Towpath Telegraph September 2023

TOWPATH TELEGRAPH

Journal of the Inland Waterways Association’s Milton Keynes Branch

SEEPAGES4-5

CRT FUNDING CUT: Add your voice to the protest

CRT FUNDING CUT: Add your voice to the protest

NEW MEETINGS SEASON

NEW MEETINGS SEASON

FENNY FESTIVAL REPORT

FENNY FESTIVAL REPORT

NEWS FROM B&MKWT, BCS AND WCT

NEWS FROM B&MKWT, BCS AND WCT

ENERGY SUPPORT FOR CONTINUOUS CRUISERS

ENERGY SUPPORT FOR CONTINUOUS CRUISERS

The Linslade Canal Festival took place on 29 July, with its usual pleasant mix of trading and historic boats, craft demonstrations, entertainment and catering. Although IWA Milton Keynes Branch did not attend, Buckingham Canal Society did, and Athina and colleagues did brisk trade with their Retro Recyclables stall. Photo: Les Franklin.

Welcome to September 2023 Towpath Telegraph

After the wet weather since mid-June, we can probably assume that CRT’s reservoirs are pretty full. Not so the Trust’s coffers. CRT, IWA and other waterwayrelated organisations continue to protest at the severe cut to its Government grant see Pages 4-5.

We look forward to seeing you at our new season of Branch meetings. Meanwhile, enjoy this edition.

Chairman’s Column Correction

New members

Waterway alliance mounts protests at Government cut to CRT budget

Fenny Festival comes good after a wet start

IWA webinars and recorded talks Diary

Wendover volunteer work paused by CRT Wendover to Halton towpath upgraded Buckingham Canal Society news Energy support for CRT’s continuous cruisers

Chairman’s Column

I am pleased to be able to start this regular column with heartfelt thanks to all the stalwart members of IWA MK Branch, and others, who gave so generously in many ways in support of the Fenny Stratford Canal Festival held at the beginning of August. Diane Witts, local resident and the lynchpin of the whole affair, was greatly encouraged and is equally grateful for all the support. We grossed nearly £1,200 and have made a contribution of £630 to IWA funds, reduced from last year due to the inclement weather on the Saturday. Wesley Harrison again worked his charm with selling raffle tickets. See also Pages 6-7.

We went through all the usual CRT hurdles in our pursuit of the elusive licence to stage the event, and then a few new ones for good measure. A lot of work went into seeking (and achieving to some extent) improvements to the general condition of the towpath and the open area at Fenny – a location that is of general benefit offering moorings and access to the facilities of Fenny Stratford. We have noted one or two aspects that will benefit from some minor tweaks and we shall hope to incorporate these into next year’s event – already on the drawing board!

As an early step to encourage those members resident on the Leighton Buzzard/Linslade area of our patch, we undertook a special email promotion of the event. The Committee would like to learn of any thoughts arising therefrom, and hope that you felt this to have been worthwhile. We were able to do this rather more easily as IWA senior management have relaxed the GDPR rules regarding Branch access to basic details of its membership.

One of the hurdles to which I referred was that of the state of the towpath – and one reason why I am ceasing ownership of my own narrowboat, as I have lost faith in making a safe landing when jumping from boat to bank. In our preparations for the Festival, we were very conscious that there were (and still are, albeit reduced in scale) a great number of holes in the canal bank at Fenny. Whilst piling goes a long way to securing the bank and retaining the water in the canal, the necessity to solidly backfill behind the piling still remains. There is plenty of evidence that leaving gaps allows water to infiltrate and that boat-caused turbulence then creates a washing machine-like turbulence in the enclosed space, which then washes the backfill out into the main channel.

We were grateful that local CRT staff came and addressed the major bad patches at Fenny,

Chairman’s Column continued.

but several of the registered boat traders made reference to the still generally poor condition in which they found the towpath and bank – and they see more than most of us. We may wonder why these tasks are seemingly left only part finished or even untouched in the first instance, but I think we also know very well why this is the case.

Everywhere there are signs of cutbacks in Government spending and depletion. It is in my view time to cease using Covid as an excuse for anything adverse, but rather to use the aftermath as a reason to promote growth. All political parties need to be very much more focussed in how allocated funds are spent – there is too much wastage and expenditure on aspects that do not merit it – pointless and superfluous reviews and enquiries spring to my mind. I emphasise “all political parties”: despite all the arguing and posturing that goes on in politics and Government, a huge amount of work is done by happy consensus between the elected members of Parliament and their Lordships and of course by their loyal and obedient civil servants.

