Twopath Telegraph

TOWPATH TELEGRAPH

Journal of the Inland Waterways Association’s Milton Keynes Branch

Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 Web: https://www.waterways.org.uk

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On 15 October at Bridge One, Buckingham Canal, guest of honour Pete Winkelman, Chairman of MK Dons, unveiled a mosaic portraying a kingfisher, made by artist Melanie Watts. The commission was funded from IWA’s Christopher Power Prize awarded to Athina Beckett in 2020. With Pete Winkelman are Athina Beckett (BCS), Melanie Watts (artist) and Terry Cavender (BCS). See Page 4. Photos: Alan Mynard.

Welcome to January 2023 Towpath Telegraph

It’s a bright, crisp day, hovering near freezing, as this edition nears completion ideal for a brisk walk along the towpath, preferably ending up at a pub with a cheery fireside! Of course you know what your local stretch of canal has to offer, but if you’re away from home, see Page 9 for suggestions for guided or selfguided walks further afield. We hope you enjoy this edition.

Chairman’s Column New members

Buckingham Canal Society news

Terry receives IWA’s Christopher Power Prize Parliament debates the waterways £367,000 funding to upgrade towpath at Wendover Roger Leishman Diary

IWA webinars and recorded talks

IWA Milton Keynes Branch AGM

Jonathan wins Ray Dunford Trophy The Editor’s Page IWA staff changes

The Urban Aid Scheme and the Wolverton Train Mural A successful year for B&MKWT’s Community Boats Getting in touch with MK Branch

Chairman’s Column

2 - 3 3 4 4 5 6-7 6 8-9 9 10 10 11 11 12-13 14-15 16

I, for one, shall be pleased to see the back of 2022 – a year of much gloom and sadness. It has transpired that my own narrowboat, Rock Partridge, never left its mooring during the year and only saw a handful of visits to deal with a few maintenance matters and remove much of the clutter that had accumulated over

the fourteen years the vessel has been in my ownership.

About a year ago I came to the decision that it was time to dispose of the boat. My enthusiasm for boating is undiminished, but my willingness to leap in blind faith into a swathe of unkempt vegetation on the towpath or scramble onto lock ladders and landing stages has taken a knock.

My reluctance was reinforced on seeing the state of the bank at Fenny Stratford, the site of our (now) annual canalside festival. Here there is ample evidence, captured on camera by Diane, of the loss

of backfill behind the armco. This had become concealed by lush vegetation and would easily become a risky area for getting ashore. And all this on a stretch of towpath that has the potential to be a busy and popular mooring site, being near shops and services at Fenny, adjacent to Watling Street.

The recent Parliamentary Statement does little to allay anxieties in many aspects of canal and river protection and restoration. Considering the overall parlous financial state of the country’s finances it was no great surprise to me to read little of encouragement, save the usual platitudes stating how important the waterways are in so many ways. Whilst it might be acceptable to read of the need to defer new works, at the least we need to be sure that the existing waterways and structures that are part thereof will be properly and promptly maintained as a minimum.

Rock Partridge on the Ashby Canal.

Photo: Les Franklin.

Towpath at Fenny Stratford. Concealed void behind piling (top), and failed piling (bottom). Photos: Diane Witts.

The central admin of Canal & River Trust has now re-located to the Canal Museum site at Ellesmere Port. I hope that the nautical environment will prove a catalyst to stimulate CRT staff into a rather more upbeat approach to their duties. This will itself surely encourage IWA – a recent visit to Head Office at Chesham gave a feeling that there is a far greater degree of purpose in the air with IWA, and the staff there deserve our thanks and ongoing support for its commitment during the last few difficult years.

It is a delight to have returned to the live evenings enjoyed before the pandemic. Do feel free to join the stalwarts at the Conservative Club in Queensway, Bletchley (see Page 8). Apart from a small raffle-based donation, these meetings are free to members (with a guest) and the general public. Based on a waterway topic each month, various aspects of the rivers and canals are covered.

Over the last three years or so, we have made use of Zoom, but along with Head Office, the Branch is reviewing Zoom as a group meeting platform. It has some limitations, which can cause conflicts with Head Office and other

Branches. The Microsoft Teams application is being assessed as a co-existing alternative, but this app also has restrictions of its own. Live meetings are the best!

