co.uk

ROLLE CANAL AND BIDEFORD CELEBRATE HERITAGE HARBOUR STATUS

We carried a two-part article about restoration on the Rolle Canal in the previous two issues of Sou’wester. In this issue, the Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society (RCNDWS) informs us that it’s part of the new Heritage Harbour project centred around Bideford.

Heritage Harbour status was granted to Bideford and the River Torridge in January 2024, and it includes the Rolle Canal. The vision is to see the ongoing preservation and development of buildings and infrastructure along the entire waterfront from Appledore, in the Torridge estuary, all the way inland to Great Torrington, which can be reached via the river or the Rolle Canal. It is seen as important not only for highlighting the area’s maritime heritage but also for developing the Bideford area as an attractive place to live, work and visit.

Sea Lock forms the entrance to the Rolle Canal from the River Torridge.

Photo: Chris Wileman, 2019.

The RCNDWS was one of 10 local heritage charities campaigning for Heritage Harbour status. They were supported by town and district councils, local businesses, the education sector and other stakeholders.

IWA member Adrian Wills is one of the RCNDWS committee members involved. Adrian said: “History is not just about what has happened in the past but what has shaped our way of life. Our heritage has to be preserved, treasured and held in trust for future generations to appreciate what we are and why we are.

“Bideford’s rich maritime history, its shipbuilding industry and trade in goods affected events across the world. They also brought in a wealth of skilled and unskilled employment to the region.”

The Rolle Canal’s contribution included enabling imports of coal and limestone for fuel and agriculture, and exports of clay for pottery, timber for shipbuilding and farm produce to feed the coastal, industrial population.

Currently, there are just 12 Heritage Harbours across the UK; the West Country is fortunate to have two, with Exeter achieving that status in 2020. It is a joint initiative by the Maritime Heritage Trust, National Historic Ships UK and Historic England.

For further details on the Bideford and River Torridge Heritage Harbour: www.barthh.org

CO-OP SHOPPERS RAISING ROLLE CANAL FUNDS

Representing more good news for the RCNDWS was its acceptance as a good cause by the Co-op Local Community Fund.

Ian Harrison, the Society’s Chairman, said: “The scheme works by members of the Co-op registering their chosen good cause. Then, whenever they shop at the Co-op, a small proportion of their spend goes towards that cause. It runs for two years so there is potential for us to raise a substantial sum towards our restoration work.

“I would respectfully ask any Sou’wester readers who are members of the Co-op to consider registering the Rolle Canal Society as one of their chosen causes and maybe even those who are not Co-op members to consider joining.”

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF PROGRESS IN SOMERSET

AND MID-DEVON

IWA West Country Branch has published a colourful booklet to mark the many achievements made over the last half-century on the waterways of Somerset and Mid Devon. It points to the numerous benefits that the transformed waterways have brought to local people, visitors, businesses and the environment. It primarily covers the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, Grand Western Canal and River Parrett, and presents the achievements in chronological order, with numerous photos. The booklet pays tribute to the volunteers, private investors, and numerous local and national organisations without whose support this progress would not have been made. IWA is proud to have played its part, not only through the West Country Branch and its work party volunteers but also through its specialist advisers and Waterway Recovery Group.

It is hoped that the booklet will also serve as a reminder that all the benefits to communities and the environment are fragile without ongoing support. (Ed: The following news item is a case in point).

Printed copies of the booklet are available from ray.alexander@waterways.org.uk or you can download it from www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/branches/iwa-west-country-branch

MID DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL FUNDING CUT

Mark Baker, Grand Western Canal Country Park Manager

When Devon County Council took on ownership of the Grand Western Canal in 1971, it agreed a 50:50 revenue funding arrangement with the Tiverton Rural District and Borough councils. That arrangement was taken on by the new Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) following local government reorganisation.

However, during the 2000s and 2010s, MDDC’s contribution started to be cut and became considered a discretionary grant. In recent years, the MDDC contribution has stood at just over half of that of the County Council.