The current “Fund Britain’s Waterways” campaign (see Pages 4-5) emphasises the need to protect our heritage and invest in that protection. There is still much central funding available; a big part of the process is convincing those that hold the purse strings of where and how to achieve a sensible outcome. It also means knocking vigorously on many doors, seeking those funds. "If you don’t ask, you don’t get" is a common way round difficulties, especially in the current uncertain climate.

But we must demonstrate determination. I may be selling my boat (yes, still on the market!) but I still believe in the canals and other waterways and all the history and benefit they continue to offer us. I look forward to seeing you afloat someday, someplace – or maybe at our resuming meetings season.

Tim Armstrong, Branch Chairman. Any offers? Photo: Les Franklin.

Correction

The photo of the Clean-up hopper crew on Page 4 of May’s edition of Towpath Telegraph was taken by David Johns, not Diane Witts. We apologise for this error.

David’s excellent video of the April Clean-up is still available to view at: https://youtu.be/Npw7q9PrTCY

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).

Waterway

alliance mounts protests at Government cut to CRT budget

On 10 July, the Government unveiled its long-awaited announcement of future funding for the Canal & River Trust (CRT). The funding is to reduce by 5% each year for the ten years from 2027: thus £50 million in 2027, reducing to £31.5 million in 2036.

Waterways under threat: breaches like this could follow if waterway maintenance is not adequately funded.

In a Press Release the following day, IWA urged members and the public to write to their MPs to object to the Government’s announcement. Whilst the Government has always been clear that CRT must develop new income streams and become less reliant upon Government funding, the cut as announced is estimated to represent a reduction of £300 million in real terms. It takes no account of inflation and the increased risk to waterway infrastructure from climate change. IWA’s view is that the cut to the grant is too severe.

CRT's Chief Executive, Richard Parry, warned that some canals might have to be closed. “We are tasked by the Government to care for and manage safely this important and historic infrastructure. The Government has confirmed the value and importance of the nation’s canals and their vital role in our health and wellbeing, for wildlife and nature, and in supporting jobs and the UK economy. Yet, at the same time, they have announced a funding decision which puts the very future of canals at grave risk,” he said.

IWA National Chairman Les Etheridge said: "Government needs to recognise that saying they value the inland waterways is not enough to prevent their decline. Whilst we understand the financial pressures that everyone faces, the financial cuts are too deep, and adequate public funding needs to be allocated to maintain these national assets. The Government must take heed of CRT’s warnings. Otherwise, these proposed cuts will result in the closure of waterways, harming businesses and placing communities at risk as the condition of CRT’s waterways inevitably deteriorates."

IWA’s Chief Executive, Sarah Niblock, added: "The waterway renaissance has been one of the UK’s biggest success stories of the past 50 years on all levels. It is actually hard to find the words to express how devastated we feel and how fearful we are for the future in the wake of this decision. Sadly, the government doesn’t seem to have even referred to its own data on the sheer scale of benefits offered by the waterways to our economy, ecology and wellness. I urge everyone to express their concerns to their MPs as a priority.

Resources for writing to your MP are available at: https://waterways.org.uk/campaigns/waterways-for-today/lobby-your-mp

An alliance of waterway interests to co-ordinate protest action has been set up under the banner "Fund Britain's Waterways" (FBW). Members of the alliance include IWA, the

Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign continued

Association of Waterway Cruising Clubs, British Marine (trade organisation), the National Association of Boat Owners, and the Royal Yachting Association.

Under the FBW banner, Sarah Niblock has also set up a petition addressed to the Prime Minister. It reads: “We, the undersigned, ask that the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, acknowledges the many social, economic and environmental benefits that Britain’s inland waterways provide and gives his assurance that the government will intervene, where necessary, to ensure our rivers and canals remain fully open, navigable, safe and accessible for all”. By mid-August, the total number of signatories had reached nearly 40,000, and people were adding their names at about 1,000 per day.