Another year has passed and it is pleasing that the Branch continues to be a vital and lively part of the IWA operation. The Committee is mindful that the territory it covers includes Leighton Buzzard, Linslade and southwards to Marsworth. With the new Bedford link now becoming a major new development, this will likely extend our need to actively cover territory to the M1 and beyond towards Kempston and Bedford. I would be delighted to hear from any IWA members (from MK Branch or otherwise) who feel they might like to become involved in these areas and/or the Branch as a whole. Every bit of extra assistance makes a big difference.

With best wishes for 2023 to you all.

New members

Under the GDPR legislation (May 2018), we only publish the names or localities of IWA members joining the Branch if they have given consent. We are always pleased to welcome new members; you should receive a welcome contact from our Membership Secretary Pete Bickers. As Branch activities return to normal, we very much hope to see you at our Branch meetings and other events whether in person or online. Please introduce yourselves to one of our Committee members (those wearing IWA badges).

Chairman’s Column continued.

Tim Armstrong, Branch Chairman.

Buckingham Canal Society news

The Buckingham Canal Society's Open Day took place on 15 October. As well as showing invited guests around our site at Cosgrove and explaining our future plans, it gave them a chance to see the work already achieved.

The other main feature of the day was the unveiling of a mosaic of a kingfisher at Bridge One by the very talented artist Melanie Watts (see front cover). Pete Winkelman, Chairman of MK Dons, (and on whose land the bridge stands) had agreed to carry out this task. In a very amusing speech, he praised the commitment of BCS members, saying that he wished his football team could be as successful, and wished the Society continuing success.

The mosaic was funded by the money received by the BCS from the IWA Christopher Power Prize for canal restoration awarded to me in 2020. I would like to thank the IWA and members who put my name forward for this award.

It was a very special day for me and the Society, with about fifty people in attendance and some special guests including Richard Parry, Chief Executive of Canal & River Trust, local councillors and the Chairmen of both Milton Keynes and Northampton Branches of IWA.

The other exciting event is the arrival of the dredger recently purchased from Canal & River Trust, which in future will be known as "Diana the Dredger". Diana will join our other work boats Louise, Perseverance and a tug called Shoveler based at Cosgrove. If any Milton Keynes IWA members have been on our clean-ups, you would have seen Diana in action. We hope she will soon be in action again dredging the Buckingham Canal.

Work parties continue at our Cosgrove, Bourton Meadow and Hyde Lane sites on Tuesdays, Thursdays and on the second Sunday of each month. As we always need more volunteers everybody is welcome to join us.

Athina Beckett, Buckingham Canal Society. Additional information: Tim Armstrong.

Terry receives IWA’s Christopher Power Prize

Congratulations to Terry Cavender of Buckingham Canal Society, who was awarded the Christopher Power Prize at IWA’s AGM in September.

Terry organises up to two work parties per week. This involves preparing plant and material for tasks as well as obtaining machinery for the Society. He trains members to operate this machinery while also proposing them for courses.

Terry with National Chairman Les Etheridge.

Terry chairs regular committee meetings and attends various events throughout the year to promote the canals such as council meetings, college/work/volunteering talks, and civic events. He liaises with Canal & River Trust, local councils and other bodies to promote and apply for permissions to further the restoration of the Buckingham Canal. Terry also develops and organises work days on the canal for companies and organisations. He is also a member of IWA’s Restoration Hub’s High Level Panel.

Text and photo: IWA web site, Autumn 2022.

Parliament debates the waterways

IWA welcomed the Parliamentary debate on the waterways, held on 22 November. It followed a request by the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways (APPGW) for an adjournment debate on waterway funding and other issues.

More than a dozen MPs spoke passionately and knowledgeably about the importance of funding for the waterways, but the Waterway Minister’s response was disappointing. IWA considers that Government missed a chance to reassure the public that the waterways in England and Wales will receive sufficient funding to keep them safe for those who live, work or spend time on or near them, and to protect the network for future generations.

