Towpath Telegraph, May 2023

Welcome to May 2023 Towpath Telegraph

After a very wet March, we might assume that there will be few navigation restrictions this summer, but there are reports that some reservoirs are still not full.

This edition is a little later than usual, due to coverage of the Branch Clean-up in late April see Pages 4 - 5. There’s lots of news to catch up with, and the Diary page has many ideas for summer days out on the cut. We hope you enjoy this edition.

Chairman’s Column

Dave Pearce leaves IWA

New members

Clean-up goes ahead after eleventh-hour hitch

Wendover Canal Trust news

Diary

Mikron Theatre Company tour 2023

IWA webinars and recorded talks

Buckingham Canal Society news

IWA moves house

Luton GP trains for London Marathon on GU towpath

Robbie Cumming’s viewpoint

Hip-hooray

IWA launches Protect Our Waterways campaign

The Editor’s Page

B&MK Trust’s Electra team meets HM the King Getting in touch with MK Branch

Chairman’s Column

Even the best-laid plans go awry, as we all well know. Our Spring clean-up on 21 - 22 April nearly did not happen due to issues with placement of support craft. However, all was overcome and I am pleased that once again we achieved our objective, a clean-up exercise along the towpath, and a sweep for submerged debris, from Fenny Stratford Lock to Galleon Wharf, Wolverton – our usual stretch through Milton Keynes.

The regular haul of general rubbish recovered was accompanied by a sizeable amount of

vegetation, deemed to be overgrowing the cut. My thanks go to all those who took part, whatever their role, whence-ever they came. I am sorry that I was forced to forego the second day’s activities. As I write this, we are shortly due to hold our usual debrief session, fully aware that there are several aspects that need improvement. See Pages 4 - 5.

We have also completed our winter programme of social evenings, which continue to be supported by our faithful members. Home for these has been the Conservative Club in Bletchley, to whom we are grateful for their ongoing support by way of (at the moment) levying no charge for that use. My thanks go also to David Tucker, our Social Secretary, who is already well advanced with arranging the 2023 - 24 season of meetings.

I have referred in the past to hopes that we might better include members and other interested parties in the Linslade/Leighton-Buzzard/Marsworth areas, all part of the Branch’s catchment. This has been discussed by the Committee and all are agreed that we should seek to make the Branch more encompassing in this regard. Existing members in these areas are of course already welcome to attend our meetings, but we need to make them feel more branch-inclusive. This is not so easy, as we would not wish to dilute the support we already have in the immediate MK area. Several basic steps have been

Tim chats to volunteers on the first day of the Clean-up. Photo: Diane Witts.

Chairman’s Column continued.

identified and I am hopeful that we will be able to implement an initial plan to make ourselves better known in the area and raise our profile. A change of Branch name has been mooted to reflect its catchment area as a whole. We have also made some headway in obtaining IWA Head Office agreement that Branches be permitted to hold, within GDPR guidelines, members’ basic data, facilitating speedier communication of news and events. All will take time and some changes to policy to implement. I would welcome any constructive thoughts from any Branch member as to how we might achieve our aims.

I was as surprised as I am sure you were to have learnt that Dave Pearce has vacated the position of Chief Executive of IWA, after three months in post. He was supportive of my hopes to widen the Branch’s scope of operations and especially to relax the IWA’s stance on use of members’ data within GDPR guidelines. We all await details of the new incumbent. See the item below.

I am drafting this missive just as IWA Head Office is about to vacate its home at Island House, following expiry of the lease there. Sadly this means the end of the iconic 1WA postcode – was this unique? – as the new site prevents its transfer and continued use. I hope the tradition of tea and cake continues! Details of the new site, on the north-west side of Chesham, are on Page 11.

Much has changed during the last year or two, as we continue to rebuild following pandemics, economic chaos, subliminal changes to how we go about our lives. But the canals are still there and I applaud every endeavour to maintain them, see them thrive and hopefully re-emerge as a vibrant part of our community.

In August the Branch will once again promote the Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. As always, the Committee will appreciate any and every assistance in staging the show, promoting the IWA’s work and the benefits of our canals generally. Do watch out for emails etc. about the event. My best wishes for the Summer season now upon us.

