NNNNNaaaaavviesvviesvviesvviesvvies

waterway recovery group

VVVVVolunteerolunteerolunteerolunteerolunteers rs rs rs rs restoring westoring westoring westoring westoring waaaaaterwterwterwterwterwaaaaayyyyysssssNo 199 June - July 2003No 199 June - July 2003No 199 June - July 2003No 199 June - July 2003No 199 June - July 2003

Little Venice reportMore Aston Opening pictures

Time to restore the Hollinwood Branch?

ContribContribContribContribContributionsutionsutionsutionsutions..................are always welcome, whether hand-written,typed, on 3½" floppy disk, CR-ROM or by e-mail. Photos also welcome: slides or colour orb/w prints. Please state whether you want yourprints back; I assume that you want slidesreturned. Digital / computer scanned photosalso welcome, either on floppy / CD-ROM or ase-mail attachments, preferably JPG format.Send them to the editor Martin Ludgate, 35,Silvester Road, London SE22 9PB, or e-mailtomartin.ludgate@wrg.org.uk. Press date forNo 200: July 1st.

SubscriptionsSubscriptionsSubscriptionsSubscriptionsSubscriptionsA year's subscription (6 issues) is available for aminimum of £1.50 (please add a donation if pos-sible) to Sue Watts, 15 Eleanor Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9FZ. Cheques to"Waterway Recovery Group" please.Visit our web site www.wrg.org.uk for all the latest news of WRG's activities

In this issue:In this issue:In this issue:In this issue:In this issue:Chairman MKP looks forward to summer 3Appeal newsTheRight Tool for theRight Job4-5Aston report from the reopening weekend 6-8Rapid Recycling an unlikely tale fromWarks. 9Training weekend report 10-11WRG NorthWest on theMon &Brec 12-13Cavalcade report from Little Venice 14-15Diary camps and working parties 16-18Letters more on American canals 19-20Logistics Red Swarf! 21Dolly building a new spoon-dredger 22-23Dig Deep looking for new worksites 24-25Holllinwood A future restoration project? 26-28WRGBC WRG Boat Club news 29Bits & Pieces and Bungle�s crane 30Noticeboardwho�s got married??? 31Backfill splat the WRGie! 32

And neAnd neAnd neAnd neAnd next timext timext timext timext time..................the latest news on theAppeal including every-thing that we�re planning to do at the Beale ParkNational Waterways Festival. Plus more aboutthe proposed Bradley Locks restoration. And -hopefully - the first few camp reports from thesummerCanal Camps... provided you all remem-ber to write them and send them to me....

ContentsContentsContentsContentsContents

Cover photo: London WRG and narrow boat �Fulbourne� doing their best to get the Appeal messageacross during the Pageant of Boats in Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice over the May Day holidayweekend. (Tim Lewis) For more about Little Venice see pages 14-15. For more about the Appeal seepages 3-5. For more photos of RichardWorthington see pretty much any issue of �Navvies� these days....Below: Beyond that blocked-off entrance in the background lie several miles of interesting and some-times very attractive waterway, just waiting to be restored. Where is it? See pages 26-28. (Bob Gough)

page 2

ChairmanChairmanChairmanChairmanChairman

page 3

Chairman�s Comment

It is very sunny and I�m stuck at work! Thiswould be unacceptable if it were not for the factthat this gives me even more time off in lieu lateron this year. Why is this important? Because it isgoing to be a great summer! Why? BecauseWRGbrass recently reviewed the plans for thesummer Canal Camps and we have great sites,great leaders, great work, lots of volunteers andclearly the weather is going to be fantastic!

I have to admit I have a little extra inside informa-tion that keeps me confident: the recent successof our Training Weekend, when lots of volunteerswere trained-up for the skills they may well usethis year. As ever our huge thanks to Alison Bot-tomley for organising this weekend - a huge taskthat Al carries out superbly. This year the week-end was supported by TheWaterways Trust andour thanks to them as well as our hosts at Hat-ton. In a new development we also ran a leadertraining day to give some of our leaders moreconfidence and ensure that they could providethe very best leadership on their Camps. Thiswas very successful, enjoyable and fairly reveal-ing: I think we may well repeat thecourse later on in the year.

We have also rewritten ourVolunteers�Health and Safety Guide (the littlegreen book) to be more up-to-dateand more informative about the waywe run our sites. As with all our docu-mentation we are making this freelyavailable to anyone who may benefitfrom it on the website www.wrg.org.uk(if you can�t get access to the websitethen please contact WRG Head Of-fice but please do remember they arebusy bunnies!). And just to bring us intothe 21st century the Health and SafetyVideo is now available on DVD!

I do have one dark cloud in this brightblue sky and that is that the CanalCamp at Sleaford has had to be can-celled - it�s nobody�s fault really. Thework was dependant on getting ap-proval from the EnvironmentAgency forthe design of the overflow weir. This,of course, required a great deal of in-formation to be collated about rainfall,maximum flows, etc. Quite simply notenough data was available in time for adesign to be finalised. Seeing as thereis no point in putting in a weir at thewrong level we are having to move theCamp. By the time you read this wewill have found an alternative site andinformed all the volunteers.

Looking to the medium term future I am pleasedto say that, after a short time away from havingvolunteers on the ground, the Cotswold Canalsare about to start up again. I recently attendedthe re-launch of the restoration (at Prince Charles�country retreat at Highgrove no less!) and oncethey finalise a few remaining reports, funding ap-plications, etc. it looks like volunteer work will startup again towards the end of the year. The Cots-wolds Canal Partnership promise quite a majorproject so if anyone was under the impressionthat all these major restorations were going to besorted out without any help from the volunteers -well I wouldn�t put your boots away yet.

And finally as I am sure you will all want to knowhow the Right Tool for the Right Job appeal isprogressing, on the next page is an update fromDr Liz...

Mike Palmer

It wouldn�t beaproper �Navvies�without a reopeningphoto thesedays. This is the Wey & Arun�s new aqueduct and bridge atDrungewick being officially opened onMay 31st, extending thenavigable Loxwood Link section southwards. (Adrian Fry)

page 4

AppealAppealAppealAppealAppealWWWWWe�e�e�e�e�rrrrre a thire a thire a thire a thire a third ofd ofd ofd ofd of the wthe wthe wthe wthe waaaaay toy toy toy toy torrrrraising £75,000....aising £75,000....aising £75,000....aising £75,000....aising £75,000....

The Right Tool for the Right Job

As I write this the Appeal funds held at Head Of-fice are in excess of £20,000 and I know of atleast £3,000 more �in the post� so by the time youread this we will be about a third of the way there.Seeing as we launched the Appeal only threemonths ago that seems pretty good but we can�trest up yet. I was always expecting a wide varietyof fund raising antics but you seem to be exceed-ing my expectations. Here are just a few exam-ples:

Firstly I have to thank you for the response to theAppeal leaflet enclosed in the last navvies. Indi-vidual donations ranged from £1 to £1,000 ! Thesereally are a vitally important part of the total raisedso far so if you haven�t made a donation then please consider doing so using the leaflet that isincluded in this issue. If you have made a donation then I�m sure you know someone who hasn�t andwho could do with a leaflet!

Next we really must mention theAston Opening race night - organ-ised by Brian Bayston, and sup-ported by over a hundred IWA andMWRTmembers, locals and WRG.This was fantastic fun and raisedover £1800 on the night. HowevertheShrewsbury andBorderCountiesbranch of the IWA held a raffle overthe weekend, raised £250 thenpromptly matched it with another£250. This was followed up by con-tributions from Vodaphone (£500)and Barclays (£750). In both casesthis was simply because one of theiremployees had helped in somewayon the night. This brings the total forone night to over £3,500 - just forhaving fun! A superb example ofeveryone getting together.

I am very pleased to say that manyof the IWA branches have been ex-tremely generous in their donations,which have come from their ownfundraising efforts. For example theNorthampton boat rally madeenough profit for IWA Northantsbranch to donate £1000.

As part of their contribution to the Appeal, London WRG havebought a bricksaw, which they will have for their own use when itisn�t needed on Canal Camps duty. Here it is seen being putthrough its paces at the Training weekend. (Alan Lines)

�SplattheWRGie�gameatLittleVenice(MartinLudgate)

page 5

AppealAppealAppealAppealAppeal...and w...and w...and w...and w...and we need ye need ye need ye need ye need your help toour help toour help toour help toour help torrrrraise the other twaise the other twaise the other twaise the other twaise the other two-thiro-thiro-thiro-thiro-thirds!ds!ds!ds!ds!

And in a similar vein to the corporate donations,donations �in kind� have proved very successfulas well. One individual simply bought us a con-crete mixer and gave it to us! Other companiessuch asMyark trees and ground carewere ableto give us a Tirfor winch. Perhaps a number ofcompanies could get together to sponsor a van!We can only hope - and if anyone is interested inthe idea (or can think of any other possible sourcesof �cash or kind� then please contact me(liz.williamson@wrg.org.uk).

As well as all the other folks who�ve been givinggenerously, we�ve also been doing a fair bit of ourown fundraising. Both as individuals (as we wentto press, WRGie Michael Hamlyn was planningto do a sponsored walk up the 15 highest Welshpeaks) and as groups - at the Little Venice Canal-way Cavalcade festival, London WRG�s Tombolaand �Splat the WRGie� game raised over £400 forthe Appeal.

As I say, these are just a few examples and Iapologise if you don�t see yourself anywhere herebut please accept my thanks enmasse here.Whatwe have all achieved so far has been amazing, a lotof people really are putting in a lot of effort andwhile we still got a long way to go, if we keep com-ing upwith ideaswewill reach our goal of £75,000.

And finally don�t forget that at the �National� atBeale Park in August we�ll be doing all kinds offun things for the Appeal, culminating in the return of the WRG Panto, where Uncle Abanazer will betempting Aladdin with �New Vans for Old!� - please contact me if you want to help with it.

�Dr Liz� Williamson

Postscript from the Chairman...

We have actually started purchasing someof the items from our �shopping list� in timefor the summer Canal Camp season. Theseitems, such as the concrete mixers, hardhats and personal protection kits will be inuse from day one so hopefully we won�t bespending our time sitting around waiting forthe local hire company to deliver the mixer.I wish we could say the same about thecement of course!

And finally on a sad note: I am sorry tohave to report the recent death of my name-sake Michael Palmer, who many of you willremember from Canal Camps a few yearsago, or more recently from theWRGWorksevents that he attended. We would like toexpress our sympathy to his friends, familyand colleagues and our gratitude for theirgenerous donations to the Appeal in hismemory.

