September 2016
TOWPATH TELEGRAPH IWA Milton Keynes Branch Journal
Wendover: HLF bid clears first hurdle MK Branch at Three Locks, Cosgrove and Linslade CanalFILE part 6 At our Lock Help Weekend in May, a young visitor explains the use of the windlass to volunteer Alan. See report inside. Photo: Les Franklin. IWA (registered charity no. 212342) is the leading membership charity that works to resurrect and protect the waterways as a vital leisure facility for everyone to enjoy, and campaigns for their sensitive development consistent with safeguarding their historic and natural environment. If you are not a member and would like to find out more: * contact any of the Branch Committee listed on Page 16; * contact IWA Head Office on 01494 783453, or visit the web site: https://www.waterways.org.uk
Welcome to September 2016 Towpath Telegraph Chairman’s Column New Members Lock Help—another big boost for Branch funds Spreading the word at Cosgrove and Linslade Joint meeting with Leighton Buzzard Art Society Letter to the Editor Diary B&MK Waterway—Consortium shares its vision CanalFILE—part 6 Buckingham Canal Society news Thanks to all who have Fenny Lock—pretty as paint contributed items for this Seen from the Tiller—The Stately English Elm edition—we hope you Wendover Arm: HLF application clears first hurdle enjoy reading it. Getting in touch with MK Branch If you’re feeling sporty after the Olympics, try the “Two Arms on Two Legs” half-marathon being run on the Aylesbury and Wendover Arms on 11 September. Or how about some gentle exercise at the Cleanup from Fenny to Leighton Buzzard in October?
2-3 3 4 5 6 7 8-9 9 10-11 12 13 14 15 16
Chairman’s Column
As many members know, I have not been cruising for some years, but Sheila and I often walk the local towpaths. Last year we also began walking the Thames Path in bite-size lengths on odd days, beginning at Charing Cross and progressing upstream. This is proving to be a most rewarding and stress-free way of enjoying the river. After eleven easy days, allowing ourselves to stop and stare if we feel like it, we have got as far as Boulter's Lock, Maidenhead. We look forward to progressing further up the Thames as the seasons roll round. When we finish, maybe we'll return to London and work downstream towards the Barrier. The Branch has had a busy summer. Another record sum raised at the Lock Help weekend, the BCS Cosgrove Festival, and the Linslade Festival - see Pages 4 and 5. We had also intended to attend the Fenny Stratford Canalside Festival, and although I have no doubt that the stalwarts would have turned out for a a third time in four weeks if I had asked them to, I thought that enough was enough. We will consider attending next year, but as always, we could do more if we could depend on more people to help us organise and run our activities. Once again, please consider coming forward to help the Branch. Here at the TPT offices we don't get many "Letters to the Editor", but after the May edition
THE THREE LOCKS TEL: 01525 270214
A very traditional canalside pub . . . Dating from the early 1900s, the Three Locks is full of character, with the added appeal of wide country views, and of course the passing boats. The Three Locks is now family-run by Michael and Susan Schwartz. Our focus is on customer service, with high standards in our beers, wines and soft drinks, and in the quality of our food - locally sourced and freshly prepared. We are open daily from 12 noon, and our friendly and efficient staff look forward to welcoming you.