Tim Armstrong, Branch Chairman.

Dave Pearce leaves IWA

Dave Pearce left the Association's employment on 5 April. Trustees are grateful to Dave for his contribution since joining IWA as Chief Executive and wish him well for the future.

IWA's work to protect and restore our waterways continues and in the short term will be led by Les Etheridge, Sue O’Hare and Nick Dybeck. You can contact them at ceo@waterways.org.uk

The Protect our Waterways campaign to ensure that all our inland waterways are adequately funded to deliver all the benefits detailed in our Waterways for Today report remains our top priority.

IWA Officers' Briefing, April 2023.

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. We very much hope to see you at our Branch meetings and other events please introduce yourselves to one of our Committee members (those wearing IWA badges).

Clean-up goes ahead after eleventh-hour hitch

On 21 - 22 April, Branch volunteers were joined by staff and volunteers from Canal & River Trust, The Parks Trust, Buckingham Canal Society, the Electra Community Boat team, Oracle UK and Wyvern Shipping Co, for our Canal Clean-up from Fenny Stratford to Wolverton.

An eleventh-hour hitch within CRT might have meant that we had no CRT powered craft or hopper, but fortunately the problem was resolved and the expected craft were provided.

We knew in advance that CRT would not be able to supply a pan or dredger, but that they would bring along Claydon, a powered shallow-draught workboat, in the pan's stead. Buckingham Canal Society brought their tug Shoveler and workboat Louise, with hydraulic grab, to take the dredger's role, assisting the hopper crew with large items. At James Griffin’s Wyvern yard, polluted water was pumped out from the hopper, which was then towed to Fenny in readiness. James writes:

"As usual, the heavy work on the hopper needed fit and agile people. Much of Friday was spent trimming overhanging branches and removing trees that had fallen half-way across the canal from the off-side and were a hazard to navigation. The BCS workboat Louise proved very useful to

Photo:

lift the trees onto the hopper once we had established the capabilities of the grab. On Friday afternoon Louise burst a hydraulic hose but, all credit to BCS, they had it repaired Friday evening and were able to compact the load in the hopper Saturday morning before we set off. This was essential as the hopper was already full.

"On Saturday, more rubbish was picked from the canal than on Friday. Items included four shopping trolleys, five bicycles, an electric scooter, half a telegraph pole, a solar panel and a 20-foot length of plastic sheet that got caught round Ocean Princess's propeller. Two mattresses were taken from the CRT compound at the Black Horse moorings as CRT's rubbish collection contractor does not take mattresses. By the end, the hopper was well full and we had to stack rubbish on the decks at both ends."

Hopper crew ready for the second day. Photo: Diane Witts.

The hopper en route to Fenny after being pumped out.

Sheila Franklin.

Terry Cavender of Buckingham Canal Society, said: “The CRT team was pleased that by having the crane on Louise, a number of trees that had been lying in the canal, some for a long time, could be removed.”

Volunteers aboard Claydon collected rubbish from the off-side. After the Clean-up, on her return journey southwards, CRT expect that she will stop at some offside areas that were missed during the clean-up itself.

The towpath party consisted largely of Parks Trust volunteers, joined by smaller contingents from the Electra Community Boat team and from Oracle UK, who all did a superb job. The towpath haul was light; it is believed that some canalside Town and Parish Councils are now staging litter picks.

As always, the tea boat (Diane and Andy Witts aboard DIANDY) was much appreciated by all. Shortage of mooring space at Galleon Wharf meant that the tea boat could not deliver final tea and cakes, and the hopper had to be moored against another boat.

At the debrief meeting held on 26 April, some points were noted for review in time for the next event. Thanks for a job well done go to all who took part in the clean-up, in whatever capacity.

David Johns, who produces videos under the name of Cruising the Cut & Vandemonium, joined the clean-up for the second day. See his excellent video at: https://youtu.be/Npw7q9PrTCY

My thanks to all who provided comments, information and pictures for this report Ed.

