Great Ouse Branch
Ouse News - Spring 2022 Newsletter covering the Great Ouse and tributaries Contents:
Vessel Removal
Branch Committee
p2
Branch News
p3
Chairman’s Corner
p4
Bedford Town Lock Bridge Panama Canal
p6 p7
The Boys’ Trip
p11
River News
p16
Cornelius Vermuyden p26
Photo: Courtesy of The Environment Agency
Campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the Inland Waterways.
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Great Ouse Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers.
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Great Ouse Branch Committee: Chairman: Keith Alderton Tel : 01366 727236 Secretary: John Hodgson Tel : 01234 344884 Treasurer: Enid Hodgson Tel : 01234 344884
Volunteer Coordinator: Gail Mead Tel: 01359 242967
Ouse News Editor: Carole Alderton Tel : 01366 727236
Member: Stephen Foote Tel: 01763 838936
Membership Officer: Peter Webb Tel: 01353 658581
We are a small, friendly group and would welcome another committee member to help us organise meetings and events. Please contact the editor.
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Branch News Winter Meetings are at 8.00 pm at the North Lodge Pavilion, North Lodge Park, Milton, CB24 6UD. T HURSDAY 24 TH M ARCH
2022
This will be our Annual General Meeting, together with an update from the Environment Agency.
M ONDAY 2 ND M AY
2022
There will be an IWA stand at Reach Fair.
S ATURDAY 30 TH A PRIL 2022 There will be the traditional evening
We welcome the following new members to the branch. We hope you will introduce yourselves to us when coming to an event or meeting:
Carina O’Reilly, Cambridge Andy & Karen Hayward, Stoke Ferry, Norfolk
meal held at a local pub. For more details and to book your place please contact:: Stephen Foote - tel: 01763 838936
T HURSDAY 27 TH O CTOBER
2022
This meeting will consist of a fish and chip supper, together with a waterways quiz.
T HURSDAY 24 TH N OVEMBER
If anyone is reading this newsletter and would like t o b e c om e a m e m be r, please contact Peter Webb,
2022
This will be a talk by Waterways Chaplain, Sally-Ann Ford, on the work undertaken by the Chaplaincy.
our Membership Officer, on 01353 658581.
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Chairman’s Corner In the autumn edition I stated that we intended to make a couple of 3-day trips taking our boat to have the hull inspected and blacked. Well, we didn’t make it! We duly drove 120 miles to Ventnor Marina, loaded up the boat, drove to Heyford Fields Marina and spent £35 on a taxi fare back to Ventnor. Then storm Arwen arrived with 40/50 mph winds tossing our 17 tonne narrowboat about on its moorings as if it was a fibreglass cruiser. There was a brief respite from the storm during the night when I peeped out of the bedroom window to see the adjacent boat and pontoons covered in a layer of snow. We made the sensible decision to go back to bed and review the situation in the morning. However, by that time, the storm had regained its strength, making it far too dangerous to attempt to start our planned 18lock journey that day. The following morning the wind had dropped but there was snow on the walkways and ice around the edges of the marina. Again, we decided that it would be unsafe to travel and abandoned the project until the spring. All we had to do then was to winterise the boat, spend another £35 on a taxi to retrieve our car and drive the 120 miles home. However, as always, we enjoyed our stay on Watermist; ignoring the storm outside, snuggled up warm with the solid-fuel stove belting away, complete with a ready supply of whisky and playing endless rounds of Rummikub. The moral of this story is, ‘don’t be daft and ignore a yellow weather warning and attempt to go boating at the end of November, even if it means cancelling complex arrangements’. Many members will have no doubt been pleased to note that the Environment Agency has taken into account the strong views expressed by navigation licence holders regarding the proposed changes to the way fees are calculated. As a result, area-based charges will not now be introduced and the proposed 10% increase will be spread more evenly over a 3-year period.