Mike Palmer

Bungle and Sally accept the kind donation of aTirfor Winch by Simon Grindrod of Myark treesand ground care. (Martin Ludgate)

Can you work out which canal this is? If so, you justmight like to have a go at the latest round of the monthlyAppeal Quiz on the WRG web-site, where it appearsalong with 39 other photos showing 40 different water-ways we�ve worked on. There are clues to all the an-swers, so it isn�t too hard. And there�s a £25 prize! There�sno entry fee, but we do ask entrants to make a donationto the Appeal. See www.wrg.org.uk. (Martin Ludgate)

page 6

Aston Locks Reopening, Montgomery Canal3-6 April 2003

Thursday 3 April

Lou was hoping to get enough bodies togetherfor a final bit of work on the Maesbury storm wa-ter weir today, but since there ended up beingjust the two of us we decided instead to under-take the very important job of ensuring the canalis in a fit state to be presented to the public. Sowe check out the view from the Queen�s Head(very good, especially the �findthe bread� sandwiches!), Tory�sseat at Lock 3 (first clearing itof stray grass and twigs), andthe various other benches stra-tegically placed along the tow-path. We were just on our wayto Maesbury to clear accumu-lated debris out of the weir,whenHelen �Bushbaby�, speak-ing on Mike�s behalf, rings meto speak to Lou. We about turnto meet them in West Feltonwith the hall keys, and unloadthe kit, the KESCRG cookerand the food. We then makeanother expedition out to collecta fridge, a generator and somephotos (including the full rangeof �Jude looking fed up doingvarious jobs at Lock 3�). Even-tually around 20 people sit downto dinner, after which we ad-journ across the road to the newtrendy Punchbowl. Fortunately,their attitude to us taking overone side of the bar doesn�tseem to have changed, as weare gradually joined by morebodies, once they�ve negotiatedthe road-works on the A5 (onlywhite line painting we discoverlater), which appear to makeWest Felton inaccessible fromboth north and south. The post-pub partying in the back roomsets the weekend off to a flyingstart.

Friday 4 April

After breakfast, the hall turns into a hive of activ-ity as we clear away our clutter and construct therather cleverly designed �pack-away� stage, andvolunteers are dispatched to organise the carparking down at Queen�s Head. By 11am, we areall assembled at Lock 1, alongwith a large numberof the general public, for the Grand Opening. Theceremony features speeches from MKP (with a�WRG power�theme), John Fletcher, chairman ofthe IWAand the all-important celebrity, John Cra-ven. The red ribbon was cut, and the Vale of Llan-gollen trip boat, carrying the various dignitariesandWRG�s very ownAJ and MKP enters the lockto the sound of the Welshpool High School jazzband. The tent erected by BW to protect the mu-sicians from the elements attempts a break forfreedom, so �some heavy wrgies� are requestedto hold onto the poles: with Harry, Bungle andGavon the job, I don�t think it was going anywhere!Most of us follow the boat convoy as it makes itway down the three locks and along to Maesbury.

AstonAstonAstonAstonAstonRRRRReopening ofeopening ofeopening ofeopening ofeopening of �our� loc�our� loc�our� loc�our� loc�our� lockkkkks ons ons ons ons onthe Montgthe Montgthe Montgthe Montgthe Montgomery Canalomery Canalomery Canalomery Canalomery Canal

What�s he saying? JohnCravenmakes his official opening speech, asthe tent in the background threatens to blow away. (Steve Davis)

page 7

We then return to Lock 3 for a barbeque. How-ever, MKP�s bright idea involving griddles andgenerator backfires, so Leo and Angus set off tobuy some disposable barbeques. Some time, andmuch smoke, later, burgers are enjoyed by all,thanks to Dr Liz and Bushbaby, as we while awaythe afternoon helping the various boats back upthrough the lock. Back in West Felton, dinner isswiftly served and eaten, and the hall is trans-formed into a theatre for a performance by Day-star, while others of us again adjourn to the pub.On our return, there is a scrabble to find suffi-cient floor space for sleeping, upon, around and(almost) under the stage, while a fortunately small,given the plumbing arrangements, breakaway fac-tion set up in the alternative accommodation, theBrownie Guide hut down the road.

Saturday 5 April

A much appreciated slow start, except for thoseoff to the BW Heritage Centre at Hatton for vari-ous training courses (including, in the words ofMKP �excavators and twisted metal� � hopefullythe second isn�t as a result of the first!). Therewas very little to be done on site today, so peoplemake their own entertainments: shopping in Ches-ter, walking along the canal, a sightseeing visit toIronbridge, and a trip through the locks onFulbourne. Meanwhile, a small catering team ap-ply themselves to creating an Italian banquet for90+ and turningWest Felton village hall into Chel-tenham (with many thanks to the WRG NW la-dies for the fantastic �[Right] Royal [Tool] Box� andAl Moore for her posters). The secondWRGRaceNight is a huge suc-cess, with over £1900raised for the Right Toolfor the Right Job Ap-peal, which will hope-fully be turned into over£3000 with matchingfunding from variouspeople�s employers.Special thanks to Judeand Ellie for coordinat-ing the catering mara-thon (especially the tri-fle!), and to everyonewho helped with tablelaying,Abs andNina forallowing themselves tobe co-opted as wait-resses at the lastminute,Alan and Rose-mary Whiffen and theirvarious helpers for run-ning the Tote and last,but by no means least,the evening�s M.C.,Brian Bayston.

AstonAstonAstonAstonAston�....Mik�....Mik�....Mik�....Mik�....Mike�e�e�e�e�s bright idea ins bright idea ins bright idea ins bright idea ins bright idea invvvvvolvingolvingolvingolvingolvinggggggriddles and griddles and griddles and griddles and griddles and generenerenerenereneraaaaatortortortortorsssss...�...�...�...�...�

Above: a full house for the DayStar performance,with theWRGacoomodation atWest Felton rapidlyreconfigured into a theatre. (Martin Ludgate) Be-low: the official reopening boat passes the �WendyHouse� by Lock 3. (Alan Lines)

page 8

AstonAstonAstonAstonAston�...theprideandsa�...theprideandsa�...theprideandsa�...theprideandsa�...theprideandsatisftisftisftisftisfactionaactionaactionaactionaactionatttttfffffinally seeing their locinally seeing their locinally seeing their locinally seeing their locinally seeing their lockkkkksopen...�s open...�s open...�s open...�s open...�

Sunday 6 April

Rather unfortunately for some of us, there wasno chance of a lie-in this Sunday, since we neededto be up and about by 9am to provide marshalsand minibus drivers for the Montgomery CanalSociety�s annual Dinghy Dawdle, which had beenarranged to coincide with the opening and wasrunning along the newly opened stretch of thecanal. The paddlers and walkers had reachedthe top ofAston by lunchtime, where we providedthem with much needed, given the change in theweather, tea and coffee and managed to get ridof most of our �cake mountain� in exchange forsome further donations to the appeal. The after-noon was spent separating out and packing thevarious kits while people gradually made their wayhome.

Thanks to everyone who did their bit towardsmaking the weekend such a success. As a rela-tive newcomer to the Mont, I can only imaginethe pride and satisfaction that was felt by many atfinally seeing their locks open and being used byboats.

Harri Thomsett

Above: the Dinghy Dawdle sets off. (MartinLudgate) Below left: �Yes, but how much BEERwill it hold?� - Harry Watts wins the traditional wa-ter can painted byGrahamPalmer in the final raceat the Race Night. (Julie Arnold). Below: Howlong before we can boat all the way to Newtown?(Bill Beard)

page 9

RRRRRecececececyyyyycccccling!ling!ling!ling!ling!�...c�...c�...c�...c�...cyyyyyccccclinglinglinglingling, boa, boa, boa, boa, boatingtingtingtingting, f, f, f, f, fishing andishing andishing andishing andishing andwwwwwalkalkalkalkalking aring aring aring aring are compae compae compae compae compatibtibtibtibtiblelelelele...�...�...�...�...�

Rapid Recycling

When Clive Henderson � IWAWest Midland Re-gion�s new Chairman - arrived at the LeamingtonCanal Carnival, held around GU Bridge 40 overthe Bank Holiday weekend 3rd to 5th May, he foundthat mooring was not quite as easy as he�d beenled to believe. As an experienced, and thereforepessimistic, boater he made full use of his keb tolocate and remove the cause of the problem...

Among the ironmongery removed was a kiddiesbike, which - apart from being muddy - looked inreasonable condition. Although the chain wasmissing, the brakes and tyres looked as thoughthey would have satisfied the harshest of MOT orBSS (bike safety scheme) examiners...

Onhearing that at the endof theCarnival BWwouldsimply clear it away on their work boat and �skip� it:Warwickshire IWA committee members, RachelLawson and Sue Roy, stood it by their impromptusales stand and cheekily stuck a £10 tag on it.

Within an hour - and after a short and not too seri-ous �haggle� - they sold it for £8 to a visitor walkingalong the towpath, and it therefore made a signifi-cant contribution to the £125 that they raised.

As the branch committee had promised to �matchfund� anything raised from the sale of items do-nated to their stall, and in turn to donate the totalto WRG�s �Right Tool Appeal�; this little episode notonly allowed Warwickshire branch to present JudeMoore ofWRGwith a cheque for £250 at their Maymeeting, but it also showed how cycling, boating,fishing, and towpath walking are compatible ac-tivities, which when combined in the right way canactually help with waterway recovery.

Ian Fletcher

page 10

TTTTTrrrrrainingainingainingainingainingRRRRReeeeeporporporporporting frting frting frting frting fromtheWRomtheWRomtheWRomtheWRomtheWRGTGTGTGTGTrrrrrain-ain-ain-ain-ain-ing wing wing wing wing weekeekeekeekeekendendendendend

TrainingWeekend 2003

Don�t know about anyone else, but I had a greattime! This was due mainly to the fact that every-thing seemed easier this year. No tractors inhedges, no hospital visits, no complaints (yet) andnomistakes or breakdowns on the trip down. Hur-rah! About 40 people joined us over the course ofthe weekend. Plant sessions as always were veryfull but we also had the chance to train on brick-laying, heritage pointing and levels. This year wehad new courses on Risk Assessment and Abra-sive Wheels which were also well attended.