Above: Trimming branches, and plastic sheet being extricated from Ocean Princess’s propeller. Photos: James Griffin.

Below: the full hopper at Wolverton. Photo: CRT.

Wendover Canal Trust news

Volunteers from outside organisations have been assisting on the Wendover Arm. On 16 January, five volunteers from Waterman Aspen cleared an area at Bridge 4a and planted 90 saplings which will form a woodland in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On 26 January, seven Network Rail volunteers repaired the ends of the two mooring walls at Drayton. Where animals had entered the canal then scrambled out, the Bentomat was exposed. After vegetation was cut back, concrete-filled sandbags were placed on the exposed Bentomat.

On behalf of Canal & River Trust, Wendover Canal Trust volunteers carried out vegetation clearance work between Wendover and Halton during February, in preparation for planned grant-aided towpath upgrade work. The volunteers completed the full 2.7km of clearance. During the work, the towpath was kept open and there were many complimentary comments from passers-by.

A trial 167-metre length of towpath surfacing began at Little Tring in February, and was completed during the April work party. The towpath was excavated to receive MOT Type 1 surfacing material, compacted in two layers over geotextile, with a surface dressing of fine aggregate, raked and compacted, to complete the work. Again, the towpath was kept open, and volunteers received many favourable comments.

At Wendover, vegetation has been cleared at the Wharf Road entrance to the canal, allowing the canal to be seen from the road.

Higher water levels at Drayton caused water to flow into the canal between Bridges 4 and 4a. This allowed the stop planks at Bridge 4 to be checked for watertightness and sealed using wood ash during February, but the seal was only partly successful. During the March work party, the canal was drained by opening the sluice at Whitehouses (the repair to the sluice has proved effective). At Bridge 4’s stop planks, a tarpaulin was installed. This done, the sluice at Whitehouses was closed and the stop planks at Bridge 4a were removed to allow water to flow back into the canal. Very little seepage through the stop planks was seen, and at the end of the work party the canal level had risen to about 600mm below the top of the concrete walls at Bridge 4.

During the March work party, a further section of canal bed was prepared for laying the next section of Bento-

Above: Towpath surfacing in progress.

Below: Stop planks at Bridge 4. Photos: Wendover Canal Trust.

mat. Towards the car park, rough profiling was carried out, excavating down to the former coal tar lining. The April work party began with final profiling, then 40 metres of Bentomat was rolled out on each bank over the middle weekend. Time was then spent placing the hollow blocks, concreting the foundations, and laying coir roll.

On an extra day to the March work party, the circular seat provided by IWA Chiltern

Wendover Canal Trust news continued

Branch was installed round a tree at the Whitehouses Pocket park.

Near the newly completed Narrows at Little Tring, an attempt was made to excavate the former coal tar lining off the bank without disturbing the “clean” clay beneath. This was not successful and was abandoned.

There is bound to be an excess of contaminated spoil that needs to be disposed of. Disposal of contaminated spoil is five times more expensive than "clean" spoil. A trial was therefore conducted to excavate "clean" spoil from under the bed of the canal for disposal, and to replace it with contaminated spoil (which can be sealed off under the new lining). A terraced excavation was formed, and was filled with contaminated spoil from the canal channel. This was compacted, and

The seat donated by IWA Chiltern Branch at Whitehouses.

Photos: Wendover Canal Trust.

will be left to dry out and consolidate. An over-burden of spoil will be placed on this to ensure full consolidation before further work in the area in 12 months' time.

On 15 - 16 April, the Trust hosted a Waterway Recovery Group Family Camp. Six families carried out work at the Whitehouses Pocket Park, cleaning the viewing platform and giving it a coat of preservative, and making bird boxes and placing them in the trees. By way of recreation, the children were led in activities looking at the plants and insects to be found in the Pocket Park.

The Trust has produced a new leaflet, Wendover Canal – an Introduction, in three forms: a printed colour leaflet giving a brief introduction to the Wendover Canal; the same leaflet in large-print form; and the same text in Braille. A video version is also available with an audio description. YouTube vlogger Nigel Harper videoed a piece about the Wendover Canal and, after discussion, WCT commissioned him to modify his video, adding the text from the Introduction leaflet as the audio narrative. See the video at: https://wendovercanal.org.uk/new-information-video/ Information and pictures from Wendover Canal News, Spring 2023, and from Operations Reports January April 2023.