Web: www.thethreelocks.co.uk
Email: info@thethreelocks.co.uk
10% discount on food for IWA members - please show your membership card. Page 2
Chairman’s Column—continued. was published we did receive one. We reproduce it on Page 7, together with my reply. Branch member Libby Culshaw (nb Pendragon) has contributed occasional snippets and articles in the past. She has agreed to write a regular column with a very open brief covering past meetings, boat stories and things seen. I am delighted to welcome Libby as a contributor, and an article from her appears on Page 14. At the AGM back in February, we undertook to try to establish the ownership of the Wolverton Train Mural wall. We now know the ownership status of the land behind it, but unfortunately the records throw no light upon the ownership of the wall itself. Back in 2013, the Branch gave £200 to Canal & River Trust as a contribution towards a projected viewing platform at the Iron Trunk Aqueduct. CRT has decided that the project is not economically viable, and has returned the donation to us. We feel that as the funds were donated for a local project, they should be re-allocated to another local use. The Committee will discuss this in due course, so if you have any ideas, let us know. Our best wishes go to Jane Caswell, who broke her leg in May while she and Peter were cruising in the North-west. In plaster, she was confined to the boat for some time (they decided not to end their cruise). Back home now, she is gradually getting more mobile. A new Eastern Region Chairman has been appointed: John Pomfret, filling the vacancy that has existed for some time. John is a Committee member at Northampton Branch, so he is no stranger to this neck of the New Members woods. We look forward to meeting John soon. We welcome these memWe look forward to seeing you back at the Royal British Legion on 15 September, when CRT's Vicky Martin is our guest. If you have questions you would like Vicky to answer at the meeting, please send them to me as soon as possible. At the September meeting we will also be seeking volunteers for the Cleanup on 14-15 October. The Diary is on Pages 8 and 9 as usual, but please also see Page 6 for details of our joint meeting with Leighton Buzzard Art Society. Les Franklin, Branch Chairman.
bers who have recently joined the Branch. We hope to see you at our meetings—please introduce yourselves to a Committee member. Mr & Mrs P J & C Cowling, Coggeshall Ms M Hyde, Bletchley, MK Mr R Martin, Milton Keynes Mr R Travell, Newton Longville
Captions, please! Spotted at the Linslade Festival: Two PCs made the mistake of getting too close to the Leighton Buzzard Canoe Club's display. As a result they ended doing a floating patrol of the site, accompanied by a Club member, much to the amusement of their colleagues. No prizes, but just for fun, send in your caption ideas and we will publish the best. Photo: Geoff Gauntlett. Page 3
Lock Help—another big boost for Branch funds IWA Milton Keynes Branch staged its Lock Help Weekend on 27 – 30 May, at Three Locks, Soulbury. The “Rock the Locks” beer and music festival, laid on by Michael and his staff, drew the crowds for the second year running. Buckingham Canal Society also had their book and bric-a-brac stall at the event. Over the weekend, we helped several dozen boats through the locks in return for donations. Volunteers chatted to the public, engaged children on the lock-side with activities including “Build a Bridge” (steady hands needed), and the new water-play set with a model lock and real water. Both are popular with children of all ages. Several children showed Volunteers help two smart working boats through the locks. real interest in how the locks worked, and were allowed to assist under close supervision. Involving the children is a useful opener to chatting to parents and grandparents about the waterways. We also mounted a publicity point within the pub, including a rolling slideshow about the event and IWA, shown on the pub’s flat-screen TV. As always, we saw a variety of boats pass through, from historic working boats to small cruisers, as well as the hire-boats leaving from or returning to the Wyvern hire base. There was one full-length working boat that was a real nuisance—dashing into the bottom lock and out again, trying to turn on a sixpence, and not even offering a donation. It was only James Griffin with his latest boy’s toy—a radio-controlled model with a very realistic vintage engine sound! Volunteers met on the Friday evening for a pub meal, and enjoyed the usual barbecue on Saturday evening. As well as donations from boaters, many of the public gave generous donations. Total raised over the weekend was £921.40. This will fund donations to the local restoration schemes that the Branch supports. A rough tot-up says that we put in around 365 hours of work over the weekend – that’s setJames with his boy’s toy. ting-up, teas and coffees for volunteers, lockwheeling itself, talking to boaters and the public, engaging with children, and clear-up. Maximum manpower working the locks was 11 (Saturday), minimum 6 (Monday afternoon). Thanks to all for working so hard, to the Three Locks pub for their help, and to Canal & River Trust for loan of safety equipment and for their permission to stage the event. Text and photos: Les Franklin. Page 4
Spreading the word at Cosgrove and Linslade We had a busy day in pleasant surroundings for our first attendance at the Cosgrove Festival on 17 July (see Page 12), and several Branch members dropped by. Vicky Martin, CRT Waterway Manager, also paid us a visit. Having borrowed a "Build a Bridge" set from the Waterways Museum several times, we saw the need for our own set. Tim Armstrong has kindly made one for us, and brought it to Cosgrove for its first outing. Two weeks later on 30 July, we had an even busier day at the Linslade Festival—this was the fourteenth. Our pitch was near the canalside, in a “parade” of waterway-related pitches, BCS on one side, WRG BITM on the other. Many local friends – both personal and waterway-related – stopped by. Both the Bridge activity and the new water-play set were once more effective in attracting visitors to the stall, allowing many opportunities to talk to people about the waterways and dish out literature. We made a few pounds in the collecting box on each occasion - a pure bonus as fundraising, isn’t top of the agenda at events such as these. Thanks to all who turned out at both these events to help set up, man the stall, chat to the public and clear up afterwards. Left: Jane Bidgood and Philip Strangeway supervise proceedings at Linslade. Text and photos: Les Franklin.