You can sign the online petition at: https://www.change.org/p/fund-britain-s-waterways

IWA also invites you to share your photos highlighting the state of the waterways by emailing them to protect@waterways.org.uk

The FBW action group also organised a campaign cruise to central Birmingham on 12–13 August. At the Mailbox, visitors to the event could enjoy viewing a variety of boats, including some original working boats, and were able to add their voice to the campaign to ensure that these waterways are there to be enjoyed by future generations. An online presentation was available, explaining the importance of the campaign.

From CRT news release, IWA web site and news releases, July - August 2023.

Editor’s comment: On the day after the announcement of the funding cut, I wrote to my MP, Andrew Selous (Conservative, South-West Bedfordshire), stating: "It is vital that the waterways funded by national or devolved government (such as those managed by the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency and Scottish Canals) receive adequate financial support." I asked Mr Selous to urgently raise this with the DEFRA Minister with responsibility for the inland waterways, Rebecca Pow MP, and press her to reconsider the decision on funding levels as recently announced.

The reply I received was mostly taken up with telling me things I already knew about the waterways, and assuring me of how much Government values their benefits to the community, but it promised nothing. Mr Selous did rightly point out that CRT has always been given to understand that Government would move to reduce its funding, but his reply contained no acknowledgement that the current rate of inflation will drastically affect the value of the funding package as time passes. A somewhat disappointing reply.

Mr Selous was very supportive when cuts to DEFRA's budget were announced in 2007; indeed he spoke at the protest meeting at Leighton Buzzard organised by the Branch in March that year. At that time, his party was in opposition, not returning to power until 2010. LF.

Andrew Selous speaking at Leighton Buzzard in 2007.

Photo: Les Franklin.

Boats at Birmingham to protest against the funding cut. Photo: Lovethebcn Facebook group.

Fenny Festival comes good after a wet start

On Saturday 5 August, Storm Antoni did its best to put a damper on the Branch's Fenny Stratford Canal Festival, but by mid-day the worst of the rain had passed, and the punters then turned out in good numbers. The Sunday was much better, and the towpath was very busy for much of the day.

The trading boats and land-based stalls offered a huge variety of items for sale, including clothing, gifts of all kinds, scented soaps, vegetables, food and drink, and ice cream.

At the Branch stand, visitors could buy IWA merchandise, items from the brica-brac table, or tickets for the raffle. As usual, the waterway map on the back wall of the gazebo was a very useful icebreaker, allowing volunteers to explain the recent announcement of the Government's cut to the Canal & River Trust's funding (see Pages 4-5). We received many expressions of support, and many visitors agreed to sign the online petition to the Prime Minister, some doing so on the spot with their mobile devices.

That big map prompted one visitor to suggest that it should be made available as a duvet cover. So how about it, Head Office?

Electra, the Milton Keynes Community Boat run by the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, offered five return trips each day. A total of 92 guests took the trip, and had the chance to find out about Electra's cruises, volunteering opportunities, and the plans for the Waterway Park. The Electra team also kindly donated boat trip vouchers as raffle prizes.

Visitors could also inspect Ebony, a 56ft 4-6 berth hire boat brought to the event by James Griffin of Wyvern Ship-

Lovely weather for the swans: the Festival site seen from Electra’s rain-spattered window.

The huge variety of goods for sale from the trading boats and land-based stalls.

Left: A family boards Ebony for an inspection. Centre: Jackie and Rob, with their Gretna Green horse brass. Photo: Peter Caswell. Right: Jane Wolfson and Diane Witts draw winning raffle tickets.

ping Co. Younger visitors were invited to take part in a short multiple-choice quiz. James Griffin writes: "Two young girls correctly filled in the Canal and Boat Quiz, and will be sent model boats as prizes. Visitors on the boat were impressed by the boat's headroom and facilities, and there was certainly a lot of interest in hiring a boat."

One couple found an ideal souvenir on our stall. Jackie and Rob, who are volunteers on the Electra Team, found a horse-brass on our stall bearing the words GRETNA GREEN and depicting an anvil, symbol of the marriages that traditionally took place at the blacksmith's there. They had themselves been married at Gretna Green just two weeks previously!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the event, assisted in organising it, setting up, selling raffle tickets, talking to visitors and showing people over the hire boat. Text and pictures: Les Franklin, or as stated.

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.

Diary

Welcome to the start of our 2023-24 season of Branch meetings at Bletchley Conservative Club. Non-members are always welcome at Branch meetings, so why not invite a friend along? Our own events are listed below in bold type.

