Sou’Wester
A selection of the narrowboats and cruisers attending May’s Tall Ships Festival in Gloucester Docks. (Photo:Tony Aldridge)
September - December, 2024
Issue 197
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: Vacant Roger Morgan*
Sou’Wester Editor: Sandy Wright* Tony Pugh*
Navigation Committee
Representative: Vacant
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* Member: Chris JL Yewlett
Hon. Secretary: Vacant
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
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Mike Slade* Pat Robinson
Sandy Wright*
*Contact details for these appear inside the back cover.
Region Chair
Welcome to Sou'Wester No. 197! I’d like to use my column in this issue for some thanks, condolences and opportunities within our region.
I would like to personally thank Andrew Strawson as he steps down from his roles as South West and South Wales Region Secretary and member of the Navigation Committee. Andrew has been a fantastic asset to the committee and has contributed to the success of the region during his tenure in both roles. I have learned a lot from Andrew, including his extensive knowledge of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, boating experience and reflections on his time previously living outside our region. I wish him the very best for the future! An advertisement for Andrew’s replacement as Region Secretary can be found on p8. If you are looking for a way to contribute to the success of our region, please do get in touch with me.
Secondly, I am very sorry to echo Mike Slade’s words on p24, sharing the sad news of the death of Adrian Wills, the owner of the Rolle Canal Sea Lock, who died suddenly at the beginning of August. Adrian was a longstanding IWA member, a former member of the West Country Branch Committee and also a stalwart of the Rolle Canal Society. On behalf of the Region Committee, I would like to send our thoughts to Adrian’s family and friends at this difficult time.
I attended the South Wales Branch AGM in May at Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Newport. It was great to catch up with committee members but I would urge anyone who would like to support the success of this Branch to get in touch with Tony Pugh to save it being put into abeyance.
I was sorry to miss the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival as I was attending the Crick Boat Show on the same weekend. Thankfully, a brilliant summary of the event can be found on p5. I very much enjoyed a trip from Droitwich Spa down to Sharpness, stopping at Gloucester Docks, a few years back, so it’s an event to put in my diary for 2027!
Hannah Rigley
EDITORIAL
Hello everyone, I hope you’ve managed to enjoy some time involved with the waterways this summer.
I was delighted to explore parts of a waterway new to me, the Stover Canal near Newton Abbot, courtesy of Ray Alexander, former Chairman of the West Country Branch. It was fascinating to see and hear what has been done so far, particularly at Ventiford Basin, thanks to the Stover Canal Trust.
This issue has set me wondering.
Firstly, I was fascinated to read Peter Daniel’s article, Without the Canal, on page 19. In it, he reflects how the popular seaside town of Bude might look today if the canal had not been built. It’s an interesting mental exercise to ponder how places would look if their canal never came.
I know I have reflected similarly on the way in which my home town of Northwich, in Cheshire, would look today if the Anderton Boat Lift had not been restored in the early 2000s. Because of the campaigners who made sure the restoration happened, the town now has an attractive riverside, a busy marina and a huge country park.
I’ve also been wondering just how many wide and wonderful uses our waterways are put to. In this issue, we feature a Welsh language nature walk, page 8, and a lunar art installation, page 15. But recently, I’ve also heard of a model boat club, and sponsored walks and runs along towpaths. Do you know of any other interesting uses for our waterways?
And finally, my earlier appeal for two missing issues of Sou’wester drew a blank. Please may I repeat my hope that a reader might have one or two back issues that they could pass on for the Region’s archive. We are missing numbers 142 (early 2007) and 184 (mid 2020). If you think you can help, please email me at sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk
Sandy Wright
TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL, GLOUCESTER DOCKS
Tony Aldridge, IWA / Fund Gloucester’s Waterways
Six tall ships made a welcome visit to a three day festival over the May bank holiday weekend in Gloucester Docks.
Approximately 17,000 people visited the event and many called in at the IWA stall. Manned by Grahame Robertson and team, the stall focused on Fund Britain’s Waterways, with help from the Fund Gloucester’s Waterways team.
