Winding Ways 61

Winding Ways

Issue 61 February 2012

A Newsletter from the Leicester Branch

YOUR BRANCH NEEDS YOU! ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday 9th February Formal notification of the forthcoming Branch AGM was made in the November edition of our Regional magazine Aegre, but this issue of Winding Ways is specifically timed to encourage you to attend that meeting!

The Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity to see and hear what make the Branch „tick‟, to put faces to names, to voice your displeasure or otherwise regarding Branch activities and to hear a review of the year past and perhaps a preview of the one to come. Above all, the AGM gives you the chance to have a say in who represents you on Committee and, hopefully, to offer yourself for election.

New Committee Members Needed!

With a couple of exceptions members of our Branch Committee are, shall we say, „Seniors‟! Between them they may have a wealth of experience, but has it wearied them? Having retired, they should have time on their hands, but they too have other interests and everything takes a little longer! They may still have a vision for the future, but have they the energy to fight for it?

They still have enthusiasm for the

Waterways Cause, but does the fire remain in their collective belly? There is no doubt that our Branch would benefit from an influx of „new blood‟.

Some fresh thinking, new enthusiasm and energy, even a grasp of modern ideas and technology!

So if YOU really care for our local waterways and would like to have a say in their future development, PLEASE seriously consider putting your name forward for election. You will not be committing a huge part of your life.

Committee meetings are currently held on a weekday evening about every six weeks. We are at present in urgent need of a Branch Secretary; offers will be very welcome but such office will not be thrust upon a reluctant recruit!

For a nomination form, a chat, or any further information, please don‟t hesitate to get in touch with me or any Committee Member – contact details on page 4.

We really look forward to seeing you at The Gate Hangs Well, 7.30 p.m. on Thursday 9th February. Please try and make it!

John Evans, Acting Chairman

FOXTON LOCKS FESTIVAL 30 June - 01 July “What a great family day out”, was one of the many positive comments received at the Foxton Locks festival last September. This was the second festival in as many years and attracted thousands of visitors of all ages.

Music playing late into the Saturday evening also attracted many adults who enjoyed the real ale bar as well as a wide cross section of music from some of the best bands in the area.

Despite the dry summer and some lock restrictions there were a fine selection of boats at the internationally famous Foxton Locks for the Foxton Locks Festival in 2011.

“Working boats, Trading boats and those "just visiting" always provides a welcome addition to the festival”, said Ann Bushby, the Festival Director “We organise the festival not just to raise money for the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust, but also to

make the general public more aware of the glorious canal heritage we have in this country”.

The 2012 Foxton Locks Festival will take place on Saturday 30 June (10am - 5pm, music, food and bar until 11pm) and Sunday 1 July (10 am - 5pm). The festival promises to exceed the success of the past two years and will again cater for all tastes.

Visit us at www.foxtonlocksfestival.co.uk Entrance just £3 for over 15„s. Parking £1.50 per car.

Site post code LE16 7RA.For boat bookings please contact Andrew Shephard at andrewshephard@madasafish.com mooring fee for private boats, to include 2 weekend festival passes, just £15; Trading boats £45.

For stall holders please contact Ann Bushby on festival@fipt.org.uk

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IWA Doubt over Leicester Festival The ever popular Leicester Riverside Festival will be held at the usual site of Bede Island over the th th weekend of 9 -10 June this year.

Sadly the involvement of IWA, who have been responsible for taking the event on to the river in recent years, is in serious doubt.

IWA Volunteers Needed Following last years Festival the two IWA organisers commented on the absence of volunteers, other than the „Faithful Few‟, and vowed not to commit themselves to another one unless greater support was guaranteed.

To date that guarantee has not been forthcoming and as we went to press it was unclear whether or not The City Council, organisers and major sponsors of the main Festival, would be inviting boat bookings; the alternative being a „free-for-all‟ attendance with a complete absence of formalities and control.

Acting Branch Chairman, John Evans, commented: “After all that the Branch has achieved in recent years, it will be a huge disappointment if we are unable to take advantage of this continuing opportunity to fly the IWA flag in both a campaigning and fund raising capacity”.

WoW Lost Another aspect of the Festival that will be missed if we are unable to a part of it, is the WoW programme of children‟s activities. This has been gaining popularity over the last two or three years, and is seen as a way of getting youngsters „on our side‟ from an early age.