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

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 Cawkwell Way.

Take 1st right into Bedford Street.

Entrance to the Conservative Club car park is immediately on the left, at the end of a brick wall. The meeting room is on the ground floor, with level access from the car park.

Please note that Cawkwell Way, although two-way, is narrow in parts. The route given uses as little of it as possible. Also shown is the pedestrian route (10 minutes) from Bletchley Station. On leaving the car park, Bedford Street is one-way, so please turn left and then into Queensway.

Saturday 16 September 11am - 5pm

Celebrate Great Linford Manor Park. Surround yourself with the history and heritage of Great Linford Manor Park. With live music, heritage games, re-enactments, storytelling, fresh food, and tours and talks from the Parks Trust team. You can also explore Saint Andrew's medieval church, discover the history of worship there, and see the incredible textiles exhibition. Park at the Marsh Drive car park, MK14 5AS. Many more Parks Trust events at: https://www.theparkstrust.com/whats-on-in-your-parks/

Thurs 21 September 7.45pm

Saturday 23 September 10.00-10.30am: 10.30-11.10am: 11.10-11.30am: 11.30-12 noon: 12 noon-12.15pm: 12.15-1.00pm: 1.00-1.45pm: 1.45pm:

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

IWA National Annual General Meeting. Hall opens for teas/coffees; Presentation on Protect Our Waterways and Fund Britain's Waterways; Interval for teas/coffees;

Annual General Meeting;

Presentation of National Awards;

Presentation by Sarah Niblock, CEO, followed by Q&A session; Lunch (free of charge, but must be pre-booked); Depart for afternoon guided heritage walk.

Civic Hall, Martins Way, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8UJ More details, including link for attending via Zoom, at: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/annual-general-meeting-2023

Diary continued.

Thursday 19 October 7.45pm

IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting: The Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation and other Essex Waterways, with John Pomfret. John explores the navigable creeks of the Thames Tideway, then the Rivers Roach and Crouch. He then moves north to the Blackwater and its tributaries, and to the River Stour. In the second half, John explores IWA’s waterway, the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.

Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

Thurs 16 November 7.45pm

IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting: The Cromford Canal in Old Photographs, talk by Hugh Potter, former Editor of Waterways World. A journey from Cromford to Langley Mill in old photographs, showing the canal before its decline and, in places, destruction. Some pictures come from his book “The Cromford Canal”; copies will be available at a special price at the meeting. Hugh will also show some unique colour pictures taken inside the almost 2-mile-long Butterley Tunnel in the 1970s, including the Butterley Company’s ‘Wide Hole’ where goods were transferred by vertical shafts to the works above. This unique feature has recently been Scheduled by Historic England as an Ancient Monument.

Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

Thurs 14 December 7.45pm

IWA Milton Keynes Branch Christmas social: Pre-booked ticket event. Details to be announced.

Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

Thurs 18 January 2024 7.45pm

Wednesday 24 January 8pm

IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting: Challenging the myths and misconceptions of the history of canal folk art, talk by Kay Andrews.

Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, MK2 2DN

IWA Chiltern Branch meeting: Expanding Horizons, talk by Jeremy Batch, renowned guest speaker. Jeremy takes us on to blue waters as opposed to still, and traces a century of changes in leisure boating and marine technology over the past 115 years. His talk includes how an ice cream became a curse or just maybe a blessing, and how the most valuable cargo the UK ever sent to America is aboard many boats and is in all our homes.

Education Centre, Batchworth Lock Canal centre, Canal Bridge, 99 Church Street, Rickmansworth, WD3 1JD

Parking: Council car parks at Talbot Road, WD3 1EY or Ebury Road, WD3 1BH, free parking after 6.30pm. Fuller parking info at: https://waterways.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Chiltern-branch-meeting-venue.pdf

Thurs 15 February 7.45pm

IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting: Annual General Meeting (Agenda in January TPT), and The Bata Canal, talk by Hana Wilson (postponed from April 2023). The Bata 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

Wendover volunteer work paused by CRT

At the May working party, a short section of offside bank was protected with concrete blocks and the coir roll positioned above. However, during this working party, Wendover Canal Trust's Chairman received a request from Canal and River Trust (CRT) which led to the following announcement: "Throughout our restoration we have always ensured that we adhere to relevant legislation, work closely with CRT, and have their approval for what we do and the methods used. CRT have asked us to pause work temporarily in order to carry out a joint review. The review is to ensure that current methods continue to meet latest environmental standards etc. This is being progressed as quickly as possible and we thank you for your patience and understanding meanwhile. We will keep you informed of progress."