Grahame Robertson said:
“There was a lot of public enthusiasm for both IWA and Fund Britain’s Waterways. Most people had no idea of the extent of maintenance our waterways need, how they are funded or that they are in danger from Government funding cuts. Lots of leaflets were distributed and support promised.
Tall ship Phoenix passes the stay-aboard lightship SULA.
“We met and put our case to the Mayor of Gloucester, the prospective Labour parliamentary candidate and a number of local councillors. We also had a visit from CRT Chief Executive Richard Parry and Regional Director Mark Evans.”
The tall ships welcomed visitors aboard and there were many events on the water, including schooner Vilma regularly sailing around the main basin exchanging cannon fire with the larger ships. There were demonstrations by the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) and, on the Monday, entrance included the chance to try out paddle boarding for free. Visitors could also take a trip on the Dunkirk Little Ship Queen Boadicea II or a self-drive boat from Gloucester Hire Boats.
On land, there were street performers, excellent children’s activities, classic fairground attractions and two stages for wide ranging music artists. Visitors also had free entry to the National Waterways Museum and Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum. Outside the internationally renowned Neilson’s boatyard, with Kathleen and May, there
A SARA rescue boat, narrowboat Juliana and tall ship Phoenix
Cannon fire from Vilma’s pirate crew.
are other tall ship style boats in Gloucester Docks: Stella and Dolphin are both much travelled, with interesting histories.
The next Tall Ships event in Gloucester will be in 2027 as part of the bicentenary celebrations for the opening of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and the Docks. However, Gloucester Docks are always worth a visit.
LOCAL GROUPS BOOST LITTER PICKING EFFORTS
Mike Slade, Volunteer Co-ordinator, West Country Branch
Several local firms and young people’s groups have been helping IWA Somerset Volunteers lately.
Corporate teams from McDonalds and Higos Insurance Services boosted litter picking efforts around Bridgwater Docks and the river and canal paths. Asda’s local community champion also joined the volunteers at times.
It’s great to see young people helping out, too. We were privileged to host a large group from 1st Bridgwater Rangers. They kindly concentrated on collecting discarded cigarette ends which are a particular problem in pathways near the Docks.
At another volunteer session, Bridgwater Sea Cadets and their leaders helped remove a very heavy section of timber that had been floating in the water. And two individual young people with a canoe helped out by removing litter from the water.
McDonalds staff and families turned out in force to litter pick around Bridgwater Docks. (Photo: Andy Williams).
VACANCY FOR REGION SECRETARY
We have a vacancy for the position of Secretary for the South West and South Wales Region.
The principal task is to organise and minute the quarterly meetings of the Region committee meetings. For some time, these have been held on Zoom although we are now trying to organise one meeting a year face-toface.
The role also involves being a contact point in the Region, especially if a Branch does not currently have a committee. There can also be the opportunity to liaise with various waterways bodies in the Region, such as restoration societies.
IT skills are needed and an ability to organise and carry out administration tasks.
If you think you can help out, please contact the Region Chair, Hannah Rigley: hannah.rigley@waterways.org.uk
SWANSEA CANAL SOCIETY UPDATE
Nature walk
In May, Swansea Canal Society members Christina Gravelle, Liz Willicombe and Martin Davies enjoyed a Welsh language nature walk along the Swansea Canal, organised by Menter Iaith (Language Enterprise). The walk was conducted in Welsh for speakers and learners of the language.
Martin said: “Liz and I are very enthusiastic dysgwyr (learners) and threw ourselves into discussions about hwyaid ac ieir dwr (ducks and moor hens).”
The Menter Iaith nature walkers take a break at Bridge 4, Trebanos. (Photo: Martin Davies)
Menter Iaith Abertawe's aim is to promote the Welsh language by encouraging its use and enabling opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy it.
Martin says the Welsh name for owl is an onomatopoeic gwhdihw, pronounced 'who dee who'. And while the walkers didn’t see one in real life, they found two in a carved tree alongside the canal!
Look closely at the tree carvings to spot a barn and tawny gwhdihw (owl), cadno (fox), barcud coch (red kite) and ysgyfarnog (hare).