The debate was opened by Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, and Chair of the APPGW. Outlining the importance of waterways to local people, the environment and the economy, he said: “We are seeing their benefits realised on a grand scale, re-purposed for leisure and recreation, for health and wellbeing, for homes, and still playing a vital role for freight and

other commercial uses, attracting visitors from across the globe whilst also enriching the lives of so many local communities.”

The debate heard about waterway projects across the country, with many MPs mentioning the importance of the 2,000 miles of waterways in the care of the Canal & River Trust (CRT). Waterways managed by other navigation authorities were also discussed, with MPs from Norfolk, Scotland and Northern Ireland also taking part. Issues raised

The future of the waterways without adequate funding? Photo: Les Franklin. included the potential for more water transfer projects, the impact of climate change on historic structures, restoration projects and the hard work put in by volunteers, as well as the most important issue of continued support for the waterways funded by Government.

The outcome of the review by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) of its funding for CRT’s waterways, originally due to conclude in July and then postponed until “the autumn”, will be critical for the Trust’s long-term financial position, with the current grant funding contract only in place until 2027.

Rebecca Pow MP, recently re-appointed as Defra Minister responsible for waterways in England and Wales, responded but was unable to confirm a timescale for the announcement of Defra’s review, saying only that, “the outcomes . . . will be announced forthwith.”

IWA is disappointed that the Minister was unable to give a more positive response to the debate, and in particular to the question of timing for the Defra announcement. IWA considers that it is essential for CRT to have the certainty of knowing that it will receive sufficient funding to meet the increasing challenges of climate change and inflation, so that it can plan for the proper maintenance of its waterways and associated historic structures.

The debate is available to watch on Parliamentary TV: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/22b0e1d0-5597-4646-91cb-b67ecb079d37

From IWA web site, December 2022.

£367,000 funding to upgrade towpath at Wendover

The towpath through the Parish of Wendover, an important and popular walking route, is set to be made more accessible to local people through a £367,000 partnership project led by the Trust and Canal & River Trust. As a result of funding from five organisations (the HS2 Chiltern AONB Review Group, Wendover Parish Council, Lionel AbelSmith Trust, Wendover Community Board and Halton Parish Council), CRT contractors will improve the surface of the towpath and make it resistant to flooding and accessible all year round.

Roger Leishman

Wendover restoration supporters were saddened to learn of the death aged 90 of Roger Leishman, former Restoration Director,on28October.

Roger was a chartered engineer, formerly employed on the railways, using skills readily appliedtocanalrestoration.

In 1990, the restoration was threatened by the projected Aston Clinton bypass, but Roger argued successfully for a modified crossing allowing headroom for a canal diversion. He designed the lining system that is still used for the restoration. He also negotiated for the rebuilding of Little Tring Bridge, and in 2005 was one of the first to pass under it in the company of Trust Patron David Suchet. Roger served additionally as Treasurer and Acting Chairman before becoming a VicePresident oftheTrust.

Design work is currently being done, and the works are expected to begin in January and be completed by March. Ultimately this work will allow the water level at the Wendover end of the Arm to be raised to the design height, i.e. that at the Tring summit level. This will also save CRT money in pumping, as

the water from Wendover will then flow by gravity, just as it used to. The reservoirs and pumps will then only be used for their original purpose of storing surplus winter water.

The September, October and November work parties were all hampered partly by wet weather, but good progress was made on several fronts. At Bridge 4, erection of new post-and-rail fencing to replace a dilapidated run of fencing has been completed. It remains to install a gate here.

East of the bridge, final profiling has allowed a further 80 metres of Bentomat to be laid. As usual, laying of concrete blocks and coir matting followed. Further "sleeping policemen" were laid over Bentomat joints, and backfilling was started. Excavation of the canal banks was started for the next 40 metres of canal lining.

At the tip infill area, a backlog of excavated ash has been taken off-site. Recent grants from Dacorum Borough Council (£135,000) and Tring Town Council (£20,000) The “Bemtomatic” in action..

Towpath at Wendover.

Wendover news continued

will enable removal of the remaining infill to continue. While preparing for this work, it was found that the fence between the canal and a field belonging to Little Tring Farm had been erected too far into canal land. The fence has been moved back in order to remove all of the ash from this section.

