Towing Path Topics The newsletter of the Lancashire and Cumbria Branch of the Inland Waterways Association
January 2016
June 2016
DISCLAIMER The views expressed in Towing Path Topics are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of its North West Region or of the Lancs and Cumbria Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated. The Association accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. No reproduction is permitted without acknowledgment.
Cover Illustration: 'Our Bridge' The bridge to which North Lancs & Cumbria Branch (as it was then) contributed spans the Ribble Link at its junction with the Lancaster Canal. Line drawing by Celia Lockley from a photograph taken by David M Smith.
Photograph acknowledgements: Page 17 Frank Sanderson Page 24 John Hewerdine All others the editor The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication. Editor: David Faulkner 22 Moorland Road, Langho, Blackburn BB6 8EX Tel. 01254 249265 Email david.faulkner@waterways.org.uk
Copy date for next edition 20th August 2016 2
Editorial This edition of TPT is later than originally planned because the urgent stuff was in the Branch Chairman’s letter sent to you in April. Well, that’s the official excuse, my holidays and grandparenting figured too. It’s surprising how one is expected to drop everything at a moment’s notice but it doesn’t seem to work the other way. You will find plenty about the bi-centenary of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal; I hope that you don’t become tired of it. Congratulations to the L&L Canal Society on their hard work in promoting this important historical milestone, especially Mike Clarke. It was good to share the event at the Hippodrome with them. We look forward to working together more closely in future. There is plenty of other news too. The Lancaster Canal is still recovering from the winter floods but is still navigable thanks to the work of the Canal & River Trust. Hope it doesn’t break the bank – literally and financially (Ha! Ha!). There is the third instalment of John Hewerdine’s house and narrowboat saga. I hope his account of things that went wrong (or nearly went wrong) doesn’t put you off owning a boat. Not that I have ever owned one. Congratulations to Wendy Humphreys on becoming branch chairman and it is good to have Audrey Smith back on our committee with her considerable knowledge and experience of the IWA and waterways in general. We have a new venue for our branch meetings. We hope that it will encourage more of you to attend. They are always an enjoyable evening. Wendy has done well to arrange next season’s programme already so please keep the back page handy with the dates. And to finish with the usual editor’s plea for you to send something for me to publish – things you’ve spotted boating this year, unusual boat names, moans and grouses, any experiences to match Scallywag’s misfortunes – anything, anything! David Faulkner 3
Report of the Branch Chairman Welcome to the second edition of Towing Path Topics for this year and my first Towing Path Topics as a fully operational Chairman. I hope you will enjoy reading the magazine and put some dates in your diaries and come along and join us in branch activities and social events if you can. I did keep you informed about some things in the Chairman’s letter sent out in early April but I think this magazine will give you a lot more information about what is happening in the branch and in IWA. 2016 is going to be an eventful year for Lancashire and Cumbria branch, we have a new social meeting venue, a busy year with all the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Leeds and Liverpool canal and other events planned such as the Balsam Bash and a presence at the Holme Festival. We also have new people on the committee and members taking new roles, just a small increase in the committee size has seen us have an ability to do more things, just think how much more we could do if YOU joined us! Seriously I realise being on committees isn’t for everyone so if it is not for you don’t worry, just do your best, turn up for social meetings and activities, get in touch with us with news and ideas and even problems, read the magazine and most of all keep being interested in waterways and enjoying them and all that is associated with them. I have become chairman, and Tony Dunning has agreed to be vice chairman, Les Fragle will continue to do a great job of being secretary and membership secretary, David Faulkner is the new treasurer and has sent in his first set of quarterly accounts and David is also of course the magazine editor. I will continue to represent the branch on the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership with Audrey Smith also attending those meetings and playing an active role representing IWA nationally. Audrey has also agreed to be the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society representative at our meetings as well as public relations officer. Les Fragle will continue as environment and planning officer and Helen Thomas will represent the Lancaster Canal Trust. We also now have a new webmaster, Janet Dunning has agreed to take this on, but don’t expect too much too soon as she has only just started. Janet will also do as much as she can with Wild Over Waterways activities when we attend events. Oh and I will continue as Social Secretary. That just leaves us without a sales officer, so if anyone is interested let me know.