Last autumn, MDDC announced a review of its Strategic Grants, inviting us to respond in writing and in person, which we did. Unfortunately, the Community Policy Development Group made a recommendation to cut MDDC’s contribution to the Canal’s revenue budget by 15%.

We shared this news with our stakeholder groups and many, including IWA West Country Branch and the Friends of Grand Western Canal, wrote to MDDC opposing the proposed cut. Sadly, the MDDC Cabinet ratified the recommended cut to the Canal budget (and to several other funding recipients such as Tiverton Museum).

Like many local authorities, MDDC are in a tough financial situation with difficult choices to make, but it will be very difficult to sustain this cut without a negative impact on the standards of maintenance of the Grand Western Canal Country Park. I will undoubtedly need to spend more time chasing grant funding elsewhere, although few schemes are geared towards providing ongoing funding for routine maintenance, which is what we really need.

I’m pleased to say the Friends have generously offered to put forward funding applications that are open to charities rather than local authorities. So, hopefully we may be able to access extra funds for projects that way.

POSITIVE FROM NEGATIVE

Mike Slade, Volunteer Co-ordinator, West Country Branch

They say every cloud has a silver lining, and that is one way of looking at the outcome of a fly-tipping incident by the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal in February.

A concerned supporter of IWA Somerset Volunteers alerted us to a huge amount of rubbish tipped along the canal near Lakeside Caravan Park, Bridgwater. We went along to clear it up and, as it was an astonishing amount, I reported it to the local press. We made front page news in the

Bridgwater Mercury, and that’s when a negative turned into a positive. A number of local people, shocked at the news, came forward to join us as volunteers, all keen to help keep the canal environment safe and tidy.

Within a month of the publicity, we had seven new volunteers and our Facebook following has leapt up, too.

A boost in numbers is a nice way to mark our tenth anniversary. We started in May 2014 and since then have spent over 30,000 hours helping maintain the canal and Bridgwater Docks.

We do around three hours every Tuesday and Saturday from 10am. To find out more, please call me on 07977 263840 or email mdslade8@gmail.com

FORESIGHT IS A WONDERFUL THING

Martin Davies, Swansea Canal Society

The foresight of an engineer who oversaw the burial of Clydach Lock 50 years ago is now paying off. John Evans laboriously repointed the lock’s stonework before its interment, hoping for a day when it would be resurrected. The lock was buried when the canal was piped under a new council highways depot.

Swansea Canal Society’s restoration project has reached the point of unearthing Clydach Lock. Hopes of finding the original stonework were ebbing away earlier this year, but in the middle of March it started to appear.

Down in the cavernous hole dug by the contractors, several courses of Blue Pennant sandstone were the first to be discovered. Since then, one of the wing walls has The temporary bywash, built 2023, keeps the lock site dry enough to work on the new lock.

Remains of the wing wall are in good condition. Built 1798. Buried 1974. Unearthed 2024.

been uncovered in good condition and there are hopes of finding more. The story made it on to ITV News in April: https://www.itv.com/news/ wales/2024-04-04/canal-lock-in-swansea-being-restored-to-its-formerglory-after-decades

Society Chairman Gordon Walker said: “The find has been a real morale booster. If these pieces of original wall can be incorporated into the new lock it will have a tangible continuity with the past. It’s great news for the society, but also for John Evans whose efforts all those years ago are paying off. Interestingly, there’s a second generation family link for John with the Swansea Canal. His son Mark Evans is Canal & River Trust Director for Wales and the South West.”

