WOLDS WATERS January 2020 The newsletter of IWA East Yorkshire Branch including news from IWA West Riding Branch, IWA North Riding Branch and IWA South Yorkshire & Dukeries
Kingston Kayak Club at Brigham, Driffield Navigation
waterways.org.uk/east_yorkshire/east_yorkshire
CONTENTS Chairman’s Column
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Time to Spare and Energy to Share?
p.4
Obituary – Michael John Cadoux
p.4
Two popular events on our local waterways
p.5
IWA West Riding Branch AGM Announcement
p.7
News from IWA North Riding Branch regarding Castle Mills Lock News from the Driffield Navigation
p.8 p.11
Beverley Beck and River Hull News
p.14
News from the Pocklington Canal
p.18
A River Full of Stories
p.21
IWA East Yorkshire Branch Committee
p.22
IWA East Yorkshire Branch Meeting Dates
p.24
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PG/IWAEASTYORKSHIRE Why not keep up to date with what’s going on across the waterways in our area by taking a look at our Facebook pages. Even if you don’t want to write anything or post a single photo you can still take a look. Information can also be found on the branch section of IWA’s website: waterways.org.uk/east_yorkshire/east_yorkshire 2
CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN INCLUDING IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ALL NORTH EAST & YORKSHIRE REGION BRANCHES
IWA’s North East and Yorkshire Region consists of four branches: IWA West Riding, IWA South Yorkshire & Dukeries, IWA North Riding and IWA East Yorkshire. Welcome to all IWA members from these branches to WOLDS WATERS – the newsletter for IWA East Yorkshire Branch. There have been many changes in the region over recent months and as volunteers have moved on, some branches are no longer able to produce a magazine. We would be very happy to continue to send you WOLDS WATERS in future, simply get in touch with IWA’s membership team and let them know that you would like to change your branch on file to East Yorkshire. Your nominated branch can be anywhere in the country. This might be particularly relevant if you live in one area but have a boat or family in another. If you wish to change to another branch please contact IWA’s membership team (membership@waterways.org.uk or telephone 01494 783453). You can see all the other IWA branches, and read their newsletters online at www.waterways.org.uk/local. We plan to continue to publish items of interest, events, activities or any articles from across the region in WOLDS WATERS so please do send all news through to our editor Alistair Anderson alistair.anderson@waterways.org.uk I do hope you will enjoy this issue of WOLDS WATERS. Roger Bromley Chairman
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TIME TO SPARE AND ENERGY TO SHARE? We are always looking for new volunteers to get involved across IWA East Yorkshire Branch and if you have any time to spare we would be excited to hear from you – please email me roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk The Region nominates a member to serve on IWA’s national Navigation Committee. If you would like to join this national committee to represent the waterways of the North East and Yorkshire, then please contact Neil Edwards, IWA chief executive neil@waterways.org.uk. If you would like to support the local region’s waterways, either by joining one of the existing branch committees, or revitalising a dormant branch then please do contact Nicola Kiely, IWA’s Volunteers Support Officer nicola.kiely@waterways.org.uk OBITUARY MICHAEL JOHN CADOUX 24th January 1947 – 27th February 2019 We are very sorry to report the death on the 27th February 2019 of Michael Cadoux, IWA North Riding Branch Chairman. Michael’s wake in York on the 12th March, was a well-attended affair and a measure of the regard his friends and family held him in. To see an update on Castle Mills Lock read p.8
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TWO POPULAR EVENTS ON OUR LOCAL WATERWAYS A busy time in September for the Branch; two weekends separated by only two weeks but what a contrast in the weather! PCAS 50th Anniversary In mid-September, Pocklington Canal Amenity Society marked the 50th Anniversary of the Society by holding a highly successful 3 day Boat Rally & Barbeque at Melbourne from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th. The event was fortunate to enjoy good weather with pleasant sunshine and little wind, and attracted 12 visiting boats to Melbourne Arm, adding colour and vibrancy to the moorings, with plenty for the many visitors to enjoy over the weekend. In addition to the varied trade stands and a popular bar and refreshment stall, there was a welcome return visit by the dancers from the South Pennine Boat Club, who entertained the visitors with their “Handspike Dance�, and the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society were kept busy with frequent trips along the canal using the trip boat New Horizons. On Saturday evening the day was rounded off with a barbeque which was also well attended by the visiting boat crews and I understand that the bar was so popular that it very nearly ran out of beer! IWA East Yorkshire Branch was there for both Saturday and Sunday, with the gazebo and welcomed a steady stream of visitors on both days and we even managed to sell a record number of Christmas cards and Calendars.