In my Chairman’s letter in April I made an appeal for members to let Head Office have email addresses wherever possible. This resulted in approximately 10 members contacting Head Office with their email addresses, so that is 10 more members who we can communicate with promptly if there is any news or changes which cannot wait for the next edition of Towing Path Topics. If you haven’t let Head Office know your email address and you are happy to do so please email membership@waterways.org.uk with Add to database and your membership number as the subject heading. As we all know this year is the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Leeds Liverpool canal and there are lots of events planned for this. Members of the branch are helping with various events during the year, more details of this are in this magazine. If you see us at any of these events say hello and introduce yourselves. We had a very successful joint meeting with the Leeds & Liverpool Canal society in April at the Pendle Hippodrome theatre when Mike Clarke gave a talk about the history of the canal. It was great to see so many members there and to have the opportunity to meet old friends and to socialise. Our social meetings starting in September will be at St Chad’s Parish Centre in Wheelton and I look forward to seeing many of you there. Have a good summer and enjoy the canals. Wendy Humphreys
New members Welcome to the following new members of our branch: Martin & Christine Chadwick, Brampton, Cumbria Peter Clark, Clarencefield, Dumfries Terence & Sandra Cort, Accrington John Jordan, Goosnargh, Preston, Mr T Harding . North Berwick, East Lothian, Andrew & Janet Reynolds & Ms J McEwan, Connor Downs, Hayle, Cornwall 5
If you have joined recently you will be included in our next edition. If you joined months ago and you haven’t seen your name in print please contact the editor something has gone wrong. (How can that be you ask?!)
Report from the Region Chairman From the regional perspective, an interesting first half for 2016 with much to occupy the mind, including heavy flooding, work parties, canal festivals and numerous planning meetings. In our region we continued to suffer many unplanned stoppages caused by everything from fallen trees to lorry strikes on bridges. However, as you know, there has been much worse following the wettest December on record; the Boxing Day floods caused much damage. Stainton Aqueduct on the Lancaster Canal breached and farther afield the Calder & Hebble and Eastern Rochdale canals remain unnavigable. I note that a great response from volunteers has now resulted in reopening much of the tow path of this valuable Trans Pennine waterway, another great example of the power of volunteering which should be applauded. Having been involved in many consultations with CRT and now more recently the Bridgewater Canal Co.; I can't help mulling over the value of such... Did we make a difference, is our message clear, are we being listened to, etc.? Overall I think we can claim success here as the value of consultation with IWA has now been recognised at least by the Navigation Authorities in our region. CRT, (North West; Manchester & Pennines; North Wales & Borders) and now the Bridgewater Canal Co. seem to be eager to hear our views. Bridgewater CC do however seem determined to ignore common sense as they seek to increase revenue and ignore the CRT Reciprocal Agreement. Please rest assured that IWA North West are on the case here. When it comes to the local planning authorities, I think we also still have a long way to go. It's good to see some branches in our region now getting involved with the Local Authorities in developing Local Waterway Strategies. 6
Given all the recent TV publicity showing the value of canals, I'm sure that a short presentation to councillors from the local IWA branch will encourage the local authorities to recognise the value of including canals & waterways in their local planning strategy. The IWA National Campaign Festival at Eldonian Village Liverpool was a great success with around 20,000 visitors over the weekend and I'm sure Lancs & Cumbria Branch will continue this success in bringing the IWA message to the communities in our region. Flying the IWA flag at the various other Leeds & Liverpool bicentenary events gives us a great opportunity to talk to people who may otherwise know little about the regeneration value of canals and how to get involved in keeping their waterway environments clean and tidy. In conclusion I would like to thank all the Lancs & Cumbria volunteers for keeping our waterways alive and congratulate all committee members for their hard work and fortitude. Mike Carter
L&L 200th anniversary events (in our patch or close) July 10 Lancs Wildlife Trust day Wigan Kennet attending 23-24 Blackburn Canal Festival Eanam Wharf August 27-28 Burnley Canal Festival Weavers Triangle September 18 Bingley Open Day organised by CRT October 15-23 Kennet recreates inaugural 1816 voyage along full length of the canal 16 Super Slow Way rhapsody, King George’s Hall, Blackburn Sunday at 4.00pm. Tickets £15 (£7.50 concessions) Box office 0844 847 1664 19 CRT Gala Dinner & Awards Evening, Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Accrington 7
Kennet 2016 Moving Schedule
Date 22June 9 July 11 July 22 July 25 July 26 August 29 August 16 Sep 17 Sept I October 3 October 15 – 23 Oct 24 - 29 Oct
From Burscough Wigan CRT Office Wigan Top Lock Wheelton Blackburn Reedley Marina Burnley Greenberfield Skipton Bingley Top Lock Apperley Bridge Leeds Basin Liverpool
To Wigan CRT Office Wigan Top Lock Wheelton Blackburn Reedley Marina Burnley Greenberfield Skipton Bingley Top Lock Apperley Bridge Leeds Basin Liverpool Greenberfield??