As well as working at the lock site, the society’s contractors Daley Homes Ltd are also building the new Swansea Canal Centre. They have completed the structure, and its fine, pitched roof makes it an attractive replacement for the old, flat roofed timber yard shop. Inside, the walls are plastered and three of our volunteers have made a start on tiling the wet room. Most of the interior decoration will be carried out by volunteers. These projects have been generously funded by the Welsh Government Brilliant Basics programme, Mynydd Y Gwair Wind Farm Community Fund, The Shared Prosperity Fund, Swansea Council, the Postcode

Exterior of the new Swansea Canal Centre is complete. (Photos courtesy Swansea Canal Society)

CANAL QUIZ

Community Fund, The Canoe Foundation, Vale Europe, Vale Inco, Welsh Water, Glandwr Cymru (CRT in Wales), Clydach Community Council and the Gower Society. We are also much indebted to the help and expertise of Glandwr Cymru, the owners of most of the canal in water.

A to Z of Canal Junctions (Part 2 of 4) by Mike Potts

Which waterways connect/connected at the following junctions? Answers on page 29. (I am sorry if I do not give the correct historic names for some of the waterways).

21 Creech St Michael

Frankton

(Information taken from Edward W Paget-Tomlinson’s The Complete Book of Canal & River Navigations).

IN MEMORIAM: JIM WHITE

Chair, Cotswold Canals Trust 2015 - 2023

On March 24, 2024 Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) hosted a tribute to its former Chair Jim White who passed away suddenly on October 13, 2023. Jim had been involved with the Trust since 2011. In his earlier days as a volunteer, he used his expertise as a chartered mechanical engineer to design and arrange production of paddle gear used on some of the project’s Phase 1A locks. More recently, he was heavily involved in the design process for lock gates and was a key Executive Board Member for Phase 1B.

In 2015 Jim was elected CCT’s Chair of Trustees and in that role became instrumental in leading the charity through many significant milestones and achievements. These included the bid submission and project development for Phase 1A, receiving the Queens Award for Voluntary Services in 2021 and helping lead the successful bid submission to the

Jim White with one of the paddles he designed. Photo: Mike Gallagher.

National Lottery Heritage Fund for Phase 1B. He was seen as a great ambassador for the Trust.

Jim’s engineering career began at the age of 16 with Plessey. He completed an engineering degree and worked for Smiths Industries, Dowty Electrics and Ultra Electronics before retiring in 1999, aged 60. Reflecting on his career, he felt his greatest achievement was the gun control systems on the Challenger Two Main Battle Tank.

Jim was always active. In 2001, he and wife Caroline volunteered with the Willow Trust which provides opportunities for people with a disability or serious illness to enjoy a day out on the water. In 2002, he qualified as an Inland Waterways Skipper, a role he fulfilled until 2010 when he fractured his hip.

Looking around for an alternative water-based volunteering role, Jim attended a CCT presentation a few months later and was soon enthused. Jim’s son Jon said that his father referred to the Trust as his ‘fountain of youth’ and had been aiming to complete its project before retiring as Chair.

To help keep the memory of Jim White alive, CCT has set up a Lock Gates Appeal. It hopes to raise £120,000 to fund a new set of gates. To donate visit www.cotswoldcanals.org or tel: 01453 752568.

What’s On

Rolle Canal Guided Walks

May 12: Ridd Inclined Plane

June 9: Rosemoor Basin/Darkham Weir

July 6: Sea Lock/Annery Kiln

August 11: Staple Vale/Beam Aqueduct

September 1: Taddiport/Torrington Commons

All walks start at 2.30pm. Sorry, no dogs. For more details: www.rollecanalsociety.org or contact Ian Harrison, tel. 07557 478371, email halehillfarm@gmail.com

Cotswold Canals Trust Boat Trips

Every Saturday until September.

A series of 25 minute trips between 10:30am and 4pm from Wallbridge. £10 per person. Booking advisable. www.cotswoldcanals.org/boat-trips-booking or scan this QR code.

Cotswold

Canals Trust Guided Walks

May to September

A series of guided walks from Stonehouse or Wallbridge. Each walk is approximately 90 minutes long and one way. If walking back to the start, allow an extra 30 minutes. £5 per person.