Ouse News Page 5 I am pleased to report that our second autumn general meeting was able to go ahead in physical form in November. Long-standing branch committee member Stephen Foote provided an interesting insight into the way the Fenland river system changed and developed long before the massive civil engineering work undertaken by Cornelius Vermuyden in the 17th Century. Some rivers ceased to exist whilst others completely reversed their orientation by flowing South to North rather than North to South. This proved to be a fascinating subject worthy of further investigation. At the time of writing, we are experiencing yet another bout of Covid, but hope to go ahead with our February general meeting and Annual General Meeting without having to resort to Zoom once again! In February, Simon Judge will (or may well have done by the time you read this) given an illustrated presentation entitled ‘From Oxford to Cambridge by boat’. You will note that we have adopted our usual practice of issuing members with advance copies of all of the documents relating to the forthcoming AGM. Hopefully, this will enable you to study the information provided at your leisure, allowing the formal proceedings to be completed in a timely manner and maximising the time available for the presentation by the Environment Agency. Please do make an effort to attend as this will give you the opportunity to raise any concerns you may have with the EA staff responsible for our local rivers. Keith Alderton
News & Views Do you have an article, comment or photo you would like to share? We would be very pleased to receive it! Contact the editor: carole.alderton@waterways.org.uk
Ouse News Page 6 Bedford Town Lock Bridge An IWA member has raised concerns about the alleged lack of consultation with waterways users regarding the replacement of the bridge over Town Lock, Bedford. The low height of this and other bridges in the area has limited navigation by larger cruisers for many years. The construction of the new bridge over the lock by Bedford Borough Council in 2019 presented a golden opportunity to eliminate at least one of these obstacles. Regrettably, although the air draught was improved, it was only increased from 2.14m to 2.38m, well below the EA’s standard of 3.0m. It may well be that it was thought it was not worth raising the bridge over the lock to full height due to the navigation being restricted by other low bridges in the near vicinity. The footbridge known as Engineers Bridge is one of the problem low bridges with an airdraught of only 2.3m. Local boating organisations have long wanted to have this bridge raised, although an opportunity to increase the headroom was also lost several years ago when the bridge structure was completely replaced. It would appear that on each occasion a bridge has been replaced the headroom was not increased because there was already another bridge with limited height nearby. Unfortunately, the problem bridges are all owned by different public bodies and there would appear to be a complete lack of awareness of the need for a co-ordinated policy when it comes to navigation matters. Looking long into the future, the ambition is for all of these bridges to be raised to enable the largest cruisers to reach the limit of navigation on the Great Ouse at Kempston and to access the proposed Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterways Park. However, one of the problem bridges is a mainline railway crossing, the raising of which, together with the associated approach embankments, would incur eye watering costs. The existence of that bridge should not inhibit our efforts to play the long game and improve the situation elsewhere.
Ouse News Page 7 The aim of the B&MK is to construct a full-size navigation linking the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes with the River Great Ouse at Bedford. This objective will only be achieved step by step, taking advantage to remove an obstruction as and when the opportunity arises. It is up to us to be vigilant and make representation to the appropriate body as soon as we become aware of a potential problem or opportunity. Keith Alderton Following on from our talk by Richard Thomas on the history/building of the Panama Canal and the article in the autumn edition of Ouse News, we have received a first-hand account of a passage through the Canal: Transit through the Panama Canal by Mimi Alderman We arrived at the entry of the Panama Canal very early in the morning. At 04:00 Arcadia entered the SW Lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme for her final approach. At 05:21 the vessel passed the breakwater and into the Cristobel port area before picking up the pilots at 05:25. For the next 30 mins Arcadia steamed slowly through the approach channel embarking and disembarking local authorities for clearance purposes. Once fully cleared Arcadia embarked the 24 strong Canal fore and aft mooring teams before entering the first set of locks, Gatun Locks.
Ouse News Page 8 By 07:15 Arcadia was inside the first chamber of the Gatun Lock and made fast to 8 Mules, which are locomotives used in the locks to help guide the ships into position. After being raised she continued on through the second and third chambers, rising a total of 26 metres. Huge rubber covered rollers on the lock corners help to reduce damage to the ship. (What a pity they don’t have them on our English canals!!) It’s a slow job lining up Arcadia at approx 86000 gross tons, into a lock only a few feet wider. The Mules have 2 steel cables attached to the ship to prevent the ship bumping into the sides or gates. Arcadia was required to wait approximately 30 minutes at the exit of the locks for vessel traffic management reasons before getting underway at 09:30 and entering Gatun Lake. Gatun Lake is a large artificial lake to the south of Colón, Panama forming a major part of the Panama Canal.