Boat Safety Certification Alan Stewart
Lloyds Academy Diploma in Small Craft Surveying Ex-Merchant Marine Engineer
Authorised Boat Safety Scheme Examiner Visit my website: http://www.boat-safetyexaminer.co.uk Contact me by phone on 01234 767156 or mobile 07976 900113 Alternatively e-mail me at: alan_breck_stewart@msn.com Page 5
Joint meeting with Leighton Buzzard Art Society MK Branch’s joint meeting with Leighton Buzzard Art Society will be held on Thursday 17 November. A map and directions are on this page. From Milton Keynes, take the Linslade Western Bypass (A4146), and continue straight on to the Southern By-pass (A505).
The demonstrating artist, Melanie Cambridge, often paints views of the River Wey from her narrowboat studio. We have sent her a selection of local waterway views, which she is considering, but the final choice of subject will rest with her.
Pass over the railway, one roundabout, and the canal.
The Society uses a digital camera, projector and screen to produce a big live image of the painting under way that all can see. Art Society members are often inspired by canal scenes, and surely one of the reasons why we love the waterways is their visual appeal. So here’s the chance for us to get some tips on putting that love into paint, and perhaps for the Society’s members to find out a little more from us about the waterways.
At the next roundabout, turn left on to A4012, Grovebury Road, signed Leighton Buzzard. Pass through industrial area, crossing straight over one roundabout.
Entry is free, but there will be a raffle. The raffle income will count towards the Branch’s contribution to the cost of the meeting, so please buy plenty of tickets! Tea and coffee will be served during the interval. There will be an exhibition of After 15 yards, bear left pictures to view or buy. Follow the road to the left as it merges with Billington Road at Newsagent.
over mini-roundabout into Lake Street. Pass entrances to Morrisons (mini-roundabout and junction) on right.
At mini-roundabout by Gulf filling station, turn left and immediately left again at post box. Follow Duncombe Drive, curving to the right, into large free car park.
Stoke Road
North Street SoulBury Road
A4012 Hockliffe
Station, taxis
P
Wing Road
ke Gulf
St
A4146 Milton Keynes
The Society’s members are very much looking forward to meeting us, This should be a most enjoyable and stimulating evening, so I hope you will do your best to support this meeting. Les Franklin.
La
The Day Centre entrance door is at the bottom of a long ramp with blue railings, close to where you drive into the car park.
TICKETS FOR THE BRANCH CHRISTMAS SOCIAL on 8 December will also be on sale at this meeting.
... . ..