Excellent Boats on a Beautiful Canal

Our base at Linslade is within weekend reach of the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne, or the Chiltern Hills and Aylesbury. Choice of exciting one- or two-week cruises including the Thames. 35 luxury boats, 2 to 8 berth.

Boat Builders - Repairs - Dry dock - Blacking - Repaints

Waterside holiday cottage

The WYVERN SHIPPING Co Ltd

Rothschild Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7 2TF Tel: 01525 372355 Fax: 01525 852308

https://www.canalholidays.co.uk james@canalholidays.co.uk

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

We hope to see you during the summer at our own waterway events (bold type), or at those organised by others. Here is a selection of what is on offer reasonably nearby over the summer months.

12 - 14 May

Milton Keynes Walking Festival. Variety of walks across the city, from gentle strolls through new parkland to the mammoth 25-mile walk.

https://www.theparkstrust.com/events/mk-walking-festival

More events at: https://www.theparkstrust.com/whats-on-in-your-parks/

20 - 21 May

Sat: 10.30am - 10.30pm

Sun: 10.30am - 5.30pm

Sunday 21 May 10am

Rickmansworth Festival. Historic boats, boat trips, boat tug-of-war, food and drink, trade, craft and charity stalls. Batchworth Lock and Aquadrome, Rickmansworth.

https://www.rwt.org.uk/festival/visiting-the-festival/

Paint the Wolverton Mural. Come and help re-furbish the Wolverton Train Mural. Bring a picnic (non-painters welcome). Materials will be supplied. Limited parking at Secret Garden, MK13 0DY. Details from Athina Beckett.

27 - 29 May

Sat 10am - 6pm Sun 10am - 6pm Mon 10am - 5pm

22 - 23 July

Sat 10am - 5pm Sun 10am - 4pm

Saturday 29 July 11am - 5pm

Crick Boat Show. Historic boats, boat trips, boat handling sessions, seminars and masterclasses, food and drink, entertainments.

Crick Marina, West Haddon Rd, Crick, Northants, NN6 7SQ.

https://www.crickboatshow.com/home/

Cosgrove Canal Festival & Craft Fair. Historic and trade boats, entertainments, refreshments. Craft fair in Cosgrove Village Hall.

Main site: Cosgrove Lock, Lock Lane, Cosgrove, MK19 7JR

Craft Fair: Cosgrove Village Hall, Bridge Road, Cosgrove, MK19 7JA

https://www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk/events-and-news/annual-festival-events/

Linslade Canal Festival. Branch attendance to be confirmed. Historic and trading boats, traditional crafts, food and drink, entertainments, charity stalls.

Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Linslade.

https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/council_events/linslade-canal-festival/

5 - 6 August 11am - 5pm

26 - 28 August

Sat 10am – 6pm * Sun 10am

6pm Mon 10am – 5pm

Fenny Stratford Canal Festival (subject to CRT approval). A repeat of 2022’s successful event. Trading boats and market stalls with gifts, clothing, food and drink. Towpath south of Watling Street bridge, Fenny Stratford. Please let Tim Armstrong know if you can help on the day.

IWA Festival of Water 2023. All the usual attractions.

* Saturday: display of illuminated boats will take place at 9pm. Pelsall Junction, Wyrley & Essington Canal, near Walsall.

https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/

Monday 28 August Roving Canal Traders Association Milton Keynes Floating Market, Gifts, art, crafts, food and drink. Great Linford, north of Bridge 77 (Marsh Drive).

Thurs 21 September 7.45pm

IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting. Waterway videos, with David Tucker. Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

Mikron Theatre Company tour 2023

The Mikron Theatre Company, now in its sixth decade of touring the waterways aboard its narrowboat Tyseley during the summer, is presenting two new shows this year.