History book
A beautifully illustrated book charting the history and importance of the Swansea Canal has been published by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales in partnership with the Swansea Canal Society.
While the 16-mile canal may be 230 years old, the book itself was almost 50 years in the making. It was originally suggested by the late Professor Glanmor Williams, a former Chair of the Commission, when many of the canal remains were threatened by redevelopment. Financial support for publication of the book came from Gland ŵ r Cymru, the Gower Society and Vale.
Stephen Hughes, author of The Swansea Canal and its Early Railways , says: “The many reconstruction drawings and watercolours in the book have been a labour of love, taking many years to accomplish, but I hope the book and its illustrations will be a lasting contribution to understanding the canal”.
Proceeds from sales of the book go directly to maintenance and restoration of the canal. You can order it for £45, inc. UK postage, from the Swansea Canal Society's online store at swanseacanalsociety.com/swansea-canal-book-sales
Canoe team thanks
Regular canoe and kayak hire is one of the cornerstones of the Swansea Canal Society’s activities. Its hire team helps paddlers of all ages and skill levels take to the water at Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach.
Society members Gill and Gareth Thomas ran the operation for many years, helping to make it a great local attraction. They had stepped back somewhat over the last two years, then completed their last rostered shift on June 23. At the end of the session, the team took the opportunity to say a special thank you for the pair’s dedication.
Society Trustee Veronica Fuller presents Gareth and Gill Thomas with surprise thank you gifts. (Photo courtesy Swansea Canal Society)
Philip Brind of Tiverton Canal Company welcomes hundreds of Open Day visitors. (Photo: Alison Day).
July 13 marked the 50th anniversary of the launch of the horse-drawn barge Tivertonian on the Grand Western Canal. To celebrate, the Canal Ranger Service worked together with the barge’s owners, the Tiverton Canal Company, to organise a free Open Day at Tiverton Basin.
A profusion of colourful banners and bunting helped set the scene and several visiting boats added to the spectacle. The event was officially opened by ITV West Country reporter Bob Cruwys, who shared his love and memories of the canal. Visitors then enjoyed a packed programme of entertainment, including live music, Punch and Judy, and a kayak demonstration. Activities for visitors to try out included make your own mop hat or neckerchief, woodworking and model boating.
The event was graced by a number of dignitaries, including the Mayor of Tiverton, Neal Davey; Devon County Council member for Tiverton East, Cllr Colin Slade; MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour and Chairman of Devon County Council, Cllr John Hart. The latter three made excellent speeches noting the value of the canal and horse-drawn barge, and the importance of the Canal Ranger Service in maintaining the Country Park so that people can access the canal’s rich nature and landscape.
Sea Cadets’ kayak demonstration. (Photo: Tiverton Canal Co.)
Funding and assistance was provided by Mid Devon District Council and Tiverton Town Centre Co-ordinator, Stacey Gray. Blundells School created a popular barge-themed artwork with head cut-outs for amusing photos. Overall, the event was a great success, underlining how much the people of Tiverton and the wider region love the canal and horse-drawn barge.
CANAL QUIZ
A to Z of Canal Junctions (Part 3 of 4) by Mike Potts
Which waterways connect/connected at the following junctions? Answers on page 15. (I am sorry if I do not give the correct historic names for some of the waterways).
41 Johnsons Hillock
Kings Norton
Kingswood
Ladywood
Lapworth
Latton
Leys
Longford
Malpas
Marple
(Information taken from Edward W. Paget-Tomlinson’s The Complete Book of Canal & River Navigations).
What’s On
Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust Boat Trips
September 14
Final boat trips of the season at Over Basin on the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal.
The Sir Charles Morrison , operated by Sailing4Disabled can take up to seven passengers, including those using wheelchairs. The Canal Trust’s Mr Maysey can take up to eight passengers.
Make a day of it by also exploring one of several walks along the canal and River Severn, detailed in leaflets produced by the Trust, and refreshments served by the Trust next to the water, or maybe at the Lock Keepers bar and restaurant overlooking the river.