Captain Cris Shave Lynton Childs Ken Barnes Cris Shave Cris Shave Cris Shave Mike Hustler TBC see note 1 Lynton Childs Ken Barnes Cris Shave Contact see note 2 Cris Shave
Please note that there may be changes to the above dates due to operation circumstance. Regular updates will be sent out as required. Note1: No Captains available at present for this date. If none are forthcoming we would move this forward to earlier in September/late August. Note 2: contact friendsofkennet@gmail.com IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASSIST WITH THE MOVING OF KENNET PLEASE CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE CAPTAIN Ken Barnes:
ken.barnes@talktalk.net
01254 395773/07794386198
Lynton Childs: Mike Hustler: Cris Shave:
landf-@hotmail.com michaelhustler2003@yahoo.co.uk friendsofkennet@gmail.com
07967786945/01282 427950 01282 816476/07929915487 01535 631975/07831636155
For general enquiries please contact FofK friendsofkennet@gmail.com 8
Another award In addition to the Education and Learning, Living Waterways Award 2015 from CRT; Kennet has been awarded Regional Flagship of the Year 2016 by National Historic Ships UK. The award from NHS UK states “Made to The Shortboat Kennet, in recognition of the intensive programme of visits within the Shipshape Mersey Network, focusing on the Leeds-Liverpool canal. In view of the exemplary quality of this application, we have decided to make an exceptional award of £350”. This is the first time the award has been given to a canal boat. In addition to the money to spend on the boat (£100 more than the usual award), Kennet will be able to fly the special pennant. ‘MR LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL’ MIKE CLARKE HONOURED WITH LOCK NAMING CEREMONY Mike Clarke, renowned canal historian, founder and president of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, was honoured during the canal’s bicentenary year with a lock being named after him near Gargrave in North Yorkshire. Bank Newton Lock no 38 has been re-named the Mike Clarke Lock in tribute to his tremendous contribution to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal – a close association which spans nearly five decades. At the event, Mike, 67, also launched a new enlarged edition of his popular book ‘The Leeds & Liverpool Canal, a history’.’ Born in Liverpool, his love affair with England’s longest man-made waterway began in 1972 when he acquired a traditional Leeds & Liverpool boat and spent the next five years living aboard, restoring it to its original condition. Living and breathing canal life, he was also fascinated by the industries associated with the waterway. For many years, he was employed as a restoration engineer, eventually working at the Lancashire Textile Museums in Helmshore which provided a useful technical background for his extensive historical research. His first book on the canal's history was published in 1990. 9
After that, he launched himself as a freelance industrial historian and has never looked back. Over the years he has published a range of books and articles, made several TV appearances, including a programme for Bavarian television, spoken on canals at conferences across Europe and in China, travelled extensively in Eastern Europe. He serves on the committee of Inland Waterways International and in May this year became president of the Railway & Canal Historical Society. In 1997 Mike became the driving force behind the founding of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, with the aim of encouraging better public knowledge and understanding of our waterway heritage. He now serves as its president, having seen the society grow into a flourishing group with more than 170 members. The Canal & River Trust, the charity which cares for 2,000 miles of canals, decided the canal’s 200th anniversary year would be a fitting moment to create a lasting tribute to his achievements by re-naming a lock in his honour. Chantelle Seaborn, North West Waterway Manager for the Trust said: “Mike Clarke is ‘Mr Leeds & Liverpool’. More than anyone else, he has promoted this wonderful waterway to the public. His energy and enthusiasm have inspired hundreds of adults and children over the decades. He has generously shared his time, expertise, knowledge and resources with countless individuals and organisations, including the Trust. “I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to this remarkable man than to leave a permanent reminder of his wonderful contribution on a lock of the canal that has become part of his DNA.” When invited to choose a lock, Mike decided on Bank Newton overlooking the Yorkshire Dales National Park because of its beautiful countryside. He said: “I have visited canals over much of the world and have rarely found anywhere that compares with the awe-inspiring view over the Dales offered by the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Bank Newton in Yorkshire. 10