At the Narrows, the walls are now complete, with brick copings and cast in-situ concrete corner stones. The walls have been backfilled, timber fenders fitted, and the stainless steel stop plank channels cut to match the coping profile.

Volunteers have traced at least part of the water loss between Bridges 4a and 4. It has been established that the section from Bridge 4a to Whitehouses has no apparent leakage. However the sluice below the paddle gear at Whitehouses, which was installed by CRT contractors, is leaking. On removal for inspection it was found that the neoprene seal was too thin to be effective, and there was surplus resin on the holding bolts. The surplus resin was removed and a new piece of neoprene has been ordered to be fitted during December. It was impossible earlier to test whether the section from Whitehouses to Bridge 4 leaks, because of a lack of available water following the summer drought. So it remains to be established whether or not this stretch is contributing to the leakage.

Also at the Whitehouses site, time was spent strimming and cutting the grass in readiness for sowing more wild flower seeds. At Bridge 4a, an area was partially cleared ready for planting the trees which will form the commemorative woodland in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Thr Trust will be submitting a National Lottery Heritage Fund bid in the new year. A key condition is that the Trust demonstrates engagement with local communities so that they understand its aims and can air their views. With this in mind, the Trust held a reception on 1 November at Aston Clinton to mark the 25th anniversary of the start of restoration. It was attended by about 100 guests from 85 local organisations. The event was sponsored by FCC Environment (who have been helping with removal of the tip infill), and also Fairhive Homes, Independent Hire, and Village Environmental Services. The Trust received very useful feedback from those attending, and will be following up on the discussions in the coming months.

The Trust is pleased to announce that Robbie Cumming, star and producer of BBC4’s “Canal Boat Diaries”, has agreed to become a Patron. Photos and information from Wendover Canal News, Winter 2022, and Restoration Reports.

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Members of IWA, APCO, BMF, B&MK Waterway Trust, Wendover Arm Trust, Buckingham Canal Society, Aylesbury Canal Society

We look forward to seeing you at Bletchley Conservative Club (see map and directions below) as we continue our season of meetings. Our own meetings and other events are in bold type, and selected events organised by others are in regular type.

From V7 Saxon Street, near Bletchley Station, at Princes Way Roundabout (near Lidl store), turn off intoPrincesWay.

After 50 yards, turn right into Albert Street, then bear left at miniroundabout.

Follow Albert Street to end, and turn left into Queensway.

Take 1st left into Oxford Street.

Take 1st right into CawkwellWay. Take 1st right into BedfordStreet.

Princes Way Roundabout Brunel Roundabout

PrincesWay

Lidl store Cawk- well Way

Thurs 19 January, 7.45pm

Thurs 16 February, 7.45pm

Thursday 16 March, 7.45pm

Tuesday 11 April, 2.30pm (note time)

Oxford St Bedford St Cambridge St B4034 Saxon St (V7) Bletchley B4034 Buckingham Road

P

Albert St Queensway (west)

Queensway(east)

Bletchley Conservative Club 105 Queensway Bletchley MK2 2DN

EntrancetotheConservativeClub carparkis immediatelyontheleft,at theendofabrickwall. Themeetingroom is onthegroundfloor,withlevel accessfrom thecarpark. Please note that Cawkwell Way, although two-way, is narrow in parts. The route given uses as littleofit aspossible. Alsoshownis thepedestrianroute(10minutes)from BletchleyStation. Onleavingthecarpark,BedfordStreet is one-way,sopleaseturnleft andthenintoQueensway.

IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting: More Horses than Women. Kay Andrews raises questions about how history is interpreted and represented, specifically at Foxton Locks, and why this should matter to 21st Century visitors. Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

IWA Milton Keynes Branch AGM (see agenda on Page 10), followed by Early English Canals: an overview of Roman and Anglo-Saxon canals, with Annie Roberts. Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting: Steve Ashley gives an update on the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway. Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

IWA Northampton Branch meeting: A Century of Boatwomen: a special one-woman theatre show about the role of women on the waterways. Kate Saffin has lived on a narrowboat and told stories of the waterways since 1999. It promises to be a great show! £2.00 donation requested. Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne, NN12 7SB

Diary continued

Thursday 20 April, 7.45pm

IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting: Hana Wilson talks about the Bata Canal. This canal in the Czech Republic was largely financed by the Bata shoe company. Severely damaged during World War 2, much of it has now been restored.

Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

Friday 21Saturday 22 April Branch Canal Clean-up, from Fenny Stratford to Wolverton.

Subject to CRT approval. This is likely to be a limited-scope event on the same lines as that held in April 2022. Details to be announced.

Winter canalside walking

If you're in London after Christmas, you might like to take family or friends on one of the two-hour guided walks organised by IWA Towpath Walks Society. On Sunday 1 January, walk from Little Venice to Camden, or on Sunday 15 January, join the walk taking in the sights of the Regent’s Canal, Kings Cross, Granary Square and St Pancras. Charges apply for all except young children, and pre-booking is essential. See https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/walking-londons-towpaths

Alternatively, the same page has a link for a self-guided walk from King's Cross to Camden.

See https://waterways.org.uk/search?fwp_keywords=walk&fwp_article_type=activities for other self-guided walks throughout the canal system, including walks around Braunston and Stoke Bruerne.

IWA webinars and recorded talks

Although many IWA Branches are now holding “in person” meetings once again, some are still offering these meetings as Zoom webinars too. For up-to-date details of most IWA events, please visit the main IWA events page at: https://www.waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events

Please also check the following links, where additional events, and recordings of past talks and meetings are available, sometimes at quite short notice: https://www.waterways.org.uk/iwa-tv

IWA-TV: Most future live stream events are posted here, also on-demand videos recorded from recent meetings or webinars. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ROBJ6rpm_41BSmu-Glf2Q

IWA’s Youtube channel carries videos of past meetings - there is some overlap with IWA TV.

Joining a webinar “live” is easy, using a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone.

* Go to one of the links above. The webinars are listed in date order; each has a "Book now" link, which takes you to more details about the meeting. Click the “Register now” button.

* Fill in the online form that appears, and click the "Register" button. You can do this well in advance of the start time. You should receive an email with a simple “Click here to join” link.

* The webinar opens in your browser. For “live” webinars with audience participation, make sure that your camera and microphone are connected.

If you are unable to join a meeting “live”, you can see all previous webinars and video presentations at one of the addresses in this panel.

IWA Milton Keynes Branch AGM

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Milton Keynes Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will take place on Thursday 16 February 2023, at 7.45pm at Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, Bletchley, MK2 2DN. Please see notes below.

Agenda (please have this Notice handy):

1: Apologies for absence;

2: Approval of minutes of AGM held on 17 February 2022;

3: Matters arising;

4: Chairman's report;

5: Secretary's report;

6: Treasurer's report, and accounts for

year ending 31 December 2022;

7: Members’ resolutions: any resolutions should be sent to the Chairman 6 weeks prior to the AGM, i.e. by 5 January 2023;

8: Election of Committee members. (Branch posts are allocated at the first Committee meeting after the AGM.)

After the formal business, there will be an opportunity for members' questions on IWA issues topics at the discretion of the Chairman.

Under the IWA Branch Byelaws, last amended 11 June 2011, there is no restriction on the maximum size of the Committee. Tim Armstrong and Marie Draper, both elected 2020, retire by rotation and seek re-election.

Any corrections to the above will be announced at the meeting. Candidates for election or re-election must be members of the Association. It is no longer necessary for those who wish to be elected to be nominated and seconded, but all who wish to stand must agree to do so.

(Signed:) Diane Witts, Branch Secretary.

Jonathan wins Ray Dunford Trophy

Belated congratulations to Jonathan Brown, who was awarded the Ray Dunford Trophy for the best illuminated/decorated boat for his narrowboat Brown Trout, at the 2022 IWA Festival of Water at Burton on Trent. Peppertree, Alice and Bezzitoo received commendations. Photo: Athina Beckett.

I believe this is not the first time that Jonathan has won an award for illuminating Brown Trout Ed.

