Winter 2015

Newsletter ofGuildford & Reading

Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches

Newsletter of Guildford & Reading Kent & East Sussex Winter 2015 and Oxfordshire Branches

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Editorial

As we move towards the 70th anniversary of the founding of IWA in February 1946, we should, perhaps, reflect on the continued significance and achievements of the Association in this day and age. This year’s General Election saw the launch of IWA’s Waterways Manifesto in which our region played an important part in getting the signatures of candidates across the board. Recently Richard Benyon (MP for Newbury) was named as IWA Parliamentarian of the year for 2015 (see photo opposite), this appointment followed closely on his being chosen to Chair the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways. So once again an MP from South East Region has become IWA Parliamentarian of the year, with Richard Benyon succeeding Sir Tony Baldry (former MP for Banbury), another waterways stalwart from our region, who was named as IWA Parliamentarian of the Year in March 2014.

Returning to the coming year and aside from IWA’s 70th anniversary, there will be a series of other notable anniversaries to celebrate across the region. It will be 200 years since the Wey & Arun Junction Canal was opened in September 1816. Also we have the 50th anniversaries of the formation of the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society (later to become the Basingstoke Canal Society) and the founding of the Historic Narrow Boat Club in 1966. Then there is the fact that it will be 25 years since the Basingstoke Canal was reopened by the Duke of Kent in May 1991. The celebration of these milestones will provide opportunities to show to the general public the importance of our waterways today and what can be achieved through voluntary organisations, including IWA. But, such celebratory events don’t just ‘happen’, much work is involved in the months beforehand and at the events themselves, so if you have the time please volunteer your services and help ensure success.

Another opportunity to help the cause is available through Branches either as Committee Members or assisting in duties outside formal Committee membership. Notice of the Branch AGMs is given on page 4 and we hope members will come along and demonstrate their support.

As the Festive Season approaches we would draw members’ attention to the variety of IWA Christmas Cards and also the 2016 Calendar available from www.iwashop.com (see illustrations on the inside Back Cover of this edition of Cargoes).

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers the Compliments of the Season.

Cargoes Editorial Team

Cover Picture: A variety of Craft gathered on the Oxford Canal for this year’s Banbury Canal Day (see report on page 31) [Photo: Valentina Koulagina]

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From the Region Chairman

At national level and for Thames users it seems that the transfer of the Thames and other EA waterway navigations is becoming more likely if not inevitable. Certainly at recent Thames meetings with EA there is a degree of despondency at how cuts are affecting navigation users and EA employees. Navigation users are none too happy and are coming round to the idea that non EA ownership may be beneficial. See also the National Chairman, Les Etheridge’s column on page 3 of the Winter 2015 edition of Waterways. Watch this space.

At Dukes Cut there is a problem with badly moored boats. The cut was built by the Duke of Marlborough and after some difficulty was leased to the Oxford Canal and its successors for 200 years, ending in 1998, at £6 a year. The lease transferred to BW but it appears the canal was not nationalised. EA now thinks it owns half and has a land registry plan to prove it. Ongoing enquiries are being made with CRT.

There is good news on the Wey & Arun. Phase one of the Bramley Link (from the Wey Navigation at Guns Mouth to the Gosden Aqueduct) has taken a significant step forward with the signing of a lease for a 400 metre stretch of the canal at Tanglewood Farm, Bramley (see report on page 20).

Gareth Jones .

Branch Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the Kent & East

Sussex, Oxfordshire and Guildford & Reading Branches of The Inland Waterways Association will be held as follows:

The Kent & East Sussex Branch AGM will take place at 7.30pm for 8.00pm on Wednesday 24th February 2016 at St. Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0DE.

The Oxfordshire Branch AGM will take place at 7.30pm for 8pm on Wednesday 9th March 2016 at the Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, Oxon OX5 1AT.

The Guildford & Reading Branch AGM will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 4th April 2016 at National Trust’s premises at Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4RR.

The Agenda for the Branch meetings will be based on the standard format set out in IWA Byelaws on next page:

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Agenda

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Approval (following amendment if necessary) of the Minutes of the Branch AGMheld the previous year

3. Matters arising from the Minutes (and not under other Agenda items)

4. Branch Chairman's Report

5. Branch Treasurer's Report and Accounts

6. Election of members of the Committee (Nomination no longer necessary. Simplycontact the Chairman to apply to join the Branch Committee or do so at the AGM)

7. Any item for discussion of which the Branch Chairman has been notified inwriting at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the relevant AGM.

Diary of Meetings & Events Tue 17th Nov, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): Reminiscing on Restoration + Christmas eats and drinks (see page 15)

Wed 18th Nov, 8.00pm, BCS: Leonardo's Canals - Waterways of Milan and the Papia Region by Roger Squires. (see page 14)

Thu 19th Nov, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm, IWAKES: The Restoration of Isfield Lock. (see page 30)

Thu 19th Nov, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Anything that Floats by Elaine Kirby. (see page 9)

Thu 26th Nov, 7.45pm, K&A (Newbury): Film, Repeat to Flourish (see page 15)

Thu 3rd Dec, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Waterways Quiz. (see pages 9, 11 & 20)

Sun 6th Dec, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal, Little Venice to Camden (see page 36)

Sun 6th Dec, 11am, 12noon & 2.00pm, WACT: Santa Specials (see page 24)

Wed 9th Dec, 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm, IWAKES: IWAKES & TMCA get-together. (see page 30)

Wed 9th Dec, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Skittles Night, Booking required (see page 33)

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Wed 9th Dec, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Christmas Social and members' photos. (see page 34)

Thu 10th Dec, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Christmas Dinner . (see page 9)

Sun 13th Dec, 11am, 12noon & 2.00pm, WACT: Santa Specials (see page 24)

Wed 16th Dec, 8.00pm, BCS: Trail Boat Festivals on Isolated Waterways around Britain by Ron & Myra Glover. (see page 14)

Sun 20th Dec, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal, Little Venice to Camden (see page 36)

Sun 20th Dec, 11am, 12noon & 2.00pm, WACT: Santa Specials (see page 24)

Mon 21st Dec, 11am, 12noon & 2.00pm, WACT: Santa Specials (see page 24)

Tue 22nd Dec, 11am, 12noon & 2.00pm, WACT: Santa Specials (see page 24)

Wed 23rd Dec, 11am, 12noon & 2.00pm, WACT: Santa Specials (see page 24)

Sat 26th Dec, 11am, 12noon & 2.00pm, WACT: Boxing Day Cruises (see page 24)

Sun 27th Dec, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 36)

Fri 1st Jan, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square to Camden (see page 36)

Fri 1st Jan, 11am, 12noon & 2.00pm, WACT: New Year's Day Cruises (see page 24)

Sun 3rd Jan, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Islington to Hoxton, meet Angel (see page 36)

Thu 7th Jan, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Members Annual Waterways Photographic Evening and Competition (see page 20)

Sun 17th Jan, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 36)

Tue 19th Jan, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): Transport in West Berkshire by David Peacock (see page 15)

Wed 20th Jan, 8.00pm, BCS: The History of Heathrow Airport by Nick Pollard (see page 14)

Thu 21st Jan, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: TBC (see page 9)

Fri 22nd Jan, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Branch Annual Dinner (see page 35)

Thu 28th Jan, 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm, IWAKES: The Wey Navigation by John Gibson. (see page 30)

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Wed 3rd Feb, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: tba (see page 35)

Thu 4th Feb, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: The Cockleshell Heroes by Roger and Sandra Downton (see page 20)

Sun 7th Feb, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers (see page 36)

Wed 10th Feb, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Boating around Vancouver, by Ron and Myra Glover (see page 33)