After a leisurely meander through the man made Gatun Lake, the vessel rounded Gamboa Corner and entered Gaillard Cut, passing under the Centennial Bridge, lining up for the Pedro Miguel Lock. The Centennial Bridge is the second major road crossing of the Panama Canal, the first being the Bridge of the Americas. Arcadia was all fast in the lock with Mules attached at 15:15. Once lowered just over 9 metres, the vessel proceeded out of the lock at 15:45 and made final approaches to the last set of locks, the Miraflores Locks.
Ouse News Page 9 At 16:40 the vessel was established and secured in the first of the two chambers of the Miraflores Locks. These locks are the location of the main viewing area for the Panama Canal and as Arcadia passed by friendly exchanges between cruisers and spectators were made. At 17:10 after descending another 9 metres Arcadia proceeded to the final lock and was lowered the remaining 8 metres to sea level, before leaving the lock and entering the exit channel for the Pacific Ocean at 18:00. She passed under the Bridge of the Americas at 18:10 and continued through the buoyed channel leaving the Port of Balboa and Panama City on the port side. The final pilot disembarked at 18:36 and Arcadia was on passage into the Pacific Ocean at 18:48. The Bridge of the Americas is a road bridge in Panama which spans the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.
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Bridge Boatyard Bridge Road Ely, Cambs CB7 4DY
email info@bridgeboatyard.com Website www.bridgeboatyard.com Telephone 01353 663726
Moorings in marina and on riverside in historic Ely. Close to rail station.
Repairs and servicing Engineering and glassfibre workshops Slipway Suppliers of diesel, gas and coal Authorised Nanni dealership Gas safe engineer
Ouse News Page 11 The Boys’ Trip, November 2021 Towards the backend of each year, three of us aim to have our annual trip. This Boys’ Trip, as my wife calls it (even though the youngest is in his forties!), tries to aim for a specific goal for the cruise, and dates that will fit work and family commitments. For 2021 we saw that Stephen Foote was to give a talk on the history of the Fenland waters, on Thursday 25th November, a topic of interest to us all. So, we decided that we’d attend the meeting – but travel there – quite correctly – by boat! Having an unused Anglian Pass for our Wilderness Beaver Trailboat NAVI, we thought that we’d continue onto Cambridge after the talk, to cruise up the Backs, as it was a few years since we had ventured that way. NAVI is based at Grange Farm, at the top of the Wissey. Having prepped the boat, during the day, on Monday 22nd, it was ready for Darren’s arrival from work that evening, allowing an early start on the Tuesday. Blue skies and still water enhanced the trip down the Wissey – with the steam issuing from Wissington Sugar Beet factory never failing to impress, especially reflected in the lakes. Moored at Ely, we collected hot pizzas from Sainsburys, followed by a gorgeous night walk around that magnificent city.
Ouse News Page 12 Wednesday saw us travelling to Burwell, with the luxury of having Upware Lock operated by the contractors cleaning the brickwork. (We think they didn’t want us to walk on their new white lines!). Superb meal at the Five Bells, followed by a quiz, where our team of two thought we did extremely well. Thursday, the third “boy”, Kevin, arrived, as always loaded with that night’s dinner, already prepared, in his arms. Upware lock was again operated by the contractors, whereas Bottisham was in its usual awkward state of having lots of weed in the chamber – and no way of kebbing or washing it out. A large floating tree trunk added to the debris (why can’t the EA provide a keb here?). Mooring by the bank, below Baits Bite Lock, we indulged in the bolognaise, then walked, along a very icy road, to Milton. We were made very welcome at the G.O. IWA Branch meeting, and it was good to catch up with so many fellow cruisers that we’d not seen for so long. (Although I still can’t remember that one chap’s name). Stephen’s talk was first class and gave us much to think on as we walked back and then consulting the OS maps and Google over the night caps. For example – why is the Cam the Cam and not the Granta, and why is the Ely Ouse not the Cam? Our main goal of the trip had not let us down – and we’d gone by boat. (Thanks for the member’s offers of a lift back – but it was too good an evening not to walk). At the meeting Ivan was formally presented with his medal to commemorate his 60 years of IWA membership from our chairman, Keith Alderton. He is now an Honorary Life Member.