The accommodation was particularly �cosy� butdid boast showers although most preferred timein the pub to time on personal hygiene! This wasa plus asmany ideaswere generated for theWRGshow to be performed at the Festival this year(although some are probably not clean enoughto make it to the final script � should have hadthat shower.)

None of this would have been possible without anumber of people who selflessly gave up their timeat very short notice and made things happen.Speaking to the instructors just 2 weeks beforethe event made me realise how incredible you allare. Where most would be miffed at the lack ofadvance warning, you simply replied, �no prob-lem, I�ll be there, just tell me what you want me todo.� Your time and support are truly appreciated �Thank you. Big thanks also to Mike who sortedout all the plant, the site and all the important stuff.Thanks to all the trainees for coming � you wereobviously very good becausemany of the instruc-tors commented on how �receptive� and skilled youwere, making the teaching very easy. Thanks toDr. Liz and her catering team for keeping us sowell fed and for teaching me how to cook some-thing other than pasta!! Finally, thank you to BWfor letting us invade your site and premises! I re-ally liked the �office� with the biggest desk in theworld and a superb wheeley chair... little things...

page 11

Next year the girls will be running a new courseon the ancient art of �how to dress and undresswhilst retaining your modesty on a camp� �a skillthat some of you blokes clearly have not yet mas-tered, proved so beautifully by the Chairman onSunday afternoon. Anyone got a photo of expla-nation?!

I hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as I didand took away something useful from the week-end other than a nasty hangover. If you have anysuggestions as to how we can improve the week-end or ideas for other courses then send me ane-mail and we will look into them for next year.

Hope to see you over the camp season

Ali �Womble� Bottomley

PS Fred, you are still the best ornament by far!

As well as the usual training on excavators,dumpers, vans, trailers and surveying (oppo-site page) we had Bungle training people todrive tractors (and eat Mars bars) above, BWtraining on heritage mortar and pointing rightand abrasive disks below. Meanwhile Womblemasterminded the whole thing from her bun-ker in the BW Hatton offices below right. Allphotos by Martin Ludgate.

page 12

Dig rDig rDig rDig rDig reeeeeporporporporportttttWRWRWRWRWRGNorGNorGNorGNorGNorthWthWthWthWthWest on the �Mon&est on the �Mon&est on the �Mon&est on the �Mon&est on the �Mon&BrBrBrBrBrec�Crec�Crec�Crec�Crec�Crumlin brumlin brumlin brumlin brumlin brancancancancanchhhhh

North West Head South

In defiance of everything we know to be true aboutSouth Wales, I put my shorts on to head to siteon Saturday morning. Everything else had goneso well that I didn�t believe that the weather woulddare let us down. The hall was the Methodistchurch hall in Cross Keys � a veritable palace incomparison to our last accommodation atIronbridge; breakfast was marvellous (thanks Liz!);the sun was shining and I had recovered from avery real fear of being blown off the Severn Bridgeon the way over on Friday night. Even the pubwasonly 20 yards away (OK OK it was a particularlypoor pub which offended us �real ale heads� but itdid give Malcolm something which he has beenwaiting for for a very long time: the opportunity totry Worcestershire Sauce flavour crisps...)

The 14 locks were looking particularly lovely whenwe got there � the top lock now with added gates!Although it didn�t take long for the rain to find us,it wasn�t too bad until late afternoon and didn�tdissuade John Foley, resident arsonist, from start-ing his fire with the aid of a Meccano box bellows.

I spent much of the weekend clearing out an over-spill weir at the tail of one of the locks (don�t askme to count which one...) which I had discoveredwhen I had stumbled into it whilst wielding aslasher at the brambles lining the edge of thepound.

We had a bit of a tug-of-war trying to liberate amooring bollard from the bottom of the lock wherethe trickiest bit was strategically positioning thebe-wellied people in relation to the wetter parts ofsuction mud.

On Sunday evening we went for a bit of a natureramble to the bottom of the locks. Some of ushaving been distracted firstly by the �passing placelock� (is that really what it is?) then by the bottompound (aka Bungle�s swimming pool) we met theothers coming back from under the motorwaybridge which marks the bottom of the flight.�What�s through there?� we asked. �Just somesmelly old bit of canal� muttered Bob Dewey - andthis from the man who had driven the length ofWales to see it?!

Scraping together my last bits of energy, I de-cided to walk back to the accommodation � adistance of about 4 miles we reckoned. Giventhat it took me about 1 ¾ hours, either I wasmore tired than I thought or it was top side of 6miles as the canal clung to the side of the valleyfollowing the lines of the hillside. The first coupleof miles were quite heartening � it looked asthough all that was needed was a spot of heavyduty pruning to the over hanging trees and for thebed to be dredged.

MonmouthshireCanal CrumlinArm

�Mon & Brec�

Newport

Brecon

Abergavenny

Crumlin

Pontypool

Brecon &AbergavennyCanal

Monmouth-shire Canalmain line

The �Mon & Brec�consists of the naviga-ble Brecon &Abergavenny Canalfrom Brecon toPontypool, the Mon-mouthshire Canalmain line (currentlynavigable only fromPontypool toCwmbran) and theCrumlin Branch(unnavigable).

Cwmbran

Cross KeysCwmcarn

�FourteenLocks�

75

10

10

514

WRG NW in action at 14 Locks. (John Hawkins)

page 13

The next mile or so had already been dredged,the towpath relaid and new benches installed �themain disappointment being that the beginningand end of this stretch was marked by roadbridges which had been built through the canalrather than over it. Over the length I counted 6blockages � 4 of which were roads crossingthrough the canal, one section where an aque-duct is needed to cross over a road and one sec-tion of approx 200 yds where the canal has givenway to a spot of landscaping to allow for a chi-cane-ridden access road.

Having walked the length of the canal from theaccommodation to Cwmcarn on Saturday night,where some boats and a dredger are alreadymoored, I can say that I�ve seen all of the stretchto be restored and now understand where the£32million price tag comes from to complete thework. Restoring all the way to Crumlin � the his-torical terminal of this branch, is now a bit of a no-go as the canal has since been used as the foun-dations for the Cwmcarn bypass.

Shopping List (to the untrained observer): 4 roadcrossings, 2 aqueducts, 1 motorway invert,30something lockgates, a spot of structural inves-tigation into the locks and a few weeks of heavyduty gardening and dredging.

This is however, one of the busiest and well main-tained canal towpaths I have seen for walkers,picnickers, cyclists, runners and fishermen. Plentyof scope here, not only for fundraising, but alsofor recruiting volunteers to help with the monthsof work which stretch ahead of us on thispicturskew branch arm (I promise it really is niceif you can catch it between the downpours.)

Corinne Watson

Above: sometimes it�s even dry enough for pic-nics in South Wales! (John Hawkins). Below:�Passing-place lock (is that really what it is)� - yourguess is as good as ours... please send any sug-gestions as to why it was built this shape to theeditor. (Martin Ludgate)

page 14

Little VLittle VLittle VLittle VLittle VeniceeniceeniceeniceeniceEddie Jones rEddie Jones rEddie Jones rEddie Jones rEddie Jones reeeeeporporporporports frts frts frts frts fromomomomomCanalCanalCanalCanalCanalwwwwwaaaaay Cay Cay Cay Cay Cavvvvvalcadealcadealcadealcadealcade

LV 2003 � ramblings of that bloke with the bigginger beard

Now then,

I have always enjoyed the annual Little VeniceCanalway Cavalcade which is why I turn up everyyear and pester various other souls to give me ahand with running site services.

One of those coerced into helping, in fact organ-ising the volunteers during the weekend for thelast few years has been Helen �Bush Baby�Gardner. I thought she enjoyed the gig and so itwas with some dismay I discovered she had ar-ranged to be up a seriously high mountain in Ne-pal during the event this year. If she wanted adifferent role she only had to ask!

Seriously though, the lack of Bush Baby wasmaking me a rather concerned till I ran into Viv atthe 25th reopening of the Mont earlier this year.Amazing what people will agree to after spending

all eve in the front bar of the �Punch Bowl�.

With the old Skool team in place (Bush picked upViv�s role when Viv went �oop north�), I felt muchhappier. In fact the arrangements were goingswimmingly, right up to the Friday the week be-fore the event, before Mr Sod�s Law got in on theaction...

Had a call Friday eve while in a very noisy barfrom one of narrow boat Tarporley�s steerers tosay she was rather unwell. (�she� being �Tarporley�rather than the steerer!) In fact she was at a yardsomewhere the other side of Tring, out of thewaterand waiting for some leaks to be patched. Did Ireally need her!

For those who have stayed over at LV over thelast few years will know how much we rely on�Tarps� for accommodation, its kitchen, a site forthe radio base etc etc. I confirmed I would bemetaphorically up Bow Creek on an outgoing tidewith a bust prop-shaft without her and so yes, shehad to be with us.

Not sure who let who down, but I must thank theteam who run �Tarporley� for their non stop boat-ing efforts to get her to us by Friday morning, al-though I could have done without the phone callsup to Monday eve explaining she was still out ofthe water!

Once the fun of updating risk assessments, vol-unteer handbooks etc. had been sorted and I had

filled the back of my LandRover Discovery with ca-bles from �Sammy� the gen-erator truck in Reading, itwas off to site Wednesdaymorning to meet Paul andLynnAyres on NB �Algate�.For the last few years wehave boated up toSpringfield on the Lea tocollect the marquees, ta-ble, chairs and fencing etcthat are needed to make afestival work. Last year thejob went elsewhere whichended in a near disaster,so this year we were backon.

This took us to the secondmeeting with Mr Sod.

�We got to Springfield at2:30pm to find the ladsfrom Hackney FestivalSupport parked about 1/2mile away from the wharf.

Part of what gives Canalway Cavalcade its own special atmosphere: thePool at Little Venice absolutely packed full of boats. (Mike Palmer)

page 15

Upon enquiry we found some considerate peo-ple had parked their cars such that they couldn�tget the trucks past. After a good few hours kick-ing our heels and no sign of the owners we turnedour backs and suddenly the cars bounced out theway. �Amiracle!� is all I can say. Eventually wewereloaded and running hard back down the Lee byearly evening. By the time we had collecting therest of the gear from the Pirate Club in Camden,it was a very cold and stiff crew who hit the �War-wick Castle� about 10:30pm that eve.

Must say the growing number of canal-diggingboat-owning types is a great benefit as I had aberth down the arm on NB �Speedwell�, Cath andNick�s boat. Very much appreciated Wed eve!