A Force to be Reckoned With - Pioneering women in the police (F)

Fresh from Police training school, WPC Iris Armstrong joins forces with fellow WPC Ruby Roberts. They’re an unlikely partnership, called to any case involving women and children, from troublesome teens to fraudulent fortune tellers.

Twitchers - Birds, birders and the RSPB (T)

Springwatch is coming to RSPB Shrikewing nature reserve. Jess, the Reserve Warden, can’t wait to show the world this special place, with its amazing wildlife and incredible birds. But Shrikewing is not an island. From pollution and vandals to an overzealous mayor, Jess is starting to feel that protecting birds from human interference might just be impossible.

Sunday 11 June, 2.00pm, Blisworth Village Hall, Blisworth, NN7 3DH (F)

Wednesday 14 June, 7.00pm, The Admiral Nelson, Braunston, NN11 7HJ (F)

Thursday 15 June, 7.00pm, The Admiral Nelson, Braunston, NN11 7HJ (T)

Friday 16 June, 7.00pm, The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, NN12 7SE (T)

Sunday 18 June, 2.00pm, The Place Bedford, Bedford, MK40 3DE (T)

Tuesday 20 June, 7.00pm, The Globe Inn, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2TA (F)

Thursday 22 June, 7.00pmm, The Grand Junction Arms, Tring, HP23 5QE (F)

Friday 23 June, 7.00pm, North Aston Village Green, Bicester, OX25 6HX (T)

Sunday 25 June, 2.00pm, The Three Cranes Pub Garden, Turvey, MK43 8EP (T)

Tuesday 27 June, 7.30pm, The Rising Sun, Berkhamsted, HP4 2EG (F)

Wednesday 28 June, 7.30pm, The Rising Sun, Berkhamsted, HP4 2EG (T)

Thursday 29 June, 7.30pm, Fishery Wharf Cafe, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1NA (F)

Friday 30 June, 7.30pm, Fishery Wharf Cafe, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1NA (T)

For other venues further afield, see https://www.mikron.org.uk/tour_dates

IWA webinars and recorded talks

Many IWA Branches are still offering their “in person” meetings as Zoom webinars. 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.

Buckingham Canal Society news

The BCS work parties have now split into two separate groups working in different areas of the canal. I work on alternate Thursdays and on the second Sunday of each month at our Bourton Meadow and Hyde Lane Nature Reserve sites. Most of the work at these sites involves keeping hedges trimmed, the towpath strimmed, bench seats painted, and any excess of reeds removed from the canal bed. So the work parties are mainly for people who like an environmental project.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Terry Cavender works at our Cosgrove site, where most of the work involves using excavators and dumper trucks, or working from our work boats Louise and Percy dredging the canal.

Recently we received a small grant which has enabled us to plant a small orchard at Cosgrove close to Bridge One, and also install flower beds and planters by Cosgrove Lock.

The main task at Cosgrove over the next few weeks will be to install piling along part of the canal beyond Bridge One, hopefully fixing several leaks in the canal bank. Once these leaks are fixed, the plan is to raise the water in the canal from Bridge One onwards to navigation level.

For the first time the Society took part in IWA Milton Keynes Branch's Canal Clean-up with their work boat Louise. (See separate report on Pages 4 - 5.)

We are always looking for more volunteers at all three sites so if any MK IWA volunteers have any free time please make contact.

The Society’s Canal Festival & Craft Fair returns to Cosgrove on 22 - 23 July. See the Diary on Page 8.

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

Athina Beckett, Buckingham Canal Society.

Louise dredging at Cosgrove.

Photo: Buckingham Canal Society.

IWA moves house

Following expiry of the 15-year Lease at Island House. Moor Road, Chesham, IWA Head Office moved on 26 April, just up the road to a new address: Unit 16 B, First Floor, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham HP5 2PX.

Although a redirect will be in place for any mail sent to the old office for three months following the move, please make sure to use the new address below from 26 April onwards. The telephone number remains the same: 01494 783453, as do all staff email addresses.

As the move is to a different postcode sector i.e. from HP5 1XX to HP5 2XX, Head Office was not able to keep HP5 1WA, the rather handy former postcode.