Activities during the June and July work party were therefore limited. The fencing along the towpath was taken down in sections and the vegetation cut back. The fencing was repositioned such as to allow CRT contractors to manage the towpath vegetation over the full width. Some "housekeeping" and tidying tasks have been undertaken, including strimming around saplings and spreading wood mulch and mowing at Whitehouses. Training in the use of strimmers and the Hyundai mower was given. A new concrete mixer was moved on to a concrete base and secured with a chain and padlock. Brambles growing in the compound area were cut back, and a boundary fence erected. Vegetation was cut back around the timber shed and the roof inspected. The shed was given a coat of wood preservative.

WCT volunteers spent a day carrying out work for CRT at Startopsend Reservoir. The vegetation at the gauge compound and around Lock 39 was cleared, and the lock-sides tidied.

Six volunteers from WCT attended the Marsworth Steam Rally on 16 June to run a "Drive a digger" stand. The stand was very popular with both children and adults keen to have a go at driving a mini-excavator.

Following the suspension of volunteer restoration work, Eoin Harris from CRT visited the restoration site on 13 June so that he could see the work that WCT has been carrying out. WCT has also had several online meetings with CRT. The chief topic has been the black substance variously referred to as coal tar, bitumen or asphalt, which was used to line the canal in efforts to stem leakage years ago. CRT requires further testing of this substance and nearby soil and ground water, to confirm earlier tests which showed it not to be hazardous. The Trust is liaising with CRT and a specialist testing company to agree what testing is required, and hopes that results will be available by September. There will be some other CRT checks, but it is hoped that these will be concluded more quickly. The Trust is therefore not yet able to re-start full restoration. WCT and CRT were to hold a design review meeting on 20 July.

Fencing re-positioned before the pause in volunteer work. Photo: WCT.

Wendover to Halton towpath upgraded

Following fundraising led by Wendover Canal Trust, work to upgrade the canal towpath from Wendover to Halton began in early June. Funding has come from the HS2 Chiltern AONB Review Group (with the substantial support of Chilterns Conservation Board), Wendover Parish Council, Wendover Community Board, Lionel Abel-Smith Trust and Halton Parish Council. The Trust is grateful to all these organisations for their support.

The upgrade, carried out by Canal & River Trust and its contractors Kier plc and Rothen Group, will result in a path with a minimum width of 1.5 metres, with bank reinforcement, a strong membrane, a solid foundation and a limestone-based durable surface.

The contract began with bank reinforcement work consisting of placing a Nicospan vertical liner where erosion has severely affected the stability and width of the towpath, and the safety of towpath users. The liner is held in place by posts and infilled with silt dredged from the canal.

The second stage is the laying of a 100mm (4”) deep stone foundation. This has entailed closing the towpath and setting up diversions. Finally a 50mm (2”) deep, sand-coloured Centrack surface will be laid. Timber edging will be positioned on the canal side of the Centrack, and soil seeded with grass will be laid between the board and the canal to encourage vegetation. The work has entailed partial or full closure of the towpath at times, but is expected to be completed by mid-September. A 520 yard (480m) section to the centre of Halton will remain to be upgraded. The Trust hopes to obtain funding for this by 2024. Both pages: From WCT web site and Restoration Reports, May, June and July 2023.

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

Towpath upgrade work in progress. Photo: WCT.

Buckingham Canal Society news

The Buckingham Canal Society held its annual Festival and Craft Fair at Cosgrove on 22-23 July. We have been holding Festivals at Cosgrove since 1993, but in the early days they were more of a boat gathering. At this year's Festival we had twenty-nine trade boats booked in, with several stalls along the towpath. Historic boats Raymond and Nutfield joined us as usual, with several other traders who come each year, but quite a few new boat traders joined us as well.

Terry Cavender is working at our Cosgrove site on Tuesdays and Thursdays, where most of the work involves piling and dredging. This work is going really well.