Tue 16th Feb, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): Canals of Paris by Jon Willis (see page 15)

Wed 17th Feb, 8.00pm, BCS: Barging on North East Waterways by Nick Grundy (see page14)

Thu 18th Feb, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: TBC (see page 9)

Sun 21st Feb, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Limehouse – Thames – Docklands (see page 36)

Wed 24th Feb, 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm, IWAKES: Branch Annual General Meeting plus The Droitwich Canals Restoration by Roy Sutton (see pages 4 & 30)

Thu 3rd Mar, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Sonia Rolt and other Idle Women by Tim Coghlan (see pages 11 & 20)

Sun 6th Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse (see page 36)

Wed 9th Mar, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Branch Annual General Meeting (see pages 4 & 33)

Wed 9th Mar, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Branch Annual General Meeting (see page 35)

Tue 15th Mar, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): AGM + speaker tba (see page 15)

Wed 16th Mar, 8.00pm, BCS: Coals to Croxley (and beyond) by Ian McKechnie (see page 14)

Sun 20th Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Islington to Mile End (see page 36)

Sun 27th Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square to Camden (see page 36)

Sat 2nd Apr, WACT: Regular Public Trips restart (see page 24)

Sun 3rd Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 36)

Mon 4th Apr, 7.30pm, G & R: Branch Annual General Meeting (see pages 4 & 11)

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Wed 13th Apr, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: tba (see page 35)

Sun 17th Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regents Canal: Kings Cross, Hitchcock’s Hackney (see page 36)

Tue 19th Apr, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): Wilton Windmill by James Arnold-Baker (see page 15)

Sat 30th Apr to Mon 2nd May, London Region: Canalway Cavalcade (see page 35)

Sun 1st May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Regent’s Park & R. Tyburn to Little Venice (see page 36)

Wed 11th May, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: tba (see page 35)

Sun 15th May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue (see page 36)

Tue 17th May, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading)/G & R Branch: Salter’s Steamers by Dr. Simon Wenham (see pages 11 & 16)

Wed 8th Jun, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: tba (see page 35)

Sat 11th Jun, 11.00am, K&A (Reading): Reading Water Fest (see page 16)

Sun 24th Jul, 10:00am to 5:00pm, K&A (Newbury): Newbury Waterways Festival (see page 15)

Sat 6th to Sun 7th Aug, BCS: Woking Canal Festival (see pages 11, 12 & 13)

Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: At our October meeting

JOEYS, JOSHERS & JAMES

To start, Phil Clayton introduced us to the three J’s. JOEYS: - Open boats for daily use, sometimes with a small cabin, used locally around the BCN, where usually crews were able to go home at the end of the day. JOSHERS: - Are Fellows, Morton and Clayton trading boats. JAMES BRINDLEY: - Who was one of the major designers and constructors of the BCN. We were shown pictures and pen & ink drawings of the BCN in its heyday

compared with as it is today. Also we were shown other aspects such as toll houses, gauging docks and pumping stations, which in some cases pumped water

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out of old mine workings to top up water levels, also Chasewater Reservoir to store the water. All these were necessary as Birmingham is built on a plateau and all boats aiming for Birmingham have to travel up flights of locks from all directions.

The reason for the construction of the BCN was that the Birmingham area became heavily industrialised and materials and constructed components could in those days only be moved by water. One classic example of this is that chain and anchors were made, the most famous of this being Titanic’s anchor chain. Birmingham must be one of the furthest industrial sites from the sea! Another example being Thomas Clayton who specialised in liquid cargoes e.g. tar transported in specially constructed tar boats like modern day road tankers.

Phil covered the necessity for tunnels and compared the Dudley tunnel, one of the first built where barges had to be legged through, with the 1850 Netherton tunnel, one and three quarters miles long with towpaths on both sides and gas lighting. He explained how the BCN continued to be built and modified throughout its working life and how there were in fact three different levels of the main line constructed. We saw ice boats to keep the navigations open during the winter which didn’t always work however, as in 1947 the canals were covered in 18 inches of solid ice and trade ground to a halt.

Phil was also able to show how modern development continues to change the BCN and showed where factories and wharfs have disappeared to be replaced by accommodation blocks for new universities and modern housing for today’s residents of Birmingham. Large shopping centres, smart restaurants and leisure facilities have been built to suit today’s society.

Phil rounded off the evening by quoting a well-known statement that roadways not railways killed the canals and that the BCN Society continues to restore the Birmingham canals and this will be an ongoing task!

Programme of Events Thu 19th Nov: Elaine Kirby, archivist of the Kennet & Avon Trust, is returning to tell us about "Anything that Floats". In her work Elaine has discovered photos of a large variety of craft that have plied the K & A since 1887. Included are trading boats, leisure boats, house boats, tar boats and other odd boats.

Thu 3rd Dec: Waterways Quiz at Chilworth Parish Hall organised by Southampton Canal Society.

Thu 10th Dec: Christmas Dinner at The Green Dragon, Alderbury.

Thu 21st Jan: TBC

Thu 18th Feb: TBC

Unless otherwise stated, meetings are at The Green Dragon, Old Road, Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3AR starting at 7.30pm when visitors will be warmly welcomed. Further information can be obtained from Ron & Myra Glover on 01722 710322 email glover.3@btinternet.com or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

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Guildford & Reading Branch

Sales & Publicity Stand The Wey River Festival at Dapdune Wharf on 19th September marked the

culmination of our outside events for 2015. This was the second year of the festival, organised by the National Trust, and the public came in large numbers. This year there were many more stands from various waterway related organisations and other voluntary groups, plus entertainment provided by visiting Morris Dancers and the Croydon Steel Orchestra. The Godalming Packet Boat Company added to the waterway theme with their working horse Buddy proving a popular attraction. Caroline Roope, on behalf of the Trust’s visitor services, said it was brilliant to see the local community supporting the River Wey and all the clubs and societies that help to keep it accessible to everyone. The day came to an end with an illuminated boat pageant when some 20 craft moved along the river to Millmead lock and back to Dapdune. (see the National Trust’s photo, taken by Derek Croucher, of the illuminations at Dapdune Wharf inside Front Cover).

So our season ended on a high note and once again I must thank all who provided essential help at the various waterways gatherings and festivals across the Branch - that support has been greatly appreciated. The Branch Stand has various functions – it provides a source of information about our local and national waterways and the role of IWA and also raises funds by the sale of donated items and through the Lucky Locks Game - this enables financial support to be given to local waterways projects.

We expect next year’s schedule of events to be similar to previous years but with the significant addition of the Basingstoke Canal Society/Historic Narrow Boat Club celebrations in Woking in early August. As ever, volunteers will be very welcome and further details will be published in future editions of Cargoes and at our 2016 Branch AGM.

Ray Carnell

Buddy

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Forthcoming Events We hope Branch members will find the following meetings of interest:Thu 3rd Dec, 7.45pm: Annual Inter-Society Waterways Quiz at Southampton Canal Society; Once again the Branch will be taking part in this annual test of waterways knowledge and will be looking for support from our members. Last year we were Runners-up, having won the competition in the previous two years. The event takes place at Chilworth Parish Hall, Southampton SO16 7JZ and further details can be found on page 20.

Thu 3rd Mar 2016, 7.45pm: Tim Coghlan will be giving a talk on ‘Sonia Rolt and Idle Women’. Members will doubtless recall Tim’s in depth and widely acclaimed article on Sonia Rolt in IWA’s Spring 2015 Edition of Waterways. Hopefully you will come along to hear more about this fascinating episode in our waterways history. This is a Southampton Canal Society Meeting (see page 20) to which IWA members are warmly invited.