All is not lost. John added that we have not quite reached the point of no return. If there are any members who would be prepared to give up all or part of the week-end in question, please get in touch with a Committee member as a matter of urgency and our role in the event could still be salvaged.

Leicester Riverside Festival 09 – 10 June 2012 www.leicester.gov.uk/riversidefestival

Melton and Oakham Waterways Society AGM 2011 This AGM took place at Sysonby Knoll Hotel, Melton on 26 November. The wellattended meeting heard the Chairman review the past year's activities and outline the society's aspirations for the future. He stressed the importance of getting the correct form and function for the soon to be rebuilt (in 2012) Wreake End Footbridge at Syston, which will create the waterway's "front door."

The Chairman described 2011 as a year in which the society had spread its wings attending festivals and meetings far and wide, whilst working extensively in Melton and on two sections of the Oakham Canal.

The Melton ring was important as, once cleared, the basics were then in place to apply to stage the Inland Waterways Association's annual Trail Boat Rally, sometime in the future.

The meeting concluded with a talk by historian Mr John Plumb from Stamford, who as a former Meltonian, recalled how local and national pride and prosperity had waned over the years.

Melton & Oakham Inclined Plane ?

A Report by Richard Smith … or, seriously, two most informative and excellent presentations “for the price of one” at the Social Meeting at The Gate Hangs Well on Thursday 12th January.

First, Steve Bowyer, Chairman of the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust (FIPT), gave us a concise, crisp and very informative talk on the inclined plane, the very good reasons for restoring it, and the considerable progress to date.

It is reckoned that the total task is now 25% complete, and that (a mere) £12m, (at current prices), is needed for completion. Not in any way at all daunted, the Trust has set itself „deliverables‟ for 2012, as follows: - To establish a viable way forward.

- Assess running costs (being realistic, a lift must be self-sustaining or all the effort will have been wasted: for instance routine maintenance will require regular replacement of the lift ropes).

- Undertake detailed design.

- Assess funding.

The slope is an Ancient Monument - very much a mixed blessing, English Heritage must be involved. Every boat passage through the locks uses 50,000 gallons of water - how many passages a day? This adds up to a tidy volume, but the lift will use

Work Parties Regular work parties are held during the Winter months, on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. The next is on 5 February, meet at Sysonby Knoll hotel, Asfordby Road, Melton at 10.00am.

IWA Presentation MOWS chairman, Mick Clowes, gave a presentation at The Gate Hangs Well pub, Syston, entitled "Past, Present and Future" at a double-headed meeting shared jointly with Foxton Inclined Plane Trust. His talk gave a brief history of the navigation, showed present day structures and put forward plans for the future.

New Website The society has a new website.

Why not take a look: www.meltonwaterways.co.uk.

Mick Clowes Melton & Oakham Waterways Society

only a few drops by comparison, in leakage and spillage. That will help the CRT and local businesses depending on passing boat trade enormously.

Steve concluded with a gentle plug for The th st Foxton Locks Festival on 30 June and 1 July.

After the break, Mick Clowes, Chairman of the Melton & Oakham Waterways Trust (MOWS), told us about the Past, Present and Future of the Melton & Oakham Navigation, well leavened with humour. First fact: MOWS was founded 15 years ago in the very room in which we were sitting!

MOWS priority is restoration to Melton, and to this end Mick took us on an illustrated tour, showing „way back then‟, ‟15 years ago‟ and „now‟, and highlighting history - as far back as the Vikings, who are responsible for place names ending in “-by”, (one can learn a lot by attending IWA Meetings), and outlining the work done/to be done at the sites shown.

Mick then showed a little of the Oakham line - bearing in mind that quite a bit was lost under the railway - and showed „what we are doing‟ and „what we would like to do‟.

David Stevenson wound up the Meeting, and proposed a very well received and very well deserved Vote of Thanks to both our speakers.

A modest cheque was presented to each speaker, towards the work of their organisations.

Perhaps a notable feature of the evening was that, despite involving two presentations by two speakers, the meeting finished in good time.

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Mick’s Musings The following Chairman‟s „Musings‟ appeared in the Autumn edition of the MOWS Newsletter. I felt that it was deserving of a wider readership and we reproduce it here with the Society‟s permission. DS

Mick’s Musings Prime Minister David Cameron advocates building "The Big Society", but I've got news for him - it's already here!