Below: Mr Maysey.
Trips operate at 30 minute intervals between 2pm and 4.15pm. Tickets should be available for purchase on the day, but numbers are limited, so booking is advisable. See h-g-canal.org.uk/enjoy-the-canal/#boat-trips
Shrewsbury
September 19
and Newport Canal Update
Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust’s September social will feature an update on restoration of the Shrewsbury and Newport Canal by Bernis Jones.
Venue: the Royal Oak, Ross Road, Ledbury HR8 2ND. 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
Above: Sir Charles Morrison.
Bude Canal Guided Walk
September 27
Join Peter Daniel, Secretary of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society, to see historic features along the lower two miles of the Bude Canal, including the sea lock, wharves, inland locks and preserved items in the Barge Workshop at Helebridge.
At Helebridge there is a choice of returning on foot along the canal with Peter (getting back about 1pm) or making your own way back (buses to Bude leave Helebridge at 12.20 and 14.20).
Total return distance is four miles. The walk starts at 10.15am at Bude Tourist Information Centre in the Crescent Car Park. Pay in the Centre at 10am. Adult £10, child £5. www.bude-canal.co.uk
Malswick Open Day
September 29
Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust is holding an Open Day to show its latest piece of canal restoration, with nearly 600m of new canal constructed at Malswick.
Open 2pm to 5pm.
Malswick is located eight miles north west of Gloucester on the B4125.
The site entrance will be marked on the day.
Nearest postcode: GL18 1HE. OS grid ref: SO 74227 25127.
What3Words: /// ///rooster.newsstand.reworked
October 14 - November 3
A floating art installation will light up Bridgwater Docks every evening for three weeks. Fallen Moon is a touring artwork by Luke Jerram, presented by Bridgwater Town Deal.
Created using NASA data, the sculpture is a giant, scale replica of the Moon, measuring 10 metres in diameter. It will be accompanied by a low decibel sound presentation each evening from 6-8pm. Free entry.
CANAL QUIZ ANSWERS
40 Hurleston: Shropshire Union / Llangollen canals
41 Johnsons Hillock: Leeds & Liverpool / Lancaster canals
42 Kings Norton: Stratford-upon-Avon / Worcester & Birmingham canals
43 Kingswood: Stratford-upon-Avon / Grand Union canals
44 Ladywood: BCN Birmingham Main Line / Oozells Street Loop
45 Lapworth: Stratford-upon-Avon & Lapworth Link / Grand Union
46 Latton: Thames & Severn / North Wilts canals
47 Leys: Stourbridge Canal / Fens Branch
48 Longford: Coventry / Oxford Canals
49 Malpas: Brecon & Abergavenny Canal / Crumlin Arm
50 Marple: Macclesfield / Peak Forest canals
51 Marston: Coventry / Ashby canals
52 Marsworth: Grand Union / Grand Union Aylesbury Arm
53 Napton: Oxford / Grand Union canals
54 Norbury: Shropshire Union / Shrewsbury Canal Newport Branch
55 Norton: Grand Union / Grand Union Canal Leicester Section
56 Ogley: Daw End / Lichfield canals
57 Old Turn: BCN Birmingham Main Line / Worcester & Birmingham
58 Over: Hereford & Gloucester Canal / River Severn
59 Parkhead: Dudley No.1 / Dudley No.2 canals
60 Pelsall : BCN Wyrley & Essington Canal / Cannock Extension
WILTS & BERKS UPDATE
Chris Barry, Wilts & Berks Canal Trust
Canal restoration – our primary aim – tends to proceed in fits and starts. Before a single spade, or digger, goes into the ground, the huge amounts of background work include obtaining land (all the land along our line was handed back to the original owners when the canal was abandoned in 1914), doing the designs, wildlife and environmental surveys, getting permissions and, of course fundraising.
So, not much physical canal restoration has taken place since the Studley Grange section, between Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett, was dug out and opened between 2015 and 2017.
Many other activities have been going on, particularly at Pewsham Locks. Here, apart from working on the three locks themselves, our volunteers have unearthed a dry dock and a carpenters’ workshop.