Mon 4th Apr, 7.30pm: Branch AGM at Dapdune Wharf, Guildford courtesy of the National Trust. The AGM business will be followed by a Guest Speaker (details tbc – see Spring edition of Cargoes). The AGM Agenda is on page 5 and applications to join the Branch Committee will be most welcome.

Tue 17th May, 7.45pm: The history of ‘Salter’s Steamers’ by Dr Simon Wenham. This is our annual joint meeting with the Reading Section of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust at The Grange Free Church, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD. Do come along and hear more about this long established operator of boat services on the Thames (we understand that the first edition of ‘Salters’ Guide to the Thames’ was published as long ago as 1875). More details on page 16.

Bits on the Basingstoke

The two County Councils and the BCA have had another good year. Regrettably telemetry has yet to become fully operational but there were only two fortnights in midsummer when the canal was closed from Brookwood to Odiham. This time there was no draining of lock flights and with a return of rainfall the canal rapidly reopened, a tribute to the improved management. There has been a slight fall in boat visits to the Canal. Schemes for a new trip boat came to nothing although for the Canal Society the John Pinkerton continues to operate. There are

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likely to be problems as a sizeable dredging issue needs attention particularly in Swan Cutting on the Hampshire Pound. IWA is looking at what it can do to help with finance, volunteers and technical assistance. The work to restore full navigation and towpath at the Dogmersfield section affected by landslips will start this winter. Next year is the Society’s 50th anniversary. There will be a large celebration at Woking on 6th & 7th August which will include a rally by the boats of the Historic Narrow Boat Club also celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Gareth Jones

Basingstoke Canal Society

Chairman’s Report

The plans for the BCS 50th anniversary celebrations are now progressing well. As previously mentioned, the event will take place in Woking town centre on council-owned land west of Chertsey Road Bridge. The dates are 6th / 7th August 2016. The site is behind the towpath and adjacent to an area which may be developed as a boat basin in years to come. The Canal Society is very fortunate in having an offer from the Historic Narrowboat Club to arrange its 50th anniversary in conjunction with ours. Hopefully this will bring about 40 historic working boats on to the canal which should present a wonderful spectacle. As always we will need a lot of volunteers to help us with the event. If Cargoes readers would like to offer assistance, please contact me by e-mail at wincombecottage2@gmail.com.

The two County Councils who own the canal are continuing with their review of the options for its future management and funding. This review has been prompted by concerns over further cuts to local government grants (expected over the next couple of years) which will almost certainly impact on the canal. The Canal Society is supporting the Counties in their analysis but, almost inevitably, there will be no easy answers. As many of us know, inland waterways rarely generate sufficient income to cover their revenue and capital costs and the income generation potential of the Basingstoke is, to some extent, circumscribed by the restrictions applied by Natural England. Despite these difficulties, we do expect some significant changes over the next 2 or 3 years. As always, the Canal Society, with the solid and continuing support of IWA, will press hard for a satisfactory outcome which will recognize our fundamental principle that the canal must remain an active navigation connected to the main network. Our forebears would expect nothing less.

Philip Riley

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Society to Hold Celebratory Woking Canal Festival in 2016

As already reported in the recent Basingstoke Canal News, the Society is planning for major celebrations next year of the 50th anniversary of its formation. 2016 will also be 25 years since the canal navigation was formally reopened in 1991. A boat rally and landside event celebrating both occasions will take place in the centre of Woking, at Brookhouse Common, over the weekend of 6th and 7th of August 2016.

Please put these dates in your diaries. It will be called the Woking Canal Festival.

We are pleased that we have been approached by the Historic Narrow Boat Club, a nationwide group, who are also celebrating their 50th next year, and had chosen the Basingstoke on which to mark it. Not only do they wish to participate in our event, but they will also help with the organisation. They expect that (at the time of writing) around 40 of their historic boats will attend, including traditional pairs and trade boats. Woking Borough Council are also supporting and providing resources for the Festival.

Both the Society and HNBC want to have their own “party”, and the schedule of events over the weekend will accommodate this. The Society has yet to decide the details, but we hope there will be an extensive exhibition of restoration photographs and videos, and we intend that those who were involved with the canal restoration will be specially invited. More details about the Festival will be posted over the coming months as plans evolve.

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Chobham Social Meetings

The meetings will be held as usual on the third Wednesday of the month at the Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, nr. Woking GU24 8AZ commencing at 8pm.

Coffee/tea and biscuits will be available during the interval. Raffle and retiring collection. Non-members and friends are very welcome. Please pass the word around. The autumn and winter programme is shown below:

Wed 18th Nov: 'Leonardo's Canals - Waterways of Milan and the Papia Region' by Roger Squires. Roger will be returning to give us a talk about the city of Milan which was one of the leaders of early canal building in Europe. Canals covered include the Naviglio Grande, Pavia Canal, Bereguardo Canal, Martesena Canal and the Padermo Canal which was the final link in the network constructed to overcome the rapids on the River Adda, and to offer a through route from Lake Como to Milan. Most of us have probably never heard of these canals in Italy which date from 1177 through to 1485.

Wed 16th Dec: 'Trail Boat Festivals on Isolated Waterways around Britain' by Ron & Myra Glover: As a change from Ron and Myra's talks from around Europe, this presentation details the trailing of craft around Britain since the mid-1970s and attending festivals that are held on land-locked waterways which narrow boats are unable to reach, Starting with IWA’s first trail boat rally in 1985 at Pewsey on the Kennet and Avon Canal and progressing to last year’s festival at Tiverton on the Grand Western Canal in Devon.

Wed 20th Jan: ' The History of Heathrow Airport' by Nick Pollard: Nick will take us back to the beginnings of Heathrow after the Second World War and bring us up to date with all the developments over the years.

Wed 17th Feb: ' Barging on North East Waterways' by Nick Grundy: Nick will be making a return visit to us this time to tell us about the waterways of North East England from his time at university here in the mid-1970s when he spent much time exploring and photographing the waterways of the area. In the late 1970s Nick did a number of trips as crew on a 300 ton commercial barge carrying cargoes on the Humber, Trent, Yorkshire Ouse, and the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Wed 16th Mar: 'Coals to Croxley (and beyond) by Ian McKechnie: When Ian was a student at Birmingham in the 1960s,he and a group of colleagues bought a redundant wooden coal boat from a coal yard compulsorily purchased to take one of the supports for the 'Spaghetti Junction' motorway interchange. Later they bought a derelict ex-GUCC and Willow Wren Large Northwich motor, and, after fitting it out, decided to bring it south to the London area. After loading with coal in conjunction with the Ashby Canal Society they delivered the coal to John Dickinson's famous paper mill at Croxley

Further information from David Millett on 01252 617364 or email d.millett7@ntlworld.com or www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk

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Kennet & Avon Canal News

Canal Trust Meetings

The season of indoor meetings along the K&A Canal continues with meetings at Newbury and Reading.

Newbury Section are in the throes of reviewing their meetings schedule and their next meeting will be held on Thursday 26th November at 7.45 p.m. at the Stone Building, Newbury. This is a change from our past meetings which were traditionally held on Wednesdays. You are invited to a showing of the film ‘Repeat to Flourish’, a visual odyssey of the Kennet and Avon Canal's industrial past and present day renaissance created from found footage and archive film. A Somewhere Film by Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie with Alice Powell, it was shown by the ‘Floating Cinema’ during its tour this summer from Brentford to Bristol and back. This is your chance to view this fascinating film, or if you saw it in the summer then it is well worth a second look. A selection of K&A Canal images will also be shown. Everyone is welcome and entry free. Refreshments will be served. Our next event will be in the New Year and will be advised as soon as possible on the K&A website (www.katrust.org.uk) and on posters outside the Stone Building.