Morrisons
Grand Union Canal
Leighton Buzzard Day Centre Duncombe Drive LU7 1SD
Stanbridge Rd Newsagent Billington Road
A4012 Grovebury Road A418 Aylesbury
Total
B488
Page 6
A505 Dunstable
A4146 Hemel Hempstead
Letter to the Editor
Sir, I wish to voice a complaint in the strongest terms about the content and style of Towpath Telegraph, especially as displayed in the recently delivered May 2016 edition. The postman dropped the newsletter through onto my doormat just as I was about to start my lunch, so I thought I would forget what I learned as a child, and indulge myself by reading at the table. I happened to open the newsletter on page 5 and my eye was caught by an article about the Wendover Arm, about which I have a special interest. Over the page there was more news including photos about the Arm and work recently completed at Whitehouses. I thought I would see what else was featured, and turned to page 2 and started reading. Expecting to find a simple diary and statements of Branch matters, I was taken aback to note a plethora of reports on Festivals, Art trails, Aqueducts, Cleanups, and more. By the time I finished the newsletter, my tea was cold, and my fried egg congealed. This shows an appalling lack of foresight and an equally poor duty of care on the part of the editor and publishers. In future, I implore you to reduce the quality and relevance of the newsletter content, so that my diet is safeguarded. Regards, Bob Wheal, IWA MK Member. Dear Mr Wheal, I had hardly digested my breakfast when I came to read your message. Its initial effect on the alimentary processes was most uncomfortable, and I can therefore sympathise with your own gastronomic distress. We will act upon your complaint with the utmost seriousness, and will bear in mind our duty of care to the digestive systems of our readership. With this in mind, it is said that some gentle exercise is beneficial to the digestive processes, and Branch members will have an opportunity for this at the Lock Help weekend at Three Locks on 27 - 30 May. I would be delighted if you could join us for some of this therapy. Perhaps you would let me know, and I will add you to the patient list. Kind regards, Les Franklin, Editor. Bob declined my offer (some excuse about cruising north of Whilton “to see if there are more locks on the canal”). He will always be welcome at future therapy sessions!—Ed.
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Boat Builders - Repairs - Dry dock - Blacking - Repaints Waterside holiday cottage
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nd ks a re a e r i rt b eekly h o h S w Page 7
Diary Our 2016-17 season of meetings begins on 25 September with our guest, CRT’s Vicky Martin. Our own meetings are in bold type; other events in regular type. Remember that non-members are always welcome. Please note: all MK Branch meetings except 17 November take place at our usual venue, the Royal British Legion, map and directions here. Please see Page 6 for details of the 17 November meeting. Bleak Hall Rbt
From A 5: Leave A 5 at A 421 exit (signed MK South, Buckingham) on to Redmoor Roundabout. Take A 421 exit, V6 Grafton Street (signed Buckingham); continue to Bleak Hall Roundabout. Take 1st exit (signed Milton Keynes West, Buckingham), and pass over railway and dual carriageway, to Elfield Park Roundabout (intersection with V4 Watling Street). Take 2nd exit, A 421. Take next left, Denbigh Hall Drive; continue to miniroundabout, take 2nd exit, Whaddon Way. Continue past Zebra crossing at pinch point, then immediately, at Dolphin pub, turn left into Melrose Avenue. After 100 yards, take driveway on right to Royal British Legion car park. The driveway is indicated by a small sign on a lamp post on the opposite side of Melrose Avenue.
V6 Grafton Street A5
A 421 H8 Standing Way Denbigh Hall Drive Whaddon Way
Redmoor Rbt
Tower block
V4 Watling Street
Royal British Legion Whaddon Way Local Centre The Dolphin
No Whalley Drive
Yes Melrose Avenue
Sherwood Drive
The building and car park fronting Melrose Avenue (marked ) is NOT the Royal British Legion. It is incorrectly marked as such on some maps.
Bletchley Park
Members from Leighton Buzzard can reach the venue via the A 4146 to the roundabout near Willowbridge, then via Stoke Road, Water Eaton Road, Sherwood Drive and Whalley Drive.
Buckingham Road
Sunday 4 September 12.30 - 4pm 10-11 September 10am onward
Bletchley
Water Eaton Road (shortcut from Leighton Buzzard)
Wendover Arm Restoration Open Day, Church of St Mary the Virgin, Drayton Beauchamp, HP22 5LS Guided tours of the restoration, sideshows, tea & cakes. Parking at the church. Stoke Bruerne Village at War event. The usual 1940s experience, now a firm favourite.
http://www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk/#/village-at-war-2016/4591537411
Thurs 15 September 7.45 for 8pm
IWA MK Branch meeting: Waterways update and Q&A session, with Vicky Martin, CRT Waterway Manager. Royal British Legion, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley, MK3 6PU Quiz Vicky on the issues that concern you—please send your questions to Les Franklin by 8 September.