When you look at the voluntary organisations in this country, millions of people staff that Big Society every week. Think about it - the last time you went anywhere did you actually notice these people? But they are out there doing a vital job day in and day out. From the WRVS manning hospital shops to a friendly voice on the end of the Samaritans help line, from student groups tidying senior citizens gardens to blood donors saving lives, we are all out and about somewhere.

We and (hopefully) the Government both realise that without these volunteers, the country would grind to a halt.

So why does that same government (via its local authorities) do it‟s damndest to put as many obstacles in the way of the voluntary sector? This is not a political rant, as successive governments (of whichever party) have seemingly ignored volunteers whilst still claiming to give help. But some of the "red tape" hurdles devised for us to jump beggar belief.

Locally, this bites as hard as anywhere.

When MOWS volunteers plan some project to benefit the local community Mr Jobsworth pokes his nose in asap, pointing to his Health and Safety at Work poster accompanied by many sudden intakes of breath and much sucking of teeth.

Now, I'm not suggesting for one minute that people go off and attempt projects without appropriate training, nor that they should start work without donning the correct protective clothing and safety talks and good advice are always there to be listened to.

But, why oh why do I get the feeling that there must be an office in every town hall and government department dedicated to stifling the good intentions of volunteers?

Recently this raised its head when MOWS offered to take over, repair and re-water Eye Kettleby Lock.

The chamber was in reasonable condition, but had stood alone, empty and unloved for many, many years.

But as soon as our society mentioned restoration, myriad alarm bells must have started ringing in the aforementioned offices, no doubt causing a spike in the national grid!

Suddenly people who have little interest in the subject were asking so many questions and putting up so many defences that eventually the chamber was in filled and fenced to ensure nobody could get near it, let alone get hurt!

For "Big Society", read "Big Disheartened Society" ... and getting smaller by the minute.

Mick Clowes, Chairman, MOWS

Chairman’s Bit

Social Calendar

By Beryl McDowall, Social Secretary IWA Leicester Branch Christmas Meal Nearly thirty members and guests sat down to our three-course Christmas Meal at The Gate Hangs Well on 8th December. When the meal was over, we had a couple of light-hearted games, one of which involved solving cryptic clues, each of which gave the name of a river in the UK. Several people said they had learnt something about our rivers from the game! It was an opportunity to sit down together and enjoy a good chat, for longer than there is sometimes time for at our regular Social Meetings.

Forthcoming Events: These are some of the things that we have lined up for you in the next three months or so. All these meetings will take place in the Function Room at The Gate Hangs Well pub, Lewin Bridge, Fosse Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1NH. These meetings all start at 7.30 p.m.

Thursday 9th February is our Annual General Meeting, followed

by Social Evening We are always looking for people who are interested in getting a little bit more involved in the running of our Branch by joining our Committee. Now is a good time to put your name forward. If you're not sure, or would like to know more, please get in touch with John Evans, our Acting Chairman, on 01509-416647.

As we did last year, I propose putting together another presentation of "A Year in the Life of IWA Leicestershire Branch, 2011-2012". If you have photos of any of the IWA events in this period, please send them to me by 4th February, at the very latest. If you have digital photos, send them by email or put them on a disk and post it to me. If you have prints, please lend them to me, so that I can scan them and return the originals to you.

Any queries ring Beryl on 07710 029247 or email beryl@nbwasp.co.uk Thursday, 8th March: John Pomfret, IWA Region Chairman, will talk about the Canal & River Trust (CRT).

You are probably aware of the changes which are due to take place, so that our waterways will in future be managed by CRT, not by British Waterways. Elections for private boater representatives on the CRT

Council will take place soon. If you have a boat on BW waters, you should receive your voting papers at the beginning of the second week in February. You will have one vote per licensed boat, and a single transferable vote system is being used, so you will need to nominate candidates in order of preference. The candidates who are being endorsed by the IWA are: Ivor Caplan, Clive Henderson, Paul Roper, Peter Scott, and Vaughan Welch.

Thursday, 12th April - Ivor Caplan will give a presentation on "The Droitwich Canals Finally Reopen."