Another date for your diary: Sunday 24th July 2016, 10:00am to 5:00pm, Newbury Waterways Festival – Victoria Park, Newbury.”

Further details from: Julie Dean email: juliedean@btinternet.com

The Reading Section are continuing to hold their monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of the month (no December meeting) at 7.45pm at The Grange Free Church, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD (just off the A4 Bath Road). Entry donation, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help with expenses).

Tue 17th Nov: ‘Reminiscing on Restoration’ + Christmas eats and drinks

Tue 19th Jan: ‘Transport in West Berkshire’ – David Peacock

Tue 16th Feb: ‘Canals of Paris’ - Jon Willis (of Crofton fame)

Tue 15th Mar: AGM + speaker tba

Tue 19th Apr: ‘Wilton Windmill’ - James Arnold-Baker

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Tue 17th May: Joint meeting with IWA at our usual Southcote venue - ‘Salter’s Steamers’ - Dr. Simon Wenham

Sat 11th Jun: Reading Water Fest

Further details from: John Swift tel: 0118 9415540 email: swift.john21@gmail.com iPhone: 07533 886 917.

Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group

Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group, reports on the latest developments:

Excavation and piling underway for Stage 1 Following installation of a temporary dam to

divert the flow, the western York Stream arm of the waterway ‘Ring’ has now been fully drained and channel earth works commenced in August. Where the soil make up is poor (it is typically sand, gravel, silt and chalk) the banks are being strengthened before the bed is lowered. A high frequency vibration (i.e.

quietish) Movax piling rig is installing 6m long sheet piles along sections of the banks prior to full depth excavation. Wood capping and faces will soften the hard appearance of the piles and channel planting will add green touches wherever space allows.

Drained channel by Library

Piler in action

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The channel works are being coordinated with adjoining Area Action Plan developments in Maidenhead town centre, to avoid conflict between the respective works. Shanly Homes has completed the new walls on both sides of its major Chapel Arches development and our channel works are now proceeding northwards to join with them, to be followed by further excavation to create a substantial water basin immediately south of the historic (c1825) Chapel Arches bridge, adjoining the café and public terraces that will in future overlook the enlarged waterway.

Waterways contractor Greenford expects to complete the current Stage 1 channel works – extending between the A4 St Cloud dual carriageway to the north and the GWR main railway line to the south – by spring 2016. Subject to agreement with our funding partner the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, we will hopefully be able to instruct Greenford to continue directly onwards to extend the works further north and south, to complete the remaining parts of the York Stream half of the ‘Ring’. Once completed, the flow can be released back into the York Stream, allowing the eastern Moor Cut arm to be drained and also enlarged thereafter.

See the route maps and follow the project’s progress via our display case at Chapel Arches, on MW’s web site www.maidenheadwaterways.org, or through these pages….

River Thames News

Canal Boat Passage between Teddington and Brentford The good news is that navigation for canal boats on the tidal Thames has

been largely restored with arrangements to allow passage of Hire boats on the tidal stretch from Teddington to Brentford. Hire boats are not currently operating between Limehouse and Brentford but this is a hire boat problem as much as a PLA ban.

Chapel Arches Walls and basin

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New Thames Bridge Opened at Reading An imminent change in the river scene at Reading was anticipated in the

Winter 2014 edition of Cargoes with the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Thames. The new £5.9 million bridge was opened on 30th September by the Mayor of Reading Councillor Sarah Hacker.

It is the first new bridge over the Thames in Reading for nearly a century and is a unique structure – 123 metres long - providing a link from Caversham to Reading Station.

River Wey NewsGuildford Town Centre Masterplan

River Wey News has been dominated recently by the publication of the Guildford Town Centre Masterplan which envisages the riverside providing a major opportunity for new leisure, cultural and commercial uses making the most of the waterside setting. The plans have been open for public consultation with displays at various points around the area. We hope that interested members will have registered their views by the closing date of 16th November. These proposed plans are at an early stage but the Branch has registered its interest and will look to be consulted as the plans develop. We have noted, for instance, the plans are for the Car Park to the west of the river (the site of the old Farnham Road Bus Station) to become a pedestrianised area and we are hopeful that provision can be made for at least a few moorings to encourage more boaters to visit the town centre. We shall be watching as future plans are produced and we would be pleased to learn members’ views (the plans can be seen on the Guildford Borough Council website at www.Guildford.gov.uk/tcmp).

Some Artist impressions of possible riverside developments are on page 37).

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New Marina at Send In previous editions of Cargoes we have reported on the application for a new

Marina at Send. We can now confirm that the plans have been given the go-ahead by the Guildford Borough Council’s Planning Committee.

Wey River Festival Finally we can report that the second year of the Wey River Festival was a

resounding success for the organisers, the National Trust Wey Navigation based at Dapdune Wharf. We, in Guildford & Reading Branch, played our part - see report on page 10.

Ray Carnell

Southampton Canal Society

September Meeting - Aileen Butler’s Magic Lantern Show Aileen started her presentation outlining the history of the Magic Lantern.

It originally got its name from charlatans who set up their “lanterns’ at Séances etc. and then hid behind the curtains. They proceeded to project images and called the procedure ‘magic’- hence ‘magic lanterns’. Their most popular period was between 1890 and 1930 but went into decline with the advent of cinema and interest in magic lanterns was relegated to collectors.

Manchester Ship Canal: At the time of the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 Manchester trade was encountering problems due to increased river and rail transport costs. The Concept of constructing a ship canal into the heart of Manchester evolved, a Company was formed in 1882, land was purchased and five years later work began on the construction of the canal.

We saw slides of navvies digging and building the canal using the latest machinery, hand tools and equipment. They encountered many problems with flooding, solid rock, landslides and accidents. Costs soared to £15m.the canal took six years to build and was officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1894. It became very successful reaching its peak in 1958, making Manchester the 3rd largest port in the country. It declined in usage when the canal was found to be too small for later container shipping.

The second half of the evening was dedicated to ‘Pleasures of the River Thames:

Source to the Sea ‘starting at Thames Head and ending at Southend-on Sea Pier.

The Thames had become a popular tourist destination especially after the publication of ‘Three Men in a Boat’

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The 1860’s slide tour of the Thames illustrated many well-known landmarks and river crossings.

Members of the audience attempted to identify some of the changed locations or earlier constructions.

Our members were entertained to a very enjoyable evening. Gill Herbert

Forthcoming Meetings

Thu 3rd Dec: Inter-Society Waterways Quiz, hosted by the Southampton Canal Society and, as last year’s winning team, SCS will also arrange the Quiz Master. This year we are now expecting five teams to be taking part: ourselves, IWA Guildford & Reading Branch, IWA Salisbury Group, last year’s newcomers from the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust at Devizes and, this year, a team from the Basingstoke Canal Society have volunteered to take part. Again we extend a warm welcome to the teams and their supporters for their participation. As is traditional for this pre-Christmas occasion an American Supper will finish off the evening.

Thu 7th Jan: Members Annual “Waterways Photographic Evening and Competition”.

Thu 4th Feb: “The Cockleshell Heroes” Roger and Sandra Downton’s Recreation of Operation Frankton the Daring Wartime Mission.

Thu 3rd March: Sonia Rolt and other Idle Women with Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina.

Meetings, unless specifically stated otherwise, are held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth Southampton SO16 7JZ. Start 7.45pm Visitors welcome. For monthly Newsletter visit www.sotoncs.org.uk or ring 02380 675312 Angela Rose.