For dates, times and booking details visit www.cotswoldcanals.org/ guided-walks

Gloucester

May 25 – 27

Tall Ships Festival

The festival will highlight not only the majestic tall ships that once dominated Gloucester Docks, but also the diverse cultures and connections fostered by the bustling port’s almost 200 year history. While the tall ships take centre stage, activities will include live music, immersive entertainment, sail cargo showcases, vintage fairground rides, family-friendly activities and a local food and drink market. Each day promises a unique atmosphere, with a Rock the Dock extravaganza on Saturday, Family Fun Day on Sunday and Shanty Lovers' Day on Monday. IWA hopes to have a stall at the festival. If you are able to help over the weekend please contact Andrew Strawson. www.gloucestertallships.co.uk

Open Day at Tiverton Wharf

July 13

Free, public open day to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tiverton’s horsedrawn barge. 10am – 4pm. Stalls, live music, licensed bar and food. See article on page 7.

Exeter Heritage Harbour Festival

June 7 - 9

This year’s popular Heritage Harbour Festival in Exeter will have a special focus on steam. There’ll be a packed programme of entertainment for all the family across the weekend, but June 9 is dubbed Steam Sunday, when activities will recall the role of steam power in the harbour’s history.

The Steamboat Association of Great Britain will be sailing a number of vessels on the canal and river. Traction engines will be based near the canal basin and there’ll be rides on a model steam railway, courtesy of Exeter Model Engineering Society. Topsham Brewery will host a display of steam powered ‘garden railways’ and a lecture by the South West Maritime History Society will cover steam power along the Exeter Ship Canal.

Somerset Celebration Cruise

June 8 & 9

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the reopening of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, Somerset Navigators Boat Club has organised a weekend cruise.

Boats will travel from Bathpool to Maunsel and back, staying overnight at Maunsel on their decorated boats and raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Trail boats are invited, as are the crews of all boats moored along the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal. There’ll be free trail boat access to the canal at Bathpool slipway, and free parking for cars and towing outfits at Somerset Boat Centre.

For more details or to register for the event, contact John Moore by email: jandemoore68@gmail.com

Features

DETECTIVE WORK FOR THE DUCHESS

On the River Parrett, Langport’s Community Boat, the Duchess of Cocklemoor, is a former passenger ferry that previously worked on the rivers Teign and Dart. One of the Duchess’s current skippers, IWA West Country Branch member Phil Reilly, has been researching her history. Phil would like to ask for your help. He wonders whether any readers may recall this ferry, particularly when she was named the Sharpham Belle and briefly worked on the River Dart. Here’s what Phil has discovered so far.

Built and entering service as a ferry in 1908, she was named simply T&S2 after the Teignmouth to Shaldon route she operated. Built from timber, she was 38ft long, had a petrol engine and was designed to carry 25 passengers who boarded via a ‘walk-on’ plank incorporated into the bow. The builder was Mashford’s of Cremyll, near Plymouth, and she cost approximately £27.

By 1949 the ferry and adjoining bridge crossing had been taken over by Devon County Council, but they did not want to operate the ferry. T&S2 was bought by Mr. W. J. L. Powell, a retired naval officer of Okehampton, but he only ran it until 1952 when he died. Ownership of the ferry then transferred to Teignmouth Urban Council.

In 1998 James Trout took over the ferry contract from the Council but T&S2 was reported to be a ‘little worse for wear’. Her capacity had been reduced to 12 but, at 93 years of age, she was reported

The Duchess of Cocklemoor, aka T&S2, aka Sharpham Belle. The roof is a late addition to carry solar panels. (Photo: Gordon McKerrow)

to be the oldest working ferry on the oldest ferry route in the country (dating back to at least 1286).

T&S2 was relaunched following a refit in 1999 and ran until 2010 when Teignbridge District Council put her up for sale by tender. She could no longer meet the standards required to carry paying passengers.

Phil believes this photo from middevonadvertiser.co.uk in January 2011 shows Sharpham Belle.

In 2011 T&S2 was acquired by Greenway Ferry and Pleasure Cruises and renamed Sharpham Belle. Based at Dittisham on the River Dart, she was refitted and operated as a ferry service to Sharpham Vineyard, Bow Creek and Stoke Gabriel.