Thurs saw me on the run to deepest Essex tocollect the big power cables and back on site lateafternoon. Harry and Steve turned up shortly af-terwards and along with Lew C with whose helpmeant by the time we hit the �Warwick� the mainsdistribution was out along with the start of thesignage. I was a very happy bunny as we were24hrs further on than last year when I don�t thinkeven themarquees were all up let alone powered.

Obviously this couldn�t last, and sure enoughMr Sodturned up to play his trump card Friday afternoon.

Just as the traders starting to appear to unload, abloke from Westminster Council pooped up andinformed us if anyone drove onto the main trade(Grass) site we would be given our marching or-ders. Oh good � NOT! It would appear there is noformal agreement for car access, the fact we havehad been driving down there for all the years Ihave been involved was simply tolerated with thecouncil turning a blind eye. This year, however,for various reasons they couldn�t - sorry.

Despite this rather ooh-err-nasty thrown at us lastminute, the team worked flat out to get the trad-ers to site by wheeling their gear on 4 wheel trol-leys one at a time (no parking!) from the mainroad. A fantastic effort we all should be proud of.

The weekend itself ran extremely smoothly withvery few hassles. Bungle broke the outboard onthe loan plastic tub dingy being used as a tender(I think this was down to him performing dough-nuts with it in the pool to the delight of the mooredboaters); the pontoon stage used for the band BWhad rammed hard into the silt by the island decid-ing to make a break for freedom Monday morn-ing: not sure if someone had bashed it with a boator the level came up but it was most definitelytrying to float away! My favourite moment wasNick�s description of the bloke�s face from the bogsuppliers when I disappeared armed with the noz-zle to the pump out into the porta loos, and Nickconfirmed yes - I was really going to do that forhim despite it being very early in the morning andyes, we were all volunteers.

I think the sign of a weekend enjoyed by all wasthe number of people still around lateMonday eveafter the break down enjoying a glass or two andchomping on a BBQ.

A huge �thank you� to all who helped, especiallythose who arrived early and/or stayed on till Tues-day, the catering team for the thankless task ofworking from a narrow boat with knackered housebatteries, the parking attendant who gave me aticket while I was collecting my dispensation passand finally the crew who run �Sammy� the genera-tor.

A fantastic team effort by all involved ensuringthe event runs so smoothly. As I repeatedly ex-plain, the monies donated as a result of our ef-forts go a long way towards paying KESCRG�sannual insurance bill and the overall success ofthe group.

Cheers

Eddie Jones

PS please forgive any grammar horrors as thiswas written last minute due to a confusion whowas actually going to do so. No change there then!

London WRG�s award-winning entry in the Pageant of Boats consisted of a display of everything wehope to buy with the Appeal. (The white things on the cabin are fridge-freezers!) (Margaret Fletcher)

Canal Camps cost £35 per week unless otherwiseBookings for WRG Canal Camps (those identifiedcamp number e.g. 'Camp 0313') should go to WRGCamps, PO Box 114, Rickmansworth WD3 1ZY.Tel: 01923 711114. Email: enquiries@wrg.org.

page 16

DiaryDiaryDiaryDiaryDiaryJun 14/15 NWPG Thames & Severn Canal: StroudJun 15 Sun IWPS Bugsworth BasinJun 21/22 wrgBITM Sleaford Navigation: Constructing a roadway for access to Haverholme LockJun 21 Sat wrgNW �Paper Chase� waste paper collectionJun 28-Jul 5 Camp 0303 Sleaford Canal Camp moved: contact Head Office or see Web SIte for details oJun 29 Sun EAWA North Walsham & Dilham CanalJul 1 Tue Navvies Press date for issue 200: including Canal Societies directoryJul 2-9 Camp 0304 Saul Boat Gathering: Site Services for the Canal FestivalJul 5/6 KESCRG Wey & Arun Canal: Sidney Wood, continuing construction of new spill weir,

raising dropped sections of bank etc in preparation for NWPG camp.Jul 5/6 wrgNW Nottingham: Mooring rings in embankment. Accom at Sandiacre - limited to 6-isJul 5/6 EssexWRG Wilts & Berks Canal: Joint dig with London WRG at PewshamJul 5/6 LondonWRG Wilts & Berks Canal: Lock clearance & removal of damaged brickwork at Pewsh

Joint dig with Essex WRG.Jul 5-12 Camp 0305 Grand Western CanalJul 6 Sun IWPS Bugsworth BasinJul 12-19 Camp 0307 Canal Camp, Wey & Arun: Sidney Wood project. Organised by NWPG for Dig DJul 12-19 Camp 0306 Grand Western CanalJul 13 Sun IWPS Bugsworth BasinJul 19/20 wrgBITM Basingstoke Canal: Dig Deep: Backpumping scheme at St JohnsJul 19-26 Camp 0308 Mon & Brec CanalJul 19-26 Camp 0309 Lancaster Canal: Northern ReachesJul 20 Sun wrg Committee & Board MeetingsJul 26 Sat wrgNW �Paper Chase� waste paper collectionJul 26-Aug 2 Camp 0310 Mon & Brec Canal: The KESCRG camp. Leaders: Ian Williamson & Garry AlderJul 26-Aug 2 W&BCCo&BITMWilts & Berks - Dauntsey Camp: Camp leader Graham Hotham, Site leader Ra

Dredging and various construction work near the Peterborough Arms.Jul 27 Sun IWPS Bugsworth BasinJul 27 Sun EAWA North Walsham & Dilham CanalAug 2/3 wrgNW To be arrangedAug 2/3 EssexWRG To be arrangedAug 2/3 LondonWRG Wilts & Berks Canal: Dig Deep project at Chaddington Lock. Pointing of lower loAug 2-9 Camp 0311 Wilts & Berks Canal: CrickladeAug 2-9 Camp 0312 Wey & Arun Canal: Organised by the Wey & Arun Canal TrustAug 9/10 wrgBITM Wilts & Berks Canal: Pewsham Locks. Chamber clearance?Aug 9-16 Camp 0313 Basingstoke Canal: St Johns backpumping projectAug 9-16 Camp 0314 Caldon Canal: First lock on the Uttoxeter CanalAug 10 Sun IWPS Bugsworth Basin

e stated.d by aG Canal

uk

Please send updates to Diary compiler:Dave Wedd, 7 Ringwood Rd, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey GU17 0EY.

Tel 01252 874437. e-mail: dave.wedd@wrg.org.uk.

page 17

Graham Hawkes 0118-941-0586 grahamhawkes@btinternet.comIan Edgar 01663-732493DaveWedd 01252-874437 bookings@wrgBITM.org.ukDavid McCarthy 0161-740-2179

of replacement site. enquiries@wrg.org.ukKevin Baker 01362-699855Martin Ludgate 020-8693-3266 martin.ludgate@wrg.org.uk

enquiries@wrg.org.ukAnswerphone 01622-858329 Kescrg@btinternet.com

sh. David McCarthy 0161-740-2179 malcolm.bridge@btclick.comJohn Gale 01277-654683 essex@wrg.org.uk

ham bottom lock. Tim Lewis 020-8367-6227 london@wrg.org.uk

enquiries@wrg.org.ukIan Edgar 01663-732493

Deep. Graham Hawkes 0118-941-0586 grahamhawkes@btinternet.comenquiries@wrg.org.uk

Ian Edgar 01663-732493DaveWedd 01252-874437 bookings@wrgBITM.org.uk

enquiries@wrg.org.ukenquiries@wrg.org.uk

David McCarthy 0161-740-2179rman, catering by Dr Liz. enquiries@wrg.org.ukchael Banyard. enquiries@wrg.org.uk

Ian Edgar 01663-732493Kevin Baker 01362-699855David McCarthy 0161-740-2179 malcolm.bridge@btclick.comJohn Gale 01277-654683 essex@wrg.org.uk

ock walls. Tim Lewis 020-8367-6227 london@wrg.org.ukenquiries@wrg.org.ukenquiries@wrg.org.uk

DaveWedd 01252-874437 bookings@wrgBITM.org.ukenquiries@wrg.org.ukenquiries@wrg.org.uk

Ian Edgar 01663-732493

page 18

DiaryDiaryDiaryDiaryDiaryCanal society rCanal society rCanal society rCanal society rCanal society reeeeegulargulargulargulargularwwwwworororororkkkkking paring paring paring paring partiestiestiestiesties

Regular monthly or weekly working parties:3rd Sunday of month BCNS Jeff Barley 01543-3732842nd Sunday & followingWed. BCS Cosgrove Athina Beckett 01908-661217Anytime inc. weekdays BCT Aqueduct section Gerald Fry 01288-353273Every Sunday ChCT Various sites Mick Hodgetts 01246-620695Mon & Wed mornings CCT Cotswolds Dudley Greenslade 01453 825515Every weekend (Sat OR Sun) CCT Cotswolds Neil Ritchie 01452-8540571st Sunday of month CCT Cotswolds: summit MarkWelton 01453-872405Wednesday evenings CCT Cotswolds: East end Keith Harding 01451-860181Every Saturday DCT Droitwich Canal Jon Axe 0121-608 0296Last Sunday of month EAWA NWalsham & Dilham Kevin Baker 01362-6998554th Sunday of month ECPDA Langley Mill Michael Golds 0115-932-8042Second Sun of month FIPT Foxton Inclined PlaneMike Beech 0116-279-26571st & 3rd Sundays GCRS Grantham Canal Colin Bryan 0115-989-22482nd Sat of month GWCT Nynehead Lift Denis Dodd 01823-661653Tuesdays H&GCT Oxenhall Brian Fox 01432-358628Wednesdays H&GCT Over Ted Beagles 01452-522648Saturdays H&GCT Over Maggie Jones 01452-618010Occasional Sundays H&GCT Overwharfhousefitout Nigel Bailey 01452-533835Every Sunday if required IWPS Bugsworth Basin Ian Edgar 01663-7324931st Saturday & 3rdWed. IWA Ipswich Stowmarket Navigtn. Colin Turner 01473-7305862nd weekend of month IWA SBC Maesbury, Mont. Barry Tuffin 01691-670826/492nd weekend of month K&ACT John Rolls 01189-6663161st Sunday of month LHCRT Lichfield Peter Matthews 01543-3189333rd Sunday of month LHCRT Hatherton Denis Cooper 01543-3743702nd & last Sundays PCAS Paul Waddington 01757-6380272nd Sunday of month SCARS Sankey Canal Colin Greenall 01744-7317461st Sunday of month SCCS Combe Hay Locks Bob Parnell 01225-428055Most weekends SHCS Basingstoke Peter Redway 01483-721710Last Sunday of month SNT Haverholme Lock Dave Pullen 01673-8622783rd Sunday of month TMCA David Rouse 01474-362861Approx 15th of month WACT Mid-Week group Colin Gibbs 020-82417736Every Sunday & Thursday WACT Devils Hole Lock Eric Walker 023-9246-3025Thursdays fortnightly WACT Maintenance Unit Peter Wilding 01483-422519or for general information on Wey & Arun contact their office on 01403-7524031st weekend of month WAT Little Tring Roger Leishman 01442-874536Every weekend WBCT Wilts & Berks Canal Peter Smith 01793-852883Every Sunday W&BCC Dauntsey / Foxham Rachael Banyard 01249-892289Please send any amendments, additions and deletions to Dave Wedd (address on previous page)Abbreviations used in DiaryBCNS Birmingham Canal Navigations Soc.BCS Buckingham Canal SocietyBCT Bude Canal TrustChCT Chesterfield Canal TrustCCT Cotswolds Canals TrustDCT Droitwich Canals TrustEAWA East Anglian Waterways AssociationECPDA Erewash Canal Pres. & Devt. Assoc.FIPT Foxton Inclined Plane TrustD&SCS Derby & Sandiacre Canal SocietyGCRS Grantham Canal Restoration SocietyGWCT Grand Western Canal TrustH&GCT Hereford & Gloucester Canal TrustIWA SBC IWA Shrewsbury & Border Counties