“To have a lock named after you is a great honour and I very much appreciate the gesture from the Canal & River Trust.” Mike's new book can be purchased directly from him, and details are on his website www.mikeclarke.myzen.co.uk, or at £40 through bookshops, ISBN 0-9519236-8-4. (Taken from a CRT press release, hence the corny headline, Ed)
Blackburn Canal Festival 23-24 July The branch committee want to attend this year with a gazebo offering IWA promotional material and a few other things. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote the waterways and IWA to members of the public who might not know much about canals but will turn up for a local fun event. BUT We cannot do it on our own, we need volunteers to help us make it happen, so can you spare some time to help us at the event? As little or as much as you can, we can guarantee a bit of fun as well as an opportunity to meet fellow IWA members. I am hoping to create a rota if enough people want to help, so if you can help please let me know by Wednesday 29th June at wendy.humphreys@waterways.org.uk telling me when you can help and how long for. Many thanks Wendy Humphreys Other Events to note Holme Festival 10th July The festival in Holme on the Lancaster Canal is a regular event and great fun for everyone. This year IWA will be working with Lancaster Canal Trust to get some water based activities at the festival. This will be provided by a canoe club and IWA will be there to promote the use of the canal and hopefully to find out if a Dinghy Rally is feasible for the future. Balsam Bash 20th August We now have a confirmed date of 20th August when we will be working with the Friends of Haslam Park to Bash the Balsam, so put the date in your diaries and come along. We will be meeting in the car park at Haslam Park, Preston at 10.00am (access is from Blackpool Road). For more information nearer the time keep an eye on the IWA branch website. 11
Lancaster Canal Walks 10th September The Lancaster Canal Trust is arranging two walks to look at the history of the gunpowder workings and to celebrate Heritage Weekend on Saturday 10th September at 10.30am and 2.00pm lasting one and a half to two hours. These will be led by Trust member, John Acres, and will start at the plinth by the canal at Wakefields Wharf (map reference 533836) There is parking in nearby lay-bys or at the Crooklands Hotel – where snacks and meals are available. Please wear suitable footwear as tracks can be muddy. Our boat, Waterwitch, will also be running on that day so both events could be combined – perhaps with a picnic or visit to a local hostelry! Everyone is very welcome to attend. Beryl Bowcott
Bi-centenary plaques
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In the previous edition of TPT Audrey Smith described our scheme to award plaques for navigating the full length of the L&L Canal in a year and for using the Liverpool Link. To mark the bicentenary the Trans Pennine plaque has been modified to incorporate the dates 1816-2016. Thanks to Audrey for organising this. Anyone completing the 127 miles in a year who would like to purchase a plaque should contact Audrey (Audrey@waterways.org.uk phone: 01257 274440),
Display panels To use the opportunities presented by events linked to the bi-centenary the IWA has purchased 3 sets of free standing 2-sided display panels showing the route and historical importance of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. We can use them in future years, not just 2016. Three of the branches associated with the L&L Canal have a set.
The panels in use at the Hippodrome next to the well-stocked raffle table with committee members Les, Janet and Tony. 13
The panels are easy to transport and assemble – once you know how. Assembly totally bamboozled your committee the first time we tried, despite reading the instructions as a last resort.
The money for the panels came from a legacy which also enabled 3 ‘Toblerone’ banners to be purchased (see p 27). These advertise the L&L canal and include the IWA logo. The name comes from the shape of the frame on which they are mounted. 14
Mile posts The above legacy has also been used to sponsor the replacement of 4 L&L mile posts as part of the CRT scheme; one in each branch through which the L&L Canal passes.
Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership
Canal & River Trust, Cumbria County Council, IWA, Kendal Town Council, Lancs County Council, Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancaster City Council and S Lakeland District Council
In the Branch Chairman’s letter in April I reported that a project officer was due to be appointed, the good news is that Helen Moriarty took up the post on 11th April and has already made a good start. Helen will be working 2 days a week and her focus will be on helping the partnership to develop; developing the vision of a tow path trail and engaging with landowners and other stakeholders. We look forward to reporting more good news in the future. Hal Bagot chaired his last meeting in April and the partnership is actively looking to replace him, there are some good suggestions and hopefully I will be able to report on the new chairman in the next Towing Path Topics. The flood damage at Stainton Aqueduct continues to be a concern. There is ongoing “small” scale stabilization work currently, small is a relative term of course, we look forward to more news on full repair and restoration. The Partnership has produced a Vision Statement, see below. Wendy Humphreys (Late news: Audrey Smith has agreed to chair the next 2 meetings. Consultants Coles & Baxter will report on a Kendal to Lancaster towpath access strategy, hopefully by the end of August. Ed) 15
LCRP’s Vision for the Lancaster Canal The LCRP’s vision is to have a fully restored and well maintained navigable canal running from Preston to Kendal. The waterway corridor will provide boating opportunities for our community, a canal that is ecologically rich with plants and wildlife, a historical asset, a quality walking and cycling canal trail, and a well supported fishing resource. It will contribute positively to the health and well-being of our community and to the local economy by providing jobs based on tourism. Vision aims Restore the Northern Reaches of the canal (Tewitfield to Kendal), using where possible the original route. Protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built heritage of the canal. Improve and extend all forms of public access to the canal. Support the sustainable economic and social regeneration of the canal corridor. Educate and interpret the culture and history of the canal and its people. Deliver a multi-use leisure route along the canal. Develop existing links between the canal and walking, cycling and public transport networks. Enhance health, well-being and quality of life in surrounding communities. Hal Bagot Chairman, LCRP
Friends of the Lancaster Canal. The enthusiasm by members for the newly formed canal art class is gratifying, and the class is showing steady promise and improvement. Artist Frank Sanderson, who started the project, said “I am extremely pleased how the whole class is developing, particularly those complete beginners with no experience whatsoever. Their work gets better every session and a good deal of that is due to perseverance with their art work done at home. To see, at such an early stage, how their individual styles are developing is very rewarding”. 16
Celia Briar, one of pupils said- “This class has transformed the world around me. I have started to notice scenes that would make a good composition. Such a friendly group and nice way to learn” Coming from a wide area of Lancashire to the Old School Gallery, at Crooklands, near Kendal, several travel from Lancaster and Morecambe area. Jackie Kenny, who eventually hopes to repaint the faded Roses and Castles on her boat, comes from as far afield as St Helens, Frank Sanderson. Tel. 015395 66967.
Royal Yacht Association (RYA) inspection & update of procedures. Andrew Phasey, of the Cotswold Canal Trust, gave the annual training refresher and update to emergency evacuation and boat safety procedures and instruction to skippers of ‘Waterwitch’ at Preston Patrick memorial Hall 23 & 24 April. 17
All the Lancaster Canal Trust skippers are competent and well trained, and several have blue water experience. This annual inspection keeps them abreast of modern RYA developments and techniques. Andrew came highly recommended by the IWA after the sad death of Wendy Beaument, who had looked after the training inspection for several years. The whole weekend was instructive, interesting and entertaining. Dealing with fire hazards, man overboard, how to look after the passengers safety were covered professionally and with humour. The event was organised by David Joyner, new acting boat operations manager and his first ever event of this nature, and preparation for the event relied on IWA guidelines. Waterwitch has been moved to her berth at Crooklands ready for her first trips, which started on 1st May and run until last weekend in September. Frank Sanderson Navigation news – L&L Wigan flight HELP AVAILABLE From 22 March to the end of September 2016, help on the Wigan Flight will be available for single handed boaters and for those who have limited crew members and / or crew that cannot assist with lock work for health reasons. This help will be available on Tuesday mornings at 8:30am. Please call the North West office on 03030 404040 for more information or to make arrangements. NAVIGATION RESTRICTION Following a successful trial during the 2015 summer season to conserve water in the Wigan area, Canal & River Trust North West will be implementing overnight restrictions in the Wigan central area again this summer. Lock 89 (Ell Meadow Lock) to Lock 87 (Wigan Bottom Lock / Dock Yard Lock) on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and Lock 1 on the Leigh Branch will be padlocked from 8pm to 8am daily. These measures will be in place commencing on Monday 4 April until the end of September 2016. 18