Ouse News Page 13 For Friday, the forecast was not promising, but the weather was fine and we reached Jesus Lock by lunchtime, with hardly a skiff in sight. Being only 23 ft long – it was easy to find a spot by the Fort St George. After sustenance, we set off through Jesus Lock. This is a fabulous stretch of river, but a Wilderness Beaver, having around six-inch draught, is very susceptible to wind, and its high cabin to low arches. However, on this trip, the wind was kind. An extra temporary bridge added to the adventure, and only seven punts to negotiate. If we had a pound for every photo taken, we’d have paid for our Anglian Pass. As usual, we needed to moor in the millpond to check the engine and prop. I had been tempted to try and travel a little further upstream, but moored punts prevented. The return journey was again a delight – seeing all the Colleges and their gardens and bridges from a different aspect. It was also punt free – until the last bridge – where four punts were dawdling, whilst their professional punters were giving their spiel. With the increasing wind and current, it took a little care to hold our position whilst they took their time. What many do not appreciate is that the large punts are larger than our small craft – and our 1978 glass fibre hull would be little match against their metal reinforced corners. We re-gained our moorings, and tucked in with local fish and chips, with warnings, over the radio, of pending storms for the next day. So, Saturday started early, with dire warnings of the approaching storm Arwen, we were off by 7:30 a.m. with only two skiffs out at that time of the still-dark morning. My concern was having to enter Bottisham Lock/landing stage in winds, we’ve been there before. Egg and bacon sarnies as we descended Bates Bite Lock.
Ouse News Page 14 Although timetabled – there was no sign of racing at the Sailing Club, nor strong winds as we approached Bottisham. The lock, however, was in its usual difficult weed filled state (why don’t the EA provide a keb here?), and although we hoped that the weed would wash out of the chamber, it and the tree trunk still resided. We tried to push out as far as we could, and then start the engine – but the weed won the day and the engine stalled. How we love Bottisham Lock. As we travelled towards Upware, a full rainbow, doubling at times, appeared, followed by snow flurries. The wind started to rise, but we had beaten storm Arwen, and came (or were blown in) to the Five Miles moorings, our planned evening stop – and it wasn’t yet coffee time! As well as the usual ropes, springs were also set out, and we made sure that we were not too far under the swaying trees. An afternoon of games, more research following up on Stephen’s talk – and maybe even a doze. The wind and rain were so strong the pub lights took on a disco effect on the trees, but we were snug in NAVI – until the gas ran out. Another good meal in the Five Miles that night, followed by a mardle, sitting in armchairs in front of their roaring wood-stove. That Sunday night it really blew, but calmer by morning, and with the gas replenished – bowls of porridge set us up for the day. Stopping at the friendly Fish & Duck, we bought their last of that rare breed – a 3.9kg Propane cylinder. Ely for a comfort stop, then to Littleport to drop Kevin off to rejoin to his family. He was lucky, returning to his warm house, for that night; at the Ship EA, it was so cold the condensation on the windows turned to ice. But it also meant that the final Monday’s trip back up the Wissey was accompanied by sun and blue skies – the calm after the storm. Another great annual boys’ trip, with thanks to the IWA Great Ouse Branch for giving us a “carrot” to aim for, and Stephen’s talk for making it worthwhile. Ivan Cane
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Contact the Editor on 01366 727236 or (carole.alderton@waterways.org.uk)
Ouse News Page 16 River News from the Environment Agency Waterways Operations Team Leader (Gt. Ouse and Stour Navigations) Paul Separovic Winter Operations Update Our Waterways Workforce and Operations Teams don’t stop over the winter just because the weather turns; they keep themselves busy either maintaining the sites or carrying out bushing works. Winter also tends to bring with it its fair share of incidents; the past winter being no exception. We also use it as a chance to undertake further enforcement work and the winter just gone has been no exception with no fewer than 5, and counting, vessel removals, recoveries and seizures being undertaken. Our workforce has been out at a number of sites cleaning and maintaining them, giving sites fresh new coats of paint, and refreshing white lines or step markings. We actively encourage our in-house workforce to take ownership of our sites and stamp their mark on them; hence you may have seen the wildflowers last season or the bird and bat boxes or bee hotels at some of our sites. The same goes for our sites’ appearance when winter allows us to catch up with cleaning down the lock tops and pressure washing off the pathways and landing stages. It is also quieter, so when the weather is agreeable painting can take place, be that white line edges or life buoy housings etc. All these things show attention to detail and that we do care and take pride in our sites; we hope you have noticed this too when out and about.