The Red Lion

at Fenny Stratford

A friendly, warm and inviting canalside pub, offering a selection of great wines, speciality gins, beers and ales. There is a tasty lunchtime and evening menu, all very reasonably priced. Why not stop by for our amazing Sunday Roast, but remember to book so as not to be disappointed. Karen, Nicky and their team will be sure to make your visit a pleasurable experience.

11 Lock View Lane, Fenny Stratford, MK1 1BY 01908 372317 https://www.redlionbletchley.co.uk karentheredlion@gmail.com

The Editor’s Page

A new report, "Waterways for Today", has been produced by IWA, and was launched at its Annual General Meeting on 24 September. The report seeks to demonstrate how inland waterways can contribute to the country’s economic recovery, and lists the twelve most significant benefits that the inland waterways can bring, under four headings: Economic, Natural and built environment, Local communities and Improving people's lives.

This document must have been very useful to those Parliamentarians who spoke in support of the waterways during the recent Adjournment Debate (see Page 5).

During the debate, the discussion was not limited to the operational waterways, but included waterways under restoration too. This part of the discussion may have been influenced by an earlier IWA document, "Waterways in Progress", launched in April 2019. This emphasised that even waterways under restoration bring benefits at every stage from inception onward. It gave restoration groups the tools and information they need to confidently approach their local authority and other funders in order to get their project off the ground.

Every restoration project seems destined to go through three stages regarding its credibility, from "It's impossible", through "It'll take forever", to "We said it was a good idea all along!". It looks to me as if our three local schemes are on the threshold of Stage Three of this process. They have now proved their worth, and are attracting significant funding. To use a seasonal metaphor, they seem set to “snowball” as they gain momentum in spite of the doubtful economic outlook. So stand well back and watch them roll!

Canal & River Trust is supportive of all three schemes; let us hope that the Government will commit itself to continue realistic funding for it and the Environment Agency waterways.

Find out about “Waterways for Today” at: https://waterways.org.uk/campaigns/waterways-for-today And “Waterways in Progress” is still highly relevant; see: https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/iwa-launches-waterways-in-progress-report

With best wishes for 2023, Les Franklin, Editor.

IWA staff changes

Jonathan Smith is retiring as IWA's Interim Chief Executive, as a new CEO has been recruited and will take up the post at the beginning of January.

A new Events and Restoration Hub Co-ordinator, Verena Leoardini, joined the IWA staff on 11 December, filling the Restoration Hub role left vacant with Jenny Morris’ departure, as well as replacing the Volunteer Coordinator role.

Alison Smedley, IWA's Public Affairs Manager, will be leaving in January having secured a job with UNESCO UK’s Commission. Alison’s stalwart service to the Association will be much missed, although she will be staying on as an active IWA volunteer. Amy Tillson will be taking over coordination of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Waterways.

Also leaving at the end of December is Summer Howard, IWA's Graphic Designer, who has done much work on IWA's online and printed presence.

The Urban Aid Scheme and the Wolverton Train Mural

In 1985, IWA Milton Keynes Branch organised that year's National Rally of Boats (predecessor to the Association's current Festival of Water) at Newlands, MK.

The profit from the Rally itself may have been small, but it had an important spin-off. During the preparations for the Rally, Milton Keynes Development Corporation suggested that the Branch should apply for an Urban Aid Grant, and helped John Hopkins through the application process.

The Branch was awarded £87,500 over 5 years, funded by the Department of the Environment and Milton Keynes Borough Council. The grant was to finance canalside improvements in run-down areas of the city, including graffiti removal or masking, access improvements, fencing, seating and planting, “educating” canalside landowners to improve their premises, and employing disadvantaged young people. Several dozen young people successfully obtained employment after taking part in the Urban Aid Scheme and its successor scheme.

The Scheme was managed by Maurice Howell, under supervision of a Steering Group (chaired initially by John Hopkins) comprising representatives of IWA, Milton Keynes Development Corporation, Milton Keynes Borough Council, British Waterways, and (later) Buckinghamshire County Council and the Parks Trust.

In 1990, a continuation to the Urban Aid Scheme, called the Canalside Improvements Scheme, was funded by Milton Keynes Borough Council. Les Franklin, and later Mike Freeman, chaired the Steering Group.