I think it is fair to say that everyone thought that this was an extremely pleasant weekend and I think PCAS are to be congratulated in using 5
their anniversary to keep the profile of the Pocklington Canal well to the fore. WORLD BARGE PULLING CHAMPIONSHIPS In contrast, on September 29th, Beverley Barge Preservation Society – BBPS – held their 5th annual World Barge Pulling Championships, sponsored by Teamac. Unfortunately, this event was not blessed by decent weather. In fact, I think it is fair to say that the weather started by looking threatening, descended into heavy rain showers by lunchtime, and by the end of the day heavy and persistent rain was well established. Last years event had to be cancelled because of bad weather and there were concerns that this might have been repeated this year, but a decision was made to go ahead with fingers crossed. The weather did seem to affect the numbers of the general public who came along to cheer the efforts of the 10 teams who took part – I think a record number this year - but despite the conditions, the event generated lots of enthusiasm from those who braved the elements. Despite a gusty crosswind, the teams managed to put in respectable times. The winners were a team from East Yorkshire Brewery in the time of 5min 12 secs and no doubt they were fortified by their own handiwork, and at least this will have kept out the effects of the cold and damp! As in previous years, the Branch supported the event with the Gazebo and a range of souvenirs and waterway literature, although it has to be said that numbers of visitors to the stand were low compared to previous years, and by the end of the afternoon we were starting to grow web feet. Let’s hope for better weather in 2020 when the next World Barge Pulling Championships will take place. There is talk that it may be held a little earlier but the actual date will be announced in due course. Well done to the organisers in staging this event despite the odds and we can only hope that they have now dried out! Howard Anguish
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IWA WEST RIDING BRANCH AGM ANNOUNCEMENT AGENDA The Annual General Meeting of the West Riding Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will take place on Friday 13 March 2020 at the South Pennine Boat Club, Wood Lane, Mirfield WF14 0ED. The evening will begin at 7.30 pm with a talk, for which we have not yet sorted out a speaker, followed by the branch AGM. Latest details to be found on the Events Calendar on the IWA website. People are welcome to arrive from 7.00 pm onwards. The meeting will finish at 9.30 pm.
Agenda Apologies for absence Approval of minutes of the 2019 AGM. Matters arising not covered in reports Secretary’s report Treasurer’s report Election of Committee members - Nominations for the Branch Committee may be made at the meeting or beforehand by e-mail to the Secretary at westriding@waterways.org.uk
Ian Moore, Secretary
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NEWS FROM IWA NORTH RIDING BRANCH REGARDING CASTLE MILLS LOCK Michael Cadoux remained the contact for anyone wanting to take a boat through Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss in York until he died last year. The Navigation Authority for the River is City of York Council (CYC) and there has been an understanding for about 12 years between CYC and IWA North Riding Branch that trained IWA volunteers can operate the Lock. The River Foss Society is keen that this facility should remain available. Two meetings have been held involving IWA members, a CYC engineer responsible for the River Foss and River Foss Society members. IWA has organised a new email address (castle.mills@waterways.org.uk) and telephone number (01494 932731) for anyone requesting to take a boat through the Lock (and thus see York from a different aspect). IWA will then contact a local IWA organiser to liaise with the boat and the trained volunteers to fix a mutually convenient date and time. There are no overnight moorings above the Lock and any boat would be expected to return through the Lock within 2 hours. What Next?  