Ouse News Page 17 This last winter also brought numerous sunken vessels and stranded or run aground boats where we’ve liaised with the Emergency Services, Insurance Companies, and local marine services to ensure everyone is safe first and foremost and to ensure the river is kept moving. Our team are at the end of the phone 24/7 for anyone calling our 0800 80 70 60 incident line number alongside a whole range of other duty staff within the Environment Agency that are on standby at any given time.
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Ouse News Page 19 Our Incident response work is very varied dealing with pretty much anything, but mainly stranded vessels, either at lock sites or those that may have run aground and can’t get free. However, we also have a role when there are boating accidents such as a fire or explosion or if a boat sinks because of an incident or the Emergency Services are involved. Many of our incidents tend to involve obstructions, be that trees that have fallen into, occasionally blocking, the river or the occasional vehicle, the odd safe or white goods. Not only do the Operations Teams continue with their enforcement work, but both the Waterways Workforce and Operations staff regularly undertake a week of on call standby activity where they perform our Waterways Duty Officer role alongside our support staff who take it in turn to roster a standby shift over weekends and bank holidays so that navigation notices are able to go out throughout the whole year and continue over weekends and bank holidays. We are also ready to assist other parts of the Environment Agency should, for example, major flooding somewhere around the country take place and we have in the past gone to where we’ve been needed to support with National Emergencies.
Ouse News Page 20 Winter Works Programme 2021/2022 Our Winter Works Programme for 2021/2022 is an investment on a number of structures along the River Great Ouse which will deliver significant and longterm benefits to the navigation. In order to deliver this, the closure of some locks may be longer than usual, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Some of the works have now already been completed, but at the time of submission (7th Feb 2022) this was the latest situation : Lock
From
To
Hermitage Lock
1.11.2021
03.12.2021
Brownshill Lock
1.11.2021
22. 02.2022
Eaton Socon Lock
03.01.2022
Late April / May 2022
Godmanchester Lock
24.01.2022
06. 03.2022
In addition, although not a part of the Capital Investment Programme, an additional Lock Closure is also in place at Hemingford Lock to undertake downstream mitre gate repairs: Lock Hemingford Lock
From 01. 02.2022
To 11. 02.2022
This may have changed and many of the works will likely have been completed by the time you read this article; so please check the latest situation with us before attempting to navigate on the river this coming season.
Ouse News Page 21 At present the main site of focus is Eaton Socon Lock where the Mitre ‘V’ door gates were removed and are being repaired. Upon closer examination it was found that the main gate frames were also damaged and beyond the point of repair. This now means a complete gate replacement is required after approximately 30+ years of service from the existing gates, last replaced in the late 1980s. Whilst this will be a significant investment and leave us with a brandnew set of gates, with the lead times involved it does unfortunately look as though at the time of writing the usual Easter re-opening target at Eaton Socon will be missed. Unfortunately, some things are unforeseen and the original repair job ended up requiring much more, so apologies to anyone who may be affected by this or who was intending navigating through Eaton Socon Lock in April.