Wey and Arun Canal Trust

WACT News A significant step has been taken in the quest to restore the northern part of

the Wey & Arun Canal with the signing of a land lease. The agreement allows the Wey & Arun Canal Trust to re-create 400 metres

of the waterway on Phase 1 of the Bramley Link section, near Guildford in Surrey.

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The long lease is for land owned by Trust supporters Susan and Malcolm Brenton. It will enable a major part of the canal from Shalford down to the Tannery Lane Bridge to be restored.

Susan Brenton commented that she had first come across the Trust when she saw its plans at the consultation sessions run by the Trust for Bramley people in 2004.

“Our lower field was shown as a possible route, so that raised our interest level,” she said. “We have always been keen supporters of the Trust and are very happy to sign this lease.”

Malcolm added that the key word in the negotiations was ‘trust’ and he felt that the negotiations so far had built a solid understanding on the part of both parties on how to get the restoration work done.

Speaking at the signing, WACT’s Bramley Link Manager, Philip Oliver, thanked the Brentons for their generosity and commitment to the Trust.

He also praised the volunteers who have worked on the Bramley Link project so far. The Newbury Working Party Group, the Waterway Recovery Group and the Trust’s own Midweek Working Party were singled out for specific praise.

Philip also thanked those who had contributed so much to the development of the Trust’s Hunt Nature Park at Shalford. This had shown local residents that WACT was serious it its intent to create not just a canal but a linear park around a waterway, he said.

Speaking after the event, he said future generations of walkers, cyclists, riders, naturalists and boaters would all have cause to thank the Brentons for their generous support.

Also on the Bramley Link section, the Trust officially opened the viewing platform in its Hunt Nature Park at Shalford on Saturday, October 24th.

The first small boats rally to be held in the area and entertainment by a ukulele band were part of the

proceedings, as Guildford MP Anne Milton unveiled the platform before invited guests and members of the public.

The viewing platform, which offers views across the park and its fine mature trees, is part of WACT’s commitment to creating a ‘green corridor’ along the 23-mile route of the canal. Its wooden decking, in an unusual hexagonal design, was completed by Trust volunteers.

Brentons sign Wey and Arun lease

Hunt Nature Park opening ceremony

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People will eventually be able to watch the restoration work as WACT re-creates the canal, using a section of Cranleigh Waters and then the land leased from the Brentons.

Further south, the basic structure of the new Compasses Bridge on the Summit Level was completed in mid-October with contractors C.J. Thorne pouring the concrete for the deck that will carry the road across the canal.

Large amounts of steel reinforcement were used for the deck, as the bridge will carry a freight company’s lorries and other traffic going to and from the Dunsfold Park business complex on the Dunsfold Aerodrome site.

Other tasks for Thorne include the construction of wing walls on both sides of the bridge, which is replacing a Second World War concrete causeway blocking the canal.

WACT now has a regular band of volunteers working at the Compasses site – the Summit (Northern) Working Party. Their tasks have included finishing the fence alongside the new access to the bridge and hole digging to locate services such as a BT cable, in preparation for realigning the road.

At the new Gennets Bridge Lock, on the Surrey-Sussex border, WACT volunteers have been making preparations for the bricklaying phase of the project and carrying out other tasks following the completion of the concrete shell.

Contractors Burras finished their work and removed the last of their equipment on 25th September.

One of Burras’s final tasks was to move some of the WACT volunteers’ kit into the lock, saving many hours of strain and manhandling. It was a very welcome help, bearing in mind the weight of the items – about 5.5 tonnes of scaffolding, 10 tonnes of blocks and two bottom quoins at 431kg each.

Volunteers took advantage of some fine autumn weather to put some 40 tonnes of type 1 aggregate on adjacent towpaths. They then back-filled that part of

the back of the lock where the contractors had their shuttering, with perhaps another 50 tonnes of clay, and spent time erecting the scaffolding ready for the Trust’s brickies to start their work.

All aspects of the project costs are closely scrutinised and the Gennets Bridge Lock team has been recycling batteries from narrow boats, cars and tractors as its contribution to the fundraising. All donations will be welcomed.

Compasses Bridge

Gennets Bridge Lock volunteers

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Project leader Eric Walker is also seeking “a couple of thousand hawthorn plants” to put in a new hedge at the lock site.

Rob Searle, Public Relations Officer

WACT EGM on 24th October

At the Trust’s Autumn General Meeting held at Alfold Village Hall an audience of more than 100 heard Chairman Sally Schupke review the Trust’s achievements in the preceding six months, which she said must have been the most exciting period in the history of WACT.

She highlighted the fact that simultaneous progress was being made on more than one major project for the first time – the Gennets Bridge Lock restoration, construction of the new Compasses Bridge on the Summit Level and advanced planning for the Bramley Link section of canal’s Surrey section. The Trust was also starting to make plans for projects at Whipley Manor, Rushetts, Sidney Wood and Harsfold and a master plan was being formed for the Summit Level.

Sally reminded members of the significance of 2016, being the bicentennial of the official opening of the combined Arun Navigation and Wey & Arun Junction canals. Celebrations were planned for the Alfold-Dunsfold area for the end of September 2016.

The Trust’s technical liaison officer, Alan Johnson, had been appointed vice- chairman, former treasurer Jim Phillips was now a Vice President and Richard Stephens and Tony Coles had joined the board.

The sponsored walk awards, presented by Alan Johnson, went to Phil Broadley (Poddle Bowl) and Rosie Perks (Poddle Plate). Prior to the mid-meeting break we were shown some interesting audio-visual slide shows of significant events on the Canal going back to the late 1980s and 1990s. These included the dedication of the restored Baldwin’s Knob lock to the memory of Gordon Foulger and the inauguration of the trip boat Zachariah Keppel. The restoration of various bridges, including Brewhurst and Drungewick was noted with particular mention of the bricklaying team led by the late Jack Pocock, who IWA members may recall also as having been an invaluable member of our G&R Lock One bricklaying effort on the Basingstoke Canal in the 1980s.

Those responsible for specific aspects of the Trust’s activities gave their reports:

Derek Heath, Chairman of Wey & Arun Enterprises Ltd, said that boat trips on the Loxwood section had again been a great success, with a large number of charters in addition to the regular public trips and special feature trips. With more of the canal open to navigation, next year would see some changes in the routes available. He thanked the boat group volunteers who had fully crewed all the trips over the season.

Philip Oliver, Bramley Link manager, mentioned that morning’s opening of the Hunt Nature Park viewing platform and the signing of a lease by Susan and Malcolm Brenton (see separate reports of these two events). Much preparatory work remained to be done before work could commence on the Canal proper from

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Shalford down to Tannery Lane Bridge, and an application for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to support the project would be made next year.

Eric Walker described progress at Gennets Bridge Lock where the Trust’s volunteers had overcome the need to relocate a number of protected Great Crested Newts. The contractors had recently finished their work and the Trust’s volunteers were now carrying out their part of the rebuild.

Tony Ford explained what had been happening at Compasses Bridge. It was hoped that the switchover of access from the Causeway to the new Bridge would take place over a five-day period at Easter 2016. A slipway was to be constructed, with access from the Dunsfold Aerodrome side of the Canal – this would be to IWA Trailboat specifications with a view to a restored section of the Summit Level being the location for a future IWA Trailboat Rally. He also mentioned that the Dunsfold Park residential development was likely to go ahead in some form. It would need a new access road from the A281, where the location of a new roundabout combined with a new bridge over the canal might offer a solution to the major obstacle to continuing navigation northwards at Fastbridge.