The workshop is now being rebuilt using modern materials but recreating its original appearance as far as possible. Nearby, we have acquired a long lease on land at Naish Hill, between the canal and River Avon, and our work there is beginning with a Bee Route. The concept, essentially, is about rewilding; we aim to develop the Bee Route along the entire length of canal in line with our plans to create a linear bluegreen corridor.
Most recently, in Wichelstowe, Swindon, the
Part of the unearthed dry dock.
The Wilts & Berks Canal covers 72 miles in total. Its main line runs 54 miles from Semington to Abingdon. It also includes eight miles of the North Wilts Canal from Swindon to Cricklade where it joins the Thames & Severn Canal. The map shows the Wilts & Berks Canal lines and how restoration of it and the Thames & Severn will eventually create two cruising rings.
canal channel is being dug out and lined with puddled clay near Mill Lane, beside the M4. This is phase one of four in a developer-led restoration scheme involving Swindon Borough Council and Barrett and David Wilson Homes.
Developer-led restoration is where developers, acknowledging the housing uplift they get from the presence of a canal, either contribute towards its construction or, being builders, actually construct it. Not all developers are equally enlightened!
All four phases must be complete by the time 2,700 dwellings have been built on this site. Phase 2 will take the canal from where our trip boat
Dragonfly operates (next to Waitrose) almost up to the M4, then turns left to the far side of Mill Lane.
Phase 3 will join Phases 1 and 2 by tunnelling under Mill Lane. Phase 4 will turn right where Phase 3 turns left, taking the canal parallel with the motorway to just before the planned crossing for the canal underneath the M4.
It’s so good to see visible progress! For anyone interested, see our interactive map on https://www.wbct.org.uk/enjoy-discover/interactivemap
Elsewhere in Swindon, extensive bank repairs are in hand at Rushey Platt; the council is providing the materials needed while our volunteers do the work. Wildlife surveys and preparatory work are under way. The repairs will be done in October with help from IWA’s Waterways Recovery Group.
The new dig in Wichelstowe, Swindon, August 2024. (Photos courtesy Wilts & Berks Canal Trust)
Another piece of good news is that we have acquired another trip boat to add to our little fleet. Nonsuch, a 35ft steel narrowboat, joins Dragonfly (40ft steel narrowboat), The Mary Archard (wheelchair accessible aluminium boat), and Damselfly (a trailable trip boat). Nonsuch is named after the boat owned by Vic Miller of Royal Wootton Bassett, who left an extremely generous legacy enabling us to purchase this boat plus the dredger Nelson and some garages at Templars Firs which are very useful for storing equipment.
WITHOUT THE CANAL
Peter Daniel, Bude Canal & Harbour Society
From our vantage point, some 200 years or so later, we often take for granted the transformation brought by our canals. Latterly, I have been reflecting on how Bude would have looked if it hadn’t been for the development of the canal.
Because of the canal, the harbour and town were created, the River Tamar was dammed, the inland market town of Holsworthy gained a link with the outside world, and large areas of agricultural land were improved.
But what was the area like before the canal came, and what might it have been like if the canal had never been built?
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the area to be served by the canal was remote and sparsely populated. It combined Cornwall’s forgotten north (a long way from the mining riches further west and south) and Devon’s empty quarter (a long way from the prosperous woollen towns to the east and coastal ports). The canal was designed to serve an area of approximately 700 square miles, largely comprising scattered hamlets and isolated farms, shown within the pink line in Fig. 1. It did reach well inland, although not as far as Hatherleigh and Okehampton as originally intended.
So why was this area so sparsely populated? Parts of it in Devon are now marketed as Ruby Red Country (after the local Devon cattle), but long before that it was known as Cold Clay Country, thanks to its heavy yellow clay soil, relative height above sea level, high
Fig 1. The remote area in which the Bude Canal was built.
rainfall and exposed winds. Agriculture was a challenge.