Some years ago Ivor came to one of our meetings at Oadby Tennis Club, and told us about the work that had at that time been done on the canals at Droitwich. This time he will be taking us on a journey along the completed route.

Other Events Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th May Loughborough Canal and Boat Festival.

Our Branch will have its gazebo/stand at this event, and would welcome anyone who can offer a couple of hours or so to help on the stand. We have very few Committee members available, and really do need a few more helpers. It just involves chatting to visitors about the local waterway, and what we do. Please contact John Evans (01509-416647) if you can help us.

Thursday, 10th May - Possible repeat of Bell-Boating round the backwater from Barrow to Quorn.

Last time we held this event, it was very popular. The only problem was that because we did it in September, it was pitch black by the time we finished the trip. So if there is sufficient interest, we hope to do it again, this time in daylight all the way round.

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th June Leicester Riverside Festival & Boat Rally - See page 1 Please remember that our Social events are open to all, not just IWA members, so you are always welcome to bring your friends and family along.

If you are a "regular" at our meetings, you will already know that there is no admission charge, but we do ask for a modest donation towards the cost of hiring the room and other expenses involved in running these events

Firstly, I‟d like to wish all our members a belated but none-the-less sincere „Happy New Year‟. Difficult times may lie ahead for many of us but my wish is that you experience good health, peace and contentment throughout 2012.

It has been brought to my attention that much of what I have said in these columns in the past has been of a negative nature. This is interesting because I normally consider myself to be a fairly positive person and am a great believer in the power of positive thought! So, New Year‟s Resolution Number One: sound more positive! I‟ll try.

With a welcome influx of new members in recent months, I‟m positive that the forthcoming a.g.m. will be well attended and that a record number of members will put themselves forward for election to the Committee!

I‟m positive that our Association and the Leicestershire Branch in particular have a great future in front of them.

We have wonderful waterways and in these changing times we will be called upon to safeguard the heritage and beauty that we cherish. Our increasing membership bodes well for the tasks ahead.

In spite of difficulties in the recent past I‟m positive that my vision of the Branch „flying the flag‟ at many and sundry events throughout the area will be realised and that we will provide a platform from which youngsters will learn to love and nurture the waterways.

I‟m positive that once established, the Canal and River Trust will disinherit the negative connotations accrued by BW. I might even mention CRT in my Will - unthinkable in terms of BW! I‟m positive that the role of volunteers will play an increasingly important part in local waterway maintenance and that our Branch and CRT will work together in that field, to good effect.

I‟m positive that the City of Leicester has at last „seen the light‟ and that in coming years, when finances permit, the full waterside potential of the City will be realised. We will be there to maintain a watching brief and to encourage development that is sympathetic to our cause.

All things are possible and with your help I‟m positive that these things shall come to pass!

John Evans, Acting Chairman

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Leicestershire Branch Committee Branch Chairman (Acting): John Evans Highfields Farm, Woodhouse Road, Quorn, Loughborough, LE12 8AL Tel: 01509 416647 jandwevans@quornvillage.com Vice Chairman & Membership Secretary: David Stevenson Tel. 01530-458257 dj.stevenson7@ntlworld.com Secretary :

Situation vacant

Treasurer: David Brewer Tel. 0116-2303144 dandlbrewer@talktalk.net Social Secretary: Beryl McDowall Tel. 07710-029247 beryl@nbwasp.co.uk Planning Officer and Volunteer Co-ordinator: Ian McDonald Tel. 07932 156539 ianmcdonald@uwclub.net MOWS & Restoration: Mick Clowes Tel. 01509-414140, M.S.Clowes@Lboro.ac.uk Archivist: Jim Evans Tel. 0116 273 9838 Maggie Young Tel. 0116 224 8755 maggie3751@hotmail.com Newsletter Editor (Non Committee): Andrew Shephard T: 0116 267 2630 M: 07710 362 952 M: 07794 067 619 E: andrewshephard@madasafish.com Website Editor: Herbert Eppel HerbEppel@gmail.com

Winding Ways Winding Ways is the newsletter of the Leicester Branch of the Inland Waterways.

The next issue will be out in 2012. All contributions are welcome. Please send to: Andrew Shephard, 41 Roman Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4BB, or email to: andrewshephard@madasafish.com

Opinions expressed in Winding Ways are not necessarily those of the Association, and the Editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish material submitted for inclusion.