IWPS Inland Waterways Protection SocietyK&ACT Kennet & Avon Canal TrustKESCRG Kent & E Sussex Canal Rest. GroupLHCRT Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Rest'n TrustNWPG Newbury Working Party GroupPCAS Pocklington Canal Amenity SocietySCARS Sankey Canal Restoration SocietySCCS Somersetshire Coal Canal SocietySHCS Surrey & Hants Canal SocietySNT Sleaford Navigation TrustTMCA Thames & Medway Canal AssociationWBCT Wilts & Berks Canal TrustW&BCC Wilts & Berks Canal CompanyWACT Wey & Arun Canal TrustWAT Wendover Arm Trust

Mobile groups' social evenings(please phone to confirm before turning up)LondonWRG: 7:30pm on Tues 11 days beforeeach dig. 'Jugged Hare', Vauxhall Bridge Rd,London, Tim Lewis 020-8367 6227 ore-mail tim@timlewis.org.uk.NWPG: 9:00pm on 3rd Tue of month at the'Hope Tap', West end of Friar St. Reading.Graham Hawkes 0118 941 0586

page 19

LetterLetterLetterLetterLettersssssMorMorMorMorMore on the Ohio and Eriee on the Ohio and Eriee on the Ohio and Eriee on the Ohio and Eriee on the Ohio and ErieCanal in the USACanal in the USACanal in the USACanal in the USACanal in the USA

Dear Martin:

I was very intrigued by the article in Navies 198about theOhio and Erie Canal inOhio. After readingthe article, I looked at some of the web sites that thearticlewasbasedonandobserved someof themiss-ing data that gives the viewer a less than clear pic-ture. While I am not an authority on this canal, I amwriting to fill in some of the missing information.

In its 309 mile length, the canal has two summits.Proceeding south from Cleveland on Lake Erie,the canal rises up the valley of theCuyahogaRiverthrough 44 locks to a summit at Akron. Thewaterpower of the canal flow to the north of thesummit is the reason thatAkronwas locatedwhereit is. FromAkron, the canal leaves theGreat LakesWatershedand passes through the Portage Lakesto enter the Ohio River Watershed. From thePortage Lakes, it descends through thirty locksto Dresden, which is on the Muskingum River, atributary of the Ohio. A side cut with three locksconnected the canal to the river at Dresden.

The Muskingum River was canalized for steam-boats by the state from Dresden to its outlet onthe Ohio River at Marietta. The navigation waslater federalized, but has more recently been re-turned to state control. There were eleven locksand dams on the Muskingum. Lock and Dam 1was made unnecessary by improvements on theOhio. Locks and Dams 2 through 10 are beinggradually rebuilt by the State of Ohio and are openfor navigation on summer weekends except whenbeing rebuilt. Lock and Dam 11 is reportedlyclosed. This rebuilding is about the only rebuild-ing of a historic navigation for recreational pur-poses going on in the US.

From Dresden, the Ohio and Erie Canal climbedthrough nineteen locks in a southwest directionto the Licking Summit. After crossing the four-teen-mile summit, the canal descended through55 locks to the Ohio River at Portsmouth. Alongits route, the Ohio and Erie Canal had severalfeeders and branch canals including a twelve-mile,two-lock branch to Columbus, the state capital.

One confusing factor about the canal is that thelocks are numbered downhill fromboth ends of thetwo summits. Thus, there are four �Lock 1�s�, etc.The photo you printed is not of Lock 3 inAkron, butof another Lock 3 north of Clinton, Ohio, which ison the descent towards Dresden. [Sorry! ...Ed]

The Ohio & Erie Canal is one of five canals thatonce provided water connection between tributariesof theMississippiRiverandtheGreatLakes. Of these,only the Illinois River route at Chicago survives. ViaChicago and the Erie Canal in NewYork, it is possi-ble to circumnavigate the eastern United States.

From a restoration standpoint, the Ohio & Erie isvery interesting. The Muskingum River Naviga-tion parallels the southern half of the canal reach-ing the side-cut at Dresden. Dresden itself is atourist destination being the home of Longabergerbaskets. That company�s multi-story, home of-fice building looks like a huge picnic basket com-plete with handles.

The 151 miles between the river at Dresden andthe lake at Cleveland includes watered canal atCanal Fulton and watered canal between the Por-tage Lakes and downtown Akron. North of thesummit, Locks 1, 2, and 3 are intact. A parkinggarage that had been built over Lock 3 was re-cently removed. Water still flows down the Cas-cade Locks, numbers 10 through 15, which lackonly their gates. Locks 4 through 9 have beenadversely impacted by the urban environment andhighways. North to Cleveland, the canal is pro-tected by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park andthe towpath is used as a biking / hiking trail. Muchof the towpath outside the National Park is alsoopen for hiking and biking.

At the northern end, water flows in the canal northof Pinery Dam to a steel mill at Cleveland andLock 38 has been restored as a working exhibit.While the extreme northern end of the canal hasbeen filled in, the adjacent Cuyahoga River isnavigable for a considerable distance south ofLake Erie. The river itself has been cleaned upfrom the day it once caught fire and has innumer-able private boats on it.

Using British standards, north of Dresden this ca-nal would be under active restoration. In theUS, onthis and similar canalswe fight tomaintain the routeand open the towpath. I truly believe that restora-tion to navigation is the best way to preserve suchcanals. But the fight has only just begun.

Sincerely,David G. Barber

President, American Canal Society

Weare always pleased to receive articles for �Nav-vies� about waterways anywhere in the world, es-pecially ones where restoration work is inprogress. Please keep sending them in. ...Ed

LetterLetterLetterLetterLettersssssBarBarBarBarBargggggeson theTeson theTeson theTeson theTeson theThameshameshameshameshames,Ber,Ber,Ber,Ber,Berkkkkksssss& Ando& Ando& Ando& Ando& Andovvvvver Canal?er Canal?er Canal?er Canal?er Canal?

Dear Martin

As a Canal boat enthusiast I have to put on mypedant�s (Or should that be Peasant�s ?), hat here- one minor thing wrong with the article by SallyNutt (BCN Clean up), in the last edition of �Nav-vies�:

�Barges�? Sorry, but these were never used onthe BCN. I think you�ll find that BW had a few�MudHoppers� (Or �Mud skippers�), and a few Joey

boats. Barges would be far too wide - Sorry! Just one of those things that really annoy me - A bit likea Brummie whinging on about the BCN Clean up, after he bottled out of it... Ooh, damn it - rumbled!

Cheers,Ken (I-didn�t-get-my-nose-broke-in-three-places until I wrote to Navvies) Whapples

I�m afraid this one is actually a bit of a can-of-worms. I personally would tend to agree with Ken that(despite a tendency among the non-canal-literate to label all inland waterways craft as �barges�) thecustomary use of the word �barge� in an inland waterways context is to denote a working boat of awidth typical of river craft and therefore significantly broader than the 7ft-beam narrow boat (and theBCN Joey and mud-hopper of the same narrow dimensions). And I would cite various historic refer-ences in �Bradshaws� and in canal history books by Charles Hadfield to support this. On the otherhand there are those who would point out that (a) Bradshaws isn�t infallible, (b) the references inHadfield�s books to �barges� and �narrow boats� are mainly the author�s words rather than quotes,which means that one cannot be sure that they were not the author�s own choice of terminologyrather than anything with any historic usage and (c) apparently the Oxford Dictionary, etc. simply saythat a barge is a flat-bottomed cargo craft, and don�t specify how wide it should be. However, I notethat in my Chambers dictionary the boat-related definitions of �lock� and �lift� are sufficiently similarthat if a narrow boat is a barge, then the Anderton Lift is a lock and Aston Locks are lifts, so I�minclined not to take too much notice of dictionary definitions of something as specialised as this.Speaking of �inclined�, I don�t think much of the dictionary definition of �Inclined Plane� either! ...Ed

Dear Martin

Navvieshasoftenmadementionof the �ThamesBerksandAndover�or the �ThamesBasingstokeandAndover�.

It may interest you to know that there is a possi-bility of such a canal being created in the futureto connect theWestern end of the BasingstokeCanal to the K & A (thus also providing much-needed additional water supplies, as well as afurther useful connection to thenational network)and subsequently to connect it to a restoredAndover Canal via Basingstoke, thus providingaccess to the South Coast and Southampton.

I understand, from talking to Peter Redway ofthe SHCS that this idea was discussed at theirAGM in April and the go-ahead given to startinvestigating the feasibility of such a link.Watch this space, eh?

RegardsBrian Andrews

I�ve just received the latest SHCS �BasingstokeCanal News� and they are indeed consideringa link to the K&A, if not yet to the Andover.Time to think of a new �joke� restoration projectfor �TBA� to stand for! ...Ed

Thames Berks &Andover Canals?