Communications were also poor. The improved, turnpike toll roads set up from the mid 17th century across most parts of the country were conspicuous by their absence. There simply wasn’t enough through traffic to warrant them. It wasn’t until the 1850s that the area gained some decent roads, but this was all in the future, after the canal was built.
Until roads were improved, transport by water was the most efficient. But even the sea, a transport thoroughfare in many areas, was inhospitable to sailing ships off the harsh north Cornwall and Devon coast.
The coming of the canal between 1819 and 1825 was an amazing undertaking in so many ways. Firstly, the difficulties in its construction, given the poor quality land, the sparseness of the population and the remoteness of the area. Surveying the route; acquiring the land; hiring labour; procuring stone, brick and ironwork would all have been on a much greater scale than anything previously done here.
But the canal did come. It transformed the area and led to the growth of Bude. Neighbouring Stratton, the mother settlement, was soon eclipsed.
Thanks to the canal, Bude had a harbour that could be used, with care, in all seasons. Import and export of goods was possible. This led to industries developing along the canal, including lime-burning, iron foundries, a shipyard, sawmill, and a brick and tile works. Sea sand could be taken inland to improve
Looking out from near the Sea Lock, in dull light it is easy to see how Chapel Rock was once a larger island before the gap was cut for the breakwater that leads in from the left.
(Photo: Peter Daniel)
large areas of heavy clay land, which improved the prosperity of agricultural villages near the canal.
So what would Bude have been like without the canal?
For a start, its landscape would have been very different. There would have been no breakwater in the bay. Chapel Rock would have stayed as an island instead of being cut through by the breakwater. The River Neet would not have been diverted to the south side of Summerleaze beach. The few boats that visited Bude would have pulled up to the original, limited quayside along the Neet. And where the canal and Breakwater Road now lead to the beach there would be large sand dunes.
It is likely Bude would have stayed as a rudimentary river mouth port, with few visitors, and may well never have had a railway. Holsworthy, 10 miles inland, would probably have remained the railway terminus instead. Without the railway, Bude wouldn’t have developed as a town and holiday resort until motor transport became popular.
Inland, without the canal, there would have been other significant effects. Eight miles from Bude, people would not be able to enjoy the popular Lower Tamar Lake as it was only built to provide water for the canal.
Lower Tamar Lake, built in the 1820s as the reservoir for Bude Canal. (Photo: Peter Daniel)
For nearly 70 years, the lives of landowners and farmers would have been more of a struggle because sand would never have been delivered to them as a soil improver.
It's all speculation, of course, but interesting to ponder.
Branch Reports
IWA SOUTH WALES BRANCH / CANGEN DE CYMRU REPORT
Tony Pugh, Branch Chairman
The South Wales Branch AGM took place on May 11, 2024 at Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Newport. There were sufficient members to hold the meeting but it was poorly attended. Officers for the year were elected but subsequently an individual dropped out. So the Committee for 2024/25 is as listed on page 2. We will have to seriously consider putting the Branch into abeyance for the foreseeable future.
The threat to close the Neath Canal towpath, reported in the last issue of Sou’wester, has been lifted following debate during Neath Port Talbot Council’s budget scrutiny process.
Further potentially positive news about the Neath and Tennant canals comes with the recent commissioning of a study into their future. The Council secured over £113k from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a comprehensive options appraisal that is said to be part of a phased, longterm project called Canal Connections. The project aims to secure additional funding to regenerate the Neath and Tennant canals in a sustainable way, creating an accessible community asset for active travel and recreation, and establishing it as a heritage destination which connects local communities.
Sue O’Hare, Chair of IWA’s Navigation Committee commented on the positive work to preserve the area's canals. She said: "In January IWA wrote to Neath Port Talbot Council urging them to recognise the value of public access to the whole length of the Neath and Tennant canals. We are therefore delighted by this positive development and look forward to contributing to the study to help ensure the canals’ future. They serve as vital active travel routes, benefiting the environment, economy, and local communities. We urge the council to prioritise the preservation of
Aberdulais Aqueduct, a scheduled ancient monument threatened with demolition, and work with Natural Resources Wales to ensure its restoration as part of wider flood management plans."