CYC will retrain existing and train new lock keeping volunteers. At least one (and preferably three) local IWA organisers.
Could you be? If you are interested in being an organiser or a trained lock keeping volunteer (or in taking a boat through the Lock in 2020), please initially contact Peter Hopwood - peter147haxby@gmail.com
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Peter Hopwood of the River Foss Society has provided several photos that may be of interest.
Castle Mills Lock under normal conditions and after flooding in December 2015
River Foss
RFS litter pick in October 2019
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Older photos of the River Foss
Heads down please Syntan passing under Blue Bridge, the junction with the River Ouse, on 22 July 2010 when there was the CYC organised Festival of Rivers in York which only lasted a few years.
Above left: Syntan turning at Wormalds Cut (to the right) on 14 July 2010. Above right: BBPS’s Mermaid coming in to the landing stage behind the Telephone Exchange in York on 12 July 2012. Wormalds Cut is immediately behind “Mermaid”, upstream River Foss is behind the tree on the left. Rowntree Wharf now has offices and flats but the original part of Leethams Mill is in between.
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NEWS FROM THE DRIFFIELD NAVIGATION Brigham Sailing Club - surviving the Weed -the Birth of Canoe racing from Brigham 2019. Some history, Brigham Sailing Club – founded in 1928 by an amalgamation of two existing clubs the Driffield and Hull Bridge sailing clubs – yes sailing and racing took place at both ends of our river in the 1930s. Photographs published in the Humber Yawl club year book for 1898 show pleasure sailing taking place even earlier. Sailing house boats travelled from the Humber estuary along the River Hull as far as Brigham no mean feat for what would have been gentleman sailors. One member in particular Thomas Holtby a relative of the writer Winifred Holtby latter became a founding father of the Brigham Sailing Club. The traditional boats sailed at Brigham have been a Brigham Scow based on a Lark scow which dates from the 19th Century another has been the sharpie based on a Yawl and Norfolk punt. Boats are gaff rigged with a balanced lug sail broad beamed and flat bottomed. However a dearth of willing sailors and more importantly a chronic weed problem which the Environment Agency seem unable to solve has meant sailing this year has been minimal only three smaller craft have sailed this year. In October the Kingston Kayak Club a thriving club with over 100 members arranged with Brigham Sailing Club to run an event from Brigham. Apparently Brigham Beck within its long strait section is an ideal environment for canoe races despite the weed growth. Kingston Kayak Club which has gained the Club of the Year award in 2010in recognition of its excellent training and other membership and events wanted a venue to stage an annual canoe competition open to all canoe club members nationwide. 11
The event known as the Wolfreton Marathon took place on a day of torrential rain yet still attracted over 70 competitors from clubs as far away as Essex and Norfolk, competitors ages ranged from 8 to 70 all of whom enjoyed the event despite the weather. Over 30 cars and 100 competitors and spectators gathered at Brigham to watch the races take place. Race lengths included three four and eight miles plus a nine mile relay, Canoeists made use of the Navigation waterway from Brigham to Hempholme, not surprisingly given the weather no other river users were encountered. We would like to thank representatives of the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association who provided much appreciated refreshments to those in need at the event. It is the intention of both Brigham Sailing club and Kingston Kayak Club to explore other opportunities to enable canoeing competitions to become regular events on our River. The various photographs, including one on the cover of this magazine, show participants enjoying the event. Alex Gymer