Rob Searle, fundraising, press and publicity officer, spoke about the need for the Trust to have a more-predictable income, to improve the planning of its restoration projects. To this end, the Trust’s Restoration Fund had been relaunched as the Milestone Club, to which Members make monthly financial contributions. He urged those present to consider joining the initiative, as all contributions would be welcome. On the question of funding, he pointed out that the Trust would probably not be able to benefit from Landfill Tax grants from next year, as the qualifying distance from a landfill site was being reduced from a radius of five miles to three.

Ray Carnell

Future Events Dec 6th, 13th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, Santa Specials: Children can meet Santa and receive an early Christmas present, with festive refreshment on board. We set sail at 11am, 12noon and 2.00pm, pre-booking advised. £9 per person (see poster on back cover). Dec 26th, Boxing Day Cruises 11:00, 12:00 and 2.00pm. Come and relax on a gentle canal boat trip. Mulled wine, juice and mince pies are included in the ticket price of £5 per person, Children £2.50. Pre-booking advised. Jan 1st, New Year's Day Cruises 11:00, 12:00 and 2.00pm. Come and relax on a gentle canal boat trip. Mulled wine, juice and mince pies are included in the ticket price of £5 per person, Children £2.50. Pre-booking advised. Regular Public Trips run from 2nd Apr until 30th Oct 2016, see http://www.weyandarun.co.uk//tripboats/

Further details and booking from the Trust Office on 01403 752403. office@weyandarun.co.uk www.weyandarun.co.uk Northern Office Phone: 01483 505566 (Mondays-Thursdays, 8.30am-12.30pm)

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IWAKES Branch News

John Williams

Sadly John Williams, a longstanding and most active member of the Kent and East Sussex Branch, died recently.

John, together with his wife Val, was an integral part of the Branch Sales Stall team for many years. Despite his own health problems, not only did he play a full and active part wherever and whenever the Stall was in attendance, but he and Val actually stored the Branch trailer as well as the Stall at their house between venues and through the winters, and John personally towed it to and fro on its regular outings.

Nothing was too much trouble for John in his support of IWA and his local Branch. He was a key member of the team awarded the John Heap Salver in recognition of the Branch's successful fund raising.

A keen trailboater for many years John particularly loved boating on the Thames and also on the Llangollen canal but was always prepared to help others less fortunate than himself via his involvement with the Bruce Trust on the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Kingfisher Trust on the River Medway.

All who knew him will be saddened by his departure. Tony Greenwood

Past EventsThames Sailing Barge Trust trip

IWA (Gareth Jones) organised a Thames Sailing Barge Trust trip, planned to be approximately 3 days at sea. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to lack of a skipper. Three bookings were transferred to the sailing barge ‘Centaur', which participated in the Swale Race of the following weekend. The weather was perfect, with no rain whatever, great warm sunsets and a force five for the race itself. ‘Centaur’ came second in its class (of 2). The skipper, his wife and the mate were great at keeping the rest entertained and working.

Kentish Stour

The Sandwich Town Tidal Defence Scheme has won the ‘Contribution to the Built Environment’ category of the CRT ‘Living Waterways Awards’. The citation states “A cost effective and environmentally sensitive tidal flood defence scheme

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has been developed at the medieval town of Sandwich in Kent. The scheme, which is the single largest flood defence project in Kent for three decades, minimises the scale of hard flood defences while providing a high level of protection.”

Dredging has commenced between Grove Ferry and Fordwich using the EA dredger purchased for the Medway and shared use in Kent & South London. It will move on to Sandwich later.

River Medway News Dredger

The EA dredger and tug unit have been lifted out of the Medway and slipped in on the River Stour at Grove Ferry to begin a winter season of work on this river. It is planned to return the dredger and tug units to the River Medway in February next year. Yalding Boaters Toilet /Shower Block

Building work has been completed on this facility and the services are up and running. An official opening is planned for November. The block consists of two rooms with a shower and toilet in each. Access will be on a pay as you go entry system. It will be a particular useful facility for the canoeists who use the Medway as well as boaters in general. Environment Agency

The 2014/2015 River Medway Annual Report has been published. The report should soon be available for viewing on the Allington Lock website. Total expenditure for this period was £558,837, a small 1.4% decrease on last year. Maintenance costs were down 26.7% due to less money being spent on external dredging contractors. Manpower costs were up 10.2% as a result of higher superannuation contribution costs and salary increases. The proposed mooring & facility charges for 2016/17 show many charges remaining the same with modest increases in car parking and trailer storage at Allington. A 2% increase in long term mooring fees at Allington Lock is proposed. River Medway Registration

The EA propose to phase out the Red Registration option and from 1st April 2017, all boats will be required to have a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate to comply with the registration requirements. The Boat Safety Scheme was introduced on the River Medway in April 2012 but to assist boat owners whose boats were not used and undergoing refit/refurbishment while afloat, the Red registration was offered. With this option, boat owners pay the full registration fee and insure their boats but have to declare they do not use the boat for navigation and all LPG /fuel and electrical systems are disconnected. Visiting boaters can still obtain a licence for up to three months providing they sign the self-certification section of the form stating their boat complies with the BSS requirements.

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River Level Warning Signs The EA has purchased new large and clear warning signs to advise boaters

of the River Medway level conditions. These signs will be located at each lock with interchangeable sections and be based on the red, amber and green principal. Red indicating Strong Stream advice, Do Not Navigate and Amber proceed with Caution and Green being used under normal river levels. As with all EA navigations, river level and strong stream notifications are posted on the EA relevant webpages and notifications can be sent to mobiles via text if required.

Speeding Boats There have been regular incidents of boats

speeding on the River Medway and creating excessive wash with little regard for other river users when exceeding the 5 knot limit. So the EA and Kent Marine Police have been out in August with a radar gun, and in just a couple of hours have caught one boat far in excess of the speed limit and one without any registration. The radar gun can provide evidence for any prosecution considered but it is hoped increased awareness and reporting of the problem will encourage those concerned to keep to the speed limit for the safety of all river users.

Can you help? Are you interested in the River Medway and what happens on it? I, as the

IWAKES River Medway representative, am looking for some assistance in this role such as gathering of information and news on the Medway. Also occasional attendance at some meetings would be appreciated. If you are an IWA member and can help in this way please contact me, Mike Marsh on 07595 428639 or email mhmarine1@gmail.com

Information As always there is much information and news about the River Medway on

the following websites http://www.allingtonlock.co.uk/home.php https://www.facebook.com/rivermedwayboaters?fref=tshttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/river-medway-bridges-locks-and-facilities-for-boaters

Mike Marsh

Northfleet Harbour Trust

Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust The Annual General Meeting was held on 13th August at Northfleet Harbour.

Members of Parliament, leading KCC councillors and others who visited the Harbour are all very supportive of it.

Graeme Rooney

Speed Gun in action

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Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust

It may not have been a great summer for many choosing to spend their annual holiday in this country but restoration work on Sutton Hall (Isfield) Lock has not suffered and work has been maintained throughout the summer months and nearly all the objectives set for 2015 have been achieved.

Our last report talked of completing the rebuilding of the remaining 5m section of the west chamber wall and continuing with the raising and rebuilding the upstream towpaths along the lock cut.

As September approaches I can report that with materials totalling 45 tons of

concrete and 20 tons of old half bricks ('plums') the lock chamber rebuild has been completed. The lock side has been back-filled, landscaped and the newly-sown grass seed has already taken. The resulting picture is so much different to what we have been used to as the site takes on a whole new, dare I say, smarter appearance.

The upper cut is almost completely cleared and the towpaths raised and re-instated along its length.

The long awaited stop planks grooves have been delivered and have been put into place.