A notable achievement of the Urban Aid Scheme in 1986 was the Train Mural, next to the Secret Garden at Wolverton. Bill Billings, Milton

The mural in course of first painting. Photographer unknown.

2011 refurbishment: Ryan Billings (foreground) applies his brush, with a Community Payback worker and Project Manager Joseph Cresswell. Photo: Les Franklin.

The Wolverton Train Mural

continued.

Keynes Community Artist, designed the mural and supervised its execution on a wall disfigured with objectionable graffiti.

The mural has been repainted by IWA Milton Keynes Branch members many times over the years. In 2011, following the award of grants from the Milton Keynes Community Foundation, Electrolux plc and Wolverton & Greenleys Town Council, and with British Waterways support, a major refurbishment (picture below, left) under Project Manager Joseph Cresswell was carried out by three community artists (including Ryan Billings, son of Bill), local volunteers and Community Payback workers.

Today, the train is still running, but the wall is deteriorating and the community will ultimately have to decide about the mural’s future.

In recent years, Athina Beckett and Jonathan Brown have taken the lead in maintaining the mural. During summer 2022, they and a friend have been strimming the grass bank in front of the mural and cutting back the foliage and tree branches in front of it.

The next task will be to restore the paintwork itself, but this will be a summer job. An idea discussed at a recent Branch Committee meeting is to make it an IWA group event with possibly a picnic in the Secret Garden after the painting is finished. Dates and arrangements will be announced.

Les Franklin and Athina Beckett.

Above right: A small crack apparent in the top picture opposite has widened over the years. Photo: Les Franklin.

Overgrowth before being cut back last summer. Photo: Athina Beckett.

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A successful year for B&MK Trust’s Community Boats

The Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust's two Community boats, John Bunyan and Electra have exceeded the forecast number of cruises, providing a boost in the income for the Trust during 2022.

Whilst some of this income is required for re-investment in the boats to keep them in good repair, remaining profit is passed to the Trust at the end of the financial year, enabling it to continue building its case for the Waterway Park and to invest in projects on the ground. The strengthened case for the project has recently led to a further £250,000 in investment from other partner organisations.

At a recent Board meeting, the Trust agreed to work more proactively to recognise the importance of volunteering. A new Volunteering sub-group, led by Janet Goodland, will report to the Board on volunteering matters, with the aim of ensuring that the Trust's volunteers know that they are valued, that workloads are evenly distributed and that all volunteers enjoy what they do.

With the landing stage at Kempston complete and in use, attention has turned to the need to dredge the river in order to enable more boats to reach Kempston Mill and, importantly, to enable John Bunyan to reach the landing stage. Project team volunteers decided to conduct river bed level surveys using a dipping staff, and its two ablest men donned waders to carry out this task.

On the day the survey was taking place, narrowboat Grace was attempting to reach the head of navigation at Kempston Weir, one of IWA's Silver Propeller destinations to encourage use of less used waterways. Grace only just fitted under the bridge, which will have to be raised or rebuilt to allow John Bunyan to pass under.

The survey has provided valuable information which suggests that around 70 cubic metres of material may need to be dredged in order to give sufficient depth for boats to access the landing stage, with a further 165 cubic metres needed to create a turning point for longer boats such as John Bunyan. This work has saved the Grace just passes under the Kempston footbridge. Trust approximately £3,000, which was the figure quoted by a commercial survey company, and will allow the Trust to seek realistic quotes for the dredging itself.

The Trust is investing in new information boards in Milton Keynes and Bedford to ensure

Surveying water depths at Kempston.

B&MK Trust news continued

that visitors can read up-to-date information about the Waterway Park. Volunteers have had an active role in this, and also in continuing to maintain the wood sculptures elsewhere along the route of the Waterway.

In a busy year, Electra ran 264 cruises, carrying over 2,500 guests, double the total for 2021. Food cruises and activity cruises were both popular. As well as attending the IWA Milton Keynes Branch Fenny Stratford Canal Festival, Electra took part in the Heritage Open Weekend at Great Linford Manor Park, and staged a Walk & Glide Weekend in partnership with The Parks Trust.