Kennet &Avon Canal

R. Thames

RWey

Wey &ArunCanal

To Oxford

To Bristol

To London

Basing-stokeCanal

R Arun

Andover Canal

R ItchenR Rother

ChichesterCanal

Salisbury& South-amptonCanal

PROPOSED NEWCONNECTIONS

Reading

BasingstokeAndover

Southampton

Salisbury

Isle ofWight

page 20

LogisticsLogisticsLogisticsLogisticsLogisticsAfter something Bungle said �[Roll title sequence �][Opens with a close-up of a large �S�, graduallypans out to reveal that it is the end of the word�Wheelbarrows� and shows a wrgie painting it inred paint with a mop (don�t try this at home � oron camps!), inside a kit trailer. The continuouspanning out moves outside the trailer to show theexterior, circling once around it and finishing witha rear shot of it being driven away.]Logistical Parallels[The head of �Jolly� (the offline computer) appearson screen]This is an SOS distress call from the moaningshop Red Swarf (aka Logistics!). The tools aredead, killed by an arduous week (not to mentionthe good many years of service!). The only survi-vors were Dave Blister (a griddle), who was insuspended fromkitimation during the �disaster� andsome lively cheese that was safely sealed in thefridge. Revived 214 days later, Blister�s only com-panions are a life form evolved fromTHAT cheeseand Bernard Clobber (formerly a bolster chisel),a hologram simulation of one of the dead tools.MESSAGE ENDS.ADDITIONAL: Supplies are dwindling. We haveenough mugs, plates and bowls to last the yearbut we have already run out of lemon bon-bons.J: Emergency, Emergency� There�s an emer-gency going on. Abandon shop, this is not aShake-and-Vac commercial. [said in that mun-dane and unimportant way only Jolly can]B: What�s happened?J:Well, somehow, don�t askmehow,we�ve jumpedinto a parallel universe � we�ve entered the fifth di-mension. The brick kits are alive and well here.B: But how can that be?J: Your basic principle of the fifth dimensionmeansthat for every cock-up that�s made, the alterna-tive to it exists in another reality. So the decisionnot to buy new tools in one reality means that

there are brand new tools in another�C: Does that mean when we have tools that arekept clean and shiny, and free from concrete andsmeg, somewhere else will have ones that take anindustrial angle grinder to bring them back to life?J: Exactly.B: What? You mean when we�ve been searchingfor those smegging kit lists from last year�s campswe could have found them in another place.J: Yes. But that wouldmean being able to break thespeed of reality whenever you needed to and thechances of that happening are�well, let�s just sayit�s about as likely as getting a full set of correctlymarked kit lists back from the year�s camp leaders.[Interruptedly�]J: PURPLE ALERT! PURPLE ALERT!C: Why purple?J: It�s sort of not as bad as red alert but a bit worsethan blue. Kind of like a lilac alert, � Kit C is inserious need of attention despite the amount oftime it spends in stasis.B: So how can we find out why this anomaly hap-pened?J: Just look in the Black Box - it�s the In-shedplight recorder�[Cue Red Swarf theme tune to play out]�It�s hot outside, some log-istics atmosphere,I�m all alone, more or less.Tools to go far away from here.Paint, paint, paint, in the heat, heat, heat.I want to try to paint kits before they go,Hoping camps won�t abuse.Lime green glows, dripping on my toes.Paint Kit B in the shade-ee-hee,Painting�s done in the sun, sun, sun.�Jolly provides subtitles for those who are hard ofunderstanding![Any Red Dwarfites out there - apologies, but Ihope the corners of your mouths turned up andnot down!]�And just a few more things. I�d like to thankTheTheakers, andTomandRachel Jeffries for theircontinued support by storing our two trailers (oneat each farm). Thanks also to Gav for checking KitA, pre-season for me � absence of it from SouthYorkshire hasn�t made my heart grow fonder!Griddle me a strawberry, I�ll be back for teatime�

Just Jenlogistics@wrg.org.uk

REDSWARF

page 21

page 22

�Dolly�Dolly�Dolly�Dolly�Dolly�����A prA prA prA prA project to boject to boject to boject to boject to build a neuild a neuild a neuild a neuild a newwwwwdrdrdrdrdredgedgedgedgedger fer fer fer fer for the Stouror the Stouror the Stouror the Stouror the Stour

The Construction of �Dolly�

We started talking about acquiring a workboatfor the River Stour Trust in December 1999, andafter Susan found some pictures in old canalbooks, I proposed a �spoon-dredger� in Janu-ary 2000.

In principle this consists of a large long-handledshovel or �spoon� worked either completely orpartly by hand over the side of a punt-likeworkboat.

I realised the hard work could be removed fromthe early operation by using a powered winch todo the lifting, andmanaged to obtain two old scaf-fold winches, one electric and one petrol-engined.The electric one was not suited to working onwater, being 240 volt, and the old Villiers enginerefused to give any spark.

The dredger project was really kicked-off last au-tumn when an anonymous benefactor watchedus struggling to hand-dredge weed from the Gra-nary Cut using the three ex-Boathouse GRP din-ghies lashed together.

When told of my previous offer to the Trust, heagreed to donate £800 in two parts to fund thebasic workboat, to be built as a private venture.

The size of the boat, to be made of welded steelsheet in the form of a large punt, was dictatedby the need for stability when lifting about 100kgs (2 cwt) of sludge over the side. The thick-ness of the steel was dictated by the need forthe boat to be easily transportable, possibly onthe trailer already used for the electric tripboat�Rosette�.

The chosen dimensions were 7m long by 2mwidewith sides 0.5m deep. If constructed in 3mm thicksteel, arc-welded with 50mm by 6mm flat barstiffeners and gunwales, the finishedweight wouldbe under 0.75 tonnes - (15 cwt)

The dredging equipment would consist of thewinch and a fixed crane made from scaffold-ing, all to be added after launching the basicboat.

Fabrication started in October under the guid-ance of a retired friend who had lectured inwelding in evening classes. My previous weld-ing experience was in hard-facing the augersused in my drilling and piling business. It wasdisconcerting to find this steel sheet bendingso much when being arc-welded - always in thewrong direction.

My small work force was regularly called in to helpin handling the 2m by 1m steel sheets, which hadto be turned over to weld both sides of each seam.The size of sheet to be turned eventually grew to5m by 2m, at which stage the sides were assem-bled and welded into position. The sloping end-sheets, gunwales and walkway supports werethen added. All seams were finally continuouslywelded from both sides. This involved pushing theboat out of the barn and tipping it by forklift ontoeach side in turn. Of course it rained heavily dur-ing this operation!

Before lowering the boat back onto its wheels,the underside was given two coats of paint. Thepulley system for the lowering operation wasnot thought out very carefully and Les and Su-san nearly got catapulted through the back ofthe barn as Dolly (named about this time)crashed down onto the 4" diameter rubberwheels. One of the temporary internal bracessheared through its 10mm fixing bolt, and therubber wheel under this point was hopelesslysplit by the impact.

Dolly had been pushed out of the barn, but had tobe winched back in because the rubber wheelswere becoming badly distorted under the load.The four centre wheels were replaced with fabri-cated resin-filled steel ones.

The walkways were decked with non-slip glassfibre grids as used by the Environment Agencyfor canoe portages. Although expensive, thismaterial has a gritty surface and hopefully a verylong life with no painting required.

Asimplemethod of anchoring the boat while work-ing was chosen at an early stage. An 18 inchlength of 2 inch steel pipe was now bolted verti-cally on the outside of each corner. Two 10 footlengths of scaffold tube are dropped through anytwo of these to �nail� the boat into the river bed.They are pegged in the raised position when trav-elling.

Dolly was tested for leaks by filling with 4 inchesdepth of water, as I had guessed that she wouldfloat unladen with a draft of 3.5 inches. Two weep-ing welds were found, so these and several otherpoor-looking seams were ground out and re-welded.

page 23

The finished boat was given 3 coats of �green ox-ide� - rumoured to be red oxide with green dyeadded! Sand was sprinkled on the gunwales andsloping ends.

The Villiers engine was replaced by a slightlynewer 10hp Briggs & Stratton, which gave satis-factory performance on tick-over after several oilchanges, cleaned magneto points and a carbu-rettor kit.

The spoon was fabricated from a 4m length of thin-wall steel tubing, and after assembly the scaffoldingcrane and winch were load-tested to 125 kg. A 2hp outboard engine was mounted on the stern, and ahand operated bilge pump is provided, although in practice its quicker to use a bailer and bucket!

Dolly was launched on 14th March and the dredging attachment tested satisfactorily on the 15th. Shecarried 1.5 tonnes of sawn green oak downstream to Cornard Lock, and was used as a work platformand wheelbarrow bridge for maintenance work on the lock in April. My total time to make Dolly wasjust over 400 hours.

Roger Brown

Thanks to: Les, Laurie, Phill, Ralph, Susan, Dick, Chard, Clive, Sandy, Frank, Hugh, Judith and Bob.

�Dolly�Dolly�Dolly�Dolly�Dolly������T�T�T�T�The spoon whe spoon whe spoon whe spoon whe spoon was fas fas fas fas faaaaabricabricabricabricabricatedtedtedtedtedfrfrfrfrfrom 4 metrom 4 metrom 4 metrom 4 metrom 4 metres ofes ofes ofes ofes of steel...�steel...�steel...�steel...�steel...�

Spoon-dredger �Dolly� in action on the River Stour. (Andrew Sheldon)

page 24

Dig DeeDig DeeDig DeeDig DeeDig DeepppppHas yHas yHas yHas yHas your canal society gour canal society gour canal society gour canal society gour canal society gototototota ra ra ra ra restorestorestorestorestoraaaaation prtion prtion prtion prtion project foject foject foject foject for us?or us?or us?or us?or us?

Dig Deep report: May 2003

TheDigDeep Initiative involves fivemobile work-ing party groups (London WRG, KESCRG, Es-sex WRG, NWPG and WRG BITM) committingthemselves to carrying out a certain amount ofvolunteer work (whether in the form of CanalCamps or weekendwork-ing parties) on certainrestoration projects insouthern England thathave been adopted as�Dig Deep Projects�. Andthereby hopefully ena-bling the local canal so-cieties that we are sup-porting on these projectsto be able to commitfunds and materials tothem in the knowledgethat there will be the la-bour to complete them.