Welcome to New Members The Committee would like to extend a very warm welcome to the following new members who have signed up since the last newsletter: July 2011 Mr R. Francis, Lutterworth Mr P.S. Green, Barrow-on-Soar.

Mr C.J. Parker, Market Harborough.

Mr & Mrs J.F.R. Smith, Rothley.

Mr & Mrs D. Wade, Kirby Muxloe.

August 2011 Mr M. Chell, Thurmaston.

Mr R. Dixon, Melton Mowbray.

Mr R. Harrison, Sileby.

October 2011 Mr & Mrs T. Chapman, Market Harborough.

Mr J. Cherry, Leicester.

Mr K. Govier, Leicester.

Mr & Mrs A. Jervis, Loughborough.

Mr & Mrs J. Odley, Newbold Verdun.

Mr P. Phillips, Leicester.

Mr J. Oliver, Leicester.

Mr S. Rice & Mrs C. Taylor, Leicester.

Mr G. Robertson & Mrs J. Clark, Lutterworth.

Mr R. Woods & Ms L. Pound, Syston.

November 2011 Mr & Mrs H. Buckley, Ravenstone. *Miss H. Flookes, Mountsorrel. *Mr N. Kim, Leicester. *Mr J. Park, Oadby. *Miss K. Warwick, Great Bowden. *Miss J. Williams, East Shilton. * These persons were awarded One Year membership for their work with the Waterway Recovery Group.

(HOW) ARE YOU RECEIVING ME? As stated in the previous two issues of Winding Ways if you are able to receive electronic communications and have not specifically requested a paper copy of our newsletter, you will only be able to access it on the website. With ever increasing postage costs this allows us to make significant savings. If you would prefer a paper version please let a committee member know and we can still make the necessary arrangements.

Similarly, if you use e-mail but have received a hard copy of WW, it means that Head Office does not have a note of your e-mail address.

It would aid communication and cut our costs if you would send a message to iwa@waterways.org asking the membership department to record your e-address. Thank you!

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Volunteering

By Ian McDonald In these uncertain times with just when & how the transition from British Waterways into the new Canals & Rivers Trust will happen, what is certain is that funding will continue to be the major issue for our beloved waterways.

Everyone can help on this by giving up a bit of time to do something to help maintain the infrastructure that will otherwise either cost BW / CRT money or if left undone will lead to their deterioration. Last year we organised a few working parties & it was generally considered that what we achieved was worth the effort, and I think that people actually enjoyed the time they spent helping. So can you help? I‟m sure we will be needed somewhere soon.

Our efforts previously have been intermittent, but would members find it better if we had a scheduled series of outings so that diaries can have dates listed?

Last year we undertook work on and around Mountsorrel Lock and also clearing Pennywort. We had scheduled a work party at Lime Kiln Lock alongside Abbey Park but had to cancel it as there was an insufficient number of available volunteers. This was a great pity as there is a plaque on the wall alongside commemorating the National Rally held there in 1967 & our Chairman was most upset at the condition of it and its surroundings when he passed through on the way to the Riverside Festival.

John would like us to be able to adopt the lock formally so that, on a regular basis, one or more of us would go there and spruce things up. A similar scheme is currently being set up at Mountsorrel Lock.

Last summer when cruising out of Liverpool I noticed a stream of cans and bottles flying into the air from behind a bank of reeds alongside the canal. As I reached the “fountain” I saw the source was a local resident who regularly goes along his stretch & clears the rubbish.

It doesn‟t need any formal session, it doesn‟t need a full work party, it just needs someone to give some time on a regular basis, but only at times (& weather!!) to suit the volunteer.

Stuart Collins, our local BW volunteers coordinator, has said that he has a procedure set up to facilitate such individual volunteer efforts in such a way as to give full BW/CRT Health & Safety compliance.

So I would encourage everyone to get enthused by the prospect of more time by the water and get in touch with me to say what you can do and when you prefer to do it.

Best way is by email as this is how I manage to keep in touch whilst away cruising. ianmcdonald@uwclub.net or 07950 003383, I‟d love to hear from you.

Thanks. Ian Volunteers in the Melton area are always welcomed by MOWS. See P. 2. Ed.