Saturday 24 September
IWA Annual Members' Meeting 2016: South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy, Prosser Street, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 0LN For AGM agenda and programme of events, see IWA Waterways, Autumn 2016, or visit: https://www.waterways.org.uk/agm/agm
Page 8
Diary—continued. 14 - 15 October MK Branch Autumn Canal Clean-up. Working south from Fenny to Grove lock, with an overnight stop at The Globe. Details to be announced at Branch meetings and at: https://www.waterways.org.uk/miltonkeynes/cleanups Wednesday 19 October Wolverton & District Archaeological Society meeting, St Mary 7.30pm & St Giles School, King George’s Crescent, S. Stratford, MK11 1EF Talk by Sue Woodward: The Narrowboat People. Wednesday 19 October 7.00 for 7.30pm
Wendover Arm Trust AGM, Coach House, Green Park, Aston Clinton. For details, see Wendover Arm News, Summer 2016.
Thursday 20 October 7.45 for 8pm
IWA MK Branch meeting: The Story of London's Docks, with Jeremy Batch - a most knowledgeable and entertaining speaker—not to be missed! Royal British Legion, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley, MK3 6PU
Thurs 17 November IWA MK Branch / LB Art Society joint meeting: Melanie 7.45 for 8pm Cambridge demonstrates painting a waterway view in acrylics. Leighton Buzzard Day Centre, Duncombe Drive, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1SD PLEASE SEE PAGE 6. Thursday 8 December 7.45 for 8pm
IWA MK Branch Christmas social: Booked ticket event details to be announced at Branch meetings and on Branch pages of IWA web site. Royal British Legion, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley, MK3 6PU
Thursday 19 January IWA MK Branch meeting: The Reconstruction of Blisworth 7.45 for 8pm Tunnel, with John Woods, former Site Manager, Mowlem Ltd, with Branch member Robin Garrett, former Project Engineer, British Waterways. Royal British Legion, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley, MK3 6PU Thursday 16 February IWA MK Branch AGM, and Buckingham Canal Society Up7.45 for 8pm date by Athina Beckett. Agenda in January 2017 TPT.
B&MK Waterway—Consortium shares its vision The B&MK Waterway Trust held its Annual Partnership Conference in May, with the theme of the Waterway's crucial place in the regeneration of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. Guest speaker Pete Winkelman, Chairman of MK Dons, emphasised the importance of both the Waterway and East-West Rail for the future of the corridor. A new document "A Vision for the B&MK Waterway Park", sets out to help decision-makers understand the Consortium’s aims. The Waterway Park’s likely economic impact is spelled out with statistics including house-building, boating spend, and expected visitor numbers 50% of the UK population lives within 2 hours' drive of a potential tourist honeypot at the proposed Brogborough lift. Visit http://www.b-mkwaterway.org.uk/category/news/ then click link “BMKWP Vision Leaflet - May 2016”. From B&MK News, July 2016.
Page 9
CanalFILE . . . . . . . . . .
Welcome to CanalFILE! The Iron Trunk Aqueduct we see today was not the first on the site. It was built to replace an earlier crossing that didn't last very long. It collapsed on the night of 18 February 1808. Here's an eye-witness report of that night.
