Worcester Bar
Edition No: 2 May 2013
The Newsletter of the Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch, Inland Waterways Association
At The Helm
Contents Branch Activities 2 Volunteers Help Clean up the Stourbridge
Welcome to the second edition of “Worcester Bar”. After our first committee meeting since our AGM in March, the following changes have been agreed: I have taken over as chairman from David Pearson, who will continue to support the branch as a committee member, and positions of vice-chairmen have been accepted by John Taplin and Michael Payne. Other officers and members of the committee have agreed to continue as before. For further detail, please see the back page.
Canal 2 Solution to Edition 1
I would like to thank Dave Pearson for all the hard work which he put into his time as chairman. The branch is in a stronger, more influential position because of it.
Crossword 3
We intend to continue to ensure that good working relationships are maintained with other branches, local canal organisations and officers and staff of C&RT.
River Severn – Holt Lock 3 Boat Rallies and Other Events, 2013
3
New Members
4
Forthcoming Meetings in 2013
4
Working Parties 4
If the waterways network within the Birmingham, Black Country and Worcestershire Branch is to be maintained and developed, there is as always, much to do. In a time of continuing austerity, we have to maximise the input from volunteer groups and individuals to ensure that messages relating to the situation “on the ground” (and that includes water), are passed to those in a position to organise and fund the necessary remedial action. You may already be aware of the threat to the Lapal Canal (Dudley No. 2 Canal) restoration as a result of the planning application in Selly Oak being superceded. This included restoration of the stretch of Dudley No.2 Canal across Battery Park, from a re-established junction with Worcester & Birmingham Canal to the edge of Selly Oak Park and would have used the Harborne Lane bridge, recently re-developed by Birmingham Council at considerable cost. We were therefore very disappointed to learn that this approved plan had been modified by the developers to exclude the canal and we are currently involved in intensive lobbying to try to reinstate the proposal. Dredging and lock maintenance continue to be the subject of much effort as do routine planning matters where proposed developments impact upon the canal environs. I am also sure that other opportunities for our concern will arise in the coming year. As chairman, I look forward to seeing you at our social events and working parties. David Struckett
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Branch Activities
Boats Return to the Lapal Canal Anyone walking the path along the northern edge of Selly Oak Park in Birmingham on Saturday 3rd January would have seen an unusual sight – boats on the Lapal Canal, being in water following recent rain. The boating expedition turned into a work party. Loppers and a bow saw were utilised to clear many of the overhanging branches. One of the volunteers was Peter Fisher, of the Lapal Canal Trust, who appreciated the additional help continuing the vegetation clearance that he has been carrying out recently. IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch is keen to support the Lapal Canal Trust at the current time, while proposals for a supermarket development just the other side of the main road will affect the line of the Lapal Canal between Selly Oak Park and where it would join the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. The latest plans no longer show any reinstatement of the Lapal Canal, which has resulted in considerable lobbying of Birmingham City Council by IWA BBC&W Branch and other interested parties. Text & photo by Alison Smedley IWA Branch Campaign Officer Combeswood Dredging
Work has continued well, in spite of the wintry weather conditions. These photos were taken on January 15, showing the reformed bank and the dredger that was making light of the heavy work. Dave Pearson.
Volunteers Help Clean up the Stourbridge Canal IWA Birmingham Black Country & Worcestershire Branch and Waterway Recovery Group supported by the BCN Society, Coombeswood Canal Trust, Dudley Canal Trust and the Canal & River Trust held a successful clean-up weekend on the Stourbridge Canal (13th/14th April). The local Army Cadet Force supported the event and the weather was reasonable for most of the weekend, with only a few showers or rain. Volunteers cleared nearly 4 miles of canal – from the bottom of Delph Locks, all including the 16 the Sunday Approximately 50 tonnes of rubbish was volunteers found some interesting items in store trolley, tyres of all sorts and sizes, car bikes and shopping trolleys. Dave Pearson
the way to the top of Stourbridge Locks, the Fens Branch, on the Saturday and Locks at Stourbridge were cleared on along with the Stourbridge Town Arm. removed from the canal. This year the canal including a safe, a huge DIY seats, fence panels and of course a few
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Solution to Edition 1 Crossword S T A L O B E S A R E Z E N E A T L S T A W O L E R A A S R E R O
F F E T O A G R H A I D V E
S U R
B R P I R E A
Y W O V R H A R M E T H W O O O B I N E
W O K O R A T W E O D
R C S A C T O I N T O C S H O B B O M P T O N E N I C K E I S T V A N S
email addresses
Distribution of this Newsletter in hard copy format costs several hundred pounds per year. This money would otherwise be spent on direct activities associated with the IWA core functions. T To minimise administration costs, the Branch will distribute “Worcester Bar” by email. If you received this edition via Royal Mail, would you please take a moment to ensure that the IWA is aware of your up-to-date email address by contacting either Tracy Higgin at membership@waterways.org.uk or Michael Smith-Keary at sk63@btinternet.com as soon as possible. Your support is greatly appreciated.