Dig Deep has been op-erating for over 10 yearsnow and for the first timein that period we arestruggling to find chal-lenging, interesting andworthwhile projects onwhich to work. So noapologies that the rest ofthis article will be concen-trating on promoting thebenefits of Dig Deep toprospective participants.But first, a reminderabout what Dig Deep isall about:

Simply, it�s about local ca-nal societies and visitinggroups (LWRG, KES-CRG etc) working to-gether for their mutualbenefit. The groups getinteresting work and thesociety work done thatwouldn�t otherwise bedone.

In 10 years the Dig Deep groups have re-built orrepaired five lock chambers, two half lock cham-bers, restored two bridges, built 4 spill weirs, twofootbridges, installed the infrastructure for fourback-pumping schemes and re-surfaced manymetres of canal towpath. Our group skills includebricklaying, carpentry, concreting, pipelaying, plantoperations, piling and stonework.

Dig Deep works most successfully when a dis-crete and self-contained project is devised sepa-rate from work that would have been carried outanyway by local volunteers. However, we haveworked very successfully with local society work-ing parties as was recently the case atChaddington (Summit) Lock on the Wilts & BerksCanal. A local contact/organiser is an imperativefor a successful scheme.

Dig Deep on the Basingstoke: another load of pipes for the St Johns Back-pumping scheme, on course for completion this year. (Martin Ludgate)

page 25

So, what makes a suitable Dig Deep project?

1. Projects should be self-contained and pref-erably involve construction/restoration.

2. The project should be part of a clear resto-ration strategy or should be a showpiecescheme which will attract others to the ben-efits of restoration.

3. Projects should be capable of employing atleast 15 volunteers over a weekend

4. They should have the necessary landowner/planning permissions

5. They should have funding either in place orpromised.

6. Projects should have a nominated �projectofficer� who will co-ordinate and plan thework.

In return the Dig Deep groups will offer a mini-mum commitment of labour to see the projectthrough to completion. This might be one year forsmall projects or up to three for the larger onessuch as a lock re-build. Typically you could ex-pect to be offered 8 weekend working parties plusa oneweek canal camp per year. Dig Deep groupswill provide both skilled and unskilled volunteers,small tools and plant, catering etc. We are prettyself-contained!

Other things that make for a successful projectinclude a good quality village hall (or scout hut orsimilar) with a pub within easy walking distance.Access to the local society tool/plant store is useful.

So, are you and your organisation interested infinding out more as to whether Dig Deep couldhelp your project? At the time of writing we onlyhave one firm project for 2004 and need at leastone other. For more details please phone the DigDeep Co-ordinator, Alan Cavender on 01628629033 or email alan.cavender@lineone.net.

Bill Nicholson

Dig Deep now has its own web site. Seewww.dig-deep.org.uk for details of currentprojects and forthcoming work-party dates.

Dig Deep on the Wey & Arun: London WRG in-stalling a pipe culvert under a forestry road to al-low access to the canal in preparation for thissummer�s work building an overflowweir in SidneyWood. (Martin Ludgate)

After each section of the St Johns pipeline is laid,the towpathneeds tobe reinstated. (Martin Ludgate)

Dig Deep on the Wilts & Berks: Chaddington (orSummit) Lock during last year�s NWPG camp.This lock is now nearly completed and we arelooking for new work-sites. Have you got onefor us? (Bill Nicholson)

page 26

HollinwHollinwHollinwHollinwHollinwoodoodoodoodoodCould the Ashton Canal�Could the Ashton Canal�Could the Ashton Canal�Could the Ashton Canal�Could the Ashton Canal�sssssnornornornornorthern brthern brthern brthern brthern brancancancancanch be rh be rh be rh be rh be restorestorestorestorestored?ed?ed?ed?ed?

This article appeared in �Pennine Link� and ap-pears with permission of Ed Mortimer, the author,and Bob Gough, who took the photographs.

Is there a future for the abandonedHollinwoodBranch of the Ashton Canal?

Walking the Past

In 1975 I walked from Portland Basin up the Hud-dersfield Narrow Canal to Stalybridge. Most of thecanalwasbuiltover,andIknewnothingcould be done:the canal through Stalybridge was lost forever.

Now it is 2003 and I live in a house right next tothe canal in Stalybridge. The canal has been re-built and the town transformed. There is a newtown square and I walk the towpath to do myweekly shopping.

Recently I walked the route of the HollinwoodBranch. I�d walked it before. Derelict and forgot-ten. Bits built over. It reminded me of my walkalong the HNC 28 years ago. When I got backhome, I looked again at the maps. I could seethat a short link had been proposed in 1791 be-tween the Hollinwood Branch and the RochdaleCanal. If this was built, could Hollinwood andDroylsden experience the same regeneration asStalybridge. Should anything be done?

Let�s go to Hollinwood

Mywalk to Hollinwood started at Fairfield Junction,(the start of the Hollinwood Branch), above the 18locks that drop theAshtonCanal down toManches-ter. Now the junction is just a wide winding-hole.The start of the Branch is filled in. Almost immedi-

ately on the left there was a shortarm (also filled in) with a towpathbridge over it, the remains of whichare clearly visible. The towpath ison the left-hand side and remainsso all the way to Hollinwood.

This first section of the Branch iscurrently the subject of redevel-opment proposals. The propos-als do not include the provision ofthe canal route through to the firstbridge. The bridge still exists, car-rying the present dayA662. I hadthe feeling of being at a �canal zoo�peering through the safety railings

at the time-locked exhibit below! (see picture)

Beyond the bridge isTesco�s Superstore and a gap bythe side of it where the canal once ran. Trying to re-store the canal looks impossible and so I decided Iwould turn back on my expedition. Then I remem-bered that same feeling in Stalybridge 28 years ago.This time I must continue!

A short distance further is Greenside Lane Bridge,which still exists. Maybe thingsare not so bad after all!

The canal cannot be followed un-til Cliffords Bridge (nowSunnyside Road). This wasoriginally a swing bridge (and afootbridge). Beyond here thecanal route can be more easilyspotted. The route is infilled andis a grassy, public footpath.

4mles

Muchof the routeof thecanalcanbeexploredonfoot. It is easily followedon Ordnance Surveymaps or the Manches-terA-Z. TheareaaroundWaterhousesJunctioninDaisyNookisespeciallyworth visiting. Someparts in Droylsdenand Hollinwood arenot accessible.

The Hollinwood BranchThe Hollinwood BranchThe Hollinwood BranchThe Hollinwood BranchThe Hollinwood Branch4 miles long. 4 locks at Daisy Nook; 4 fromBradleyBentBridgetoHollinwoodTopWharf.

New connection: first 4 miles & 4 locks plusnew 1/2mile 2-lock link to Rochdale Canal.

page 27

A little further, past some playing fields anda rather forlorn running track, the canalskirted Lumb Clough and crossed the rail-way on an aqueduct. Now there is only amodern footbridge.

Shortly after crossing the railway, the foot-path follows the line of the towpath throughthe Medlock Valley all the way to DaisyNook Country Park.

Quite a lot of this stretch of the canal isweeded up, and partly in water. Some of itshows the effects ofmining subsidence (thetowpath wall has been raised up).

When I last walked along the Branch, the M60 had not been built. Now this motorway slices acrossthe canal, and only a footpath bridge was constructed. There is no canal, and getting the Branch

restored here looks expensive!

Once again I wanted to turn back. But just a shortdistance further is the �fairy-tale� location at DaisyNook: aqueducts, a junction, four locks (two as astaircase pair), all forming an amazing sight.

The locks are capped and some of the stoneworkhas been taken down, but many details are still tobe seen (such as the brackets, or so-called �A�frames, that used to hold the lock gates.)

Above the fourth lock (Lock No. 22 - the number-ing continues in sequence from the 18 locks onthe Ashton Canal) is Waterhouses Junction. Turn-ing right takes you along the Fairbottom Branch toBardsley; about a mile in length. The canal is in

water at the junction, and it is easy to imagine that a boat could appear any minute!

Keeping on the Hollinwood Branch, beyond the junc-tion is Crime Lake. This was a lake created by flood-ing a small valley. The lake was never planned, butduring the construction of the canal embankment,the stream culvert underneath it became blocked andwas never cleared. Instead, the valley was allowedto slowly fill up and only the towpath bank of the em-bankment was completed so forming a dam acrossthe valley. The area is popular now for walking andfishing. But it used to be popular for pleasure boatingas well: up until the 1930s, rowing boats could behired out. And for one year, around 1897, a steamlaunch even operated on the lake, as part of atimetabled service from Hollinwood to BardsleyBridge.

Beyond Crime Lake, and the infilled canal at BankBridge, the route enters an overgrown cutting. Thiscutting is now itself crossed by the M60, also in acutting.

From here to the Roxy Cinema at Hollinwood the lineof the canal is mostly difficult to follow, though thereare remains to be spotted if you look carefully.

Manchester Road Bridge, Droylsden, still survives andcarries the A662 main road.

Beyond Sunnyside Road the canal route is filledin but unobstructed, and is a public path.

ImpressiveaqueductovertheMedlockatDaisyNook

page 28

HollinwHollinwHollinwHollinwHollinwoodoodoodoodoodTTTTToofoofoofoofoofararararar-f-f-f-f-fetcetcetcetcetched? Thed? Thed? Thed? Thed? Thahahahahattttt�����swhaswhaswhaswhaswhatthetthetthetthettheyyyyysaid asaid asaid asaid asaid about the Hudderbout the Hudderbout the Hudderbout the Hudderbout the Huddersfsfsfsfsfield...ield...ield...ield...ield...

The Hollinwood Branch is crossed by the M60motorway (again!) and then there were originallyfour more locks to Hollinwood Wharf.

A new link to the Rochdale could leave theHollinwood Branch before the final four locks, tofollow a similar line to the proposed route of 1791.

I do not know how this link could now be built, butthe actual distance is not very great (about 800metres). There is no easy route on foot either, butlooking across theA62 from behind the Roxy Cin-ema, I could orientate on some prominent stacks of blue pallets on land acquired by ManchesterCabins.

Following the road under the railway line and then left by the transporter car park for the Mirror Groupprinting works, I could see the pallets again, on the horizon, from a vantage point on extensive wasteground adjacent to the car park.

I scrambled on through the trees, and there it was, the Rochdale Canal!

A Link Too Far?

Too far fetched - a link from the Huddersfield Narrow / Ashton to the Rochdale Canal? Is there adanger of thinking that every disused canal must be restored? Or should we be looking now into thehuge potential benefits that a route back to Hollinwood and the Rochdale could bring?

All those years ago I did not believe that Stalybridge would ever have a canal again, or that it couldcause suchapositive transfor-mation. I was proved wrong.