However, by 2015, she had become derelict again and was acquired by Ian Macnab of Langport. Ian lovingly restored her and launched her as Langport’s Community Boat, on the River Parrett, in 2017 with her new name Duchess of Cocklemoor.

2019 saw conversion from diesel to electric power. Through the Electric Boat Association, Ian contacted Cedric Lynch who designed and installed a 1.5 kW (2.0 hp) electric motor on the Duchess. Its lithium batteries are charged by solar panels mounted on a newly constructed roof. The batteries are from decommissioned supermarket delivery vehicles and the solar panels from the end of the line at a solar farm. To date, the whole system has operated without ever having to resort to shore power.

Phil says nothing is known of her time as Sharpham Belle (2011-2015) so if any readers can add to this fascinating story please get in touch: phil_reilly@hotmail.com

As a member of the National Community Boats Association, the Duchess of Cocklemoor operates pre-booked trips on the River Parrett for groups of up to 12 from spring to autumn, in return for a donation. See www.duchessofcocklemoor.co.uk

BUSINESS BOOMING ON B & T

Interview with Ryan Chorley of Somerset Boat Centre

An enterprising business on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal has no less than three new ventures under way for 2024.

Based at North Newton, near Bridgwater, The Somerset Boat Centre (SBC) has come on in leaps and bounds since it was established from scratch in 2018 by Ryan Chorley, a retired firefighter.

This family business already offers an extensive list of services...day boat and paddle sports hire, two trip boats (one wheelchair accessible), moorings, a bar, and accredited training in paddle sports, narrowboat handling and first aid. Their 90 minute fish and chips cruises are especially popular!

As if that’s not enough, Ryan’s team has recently opened an Education & Wellbeing Centre, taken over Bathpool Marina from CRT and started cycle hire.

The Education & Wellbeing Centre is on land adjoining SBC’s base at Maidenmead Moorings and is being led by Manager Sam Coombes. She

Somerset Boat Centre (Photo: Gordon McKerrow)

said: “Through local schools we are offering young people opportunities to learn via water based activities. They can choose from boating, paddling or fishing and during their course are supported to achieve a set of goals.”

Bathpool Marina is an extension of the SBC Moorings business which already runs bankside moorings at Maidenmead and Lower Maunsel. The marina has 18 leisure mooring berths and a facilities block. Ryan said: “We have a programme of improvements planned, including electric points on the pontoons, creating a boaters’ lounge and adding facilities for young people to access paddle craft. Introducing a new generation to the benefits of the canals is very important, not just for the young people themselves but also for the waterways in the future.”

Accessibility is the ethos of SBC’s new cycle hire operation, too. By making it affordable, the company hopes to encourage many more people to

Ryan first fell for the inland waterways at the age of 15, when he bought a small river cruiser on the River Severn. Today, he and his 26-strong team are passionate about sharing the waterways so that as many people as

And that reminded Ryan to mention another branch of SBC that, quite literally, opens access to the waterways. He took on a weed boats business when the owner retired and now contracts to CRT’s Wales and South West Region, as well as local authorities and the Ministry of Defence in places as far afield as Lincolnshire and Derbyshire.

SBC is an IWA corporate member. For more information about its services, tel: 07508 959996, www.somersetboatcentre.co.uk

Bathpool Marina.

(Photo: Sandy Wright)

Branch Reports

IWA SOUTH WALES BRANCH / CANGEN DE CYMRU REPORT

Tony Pugh, Branch Chairman

As part of budget cuts, Neath Port Talbot Council has said it is looking at ceasing all funding to the Neath Canal. Currently, there are two worrying proposals on the table that are linked to the Council. IWA’s Navigation Committee is making representations about both.

Neath Canal towpath

The first is a suggestion by Neath Port Talbot Council that it could save £135,000 by ending its towpath access arrangements, which would likely lead to the Neath Canal being entirely closed to the public. Much of the canal is owned by property developer St Modwen, which charges the Council a fee to maintain public access.