Luton GP trains for London Marathon on GU towpath

On 21 April, BBC Look East featured Dr Naushin Hossain, a GP from a practice in Luton, who was using the towpath at Leighton Buzzard (her "favourite canal") to build up her stamina for taking part in the London Marathon on 23 April for the second time.

Much of her final training was done while fasting during Ramadan. She took part in the Marathon to raise funds for a mental health support centre in Luton, and completed the course in about six hours. She plans to run in other major marathons, the next at Chicago.

Robbie Cumming’s viewpoint

The 29 April - 5 May edition of Radio Times magazine (circulation just under 500,000) featured canal video diarist Robbie Cumming as guest writer in its Viewpoint column. Under the title "Bring Back Barges", Robbie argues that canals could fix our transport nightmare. (That title grates at first sight, but wait!)

Aboard his narrowboat Naughty Lass, Robbie has time to think about some big questions. Recently, on the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal, he passed under the M1, where the traffic was moving at 4mph or less - ironically the speed limit on the canal system. The sight prompted him to ask "Does everything need to be delivered next day? Surely with a bit more planning we can adapt successfully to a slower form of travel." As examples, he mentions the Jules Fuels fleet on the Grand Union and and barge operator John Branford, transporting tons of building sand on the Aire & Calder.

Robbie acknowledges that not all of the canals could support large-scale commercial traffic, but he points to the greatly under-used parts of the network that were improved at great expense in the 1980s for "a boating revival that never quite happened. But that was then, and this is now." Time to bring back the working boats, he says.

Hip-hooray

Members will be glad to know that Rodney Evans (former Branch Social Secretary and Lock Adoption Scheme Supervisor), is back home from hospital after he broke his hip in a fall in early April. His aim now is to regain strength and dispense with the walking frame!

IWA launches Protect Our Waterways campaign

Following last September’s launch of its Waterways for Today report, IWA launched its Protect Our Waterways campaign in March. IWA is deeply concerned about the threat to our waterways posed by funding cuts. The financial situations of Canal & River Trust and Scottish Canals are especially critical. Despite being recognised in the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, the condition of the waterways continues to deteriorate while government funding is decreasing.

Canals and rivers are valuable assets which can contribute to the country’s economic recovery, help to mitigate the impacts of climate change and enrich the lives of local communities, as highlighted in our Waterways for Today report. Ongoing funding is therefore critical if we are to not only save the waterways for today, but for the future too.

History tells us that without boats travelling along them, waterways silt up and become dirty rubbish tips. Without proper maintenance reservoirs, aqueducts, and embankments deteriorate, resulting in communities being put at increasing risk of water damage from a failing infrastructure. The added threat of climate change will only worsen the situation as severe flooding and breaches become more commonplace.

IWA is calling on national and local government to fund all waterways at a level that keeps them as major assets that can continue to contribute to the economy, peoples’ health and wellbeing, and coping with the climate crisis. IWA will:

* Raise awareness of the threat through national, local, and social media.

* Petition to protect our waterways from the risks funding cuts will create.

* Ensure Members of Parliament and local politicians are fully aware of the benefits of the waterways and the threats to them.

* Arrange high profile events and activities including waterways festivals, towpath stalls.

* Be ready to work with government to offer knowledge, expertise and solutions to improve and maintain our waterways both now and in the future.

* Collaborate with communities and organisations that share our passion for the waterways to widen support for the campaign.

* Continue to provide practical assistance in the maintenance and improvement of waterways.

The waterways of today would not exist without IWA which, over many years, ensured that they were saved and enhanced. Millions of hours of volunteer time and effort along with lottery funding have been invested in revitalising the waterway network. IWA will not let that network fall into disrepair again.

IWA Special Bulletin, March 2023.

Waterways for Today report: https://waterways.org.uk/campaigns/waterways-for-today

Protect Our Waterways: https://waterways.org.uk/campaigns/protect-our-waterways

The Editor’s Page

Compiling this edition just before the coronation of HM King Charles, I wondered what sort of track record he has in supporting the waterways. Google quickly told me something that had quite escaped me: he has been Patron of the Canal & River Trust since its inception (as successor to British Waterways) in 2012.