CRT OFFICE MOVE The Canal & River Trust relocated its North West office to Trencherfield Mill from the beginning of March. The canal-side former cotton spinning mill, dates back to 1907 and is Grade II listed. More recently it has been converted to a mix of office space and homes. Waterway manager Chantelle Seaborn comments: “Our lease on the existing office in Wigan had come to an end so we’ve taken the opportunity to look at the office space and facilities needed. Our new office is smaller and cheaper to run but has bags of character. Next to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath, it’s a good location for visitors to pop in and say hello.” The new address is: Trencherfield Mill, Heritage Way, Wigan, WN3 4BN. Other contact details remain the same: Telephone: 0303 040 4040, Email: enquiries.northwest@canalrivertrust.org.uk, Twitter: @CRTNorthWest
Mapping Boating Facilities and Winding Holes I recently attended a Canal and River Trust Liaison meeting with other IWA chairmen from the North West Region. At this meeting the waterways managers drew my attention to a section of the C&RT website about boating facilities and winding holes and asked me to ask members to help keep the C&RT facilities list up to date. On the C&RT website if you search for Mapping Boating Facilities and Winding Holes you will find a relatively simple form which you can use to report any errors or omissions in the C&RT list. Of course an up to date map of facilities is important to boaters and other canal users so please have a look to see if you can make use of this system to help maintain the list. Wendy Humphreys
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CRT Workboats An interesting volunteer proposal - as you may know, Canal & River Trust are proposing a new system of managing their fleet of work boats, which involves a wider national distribution network. Effectively all the workboats will be managed centrally and shared across regions. Thus updating the existing process which bases workboats at specific locations resulting in difficulties maintaining a widely distributed fleet, with many boats left on inappropriate moorings for long periods in between jobs, where they are targets for vandalism etc. IWA has been asked if we could assist by providing a network of volunteers based in the IWA regions that can move the boats from location to location, as needed. We have been consulting with the CRT managers responsible, investigating the terms and conditions associated with such an arrangement and decided that a pilot project will be the most effective way of determining how feasible this plan will be. The volunteers will be able to claim transport expenses and if required daily subsistence allowance. As an example: In 2014 I was involved in moving a CRT workboat from Ellesmere to the Chester festival. This took two volunteers six days in total for the return journey; we used our cars to get to start and end points. If we had claimed mileage expenses for this I estimate that we would have picked up approx ÂŁ40/day per volunteer in expenses. IWA volunteers would be working under CRT T&Cs and insurance and we are expecting CRT to come up with some sort of minimum qualifications and perhaps an assessment prior to acceptance as a CRT helmsman. At the moment the minimum experience for CRT volunteers is - 2 Years regular canal boating (helmsman) experience + RYA Helmsman's Cert + CRT Fire/Water, Save a life course.
We are now looking for 4 volunteers in the IWA North West Region who may have time and be interested in helping CRT to shift their boats around the system. Please note there is no commitment yet, it's still a pilot proposal. Mike Carter, IWA North West Region Chairman. 20
IWA CAMPAIGNS FOR BRIDGEWATER CANAL LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS (Taken from an IWA press release dated 7th June 2016) Boaters using the waterways of the North West of England will know that there has long been a reciprocal agreement in place to allow boats licensed on the Bridgewater Canal to access local CRT waterways, and for CRT licence holders to use the Bridgewater Canal to travel between the Rochdale, Trent & Mersey and Leeds & Liverpool Leigh Branch canals, without any additional charge. The Bridgewater Canal Company (BCC) has recently changed the reciprocal agreement and IWA is concerned that this may affect boaters with CRT licences who wish to use the Bridgewater Canal to access other CRT waters for a short period and then return the same way. IWA North West Region is continuing to lobby on behalf of all boaters and businesses in the area in an effort to mitigate any adverse affects from the changes. Current enforcement activity along the Bridgewater Canal already seems to be discouraging CRT licensed boaters from making the transit from Preston Brook to Leigh and Manchester as they may be charged a £40 supplementary licence fee for the return journey. It is expected that if this trend continues the local businesses along the Bridgewater will suffer as visitor numbers reduce. CRT had recently extended the reciprocal agreement to allow additional time for Bridgewater licensed boats to visit Liverpool, and so it is particularly disappointing that there seems to be no 'reciprocation' from BCC to encourage CRT craft to visit the Bridgewater Canal. Mike Carter, IWA North West Region Chairman, said “IWA is campaigning for a system that allows suitably licensed boats to be able to visit all locations surrounding the Bridgewater Canal, including Manchester, Liverpool, Wigan, Blackburn, Middlewich, Barbridge and Kidsgrove. IWA considers that both CRT and BCC should be encouraging visitors to the area by maintaining a reasonable licensing policy that avoids isolating these locations for both Bridgewater and CRT licensed craft”. 21
TV Opportunity
I work for the television production company Plum Pictures - we make the Channel 4 architecture show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. It is a design and build series that celebrates small scale architecture and has around 2m viewers a week. We’re currently into our sixth series and are looking to hear from anyone embarking on an innovative new build to take part in the show, whether that is a design from scratch or an exciting conversion of an unusual space or floating home. We ask anyone who might be interested to email amazingspaces@plumpictures.co.uk with details of their build, plus a contact number. Alternatively, you can call 020 7184 6796 to hear more or if you have any questions. Holly Mounter