IWA Deputy Chair for Navigation and Campaigns Sue O’Hare has urged the Council to recognise the value of public access to the canal, and to work with St Modwen to ensure the community continues to benefit from this valuable asset.

The importance of the towpath as a local amenity is recognised in the Council’s own Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Attempts to get the towpaths of both the Neath and Tennant canals recognised as public rights of way have so far been unsuccessful.

The Neath and Tennant Canals Preservation Society (now Neath and Tennant Canals Trust), and more recently Ty Banc Canal Group, have been working towards restoration of the 13.5 mile Neath Canal. By 1990, 3.5 miles had been restored, including seven restored locks and a slipway at Resolven Basin. The work was officially recognised by the Europa Nostra award in 1998 and a Civic Trust Award in 1992. It received

£4 million of funding jointly from the Welsh Office and Prince of Wales Trust.

It is saddening to think that the benefits of all this effort could be put at risk by closing the towpaths to save around £135,000.

Aberdulais Aqueduct

In the last issue of Sou’wester I reported on attending a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) meeting in November about flooding around Aberdulais and Tonna in the Neath Valley. Since then NRW launched a low-key consultation on five options for spending millions of pounds to reduce the flood risk for 27 properties alongside the River Neath, which have a long history of flooding.

Two of the options believed to be favoured by NRW, a Welsh Government quango, involve complete or partial demolition of Aberdulais Aqueduct, which would forever frustrate proposals to bring the Neath and Tennant canals back to life.

The 104 metre long Aberdulais Aqueduct is a Scheduled Ancient Monument that formed a navigable link between the Tennant and Neath Canals. It crosses the River Neath about 80 metres south of its confluence with the River Dulais.

In times of flooding, the aqueduct is perceived as an obstruction to river flow. Flooding of adjacent land and properties has occurred on several occasions, particularly along Canal Side. The aqueduct has also been affected. A structural inspection in December 2021 showed that urgent work was needed to prevent further damage, but nothing has been done so far.

In its consultation, NRW admits that demolition of the aqueduct would have relatively little impact on reducing floods, but the local view is that NRW would like to demolish it so that it can be seen to be doing something. IWA’s Navigation Committee has sharply criticised the proposals within the consultation as lazy.

The consultation, which closed on February 26, conveniently omitted any mention that the aqueduct is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, or any background to its history or purpose. Rather, it seemed to suggest

The downstream side of Aberdulais Aqueduct, taken next to the Neath Canal basin. Debris blocks one of the arches due to lack of maintenance. The bed of the river is rock-strewn where sea high tides meet the converging rivers Neath and Dulais just above the aqueduct. The lockhouse, now British Legion club, is in the background. (Photo: Tony Pugh)

demolition as if the aqueduct is a pile of inconveniently discarded rubble. Alternative, albeit possibly more expensive, measures of making properties more flood-resilient, appear not to have been considered.

On behalf of IWA, Sue O’Hare is calling on the owners of the Neath and Tennant Canals (St Modwen and Port Tennant Canal Company), Neath Port Talbot Council and the government agencies concerned to work together to rescue this precious piece of heritage and amenity for the benefit of future generations.

The consultation closed on February 26 and I hope to have an update from NRW before our Branch AGM.

Annual General Meeting

Talking of our AGM, it will take place at the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Cwm Lane, Rogerstone, Newport on Saturday May 11, 2024 at 2:30pm. This venue will help us keep the limelight on the adjacent restoration. A conducted tour will be available both before and after the meeting.

At the AGM, we’ll be seeking Armchair Committee Members. The idea is to boost our dwindling committee numbers without asking for an onerous commitment on behalf of members. All we’d need, as a minimum, is to join us via Zoom a couple of times a year.

And finally, may I repeat my call to all members to be vigilant and report any incidents or planning applications on or near our canals and navigable waterways.