As the young Prince of Wales, Charles got his hands dirty as a volunteer on the Montgomery Canal in the late 1960s, becoming involved following the "Big Dig" at Welshpool to forestall the route being cut by the A483 road improvements. He returned in 1974 to open the newly restored Welshpool Lock. In 1975 - 76, apprentices at the Cammell Laird shipyard, under the auspices of the Prince of Wales Committee, built Heulwen (Welsh for Sunshine), a canal boat adapted for children with disabilities.

In latter years, Charles has visited numerous canal venues, including the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, the Anderton Boat Lift, the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, and the Trent & Mersey. In 2018, he represented the Canal & River Trust by opening the restored section of the Thames & Severn at Stroud, and in 2021 he visited the Coventry Canal during Coventry's City of Culture celebrations. Just lately he came to Milton Keynes - see Page 14.

His mother and grandmother did their bit too. The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was reopened by HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in July 1964, and she returned to Stratford ten years later to re-open the Upper Avon Navigation. The late Queen Elizabeth II reopened the Kennet & Avon Canal in August 1990. I daresay that my quick Googling session leaves the above list of royal interest in the waterways far from complete.

The IWA itself has attracted the patronage of some distinguished people. Writer and parliamentarian Sir A.P. Herbert was President, and Peter Scott (later Sir Peter), ornithologist and artist, was Vice-President until he resigned over the Association's 1980s campaign to re -open the Yorkshire Derwent to navigation. At present, IWA has six Patrons: Chris Coburn MBE, Brian Dice OBE, David Fletcher CBE, Sir David Suchet CBE & Lady Suchet, and Paul Wagstaffe MBE - all of whom, I believe, have waterway connections elsewhere.

There can be little doubt that the early royal involvement brought much-needed credibility to the infant restoration movement. Today, the patronage of those with relevant expertise or experience must bring great practical benefit to IWA and other waterway charities.

Les Franklin, Editor.

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B&MK Trust’s Electra team meets HM the King

The Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust’s "Team Electra" was among 17 charity and community groups invited to meet HM King Charles on 16 February, when he came to Milton Keynes to present the Letters Patent to the newly promoted city. Jane Wolfson said, “It was a huge honour for Electra to be recognised as one of the things that make MK a special place to live, work and play.”

In February, on behalf of the B&MK Waterway Trust, John Best signed the lease for Electra to occupy one of the commercial units at Campbell Wharf, offered by Crest Nicholson at a peppercorn rent. Located close to its pontoon, this will provide a reception space, an accessible toilet, office space, food preparation area, and storage space for food and drink, furniture, publicity, signage and wheelchairs.

John Best has already secured fit-out funding of £32,000, and a bid for Section 106 funding of £20,000 is being prepared with the support of Central Milton Keynes Town Council. Volunteers are ready to start construction as soon as all paperwork is completed. Draft risk assessment and health and safety documents have been prepared with assistance from the Inland Waterways Association. It is hoped that the shore unit will be ready for use when Electra starts cruising again in July.

Tests by battery experts NIBS in February confirmed that Electra’s existing batteries were in need of replacement. Electra was expected to be delivered back to Colecraft, her original builders, in late April. New batteries will be fitted, together with some maintenance work to smarten her up for her third season. New volunteers are being sought for the coming season; if you can help, please visit https://www.bmkwaterway.org/electra/volunteering/

Through the winter, the boat’s maintenance and management teams did extensive research into the best options for monitoring systems and tools to ensure optimum use and longevity of the new batteries. Visit https://www.bmkwaterway.org/electra/ for Electra's cruises.

On 30 January, the John Bunyan team assessed the river conditions and decided to try to reach the landing stage at Kempston, with the aim of looking into what would be required in the way of dredging and modification to the width of the river to enable the boat to turn round there. The river level was 280mm higher than mean summer levels, ensuring adequate depth under the boat. The current was very strong at the approach to the landing stage, making the helmsman’s job difficult, but the John Bunyan was successfully moored.

John Bunyan at the Kempston landing stage. Photo: B&MKWT.