REUBEN’S REPORT The strange man was standing outside our cottage. I was not sure about him – I didn’t like his strange hat and the way he kept nodding down the empty canal bed. Occasionally I growled to show my disapproval. “Now William,” he was saying to my master. “What can you tell me? It was you who raised the alarm I believe”. Well he’s got that wrong for a start. Not that my master was going to tell him. Some people like to take all the credit. It was me, Reuben, who raised the alarm. So I’ll give you my report. I was lying by the fire in the toll cottage with my master William Cherry who is the toll clerk at Cosgrove lock. It was getting late, and I was just dozing off, nice and comfy, when I heard a strange sound. Straight away my ears were up and I went to the cottage door. There was an odd roaring noise and the sound of water running. I whined and scratched at the door. William was dozing too so I gave a sharp bark. That woke him up. He rubbed his eyes and he seemed to hear the water as well. He reached up for the lamp, came to the door and opened it. Together we went out into the night. We met a strange sight. Above the lock, the water lay flat and calm. The lamp didn’t throw out much light, but we could see that below the lock the water was flowing away. “Come on, Reuben,” William said. We walked up the canal towards Wolverton. The further we went the louder came the sound of water, just like a waterfall. William began to run. In no time we reached the aqueduct – what was left of it! The river below was full of fallen earth and masonry, and the water from the canal was pouring into it. That didn’t surprise me. They’d been having problems with the brick aqueduct even before it was opened in 1805. Mr Jessop made the plans for it. They were all right, but the contractor cut corners, didn’t he. It wasn’t a proper aqueduct, really— just three low brick arches that carried the embankment on top. It looked a bit like this drawing that William made. “Good Lord,” exclaimed William. “Come on, Reuben.” This time we ran all the way back. William began to knock on doors in the village. Soon the word was abroad, “The aqueduct has fallen!” The word must have got to Northampton because now this strange man is here with William, nodding his head and writing in his notebook. Page 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE NEWSPAPER REPORT NORTHAMPTON MERCURY
TF O RD , 22 “S TO N Y ST RA O n Fr iday Fe br ua ry 18 08 : itants of this ab inh the t, morning laf the utmoft o int town were thrown fo rm ati on in by , co nf te rn ati on olv W erton, that which arrived from hes under the arc ct the large aquedu embankment for immensely high e of the Grand lin carrying the new rofs our valley, Junction Canal ac this town, had about a mile below fallen in.�
A NEW AQUEDUCT The townsfolk were worried that with the blockage preventing the river from flowing freely, a storm could create a flood that would threaten the town. Before the brick aqueduct had been built in 1805, a series of nine temporary timber locks had been constructed to take the canal down into the valley of the River Great Ouse. When the aqueduct collapsed the locks were brought back into use, but if the river flooded the route became impassable. So a temporary wooden aqueduct was constructed by a local carpenter.
It was decided to build a new aqueduct with a cast iron trough, to a design by Benjamin Bevan of Leighton Buzzard. Cast iron was still a relatively new and advanced method. The Iron Trunk aqueduct, with its two spans, was the first iron aqueduct on a broad canal, and was finished on 21 January 1811. Last time we showed you a view of the aqueduct from upstream. In this view (above right) from the downstream side, you can see the overgrown foundations of the first aqueduct. (The framework in front of the aqueduct carried a redundant gas main and has now been removed.) If you visit the Iron Trunk, you can not only marvel at this amazing feat of engineering but you can also follow part of the course of the temporary locks that were abandoned after it was finished. Some years ago, a replica of one of these locks was built (right). See you in the next issue.
Jane
Old aqueduct foundati
ons in the river
Replica lock on the cou
rse of the old locks
Thanks to the City Discovery Centre, Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes, for access to their archive to research these events. Text: Jane Bidgood. Photos: Jane Bidgood and Les Franklin. Conjectural view of 1805 aqueduct: Les Franklin.