For up to date information on the South Wales waterway activities have a look at the following websites or contact them using the details below.

Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust www.mbact.org.uk

Fourteen Locks Canal Centre www.mbact.org.uk/fourteenlocks-canal-centre

Torfaen Canal Volunteers

Contact: Hugh Woodford 01663 862481, heatherhugh@hotmail.com

Cardiff Bay Harbour Authority www.cardiffharbour.com

Neath & Tennant Canals Trust www.neath-tennantcanals.org.uk

Tennant Canal Association www.tennantcanal.wales

Ty Banc Canal Group (Neath Canal) www.tybanc.org.uk

Swansea Canal Society www.swanseacanalsociety.com

Swansea Marina www.swanseamarina.org.uk

IWA GLOUCESTERSHIRE & HEREFORDSHIRE BRANCH

Roger Morgan, Branch Chair

Just a brief update from me for my first report. As featured in the previous Sou’wester, the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust has begun an ambitious project to restore what was probably the deepest lock in England. Thought to have been 30ft deep, Over Lock links the canal to the

tidal River Severn. The project team is seeking £30,000 to fund the designs needed to submit a planning application for restoration. If you would like to contribute, you can do so via BACS to the Trust’s bank account 11600694, sort code 16-21-20, marking your donation for the Over Link Project. Alternatively, if you would like to volunteer to be part of the project, please email over-link@h-g-canal.org.uk

IWA WEST COUNTRY BRANCH

Ray Alexander, Branch Chairman (to March 6, 2024)

This is my final report as Branch Chairman as I informed the Branch team in February that I would be stepping down in early March after six years in the role. I shall be continuing in certain other roles including Branch campaigns and projects, in which I first became involved some ten years ago. This is not the occasion to reflect on the successes and failures of the Branch, but it is the right forum for me to thank Branch team members (both past and present), our members, corporate members and many others within IWA for their interest and support for Branch activities over this period. Thanks to you all.

Branch booklet

Perhaps the key news to report is the publication of our booklet Somerset & Mid Devon Waterways – 50 Years of Progress which was signed off for printing in early February. It was subsequently distributed in either printed or PDF form to Branch members, local councillors, the waterways press and many others within IWA.

As the title implies, the booklet covers the restoration to navigation of the Devon section of the Grand Western Canal, the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal and River Tone Navigation, and the River Parrett Navigation above what is still known today as Oath Lock. Together with new waterside

paths, car parks, cafés and much else, their rejuvenation has brought many benefits to local residents and visitors, much of which is captured in the booklet. My thanks are due in particular to Georgia Howe at head office, photographer Gordon McKerrow and Sandy Wright for their significant contributions to the booklet.

Branch working parties

Our branch working parties are in good shape, with twice weekly work parties taking place on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal/Bridgwater Docks and monthly work parties on the River Parrett at Langport. Total hours worked since inauguration some 10 years ago now exceed 30,000 and credit is due to all the volunteers, the team leaders and the volunteer management team.

IWA South West Inland Waterways Regeneration Fund (SWIWRF)

Just one application for a grant from the IWA SWIWRF was received in December, from Devon County Council. This was for £3,550 in relation to the Grand Western Canal Country Park, for the installation of new video display screens and electric cabling in the visitor centre at Tiverton Basin. The application was subsequently approved by the SWIWRF Panel.

Members visiting the canal basin over the next few months should be able to see the changes that are being made.

Previous grants from the fund have been used to produce new information panels for display in the notice boards along the canal. These have now been completed and are being installed.

Ray Alexander (left) and Mark Baker, Country Park Manager, Devon County Council, with the updated information board at Tiverton Basin.

(Photo courtesy Devon County Council)

UPDATE: WEST COUNTRY BRANCH

The West Country Branch Committee has a new look following its AGM on March 23 and subsequent Committee meeting on April 15. While there is no direct replacement for Ray Alexander as Chair, Mike Slade has stepped up as Vice Chair while also continuing as Volunteer Co-ordinator. Phil Reilly was unable to continue as Secretary, so that role and the Chair are currently vacant. Mike Aldridge continues as Treasurer. Ray Alexander will concentrate on campaigns and projects. Julian Gibson, Maurice Pinner and Sandy Wright are joined as members by Pat Robinson who returns to the committee after a few years’ break.