All this work was achieved despite a 5 week period when our trusty and hardworking dumper was out of action with a broken gearbox. I am happy to report that the problem has been fixed and the dumper is now back in action.

Future plans are now on the table and these include sourcing and building lock gates, sourcing the timber for the stop planks, sourcing and fitting a lock ladder, putting into place safety fencing along the length of the lock and thinking about an interpretation board on the lock side to spread the word about the history of the Ouse Navigation and the work that S.O.R.T. have been undertaking.

So there is still plenty of work for Ted Lintott and his small but very capable group of restoration volunteers down at Isfield lock, although they still have their sights on Iron Gate lock on National Trust land at Sheffield Park.

Isfield Lock

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As this is a possible restoration project, some of the workforce will be making site visits there before the winter to discuss with the N.T. the next stages of that idea.

With plenty of work still to do in the future, this summer has however been an important landmark in the work being carried out by S.O.R.T. Restoration of the lock chamber at Isfield has been completed, 10 years since the lock site was cleared and work began.

Terry Owen

Thames & Medway Canal Association

Patricia Rouse – A Tribute

We wrote to a friend to tell him of Pat’s untimely death and he replied that, “She was a loyal friend to your family”. Pat was indeed a loyal friend to us and to so many people, all of whom have been concerned about her failing health and are now deeply saddened by the news of her death on 14 September.

Since about 1980 she has been an integral and supportive member of Thames and Medway Canal Association, always on hand to provide encouragement, friendship and help. In the early days she could be found, rake in hand, clearing undergrowth and reeds from the waterway at Mark Lane, supervising her young daughters and their friends as they learned how to paddle their canoes and rowing boats or welcoming visitors interested in the restoration work.

On Open Days she and David were often ‘Chief Cooks’, toiling over pans of onions and sausages and supplying hot drinks, rolls and tomato ketchup to enthusiastic and often wet and muddy Scouts, Guides, Sea Scouts, their families and friends.

Committee meetings were often held at Pat and David’s home and her generous hospitality helped many a tough discussion to a satisfactory conclusion. She never travelled to a TMCA social gathering without a bag full of tea, coffee, raffle tickets and biscuits and the famous ‘donations’ tin and could then be found in the kitchen of the Gravesend Sailing Club preparing food to share with everyone - and washing up afterwards.

In her professional life Pat was an exams administrator in local schools and a glance at any set of TMCA meeting minutes prepared by her will show how efficient she was at her job. Numerous youngsters have reason to be thankful for the interest and care she took in their welfare and education.

Pat’s family came from near Plymouth and, despite spending most of her life in Gravesend and Northfleet, she retained a love for the coast and countryside of that area. Pat’s contribution to TMCA and the wider community was tremendous and she will be so very much missed by those of us lucky enough to have counted her as our loyal friend. Ron & Jennifer Watts

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Restoration Continues

Following a letter from Network Rail (NR) earlier in the year that ordered TMCA to cease all further work on the canal, better news can now be reported. A ‘temporary’ agreement has now been reached with NR to allow restoration to continue between Mark Lane and the winding hole at Shorne crossing for a period of 2 years. A more permanent, long term, arrangement is being investigated by both parties. The central section adjacent to Nuralite was the only section available to be worked during the hiatus so now looks much better managed. NR cannot allow work on the Higham section as a dry pathway can be found from Canal road across the canal to the rail track (as the water level is now not managed by the TMCA). This seemed a major concern when first noticed by NR but no action has yet been taken. No doubt it will be a while before any agreement is seen, as prior to this they must flood this section and/or erect a suitable fence.

Bernard Snell

Future IWAKES and Other Events Thu 19th Nov, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm, The Upper Room, Perrymount Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3DM (near the railway station and 200 yds from Clair Hall): "The Restoration of Isfield Lock (including design, archaeology and the history of the associated paper-mill and wharf)" by various members of the team: SORT/IWAKES Joint meeting:

Wed 9th Dec, 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm, Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend: IWAKES & TMCA get-together with nibbles: Quiz and slides by Angela Acott

Thu 28th Jan, 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm, Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood, Kent ME2 2AH: “The Wey Navigation”: John Gibson (River Wey Navigation Manager)

Wed 24th Feb, 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm, St Nicholas Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0DE: Branch Annual General Meeting Followed by “The Droitwich Canals Restoration (in brief)”: Roy Sutton:

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings. Venue maps can be found at www.waterways.org.uk/kent/kent_east_sussex

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Oxfordshire Branch News

Well, Banbury Canal Day came and went

Our thanks must firstly go to Pat Thomas who organised the volunteers for the trip boats and to operate the lift bridge, thanks must also go to all IWA members who made the day such a success.

The weather again shone on the righteous, well all of us anyway, for the third year in succession. The day saw every area packed and as always the local support was tremendous. Banbury Canal Day is or course, not only about the canal but brings together all sections of society, Clubs and Organisations, people just having a stroll and

dogs. I say the last as we are convinced more people came on our Branch stand to pat Rosie our rescue terrier than to talk about IWA, but at least they did look round as well. This year we joined with the Banbury Canal Partnership and had an abundance of information for the display boards. (Also see photo on front cover).

Our November event was a talk on the restoration of the narrow boat

‘Raymond’. Raymond was at Banbury Canal Day as was Geoffrey Lewis, the author of many canal based stories, and the CRT flat with the collection of items dredged out of the cut a day or two before. Good place for a bicycle or supermarket trolley!

As I said last time big changes are underway both in Banbury and in Oxford and the Branch will obviously be keeping our collective ears to the ground to see what developments arise. However if anything comes to you, our members attention, please do get in contact. Our contact details are on page 38 of Cargoes. Emails I do try to answer straight away.

Brian Saunders, Branch Secretary

Banbury Canal Day

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Banbury Canal Partnership

Working Parties have continued on the third and fourth Tuesdays of each Month.

We have recently given Pigeons Lock a makeover. Unlike so many locks on the Oxford there is a direct vehicle access, so you can park right next to Pigeons Lock and go back to the car for your sandwiches. However the disadvantage is it also attracts gongoozlers as in the photo below. But they were very appreciative at what was being done. We have also demolished (well it had rotted and keeled over) the timber post and rail fence down from Aynho Bridge to the towpath and around the semicircular weir/bywash. Then erecting a similar replacement with all posts concreted in. The next Tuesday we painted the fence and access gate.

Pictures below show Pigeons lock and Aynho fence

Banbury Canal Partnership work party on 22nd September 2015 having painted the newly installed barrier at Aynho Wharf Weir- left to right: Robin Williams, Brian Saunders, ‘Georgie’ the dog, Colin Garnham-Edge Chair of BCP, Greg Klaes, and Jenny Saunders. Greg is handing over £350 raised during the summer festival season by selling nets of seasoned firewood and small oak trees. It is hoped some of the funds will be used to enhance the section of the South Oxford Canal adopted by the BCP. Most festivals have community fires which can be augmented from the towpath forest when pruning and hedge laying make the wood available; this is a valuable resource that can be utilized for raising funds.

Whilst many hands make light work, many more hands would make even

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lighter work. So if you want a day out in the countryside come and join us. You might just enjoy it so much you become a regular.

Remember we have an email contact address: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com

We also have a website which can be accessed by putting ‘Banbury Canal Partnership’ into Google or other search engines.

Brian Saunders, BCP/IWA Committee representative

Forthcoming Events Wed 9th Dec: Skittles Night. Please Note – Booking required with Ann Yeatman.

Wed 10th Feb: “Boating around Vancouver”, a talk by Ron and Myra Glover.