Page 11
Buckingham Canal Society news On 16 – 17 July, BCS ran a very successful Canal Festival and Lock Ransom at Cosgrove Lock, with a Craft Fair, cream teams and cakes in Cosgrove Village Hall. We were exceedingly lucky with the weather and had a wonderful sunny weekend; in fact people were looking for the shade! Three Counties Radio and Radio Northampton decided to make our festival the ‘treasure’ in their "Treasure Quest" programme on Saturday morning. I was asked to give an interview with Radio Northampton about the festival, and later in the day Terry Cavender was interviewed by Radio Northampton - all extra publicity for us! This year there were more than a dozen trade boats attending, with old favourites like the Cheese Boat and the Fudge Boat, historic boats Raymond, Nutfield and Aldgate, and some new attendees such as the Therapy Boat and the Herb Boat. Here I would like to thank Geoff Wood for doing most of the paperwork for the festival and booking in all boats and stalls. The Craft Fair in the Village Hall also went well, and a big thank-you goes to Joan Shean who rounded up family and friends to help serve the teas and cake, making a very successful weekend. A boat descends Cosgrove Lock during Thanks go to everybody else who volunteered the Festival. Photo: Les Franklin. for us at the festival. Thanks must also go to all the Canal & River Trust staff who helped and attended the festival, including Richard Parry, Vicky Martin and Lee King. This year again music was provided by Phil Underwood and friends who played at both the canal side and in the village hall, and entertained us on Saturday night while a group of us had a fish-and-chip supper on the ‘island’ next to Cosgrove Lock. Sunday had looked to be a little quiet as Phil was booked at another venue, but then a couple of young buskers arrived and played and sang for us along the towpath. They proved so popular that they have been invited back next year! Once again the Buckingham Canal Water beer was on sale, this time supplied by Frog Island Brewery. Whilst not a beer drinker myself, I hear they were a great success with their canalside bar! Over the next few months most work parties will be concentrated at Cosgrove around Bridge 1, exploring what remains of this bridge. Blue, our excavator is now based on site and is being used on a regular basis for this work. It was thought that most of this bridge was missing, but a lot more of it appears to be there than was realised. If this proves to be the case work to restore the bridge becomes much easier. We have also had extra help at our Nature Reserve site with outside companies joining us for a day. These included Santander (several visits), Argos and NHBC. As always, all Milton Keynes IWA members are welcome to join us on our Thursday and Sunday work parties, or just come and see what is happening on site. Athina Beckett. Page 12
Fenny Lock—pretty as paint Wear and tear at Fenny Lock was attended to at work parties on 7 and 8 August. The lock, bollards, and towpath fence north of the Pump House were repainted or touched up as necessary with the hard work of Ken Bentley, Andy Witts and Athina Beckett. The second morning was a blitz on the Pump House garden and weeds on the forecourt. Pat Titmas was at full speed clearing away dead planting, and putting in a very colourful new display of plants generously donated by Lionhearts Cruising Club. Alan Edmonds of nb WOL has kindly offered to water them regularly for the next few days and then continue to water the garden as necessary. Some painting and weeding jobs remain to be done. The IWA Information box for boaters continues to be very well used and needs frequent replenishment, particularly of our local facilities map. Additional volunteers to join the Adoption team for occasional work parties would be very welcome – please contact me at: rodneyevans48@gmail.com Rodney Evans Fenny Lock Adoption Co-ordinator
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Pat Titmas waters the new planting donated by Lionhearts Cruising Club. Photo: Rodney Evans.
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Seen from the Tiller: The Stately English Elm The English Elm (Ulmus minor 'Atinia') dominated the countryside of my childhood. It grew to heights of 100 feet and suckered along hedgerows to form new trees. Elm wood was known for being hard and not splitting; it also resisted water—hence its use for boat bottoms, lock gates and coffins. Then the devastating Dutch Elm disease struck. Trees were cut down and destroyed in an attempt to prevent the disease spreading, thus altering the landscape for good. For younger members who have never seen a mature elm tree, there are plenty in John Constable’s paintings such as “The Cornfield” (National Gallery) and “Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop’s Grounds” (Victoria & Albert Museum). Over the years of cruising up and down our patch, I notice how the valiant elms continually try to regenerate. Keep an eye on the hedge from Willowbridge up to Simpson and beyond you will see areas of elm producing leaves, then after a couple of years, sadly, they die back. But I am filled with hope to see this species still struggling a good 50 years after the microfungal disease took hold in our area. Hopefully, one day the elm will prevail and we will see these magnificent trees again in the hedgerows. A good example of the elms’ tenacity can be seen by the towpath on the bend at Bridge 94, opposite the flavours factory. You can see the dead trunks with the distinctive bark in a haphazard group. Observe around them and you will see there are fresh new leaves sprouting. Over the years, I have been so pleased to see the elms just north of bridge 98 growing really well. Recently someone came along, smashed the trees down, trampled the wire fence into the ground and forced a path through into the field. Not all is doom and gloom though. Along the stretch heading towards Old Linslade, look out for the impressive new growth on the young elms. This will surely gladden your hearts. Text and pictures: Libby Culshaw. I believe the English Elm was so vulnerable to disease because the trees are genetically identical, being possibly descended from a single tree imported in Roman times—Ed. Page 14
Top: elms near Bridge 94. Centre: close-up of elm leaves. Bottom: die-back in a young tree.