CANAL QUIZ ANSWERS

21 Creech St Michael: Bridgwater & Taunton / Chard canals

22 Deepfields: BCN Wednesbury Oak Loop / Birmingham New Line

23 Doe Bank: BCN Tame Valley / Wednesbury Old canals

24 Ducie Street: Ashton / Bridgewater / Rochdale canals

25 Dudley Port: BCN New Main Line / Netherton Tunnel Branch

26 Dukinfield: Ashton / Peak Forest / Huddersfield Narrow canals

27 Etruria: Trent & Mersey Canal/ Caldon Branch

28 Factory: BCN New Main Line / Old Main Line

29 Fradley: Coventry / Trent & Mersey canals

30 Frankton: Llangollen / Montgomery canals

31 Fazeley: Coventry /Birmingham & Fazeley canals

32 Foxton: Grand Union, Leicester Section / Market Harborough Arm

33 Great Haywood: Staffordshire & Worcestershire / Trent & Mersey canals

34 Hardingswood: Macclesfield / Trent & Mersey canals

35 Hatherton: Staffordshire & Worcestershire / Hatherton Branch canals

36 Hawkesbury: Oxford / Coventry canals

37 Heath: Barnsley Canal / Calder & Hebble Navigation

38 Horseley: BCN Wyrley & Essington Canal / Birmingham New Line

39 Huddlesford: Coventry / Wyrley & Essington canals

40 Hurleston: Shropshire Union / Llangollen canals

Waterways in the IWA South West and South Wales Region

Avon and Wilts Branch

Rivers Avon & Severn: Tidal navigation that is the responsibility of the Bristol Haven Conservancy, downstream of the second Severn crossing

Avon Navigation: Hanham to Avonmouth, including River Avon and Bristol Docks

Kennet & Avon Canal: Hanham Lock to Froxfield Bridge

North Wilts Canal

Somersetshire Coal Canal

Wilts & Berks Canal: Kennet & Avon Canal to county boundary 1m west of Shrivenham

Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Branch

Coombe Hill Canal Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Leominster Canal

Lydney Canal

River Severn: from Mythe Bridge, Tewkesbury to a point on the tidal navigation which is the seaward extent of responsibility of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees, downstream of the Second Severn Crossing

Stroudwater Navigation Thames & Severn Canal

River Wye: Hay-on-Wye to Severn Estuary

South Wales Branch

Brecon & Abergavenny Canal Glamorganshire and Aberdare Canals

Monmouthshire Canal Neath & Tennant Canals

Swansea Canal River Usk

River Wye: Hay-on-Wye to source

West Country Branch

Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Bude Canal

Chard Canal Exeter Ship Canal

Grand Western Canal Liskeard & Looe Canal

North Somerset Waterways River Parrett

Rolle Canal Stover Canal

Tavistock Canal River Tone

Contacts

Ray Alexander rayalexander01@gmail.com

Tony Higgins anthony.higgins@waterways.org.uk

Roger Morgan roger.morgan@waterways.org.uk

Tony Pugh tony.pugh@waterways.org.uk

Hannah Rigley hannah.rigley@waterways.org.uk

Mike Slade mdslade8@gmail.com

Andrew Strawson andrew.strawson@waterways.org. uk

Sandy Wright sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk

BRANCH WEBSITES

Branch websites can be found via www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/branches

Next Issue of Sou’Wester

The next issue of Sou’Wester is due out in September 2024. Please send all copy to the Editor at sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk by Tuesday, 1st July, 2024

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of IWA. The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2PX. Tel. 01494 783453. Registered in England, no. 612245. Registered as a Charity, no. 212343. www.waterways.org.uk