River Severn – Holt Lock
In January, essential maintenance work was carried out in Holt Fleet, Worcestershire, as what are thought to be among the largest lock gates in the country were reinstalled following repair. At nine-tonnes these gates are significantly larger than the majority of lock gates on the inland waterways. Most locks found on canals require smaller gates than river locks, typically weighing around three tonnes. The two refurbished oak gates were stripped and re-planked to ensure they continue to operate safely and effectively. Specialist divers helped guide the gates as they were craned into place.
Boat Rallies and Other Events, 2013 Coombeswod Canal Trust Open Weekend 18 - 19 May 2013, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Visit Hawne Basin and learn about the work of the Coombeswood Canal Trust with this free event which provides an opportunity to visit Hawne Basin and learn more about the work of the Trust in promoting the use, improvement and retention of the Dudley No 2 Canal. A Real ale bar and refreshments will be available as well as craft stalls, Waterways Society displays, various activities and games and a trip boat running up to and in to Gosty Hill Tunnel. BCN Challenge 25 - 26 May 2013, 12:00 am - 2:00 pm. Navigate the lesser-known waterways and test your knowledge with a quiz to amass more points. All boat entries will receive a commemorative plaque and the winning boat crew will also receive a shield. Prizes will be presented during the Pelsall Canal Festival on the 15 June.
BCN Explorer Cruise A, June 7 -14. Meet at Merry Hill on the evening of Friday June 7, and explore the BCN in company. A great fun cruise, particularly designed to explore the lesser known parts of the BCN, finishing at Pelsall in time to join in the Pelsall Rally. (A separate entry form is needed for the rally). BCN Explorer Cruise B, June 17-24 Starting at Wolverhampton, finishing at Titford Pump House. The route differs from the first cruise, but the aim is the same - to explore the lesser known reaches of the BCN, and have a good time. Pelsall Canal Festival, 15-16 June, For more information on the above three events see the BCN Society website. IWA National Cassiobury Park on the Grand Union Canal in Watford over the weekend of 19th to 21st July. Further information from IWA website.
New Members
Forthcoming Meetings in 2013
Ms D Harrison & Mr T Bailey, Hockley, Birmingham Mr D & Mrs A Willcocks, Faversham Mr C & Mrs Y Tomline, Alvechurch, Birmingham Mr T Barrett, Great Barr, Birmingham Mr B & Ms S Fleming, Birmingham Mr B F Teutenberg & Ms S L Walsh, Droitwich Mrs R & Mr B Watts, Great Barr
IWA Meetings are held at Coombeswood Canal Trust, Hawne Basin, Herewood Rise, Halesowen, B62 8AW
Welcome to the IWA Birmingham Black Country & Worcester Branch. We look forward to meeting you at our social evenings or on our working parties. If you would like to help please contact any committee member to discuss. Bob Fox Editor
Unwanted Canal Books & Maps?
If you have any publications relating to our canals which are in reasonable or better condition and you no longer want, would you kindly donate them to us so that they may be used for branch fund-raising activities. All offerings appreciated.
May 20th “Water Management” Adam Comerford, Group Hydrology Manager, Canal and River Trust.
Meetings start at 7.15 for 7.30. Non–members are very welcome.
Working Parties
The successful clearance of the Stourbridge Canal on 13-14 April completes the local Working Party programme for the Spring. Saturday 8th June—Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society supported by IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch—Monthly work party at Tardebigge Lime Kilns. 10am to 3pm. Meet at CaRT depot at Tardebigge, Worcester & Birmingham Canal (New Wharf, Alcester Road, Tardebigge, Bromsgrove, B60 1NF). Further information from Bill Lambert w.lambert@ntlworld.com More working parties will be arranged for the Autumn. In the meantime, volunteers are still welcomed for the IWA National Festival which runs from 19-21 July at Cassiobury Park Watford.
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BBC&W Branch Officers & Committee: Chair: David Struckett dstruckett@aol.com Michael Payne Vice Chairman Planning Officer (Birmingham) michael@payne.name John Taplin Vice Chairman, Planning Officer (Worcs) johnwtaplin@btinternet.com Secretary: Becky Smith-Keary rsk63@yahoo.co.uk Treasurer: Chris Neal cptjneal@yahoo.co.uk Members: Freddie Cooke Planning Officer (Walsall, Wolverhampton & South Staffs) freddiecooke@googlemail.com Dave Pearson daveapearson@talktalk.net Bob Fox Planning Officer (Sandwell & Dudley), Newsletter Editor bob@bobfox.demon.co.uk Michael Smith-Keary Membership Secretary: sk63@btinternet.com Chris Osborn Meetings organiser jcosborn@btinternet.com John Butler j4hnb@yahoo.com
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Views expressed in Worcester Bar are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch or the Inland Waterways Association. No responsibility can be accepted for errors or omissions. The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no, 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342