Wed 9th Mar: AGM

The monthly meetings will be held at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, Oxon. OX5 1AT. 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm. New members and visitors most welcome. For more details or directions phone Ann Yeatman – Tel. 01865 372552

Wilts & Berks Canal

In my last contribution to Cargoes I reported that the W & BCT had a new Chairman and new President.

In September Rod Bluh, Trust Chairman was pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Till as interim Chief Executive. This appointment is a key element of various changes proposed for the re-organisation of the Trust to better facilitate the restoration of the canal. Jonathan will lead a new Executive Group

Jonathan Till is a very experienced businessman who has been helping the Trust with the business plan for the Melksham Link. Wanting to support the Trust further, he has offered to act as our Chief Executive for a period of six months, possibly extendable to twelve months at no cost to the Trust.

Rod stated that “The Directors are very excited by this offer, which we see as enabling us to take a big step forward in the management of the Trust. Over the coming weeks Jonathan will be working to deepen his understanding of the Trust, and to meeting as many people as possible. We look forward to working with him to give our project another step forward”.

The Trust AGM was held at Royal Wootton Bassett in mid-October. Members had the opportunity to view the continued and advancing work on the Studley Grange canal restoration which is coming on apace. Engineers were on hand to describe the work going on and the future plans to connect this section with the existing pound to Chaddington (Summit) Lock. All very exciting. The AGM was very

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well attended, probably a record of around 150 people) and gave a chance for Rod Bluh to introduce himself properly to the members, as well as to hear updates on the restoration master planning process. Changes to the Trust constitution to allow for future changes to the Management structure were agreed although there is to be an EGM next year to finalise the new workings.

That’s all for now. Brian Stovold, Chairman East Vale branch

South London Branch

Kennet & Avon Cruise

The South London Branch’s annual boat trip took place on 3rd October when a party of 20 IWA members and friends met at Kintbury for a cruise on the Kennet Horse Boat Co.’s wide boat “Kennet Valley”. The two hour trip went east through Dreweat’s Lock where the horse winded the boat faultlessly, a manoeuvre he has no doubt performed many times before. A very enjoyable time was had by all, with tea and cake on board. The pleasant early autumn weather also enabled many to enjoy a visit to the conveniently located Dundas Arms and its lovely riverside garden.

Forthcoming Events South London Branch Meetings are held at 7:30 for 8:00 pm in The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. Admission to the talks and presentations is free to all, members or non-members, although we do ask that you donate a minimum of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakers’ expenses, thank you. The next meeting is: Wed 9th Dec, Christmas Social and members' photos.

For more information please contact Alan Smith, telephone 020 8255 1581, mobile 07787 077179 or email alan.smith@waterways.org.uk

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Dates for the 2016 socials are as follows: (speakers to be confirmed)

Fri 22nd Jan: Branch Annual Dinner, 7.30 for 8.00pm. At Caprini Restaurant, Waterloo Road. Booking and more details from Judith Hunter on 020 7350 0499, 07773 532 384 or judith.a.hunter@btinternet.com

Wed 3rd Feb

Wed 9th Mar (also AGM)

Wed 13th Apr

Wed 11th May

Wed 8th Jun

For more information about South London’s Social Calendar in 2016 please contact: Libby Bradshaw Tel: 020 8874 2787, Mobile: 07956 655037 Email: libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk

Canalway Cavalcade 2016

Volunteers Needed

A message to members from Paul Strudwick, Chairman of IWA London Region:

I am writing to you to ask if you would like to join the team that runs IWA’s Canalway Cavalcade over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend each year (Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May in 2016). Over recent years Canalway Cavalcade has grown into the largest inland waterways event attracting over 30,000 visitors from all over the world. If you’ve never been, see what you have been missing, have a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuZIfL-rrwE . If you could help on the weekend or, if you have a little more time, in organising a specific aspect of the event please have a word with Jerry Sanders, Commercial Director telephone: 07788 204442 or simply complete the volunteering form available from https://www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/canalway_cavalcade/volunteer

We look forward to seeing you there next year.

Walks

Towpath Walks Group is looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal (and elsewhere).

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This introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways – which most outsiders don’t realise is here! It is also a good way of recruiting new members to IWA. No experience? No problem, we’ll brief you so, if you’d like to give this a try, please contact Roger Wilkinson.

Sun 6th Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue

Sun 20th Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square to St. Pancras, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank)

Sun 27th Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue

Fri 1st Jan, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square to St. Pancras, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank)

Sun 3rd Jan, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Islington to Hoxton, meet Angel

Sun 17th Jan, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue

Sun 7th Feb, 2.30pm: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers, meet Bromley–by-Bow

Sun 21st Feb, 2.30pm: Walk, Limehouse – Thames – Docklands, meet Westferry (DLR) (by Cycle Hire Point)

Sun 6th Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, meet Mile End

Sun 20th Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Islington to Mile End, meet Angel

Sun 27th Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square to Camden, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank)

Sun 3rd Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue

Sun 17th Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Regents Canal: Kings Cross, Hitchcock’s Hackney, meet Kings Cross (taxi rank)

Sun 1st May, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Regent’s Park & R. Tyburn to Little Venice, meet Baker St. (Baker St. North/Lords exit)

Sun 15th May, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue

The Walks programme continues on alternate Sundays for the rest of the season – see next Cargoes for further details.For more information about Walks (Normal charge: £10.00, Concessions & Student rate: £8.00) please contact Roger Wilkinson, telephone: 07896 801930 or email: rogerw9796@yahoo.co.uk

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Guildford Town Centre Masterplan

Malthouse Green. The George Abbot public house would be retained as the key building on the corner of a new town centre green, replacing the existing Portsmouth Road car park and leading down to the river. This project could be introduced as a short term quick win through the installation of temporary landscaping and pop-up uses, pending more complete transformation in the medium to long term. There might also be moorings for boaters wishing to visit the town centre.

Plans courtesy of Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners

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A selection of IWA Christmas merchandise

X035 - 2016 IWA Calendar - £3.60 Featuring waterway scenes in a detachable postcard format. One month to view with space for daily notes.

X036 - Calendar Envelope - £0.20 supplied separately.

Christmas Cards – 3.60 per Pack Printed on high quality card. Supplied in packs of ten of one design. Includes envelopes

X105 - Working boats on the Grand Union. From an original painting by Alan Firth.

X106 - Berkhamsted Lock, on the Grand Union. From an original painting by Alan Firth.

X107 - The Packet House, Worsley. From an original painting by Dave Gardham.

X108 - Hungerford Church, Kennet & Avon. Photograph by Gillie Rhodes.

X109 - Tuel Lane Tunnel, Rochdale Canal. Photograph by Darren Fleming.

Buy at www.iwashop.com or call 01494 783453

The Inland Waterways Association South East Region: Chairman Gareth Jones, Hill House Farm,

Misbrooks Green Road, Beare Green, Dorking, RH5 4QQ Phone: 07850 819071 Email: gareth@hillhouse.farm

Guildford & Reading Branch: Chairman Gareth Jones, Contact details as above

Kent & East Sussex Branch: Chairman Mike Hannan Trumpeter, Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9JN

Phone: 01622 890586 Email: mcfhannan@btinternet.com

Oxfordshire Branch: Contact Brian Saunders Tintern Cottage, County View, Clifton, Banbury, Oxon OX15 0QA

Phone: 01869 337227 Email: brisaunders33@gmail.com

Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA.

Editorial Team: Ray Carnell and Tim Fry iwacargoes@hotmail.com

Next issue Spring 2016 Copy date 15th January 2016

Printed by www.imprintcolour.co.uk - Tel: 01252 314765

X105 X106

X109

X035

X107 X108