Cruising was halted in late October, due to concerns about the power supply from the boat's batteries. The Electra team is working closely with Fischer Panda, who designed the electrical system, to explore solutions for 2023. Routine maintenance, recruiting, training, marketing, and planning for 2023 will continue over the winter.

Up to now, the Electra volunteer team has been operating out of a bin store at Campbell Park, but has been planning the purpose-built shore unit promised by the developer. This will provide a reception area, an accessible toilet, office space, food preparation facilities, and storage for food and drink, furniture, wheelchairs, publicity material, signage and maintenance equipment. Whilst much of the fitting-out work can be done by volunteers, the cost for materials and equipment is likely to be £30 - 50,000. MK Community Foundation has granted £10,000 towards plumbing and electrical services for the unit. Also, a number of those who provided interest-free loans at Electra's inception have agreed to roll over at least £10,000 of the loan sum towards the costs for the shore unit.

Electra's outreach to primary schools will continue in 2023. The team is in contact with all primary schools within a mile of the Grand Union in MK. Sponsored cruises will also continue for diverse social groups in Milton Keynes who might not otherwise be able to get on board.

As well as cruising again from Campbell Wharf and Great Linford, it is hoped to arrange cruises to Fenny Stratford more often. Negotiations are ongoing for moorings there and at New Bradwell, and IWA MK Branch has provided photos (see Page 3) to assist the Trust in pressing for necessary piling or dredging.

The John Bunyan has also had a very successful season, although slightly shortened due to the re-paint scheduled for this winter. Passenger numbers on public trips were still limited to 40, but an average of 75% of the seats were sold on public trips. Private charter trips were offered for up to 50 passengers, and many of these were at full capacity. Music cruises remained popular, with Motown, Soul and Irish genres on offer. To support Ukrainian refugee families, John Bunyan ran a 2-hour cruise with tea and cake provided, which was much appreciated.

John Bunyan being re-painted.

Information and photos from BMK News, November 2022.

Getting in touch with MK Branch

Several Committee roles remain vacant, and offers of help to run the Branch are always welcomed. Please talk to any Committee member, and perhaps consider standing for election at the Branch AGM in February. The contact list on this page is valid until then.

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Chairman: TIM ARMSTRONG tim.armstrong@waterways.org.uk

Secretary: DIANE WITTS diane.witts@waterways.org.uk

Treasurer and Social Secretary: DAVID TUCKER dt_boats@hotmail.com

Membership: PETE BICKERS pete.bickers@waterways.org.uk

Buckingham Canal Soc. Representative: ATHINA BECKETT athina.beckett@buckinghamcanal.org.uk

Committee member: MARIE DRAPER marie239@btinternet.com

Trade Representative: JAMES GRIFFIN james@canalholidays.co.uk

Committee member: WESLEY HARRISON wesley.harrison@waterways.org.uk

Vice-Chairman VACANT

Fenny Lock Adoption Scheme Supervisor: VACANT Volunteer Contact: VACANT

Clean-up Supervisor: VACANT Education Officer: VACANT Data Holder: VACANT

Editor and Publicity: LES FRANKLIN (non-Committee) les.franklin@waterways.org.uk

Planning Officer and Webmaster: PETER CASWELL (non-Committee) peter.caswell@waterways.org.uk

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Get the latest waterway news at these web sites. Addresses can change, but these were correct on 4 November 2022.

IWA homepage: MK Branch pages: MK Branch Facebook page: Canal and River Trust: Bedford-MK Waterway Trust: Buckingham Canal Society: Wendover Canal Trust: Friends of the Canal Museum: Leighton Buzzard Canal Soc:

https://www.waterways.org.uk https://www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/branches/iwa-milton-keynes-branch https://www.facebook.com/iwamiltonkeynesbranch/ https://canalrivertrust.org.uk https://www.bmkwaterway.org https://www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk https://wendovercanal.org.uk https://www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/LeightonBuzzardCanalSociety

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways AssociationoroftheMiltonKeynesBranch. Theyarehoweverpublishedasbeingofinteresttomembersandreaders.