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BEVERLEY BECK AND RIVER HULL NEWS World Barge Pulling Championship 2019 – Results The 2019 World Barge Pulling Championship took place at the end of September on Beverley Beck. The weather for the day was better than forecast and a record number of 10 teams took place. With the exception of the all-female team from the BBC who needed an early slot and went first the remaining teams followed the defending Champions the Teamac Tempests. This ensured an exciting event as a real marker to beat was laid down by the Champions despite some problems on “steering” the barge Syntan. Ultimately the winning team came from the East Yorkshire Brewery with a new World record Time
An unsteady start to a pull from the BBC Team
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Winter Maintenance The Vessels of Beverley Barge Preservation Society have now started their winter maintenance regime with some improvements also planned. Work has already started on the exterior of Syntan, but almost as soon as the paint had been prepared the rain started to fall with scarcely there being a day when painting was possible. Some works have, however, already been completed to the interior, and it is hoped to dry dock Syntan before the start of the season next year. Sun has also had some preparatory work done this season , and she will be dry-docked in the New Year to have a full survey carried out to satisfy our insurers. In addition discussion is underway to see if we can devise a safe and simple means for passengers to access the front deck. Mermaid is likely to be the vessel receiving most work. Checks to engine, gearbox and propeller shaft will be undertaken, the engine cubby will be repainted internally, and rewiring works will be completed. Full lists of all outstanding works can be seen on Syntan, with working days normally being Tuesday and Friday morning. So if you would relish doing practical tasks or wielding a paint brush the crew at BBPS would be delighted to see you. High Water Levels It may only be the start of the winter, but even before the end of October there were issues about high water levels on the River Hull. had reared. A late arranged open trip on Sun (due to public demand) had to be cancelled because the flood barrier across the lock had been inserted. This raised the issue that not only is there no system of notification to mariners, but nor is there any phone contact number for the Environment Agency, who are responsible for the barrier, to be contacted. Contact with the national Call Centre for the EA disclosed the information that there are no customer facing numbers at a Regional level and contact only be made by e-mail.
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Dialogue has now started to try to ensure that there is a greater understanding of the use of the Barrier and how information can be disseminated The River Hull continued to rise until levels were at, or close to, record levels with extensive flooding in the highest parts of the River around North Frodingham and Wilfholme landing. Although a normal tidal cycle appeared to operate on the River below Beverley Shipyard waters remained very high and at a static level at Hull Bridge, Tickton. These very slowly started to fall in early December, but the River remained on its flood-banks for some time.
The car park by Beverley Lock flooded with a very unclear River edge Plans for 2020 If there are to be events involving the Society planning has to start as soon as the last events for the current year. Possible events for the coming year include celebrating Sun’s 60th birthday, attending the Hull Folk and Maritime Festival in the Marina, and participating in the Heritage Open Days alongside assorted trips on the River Hull. There is 16
ongoing discussion about whether the World Barge Pulling Championship will be brought forward in the year and the day changed to Saturday. Events this year have also shown a real interest in short trips on the Beck on Mermaid and publicity for these on a regular basis is envisaged. More information about events in 2020 will be available in the New Year.
Sun heading up the River Hull Iain Campbell
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NEWS FROM THE POCKLINGTON CANAL The year 2019 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society and there have been a number of events to celebrate our half centenary. In May we had a dinner at the Oaks Golf Club, and there was an open day at Melbourne. In July, there was an Antiques Evening hosted by Caroline Hawley, which was a great success. In mid-September, PCAS held a successful boat rally (see photos) and our customary November lunch was once again held at the Oaks Golf Course.
