Branch News

Winter Meetings are at 8.00 pm at the North Lodge Pavilion, North Lodge Park, Milton, CB24 6UD.

T HURSDAY 26 TH O CTOBER 2023

This will be a talk by a representative from the Middle Level Commissioners.

T HURSDAY 23 RD N OVEMBER 2023

This will be a talk by the Cam Conservators but has yet to be confirmed.

We welcome the following new members to the branch. We hope you will introduce yourselves to us when coming to an event or meeting:

Ian Cooper, Elstow, Bedford

Jack & Laura Jury-Hyde, Little Paxton, St Neots

Simone Wilson, Balsham, Cambs

T HURSDAY 22 ND F EBRUARY 2024

Details to be confirmed.

T HURSDAY 28 TH M ARCH 2024

This will be our Annual General Meeting, together with an update from the Environment Agency.

Andrew & Daphne Lee, Little Staughton, Bedford.

If anyone is reading this newsletter and would like to become a member, please contact Peter Webb, our Membership Officer, on 01353 658581.

Chairman’s Corner

I am pleased to report that after more than a year of frustrating problems with both Carole’s health and boat repairs we are now at long last firing on all cylinders in both respects. So much so, that we have recently returned from a three week trial run to see if Carole could still cope with operating locks and driving our 55-foot boat. We, therefore, started off gently by choosing the route with the least locks from our base in Warwickshire. Hence we travelled up the North Oxford and Coventry Canals and on to the end of the Ashby Canal, stopping off in Coventry Canal Basin on the way back. All-in-all, a very pleasant and relaxed 120 mile round trip with only 7 locks to do (twice). If you have not already done so, you really should try and cruise the Ashby Canal, which is surely one of the most attractive in the Country.

You may have seen an item on local television news recently, talking about the Great Ouse River Trust. This is a new organisation to us and we have, therefore, made contact and invited them to send a representative along to address one of our branch general meetings to explain what they are about and to explore matters of mutual interest.

It is with regret that the branch committee has decided that we will not have a presence at Ely Aquafest and Reach Fair in future as we do not command sufficient support to man our stand. We, therefore, intend to sell off our gazebos, tables etc. However, you can see on page 3 that we are continuing with our usual series of off-season talks and look forward to meeting branch members and guests at North Lodge Pavilion.

Earlier this year the Environment Agency produced its Navigation Update in which it outlined the number of capital projects it intended to complete in 2022/2023. It is interesting to note that out of the total of 95 projects listed, the River Great Ouse has 5, the River Thames has 28 and the River Nene has 19. I fully understand that we can’t be a winner every year, but we do seem to have picked the short straw this time around!

Ouse News Page 5

You may recall that we previously reported on the completion of the EA’s project to raise the Middle Level Barrier Bank of the Ouse Reservoir between Earith and Welmore Lake Sluice. The object of the exercise was to prevent the regular winter flooding around Welney. Unfortunately, exceptional rainfall last winter proved the bank height to still be inadequate and as a result, the bank will have to be raised yet again. The work will start in July and last for 8 to 10 weeks. I am sure that the residents of Welney will hope that they get it right this time!

We have been notified that plans to build a new large sewage work beside the River Cam at Waterbeach are progressing and the Planning Inspectorate has accepted a Development Consent Order to proceed to the examination stage. We have been kept informed of developments at each stage of the project and, as far as we can tell, the navigation will not be adversely affected once completed.

In the last issue, I reported that East Cambs District Council had reportedly fined a boater for overstaying at Ely Waterfront during adverse weather conditions when it was unsafe to navigate. I am pleased to say that the call for mooring restrictions to be waived during the winter has been rejected. However, agreement has been reached not to enforce the regulations in times of sub-zero temperatures, thick fog or high winds.

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: carolealderton@waterways.org.uk

Gas Cylinders

Many boaters will no doubt be aware that Calor have announced that they intend to discontinue supplying small cylinder sizes i.e. 3.9kg propane and 4.5kg butane. This decision has caused much consternation amongst leisure users as many cruisers and caravans have gas lockers specifically designed to fit these cylinders and cannot accommodate larger bottles. A number of boating organisations have made representation to Calor to reconsider their decision. The company has subsequently agreed to continue filling the smaller models as long as existing cylinders remain serviceable.

The Boat Safety Scheme has concerns regarding safety implications and has issued the following statement containing much helpful advice :-

Calor has made a statement to the BSS about the continued supply of LPG in its small cylinder sizes, 3.9kg propane and 4.5kg butane, for the immediate future which gives those affected boat owners a little breathing space and a golden opportunity to plan for alternative arrangements – either LPG cylinders from alternative suppliers or introducing safe and well-fitted adjustments to their gas system by competent installers.

The Calor statement to the BSS in full says:

‘In January we announced plans to streamline our small cylinder range to help put us in a better position to service our wider cylinder customers who rely on us to provide their home heating and hot water.

‘In taking this decision we underestimated the impact this would have on specific user groups who use the 3.9kg propane and 4.5kg butane cylinders for caravanning and boating. We have listened to concerns and we are finalising plans to continue to exchange and refill serviceable* cylinders of these sizes, phasing them out of supply over a longer time frame. This should give users additional time to source an alternative way to power their onboard facilities.