Our dredger Diana, once owned by Canal & River Trust, is helping with the dredging. Volunteers have spent several work party days getting her into working order and re-painting her. A special event will take place at Cosgrove on Saturday 2 September at 10.30am, when our guest, Sir David Suchet will officially "launch" Diana. Please join us for this occasion.

I continue running the work parties at our Bourton Meadow site on alternate Thursdays and the second Sunday of each month. There is plenty of hedge trimming to do, and weed and reed pulling give volunteers a chance to don waders and work in the canal bed! We are always looking for more volunteers at all our sites, so please make contact with me.

Athina Beckett, Buckingham Canal Society.

Energy support for CRT’s continuous cruisers

In an announcement on its web site dated 17 August, Canal & River Trust advised people living on boats without home moorings on its navigations that they will be entitled to payments under the Energy Bills Support Scheme run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Support would be provided in the form of £600 vouchers, which were to be sent out in the coming weeks. The £600 combines the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (‘the scheme’) and the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund support, with no need to supply receipts for alternative fuel use. To be eligible, each boater must have held a CRT continuous cruiser licence for a minimum of one day between 27 February 2023 (when the scheme launched) and 31 May 2023 (when the scheme closed) inclusive.

The vouchers were being sent via email, or via SMS or letter to those customers who do not have an email address registered. To ensure the voucher is issued correctly and could be redeemed by the intended recipient, boaters were asked to ensure that their details such as email, phone number, and postal address were up to date on CRT's licensing portal by 21 August - just four days after the date of the web site announcement.

Some boaters posting on the Canalworld.net web forum reported receiving an email about the scheme some days previous to 17 August, but were suspicious that the email was a scam. Other posters re-assured them that it was genuine.

CRT news release and Canalworld.net forum, August 2023.

New piling and stop planks.

Photo: Terry Cavender.

The Editor’s Page

Whatever the outcome of the protests at the severity of the cut in Canal & River Trust's grant aid, it is clear that the Trust will have to find new funding streams if it is to keep pace with maintaining its ageing infrastructure in the face of inflation and climate change. The change from an arm of Government to a charity in 2012 was made to allow CRT to open up new sources of funds, and it was bequeathed a property portfolio to supplement its income from licences and moorings, but this is not enough.

Several ideas have been put forward, including sponsored advertising at honeypot sites such as the Anderton Lift, or some kind of individual tax like the TV licence. Personally, I don't like the idea of seeing corporate logos applied to waterway structures. And the trouble with an individual tax is that, like the TV licence, it raises objections from those who claim that they do not use what the tax pays for: "I don’t watch BBC programmes", or "I don't go near my local canal".

I could argue that I don't make use of local education or social services, so why should I pay for them as part of my Council Tax? The answer for me is that I have been educated (up to a point, in the distant past), and I might need social services in the future. I appreciate the need for all the services that the local authorities provide, and I am glad that they are all there in case I do need them.

The fact that (at time of writing) nearly 40,000 people have signed the online petition (see Pages 4-5) attests to the value that the waterways hold for them. Would the same people be willing to pay a monthly "wellbeing tax" contributing towards the upkeep of the waterway network? How would it be collected? Would other charities owning property that could be seen as having a "wellbeing" role demand a part of the action?

I don't know whether it would require new legislation to enable CRT to receive a subsidy like this, or whether the change to a charity excludes the idea, but perhaps it is worth further consideration. A levy in addition to the diminishing grant from national Government, devolved to local authorities to collect as part of the Council Tax, would allow each of them to calculate a proportion according to, say, the mileage of waterway in its area. As far as I know, the idea has not been discussed in IWA circles and, needless to say, these are my personal thoughts. But surely it’s worth considering anything that avoids resorting to plastering corporate logos over the Anderton Lift!

Les Franklin, Editor.

A small family-run business offering Boat Safety Scheme examinations. Rest easy in the knowledge that your boat was examined by trained professionals and meets the requirements of the Boat Safety Scheme. We carry out examinations on private boats, residential* boats and hire* boats. * If fitted with a bubble tester. We cover Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Bedfordshire areas, but please call as we are happy to travel.

Jonathan Charles Marine 07375

B&MK AGM: Jane makes way for Simon

On 6 June at the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust's 2023 Annual General Meeting, Jane Hamilton in her last appearance as Chair began by reviewing the Trust’s Vision for the Waterway: a new navigation, offering improved water resilience for East Anglia with potential for water transfer between regions and flood alleviation, encouragement of healthy lifestyles with cycling and walking routes, improved links between existing rivers, canals and lakes, benefiting wildlife, and a sense of place in the communities through which it passes.