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Pictures of Eaton Socon Gates
while in Martin Childs’ Workshop
Ouse News Page 23 The accompanying photos show several of the sites with works underway, from drained down locks to guillotine gate painting operations and complete mitre gate or ‘v’ door replacements and repair. Many of the works have been targeted at where we have received reports of stiff lock gate operation and although these instances are very difficult to eliminate completely on any inland navigation, we hope that the repairs and replacements undertaken this winter will have a noticeable improvement for you whilst navigating the system at some of the more troublesome sets of gates that have been difficult to operate previously.
Brownshill Winter Works
Brownshill Guillotine Painting
Ouse News Page 24 Godmanchester Lock Mitre Gate Removal
Ouse News Page 25 Hermitage Winter Works
Ouse News Page 26 This work is planned and undertaken by our Waterways Assets Team who utilise framework contractors to carry out our annual capital maintenance programmes. We release information of these works as they take place via our social media accounts and navigation notices, so why not subscribe and follow us via these so you can get the very latest information as it is released. You can also find out further information by calling our customer contact centre on 03708 506 506 Monday to Friday during office hours and ask to speak with the Anglian Waterways Team. If out of hours and you spot any issues at our work sites you can call our emergency number any time on 0800 80 70 60. Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and the Disastrous Venture in Somerset The achievements of the great Anglo-Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden in the Cambridgeshire fens are well known and documented – with varying degrees of accuracy – in many places. So, to a lesser extent, are his land draining adventures in such places as Dagenham, Canvey Island, Windsor Great Park and the levels of Hatfield Chase in Yorkshire. We explored his little-known venture into lead mining in Derbyshire here in Ouse News a few years ago. His adventure in Somerset has been little remarked upon – mainly because it didn’t just fail; it didn’t even start. Here’s what happened..: Vermuyden had an eye for the future. While working in the fens, he was quietly investing some of his money in land in the Somerset levels. These huge areas of low-lying land were practically worthless as they were – but if drained, their values would rocket. Vermuyden was confident he could drain these levels quickly, effectively and above all affordably. So confident was he of success that he built a house for himself and his family in Highbridge; he would stay here when in Somerset managing his new estates while keeping his town residence in Westminster.
Ouse News Page 27 Practically all the land was common land; so whilst Vermuyden had purchased a lot of it, he could do nothing with it which might prejudice the commoners’ rights. His first task was to have the rights of commoners extinguished – so he put it about that he would be seeking Parliament’s leave to enclose the land. He also appealed directly to Oliver Cromwell for support. ‘I shall be ruined if deprived of my right, long since purchased at a dear rate’ he wrote in his letter. His opponents fought back, saying that whilst he claimed to have spent £12,000 on the purchase of 4000 acres of Sedgemoor, with the connivance of his friends in high places, he had actually only parted with £6,000. None the less, the Attorney-General appeared to rule favourably on the legality of Vermuyden’s plans. Among the local landed gentry, the plans met with enthusiastic support. One such neighbour, Sir Ralph Horsey wrote to him ‘I hear you are going about the enclosure of Sedgemoor. I am glad of it and you are assured of my best assistance’. He then persuaded an MP, Major-General Packer, to sponsor a bill for presentation to Parliament ‘Touching the dividing of a Common (Sedgemoor)……… with the Consent of the Freeholders and Commoners’. The only drawback was that Vermuyden hadn’t actually consulted the commoners, still less secured their consent. When the bill was presented, opponents pointed out fairly forcibly that the commoners had not, and did not consent – and the bill was thrown out. With that, poor Vermuyden’s hopes of a wealthy retirement vanished. By now he was an old man and, finally beaten, he retired to his big house in Channel Row, Westminster and spent his last years in obscurity.A sad end to a remarkable man; as an engineer, a colossus of his time but ultimately defeated by his inability to manage his business affairs. His family’s efforts to rationalise his interests after his death is another story; we will look at it some time! Stephen Foote
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The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No 612245. Registered as a charity No 212342. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Rd, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Phone No 01494 783453.