Wendover Arm: HLF application clears first hurdle Wendover Arm Trust and Canal & River Trust have received first-round approval for their joint Heritage Lottery bid for £1.9 million to help complete restoration of the three miles from the head of navigation at Little Tring to Saxonway Bridge, Aston Clinton. This first-round approval means that £1.6 million is on offer for the grant, subject to passing Stage 2 of the application process. The remaining £0.3 million is match funding that the Trusts have to raise themselves. Stage 2 of the process entails drawing up detailed proposals for preparatory studies and other work. If these are approved, HLF will release up to £76,500 to cover the costs of producing work plans, engaging consultants when needed and obtaining quotations. Only after this process will HLF begin releasing funds for actual work on the ground to begin. Meanwhile, profiling and pipe capping continues eastwards beyond Whitehouses. Supplies of a new form of Bentomat that offers improved protection over chalky ground were delivered in June, following CRT approval. A gap has been left in the lining at Whitehouses, where special measures will be taken to prevent boats fouling on the shallow foundations of the wall. KESCRG carried out some final work here during May. WAT is looking for new volunteers to do vegetation clearance ahead of the profiling and pipe capping, so as not to slow this work. CRT was scheduled to install oak protection along the wall around the Phase I winding hole, following damage by boats whose skippers are less than careful when turning.
Adapted from Wendover Arm News, Summer 2016.
Willowbridge Marina http://www.willowbridgemarina.co.uk
01908 643242 office@willowbridgemarina.co.uk
Willowbridge Marina is a working boatyard specialising in lifting boats in and out of the water, as well as on and off transport. We are a family-run business, working hard to provide services to canal boat owners and users in the Milton Keynes area. We offer the following services: - Well-stocked chandlery, including stainless steel fastenings and Calor Gas fittings; - Red diesel; - All boat services, including coal, LPG and pump-out; - All mooring services, including limited linear moorings, wireless internet and power, toilets, showers, laundry and extensive storage ashore. We offer a 10% discount on chandlery purchases and services in the yard to IWA members. Page 15
Getting in touch with MK Branch The Committee is still looking for members to come forward to help run the Branch—see the vacancies in this list. If you would like to discuss any of these vacant posts, please contact Les Franklin.
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Get the latest waterway news at these web sites. Addresses change frequently, but these were correct on 6 August 2016.
Chairman and Editor:
LES FRANKLIN les.franklin@waterways.org.uk
Vice-Chairman:
VACANT
Secretary:
PHILIP STRANGEWAY philip.strangeway@waterways.org.uk
Membership:
PETE BICKERS pete.bickers@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer:
TIM ARMSTRONG tim.armstrong@waterways.org.uk
Education Officer:
JANE BIDGOOD education.mkbranch@waterways.org.uk
Social Secretary:
VACANT
Publicity Officer:
VACANT
Buckingham Canal ATHINA BECKETT Soc Representative: athina.beckett@buckinghamcanal.org.uk B-MK Waterway Trust Reporter:
MARIE DRAPER marie.draper@waterways.org.uk
Trade Representative:
JAMES GRIFFIN james@canalholidays.co.uk
Cleanup Supervisor: VACANT Committee member: DAVE PORTER david.porter@waterways.org.uk Fenny Lock Adoption Scheme:
RODNEY EVANS (non-Committee) rodney.evans@waterways.org.uk
Webmaster:
VERNON DRAPER (non-Committee) vernon.draper@waterways.org.uk
Planning:
TONY BIRCH (non-Committee) Contact via Les Franklin
IWA homepage: https://www.waterways.org.uk MK Branch pages: at above address, under “IWA Local”, select “Milton Keynes”. Canal and River Trust: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk Bedford-Milton Keynes Waterway Trust: http://www.b-mkwaterway.org.uk Buckingham Canal Society: http:www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk Wendover Arm Trust: http://www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk Friends of the Canal Museum: http://www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of the Milton Keynes Branch. They are however published as being of interest to members and readers. Page 16