Jane noted that the Waterway Consortium had become more active over the past year, taking a stronger lead in promoting the Waterway. A new Chair is in place, and the Consortium partners are working towards setting up a legal entity, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which would be responsible for delivering the Waterway.

Jane also reviewed achievements over the past ten years. The strategic profile of the Waterway has been greatly raised, and broad strategic policy support has been secured from a range of partners. New partners have joined the Consortium, which has been persuaded to lead on delivery. The Environment Agency and Water Resources East (WRE) have been persuaded to invest in building the business case around water resilience, and the Waterway is now mentioned in WRE's plans, which should encourage other external agencies to take the project seriously. The

Jane Hamilton, retiring Trust Chair, speaks to guests on her “thank you” cruise aboard John Bunyan.

project is also now integrated into new development, and an economic case has been established. A digital map has been created for use in bids and for lobbying.

The political scene has brought ups and downs. The Oxford-Cambridge Arc has been replaced by a Pan-Regional Partnership, meaning less infrastructure funding for the region, and funding from the Levelling Up scheme seems less likely. The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Plan (SEMLEP) has helped over the years, but will cease operation in 2024. Changes brought about by local elections mean that the Trust and Consortium continually have to get to know new locally elected people, including new Consortium representatives.

On the ground, two Community Boats have been launched, the landing stage at Kempston has been completed, and a shore base for Electra has been secured. New interpretation boards and an art trail have been placed to mark the route of the Waterway Park.

Jane then introduced the new chair, Simon Clewlow. Simon paid tribute to Jane’s work, and called for a round of applause to thank Jane for her efforts.

John Best gave a presentation about the two Community Boats over the past year, noting that the boats are raising awareness and support for the waterway, have established part-

B&MK AGM continued

nerships with local organisations, and have raised significant funds for the Trust. Both boats provide volunteering opportunities and training for local people, and raise the quality of life for a diverse range of people. Royal recognition came with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for the John Bunyan, and with the Electra team selected as one of a handful of MK charities to meet HM King Charles on the award of City Status to MK. John looked forward to the time when the Trust could operate a third boat upon the "bit in the middle".

The guest speaker at the AGM was Terry Cavender from the Buckingham Canal Society.

In his first column in the Trust's Newsletter, BMK News, Simon Clewlow again paid tribute to Jane Hamilton's leadership, and wished her well in her new life in Sussex. He looked forward to drawing upon the support of his fellow trustees, the management teams and volunteers of the two Community Boats, and Trust members.

Simon Clewlow, incoming Trust Chair.

Simon looked forward to the time when the Waterway can overcome its obstacles and achieve its core purposes of leisure, development and water transfer. He recalled working, while at university in the early 1980s, on a feasibility study for wind-generated electricity, when fossil fuels accounted for over 80% of electricity generation. Back then, a 5% target seemed ambitious but nevertheless worthwhile, whilst now there are times when over half of our electricity comes from wind power. Similarly, the concept of moving water from the west to the east is an opportunity just waiting for a solution. Simon noted that a study has now been commissioned for the design of a scheme for the transfer of up to 115 million litres per day of cleaned wastewater from the

Midlands to the South East via the Grand Union Canal. The Trust awaits with great interest the outcome of this proposal since, with just a fraction of this redirected discharge, the Waterway Park could make a difference to farmers and residents in the east.

The Branch wishes Jane Hamilton every happiness in her retirement in Sussex, and wishes Simon Clewlow every success as the Trust’s new Chair.

Pictures and information from BMK News, July 2023.

Excellent Boats on a Beautiful Canal

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Waterside holiday cottage

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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

Getting in touch with MK Branch

The Committee looks forward to welcoming members and friends to the 2023-24 season of meetings at the Conservative Club, Bletchley (see Diary pages). The Committee also seeks your support in the Association’s efforts to achieve a less severe cut to Canal & River Trust’s funding.

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

ADVERTISEMENTS are welcomed to assist Branch funds. Charges are as below and are subject to VAT. Payment must be made before copy date to ensure insertion. Please contact the Editor for further details.

Volunteer Contact: VACANT 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 2 August 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.