B&MK Waterway Trust news continued

April saw the start of the cruising season for John Bunyan, fresh from a repaint over the winter. The 2023 season marks 10 years since the Community Boat's launch in 2013, and the management team has planned an exciting mix of new and existing cruises. See https://www.bmkwaterway.org/johnbunyanboat/ for John Bunyan’s cruises.

Water Resources East (WRE) and the Environment Agency (EA) have completed their study into how the Waterway can help with managing flood risk and in times of drought. The Waterway is now included in WRE’s draft Regional Water Resources Plan, which will eventually feed into a national water resources plan in 2024. More work is needed to show how the Waterway can link up with other water resource initiatives. This is a positive step towards the project’s inclusion in significant infrastructure planning at the regional level.

The Eastern Projects Group (EPG) has had discussions with the Environment Agency to establish acceptable disposal areas for any dredged material that will be generated during changes to the river and turning areas at the landing stage site.

The EPG is also considering projects that might show that the Trust is serious about constructing parts of the waterway. Completion of the development at Fields Road, Wootton, offers a chance to engage with the developers and the Council to form a section of the waterway by joining up the lakes, dug as part of the development, by completing the already partially constructed bridge. This is an isolated section of the waterway, but it would create a useful facility for local people as a boating lake for canoeists and paddle boarders etc.

The Group is also looking at the issues at Green Lane, Stewartby. Over £4 million has been allocated to the Council to construct a culvert under the road for cables serving Covanta’s waste-to-energy facility. The Group is trying to assist Bedford Borough Council with suggestions as to how the culvert can be adapted to serve the Waterway. The Borough Council is also planning to develop more housing at Gibraltar Corner, Kempston, and the EPG is studying the proposals to ensure that the Waterway is not compromised in any way.

The Trust has recorded its great sadness at the death on 17 January of its Patron, Sir Samuel Whitbread KCVO JP DL, aged 85. Just over 210 years ago, his great great great grandfather Samuel Whitbread, MP for Bedford, initiated the original plan to create a waterway linking the Grand Junction Canal with the River Great Ouse at Bedford. Sir Sam was much loved and very active in many roles in Bedfordshire including periods as High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant of the county. We send our condolences to his family.

Councillor Ian Dalgarno of Central Bedfordshire Council has taken up the Chair of the B&MK Waterway Park Consortium, and will be staying in the role until Spring 2024. Under his Chairmanship, there is renewed enthusiasm to work towards setting up a "Special Purpose Vehicle" as a delivery agency for the project as a whole.

Jane Hamilton, Chair of the B&MK Waterway Trust for eight years (she shared the Chair with the late Graham Mabbutt before 2015), is to step down. Jane has paid tribute to the support she has received from both fellow Trustees and volunteers. The Branch wishes Jane every happiness as she moves to the South Coast beside saltier waters.

Information and pictures from B&MK News. March 2023.

Jane Hamilton.

Photo: B&MKWT.

Getting in touch with MK Branch

Following the AGM in February, the key Committee roles remain unchanged. Emma Caswell will look after the branch web pages and Facebook page, and Mike Harper has taken on supervising work at Fenny Lock. Several other roles remain unfilled, and your help would be welcome.

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 and Data Holder: PETE BICKERS pete.bickers@waterways.org.uk

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

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

Webmaster and Social Media: EMMA CASWELL (co-opted) Emma.caswell@waterways.org.uk

Committee member: MARIE DRAPER marie239@btinternet.com

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

Vice-Chairman VACANT

Volunteer Contact: VACANT

ADVERTISEMENTS are welcomed to assist Branch funds. Charges are as below and aresubject to VAT. Payment must be made before copydatetoensureinsertion. Please contact the Editorforfurtherdetails.

Clean-up Supervisor: VACANT

Education Officer: VACANT

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

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

Fenny Lock Adoption Scheme: MIKE HARPER Contact via Diane Witts

Get the latest waterway news at these web sites. Addresses can change, but these were correct on 5 April 2023.

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:

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

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Associationorof theMiltonKeynes Branch. Theyarehoweverpublishedas being ofinterest to membersandreaders.