I attended the AGM of the Neath & Tennant Canals Trust on July 28. It was clear that we are all awaiting the Neath Port Talbot Council report.
On the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Taylor Wimpey has failed to comply with a canal bridge condition as part of a large new housing development at Cwmbran. The bridge, which links up two phases of the development on either side of the canal, should have been completed in 2022 when residents moved into the 650th home. It will now take 18 months to complete, probably in conjunction with the 850th occupancy!
Welsh Water/Dŵr Cymru has prepared a plan which, it says, is a foundation for long term planning of drainage and wastewater services. There is concern in South Wales as to the quality of Welsh waters. This link will take you to the plan online https://www.dwrcymru.com/-/media/ project/files/page-documents/our-services/wastewater/new-dwmp/ dcww-dwmp24-pas.ashx
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 mbact.org.uk
Fourteen Locks Canal Centre mbact.org.uk/fourteen-lockscanal-centre
Torfaen Canal Volunteers
Contact: Hugh Woodford 01663 862481 heatherhugh@hotmail.com
Cardiff Bay Harbour Authority cardiffharbour.com
Neath & Tennant Canals Trust neath-tennant-canals.org.uk
Tennant Canal Association tennantcanal.wales
Ty Banc Canal Group (Neath Canal) facebook.com/TyBancCG/
Swansea Canal Society swanseacanalsociety.com
Swansea Marina swanseamarina.org.uk
IWA WEST COUNTRY BRANCH
Mike Slade, Branch Vice Chairman
Work parties
The Branch’s work parties have completed 51 sessions between May 1 and July 31, 2024, which equates to 963 volunteer hours.
50th anniversary event at Tiverton Basin
A celebration event was held at Tiverton Basin on the Grand Western Canal on July 13 to mark the precise date of the 50th anniversary of the launch of the horse drawn barge in 1974. Notwithstanding the occasional shower, the event was well attended by the public and civic dignitaries, also by the newly elected MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour. The horse drawn barge was launched all that time ago by Helen Harris, author of The Grand Western Canal and other waterway books; on this occasion a ‘relaunch’ was carried out by her daughter.
IWA South West Inland Waterways Regeneration Fund (SWIWRF)
A recent application to the Fund has been approved by the SWIWRF Panel. It was for £640 and is to cover the cost of one of three throwlines that are to be installed along the River Parrett at Langport – the other two being funded by Langport Town Council and Huish Episcopi Town Council respectively.
Adrian Wills
It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Adrian Wills on August 6. An IWA member with his wife Hilary since 2007, Adrian served on the West Country Branch committee for many years. He was a stalwart of the Rolle Canal Society, being involved in their many activities and projects. He also owned the canal’s Sea Lock near Bideford, the regeneration of which he devoted his considerable skills to. The committee extends its sincere condolences to Hilary on this very sad occasion.
IWA GLOUCESTERSHIRE & HEREFORDSHIRE BRANCH
Roger Morgan, Branch Chairman
The main event in the Gloucestershire & Herefordshire region over the summer was the Tall Ships festival held in and around Gloucester Docks over the weekend of May 2527.
The Branch paid for the IWA to attend, and maintained a presence throughout the festival with a gazebo stall. Many thousands of people attended the festival to see the tall ships in the Docks.
As well as seeing the tall ships, visitors could get out on the water on paddle boards, zodiacs and the Dunkirk little ship Queen Boadicea II.
The festival was only possible due to a multi-million pound dredging operation by CRT in the docks themselves and in the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal which had become too silted for the tall ships to make their way up the canal to the docks.
Restoration of the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal continues, with a recent focus being Over Lock. Successful reconstruction of this piece of engineering will enable boats to move onto the canal from the main waterways system for the first time in over 150 years.
The Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust has erected an information board near the remains of the lock structure, aimed at raising funds for the restoration and encouraging new volunteers.
It is an interesting lock with a great deal of uncertainty about how it operated, but some claim that is was over 30ft deep which would make it the deepest canal lock in England by some way.
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
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 January 2025. Please send all copy to the Editor at sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk by Sunday, 1st December, 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