Waterways World magazines need a new home. David Smith wishes to dispose of his collection of Waterways World magazines which includes every issue produced since the magazine was started in the Spring of 1972. All are in pristine condition and provide a real insight into what has happened on our inland waterways during the last 44 years. Available as a complete collection or by the calendar year and must be collected. Donation[s] accepted which will be passed on to the WRG van appeal. For further information contact Audrey Smith E-mail: audrey@waterways.org.uk or phone: 01257 274440
WRG Van Appeal The WRG vans appeal has exceeded £100,000 and is well on its way to the target for 4 new vans. To donate towards the last £20,000 go to WWW.wrg.org.uk/wrgvanappeal or write to WRG Van Appeal, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA 22
Branch Social Meetings On 28th January we were at Preston where we had a talk by Matt Taylor from Canal and River Trust. Matt’s talk was on the work of C&RT volunteers but he also spoke at length about the work of C&RT. Those of us who attended learnt a lot and were hugely entertained by Matt’s talk and delivery. We could have talked and asked questions for several hours but we had to finish by 10pm! On 25th February we had our AGM which was held at Colne, our last meeting there. After the business of the AGM Alan Platt, our former Region Chair gave a very informative talk on the Montgomery Canal. On 31st March we were back in Preston for our last meeting there. Our speaker was Audrey Smith OBE, Audrey is well known to us and her talk was about 50 years on the cut. Audrey brought along her plaque boards which held many plaques from her and her family’s years of boating. Audrey gave many fascinating insights into how things had changed in boating and linked her memories to the development of the IWA and her role in it. Wednesday April 27th saw a change of day and a different venue – the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre in Colne which is worth a visit in itself. We had a joint meeting with the L&L Canal Society; their president Mike Clarke gave a talk on the history of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, one of a series that he is giving to mark the bi-centenary. It’s 250 years since the canal was first promoted so there was plenty of history to relate, some of the most interesting was about the original routes that were proposed and the reasons for the line that was eventually built. The talk was well received by the 50+ people present and the generous gifts of raffle prizes were appreciated. Thanks also to Foulridge Canal Cruisers for their help with the venue costs.
See pages 27 & 28 for details of the new venue and next year’s programme
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Do not Walk on the Water – Part Three John Hewerdine In the September edition of Towing Path Topics, I spoke of the decision of Dot and I to retire to a property on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and the boat which was fitted out near the Barton Aqueduct in Patricroft, near Manchester. This was the beginning of our boat ownership “learning curve”. Prior to that, we had only occasionally hired a boat so there was lots to learn. We were aware of some of the pitfalls of having a boat fitted out and the need for a sound contract. This seemed to be taken care of in the agreement which we signed and Triton Boat Fitters had been in business for a good many years. We were however in for a surprise. Warning signs appeared shortly before the boat was due to take to the water. We were told that orders were flagging and that the only way we could expect delivery on time was to pay for it to be lifted and transported to the nearby canal. Paying for a crane to do the lifting and a truck to take it half a mile, to a suitable place for lifting onto the water, seemed our only option (see photo). We wondered if this was just a ploy for the builder to get his final payment before the agreed 14 days trial period on the water. In retrospect it was just the right thing for us to have done. Within a couple of weeks, the receivers were moving in on the few assets which remained of Triton Boats in Eccles and, based on what has happened to other people in that situation, the contract we had with them may well have been of little value. We lost a lot of our purchasing rights but at least we had our “Scallywag”! Our beloved French stove, which was featured last time, had been installed but without much care about its positioning. This was something I happily rectified recently, after having made-up a more sophisticated section of flue-pipe. There were several things wrong with our “end of the line” narrowboat. Clearly, the purchasing power of the company had declined to a point where cost savings had resulted in lots of items being under specification. 24
Because of the urgency of the situation, we had not been able to check things like the capacity of the invertor or the provision of a second alternator for keeping the deep cycle batteries well topped up. Also, the weed hatch cover did not fit properly and would not always go down squarely. A mis-aligned baffle plate would sometimes foul the bottom of its housing, causing massive water ingress under power. On one of our first Ribble crossings, I had done what all good boaters do before setting off on tidal water and checked the prop for any fouling. Later in the day, sea water was to enter the engine compartment and literally fill it to the level of the air-intake. Needless to say, this stopped the engine and we had to receive assistance from another boat to avoid being taken out to sea by the tide. Long-term damage was to result from the corrosive effect of the salt water on many electrical and mechanical components in the engine bay. In hindsight, I should have pressure washed the whole compartment after pumping out the salt water. Three weeks later the starter motor failed. On inspection, the brushes were welded into their holders with corrosion. A couple of months later the alternator had to be replaced.