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All these events raise money, and currently the proceeds are being put towards the Sandhill Lock Appeal. Started only a year ago, nearly £100,000 has been raised towards the original target of £150,000. The target is now £200,000, because additional costs are likely to be encountered beyond those originally envisaged. However, we are still on target for reaching our goal. We have sufficient funds for the work to begin, and are confident that the balance of the funds will be raised well in time to complete the restoration of Sandhill Lock on schedule. The works at Sandhill Lock will include the creation of a temporary bywash to enable the flow of water in the canal to be diverted around the lock. Once that is installed, cofferdams will be positioned above and below the lock, so that the lock can be pumped dry. Demolition of defective brickwork will follow, and the debris will be cleared from the chamber before rebuilding starts. Volunteers will undertake most of this work, which is expected to take about three years. The final stage will be the fitting of lock gates and the removal of the cofferdams. Our tripboat, New Horizons, has had another successful year, carrying around 2,000 passengers, and making a significant contribution to society funds. Our Information Centre at Canal Head has also been open on some weekends, and this provides a good opportunity to explain the society’s activities and ambitions to the general public. The work parties organised by the society form another important activity. In recent months our volunteers have maintained the towpath and removed weed from the canal using our specialist weed cutting boat, Sheila Nix. They have also helped to restore No 7 Swingbridge, to look like the original installed when the canal was built. See p.20 The future looks bright for the restoration of the Pocklington Canal. With two miles and two locks reopened in 2018, and the prospect of a further mile and another lock reopening soon, we can be pleased with the progress currently being made. Sandhill Lock will be a major task, but when this is completed, there will be just three locks needing attention. It is beginning to feel that the end is in sight. Paul Waddington 19
END OF LOTTERY-FUNDED PROGRAMME ON THE POCKLINGTON CANAL There has been a great deal of activity on the canal in the past two or three years. Work to improve wildlife habitats included a considerable amount of dredging. Dredging was needed to make two miles of canal navigable, so PCAS funds have been saved. New interpretation signs have been erected and a wide range of events and activities held for both children and adults. The final practical task was the replacement of the superstructure of No.7 Swingbridge has been replaced to make it look like it did in the delightful photo below, dating from 1909. The work was done by contractors in August 2018, as part of the Canal & River Trust's Lottery-funded project and this old photo appears on a sign near the bridge. The photo appears on an old postcard that was in the collection of Sheila Nix MBE, who was Secretary of PCAS for many years. At the same time as the bridge was modified the brickwork was rebuilt to reduce the risk of trapping injury at this well used bridge. This work was done by PCAS volunteers and provides another feature of interest on the canal, like the replica wheel-operated paddle gear installed at restored locks. Alistair Anderson 20
A RIVER FULL OF STORIES On 22 September 2017, all thirteen bridges on the River Hull were raised, swung or closed simultaneously, allowing boats to pass. A film was produced soon after the event.
Credit: openbridgeshull.com This historical event was well attended and is commemorated in “A River Full of Stories�, a large and well illustrated hardback book published in September 2019. The editors Rich & Lou Duffy have collected memories and photographs relating to the river. The book can be found in all Hull & East Riding libraries and other copies have gone to those who contributed to its content. The editors hope to raise funding to produce a softback version for sale to the public. Alistair Anderson 21
IWA EAST YORKSHIRE BRANCH COMMITTEE Chairman, Membership Secretary, Events & Social Secretary Roger Bromley 01482 845099 roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk Deputy Chairman and Planning Officer Iain Campbell 01482 871282 iain.campbell@waterways.org.uk Secretary Chris Stones 01482 875894 chris.stones@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Jack Wootton 07840 984840 Wolds Waters (newsletter) Editor and Website Coordinator Alistair Anderson 01482 801825 alistair.anderson@waterways.org.uk Howard Anguish 01482 668876 howard.anguish@waterways.org.uk Alex Gymer alexgymer@gmail.com David Hamilton 01262 420271 Barry Robins 01482 658254 Paul Waddington 01757 638027
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BRANCH CHRISTMAS MEAL
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IWA EAST YORKSHIRE BRANCH SOCIAL MEETINGS Methodist Church Hall, Hallgate, Cottingham HU16 4BD Meetings start at 8pm and end no later than 10pm Entry £2 including refreshments Please enter via the front doors of the church Friday 17 January Canals.
Paul Waddington – talk about Underground
Friday 21 February
500 miles with a few diversion – A presentation about a waterway journey by Iain Campbell
Friday 20 March
IWA Branch AGM followed by a talk on the Pocklington Canal by Malcolm Slater
Friday 17 April
To be announced
Any changes will be shown online at: www.waterways.org.uk/east_yorkshire/events For further information about events, please contact Roger Bromley 01482 845099 roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk
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