(More of the exploits of “Scallywag� in future editions of TPT Ed)
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L&C Branch Committee 2016 Chairman
26
Wendy Humphreys Darwen
07763 561572 01254 703553
Vice Chairman
Tony Dunning Egremont
07730 113894 01946 820875
Secretary
Les Fragle Thistleton, Preston
07946 702274 01995 672230
Treasurer
David Faulkner Blackburn
07912 249265 01254 249265
Membership Secretary
Les Fragle Thistleton, Preston
07946 702274 01995 672230
Environment and Planning
Shared by Secretary and Chairman
Publicity
Audrey Smith
Sales
Vacant
Social Secretary
See Chairman
Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership
See Chairman
Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Audrey Smith Wheelton
01257 274440
Lancaster Canal Trust
Helen Thomas Carnforth
01524 735504
Region Chairman (ex officio)
Mike Carter
Wild over Water
Janet Dunning Egremont
01946 820875
Web Master
Janet Dunning
01946 820875
Editor – Towing Path Topics
See Treasurer
Without portfolio
Alan Davies
01257 274440
NB
Email addresses are firstname.surname@waterways.org.uk We no longer publish addresses. If you want to write to us please use the editor’s address (p 2).
New Venue for branch meetings We have a new venue for our branch meetings. Our branch covers a large area so it is not easy to find somewhere that is convenient for most members. Splitting meetings between Colne and Preston didn’t really work so we have chosen to meet at: St Chads Parish Centre, 235 Town Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley PR6 8AJ. It is behind the former Red Cat pub, .easily accessible from Junction 8 of the M61 (take the first left turn for Wheelton off the A674); junction 3 of the M65 (take 2nd right turn for Wheelton off the A674) or take Town Lane from Whittle le Woods (From A6 turn onto Shaw Brow or School Brow, a few yards along Chorley Old Road turn right onto Town Lane, St Chads is about a mile). (My satnav found it without problem, Ed) There is ample parking in the car park. It is a lot more convivial than our recent venues. There is a bar so we will no longer be providing our own tea, coffee and biscuits. We will continue to hold a raffle to help to cover our expenses, donations of prizes are always very welcome. See page 14 the new banners are not just for the frame. This was at Burscough Festival 27
Branch social programme 2016/17 Meetings start at 7.30pm, refreshments and chat from 7.00. Date Thurs 29 Sept 2016
Speaker Mike Carter NW Region Chair
Subject Time & Tide – The River Mersey Link
Thurs 27 Oct
Richard Trevitt Lancaster canal – an Lancaster Canal Trust update
Thurs 24 Nov
Ian Edgar Chairman Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust
Thurs 26 Jan 2017
Bob Pointing The work of the Chair of the Northwest Northwest Partnership Partnership
Thurs 23 Feb
Branch AGM
Followed by Mike Carter talking about what’s happening in the IWA
Thurs 30 March
Paul Hindle Chair of Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal
History & Restoration of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal
Thursday 27 April
Mike Clarke President of Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society
A review of 2016, the L&L bi-centenary year
The restoration of Bugsworth Basin and where do we go now?
We are hoping to organise a social event at Christmas, watch this space. 28