Would anyone else like to lookat going to Hollinwood? If so,please contact me on 0161303 7635 or write to me at 68Knowl Street, Stalybridge,SK15 3AJ.

Ed Mortimer

This looks like another canalthat needs a new canal soci-ety setting up to campaign forits restoration. If you want tohelp to do something aboutthe Hollinwood Branch beforeit�s too late, contact Ed at theabove address or email me atmartin.ludgate@wrg.org.ukand I�ll pass your details onto him. ...the Editor

Staircase locks at Daisy Nook

CrimeLake, formedwhenasmall valley flooded. All photos byBobGough

page 29

WRG Boat Club News

The first thing I want to say, to all those that workedso hard making a success of the Aston Locksopening celebrations, is -ABIGTHANKYOU frommembers of WRGBC attending.

Although the number of boats able to attend waslimited there were a good number of club mem-bers, the most number of club boats we have hadat a �do� other than at The National! And a goodtime was had by all.

I spent the first part of the weekend feeling ratherguilty as we had been told to moor on the lockmoorings. There have been times when I havecursed folk for doing just that! It did mean that wewere alongside, and able to move out when otherboats were loading their guests.

We had been asked to take some local councillorsas passengers for the first trips through the locks.Well, we said we couldn�t have passengers butcould take them as cargo (it sounded better thanas �movable ballast�) as we could offer no �facili-ties� for them on the trip. As the crowds began togather I was able to offer a little �divertissement�by means of playing some 78s (oh ask yourGranny) on my HMV phonograph which is re-splendent with a large brass horn. Li�l dog hasnot got the �head-on-one-side-listening� pose quiteright yet.

The celebrations began and the official band tookover the music. The crowds were well behaved,the speeches OK. Well done our chairman forhis speech (doesn�t he scrub up well?)

Then the journeys through the locks began. Theguests on �Lynx� had to climb down into the hold,ladder provided, and dodge the bunting (borrowedfrom WRGNW) which was flapping madly in thewind. It was an interesting trip, the locks all workedwell, I�ve never had such an easy time - therewere so many willing hands. We only got stuckon the bottom at one shallow spot. We had aclose encounter of the bridge �ole kind, somebodydidn�t know that the boat nearest the bridge goesfirst always, and it is not wise to contest this, es-pecially when the nearer boat is a deep, heavyand not easy to stop working boat! As it was sowindy, and not blowing the right way, we had funat the turning area but got round OK and weresoon heading back. Our �cargo� preferred to dothe return journey by road. I think that this wasmainly due to the fact that, although chairs wereprovided, if they sat down they couldn�t see overthe side of the boat and if they remained standingit was very windy, also there were no facilities forthem to use! They all thanked us and said thatthey had enjoyed their trip. We did too.

Our Club Commode-door did her official tripthrough the locks and along the reopened sec-tion on the Sunday but unfortunately we have nophotographs of her resplendent in the official re-galia.

The excellent meal and the race night were veryenjoyable. Those of you that were unable to at-tend will be pleased to know that club memberswere very aware of the responsibility of represent-ing you all and behaved with suitable decorumand propriety throughout the evening. Please notethat they didn�t spend any of the club funds (justplenty of their own) on the horses! I wont go onany more about how good the whole weekendwas and how much all of us there enjoyed it, be-cause it was a shame that moremembers couldn�tbe there, and because I don�t want you kickingme in the shins when next we meet.

Now for some praise in recognition of achieve-ments by club embers...

Congratulations to Tony and Pauline Greenwoodwho are joint winners of the John Heap Salver,the IWA�s major fund raising award. Many thankstoDavid andHeather Howarth for their photographof the club burgee flying �down under�. �Now howdid they do that?� �Down under what?� I hear youask. They were in, or off the coast of, New Zea-land. They sent me a lovely photograph of ourburgee flying alongside the NZ ensign. It seemsthat other boaters studied it closely, perhaps think-ing it was from a boat club in Wellington! Anyother photos of the club burgee flying in unusualor interesting places will be a most welcome ad-dition to our collection. Of course you have toown one to fly one! £10 to WRG boat club andone can be yours!

I need to know if you are intending to be at �TheNational�. I also need lots of small loaf tins - any-one got a supply or any ideas as to here I canobtain some?

I hope that you all are managing a lot of enjoy-able boating and please keep in touch with yourlatest news.

XXX Sadie Dean

WRWRWRWRWRGBCGBCGBCGBCGBCWRWRWRWRWRGBoaGBoaGBoaGBoaGBoat Club rt Club rt Club rt Club rt Club reeeeeporporporporportingtingtingtingtingfrfrfrfrfrom the Aston Openingom the Aston Openingom the Aston Openingom the Aston Openingom the Aston Opening

page 30

Bits & piecesBits & piecesBits & piecesBits & piecesBits & piecesGreat Dorset Steam FairIan and Dr Liz Williamson would like to point outthat a number ofWRGies andKESCRGies (is theresuch a word?) are heading for the Great DorsetSteam Fair for Thurs/Fri/Sat 28/29/30th August(that�s aweek after the �National�) and if lotsmore ofyou would like to join them then you will be verywelcome - but you�ll need to bring your own tents!

Easy bookings can be made via the web atwww.steam-fair.co.uk. Book soon: lastyear theyranoutofpre-paidcampingspace about the endof June.

Tired of moaning...... about theWaterways Scene - want to do some-thing about it? Tired of everyone else moaningabout the Waterways Scene - want to do some-thing about them?

Then think about standing for IWA Council - de-tails on the IWAwebsite (www.waterways.org.uk).

Mike Palmer

New on the WRG web site:Downloadable PDF of the new Health & SafetyGuide. Photos of the Training Weekend. A newAppeal Quiz. And soon... lots of pictures of thissummer�s first Canal Camps - provided you takethe pictures and send them in first... please!

Canal Camps latest newsSleaford:Asmentioned inMike�s �Chairman�sCom-ment� we�ve unfortunately had to cancel the Sleaf-ord Camp (No 0303, planned for28thJune-5thJuly.

However we are very hopeful of finding an alter-native site for this Camp - phone head office on01923 711114 or see the web site www.wrg.org.ukfor more information.

Leaders: We now have a leader for Camp 0311at Cricklade on the Wilts & Berks (North Wilts)Canal - HarryWatts, assisted by CorinneWatson.That�s right - it�s a �Watts �n� Watson� Camp!

Full Up: Camps 0305 and 0306 on the GrandWestern, Camp 0314 on the Uttoxeter (Caldon)Canal and Camp 0316 on the Wilts & Berks Ca-nal were already fully booked and not taking anymore bookings by the time �Navvies�went to press.Several more were getting close to full. Book nowto avoid disappointment!

Bungle and the KL15 crane...Only a short report this time. Basically since thelast report we have achieved DBA status.

No, not Diploma in Business Administration, norDataBase Administrator, but Done Bugger All.

This is because we have been busy at ClavertonPumping Station getting ready for the open sea-son. In the meantime our crane has been joinedin the carpark by another... I don�t know - you waitages for an old crane then two arrive at once!

George �Bungle� Eycott

The KL15 crane (left) gains a new and rather larger companion. (George Eycott)

page 31

Directors of WRG:

John Baylis, MickBeattie, Malcolm Bridge,Roger Burchett,Spencer Collins,Christopher Davey,Helen Davey,Roger Day, NeilEdwards, John Fletcher,Adrian Fry, JohnHawkins, Jennifer Leigh,Judith Moore, MichaelPalmer, Jonathan Smith.

Secretary: Neil Edwards

VATreg. no : 788 9425 54© 2003 WRGISSN 0953-6655

Nothingprintedmaybecon-struedaspolicy or anofficialannouncement unless sostated-otherwiseWRGandIWAacceptnoliability foranymatter in thismagazine.Waterway Recovery Groupis a division of InlandWater-waysEnterprisesLtd.,asub-sidiary of the Inland Water-ways Association (a regis-teredcharity).Inland Waterways Enter-prises Registered office:3 Norfolk Court, Norfolk Rd.RickmansworthWD31LTTel : 01923 711114Registered no 4305322

Navvies ProductionNavvies ProductionNavvies ProductionNavvies ProductionNavvies ProductionNavvies ispublishedbyWa-terwayRecoveryGroup,POBox 114, RickmansworthWD3 1ZY and is availableto all interested in promot-ing the restorationandcon-servation of inland water-ways by voluntary effort inGreat Britain. Articles maybe reproduced in alliedmagazines provided thatthe source is acknowl-edged. WRG may notagree with opinions ex-pressed in this magazine,but encourages publicationas amatter of interest.

Editor : Martin Ludgate35 Silvester RoadEast DulwichLondon SE22 9PB020-8693 3266

Subscriptions / circulationSueWatts15 Eleanor RoadChorlton-cum-HardyManchester M21 9FZ

Printing and assembly:John&TessHawkins4LinksWay,CroxleyGrnRickmansworth, HertsWD33RQ 01923 448559john.palmer@wrg.org.uk

NoticeNoticeNoticeNoticeNoticeboarboarboarboarboardddddContacting the chairman:Mike Palmer, 3 Finwood Rd,Rowington, Warwickshire CV35 7DHTel: 01564 785293e-mail: mike.palmer@wrg.org.uk

Moving house...

Leo and Angus Mackenzie have moved to:

GlenHouse,MainStreet,Kelfield,YorkYO196RG

Tel: 01757 248698

They say �Anyone passing by in a car on the A1:please drop in. Anyone passing on a narrowboaton the River Ouse: you�ll probably be going toofast on the tidal river to be able to stop...�

Alison Liveseywould like it to be known that sheis now Mrs Alison Johnson (see right!)

S t a m p sw a n t e d

Send used postagestamps, petrol coupons,old phone cards, emptycomputer printer ink car-tridges to IWA/WRGStamp Bank, 33 Ham-bleton Grove, MiltonKeynesMK42JS.Allpro-ceedstocanal restoration.

TheWRGCanalCampsmobilephones:

07850422156 (A)and

07850422157 (B)

Directory updates

The next issue of �Navvies� will contain thefull WRG and Canal Societies Directory.Please send any updates to the editor by July1st. Thank you.Free to a good homeFree to a good homeFree to a good homeFree to a good homeFree to a good home

Ride-on mower VILLA 808E by STIGA,rarely used, probably needs service.

FREE to any restoration group who canmake good use of it.

To arrange collection, phone 01342-824453 (Forest Row, East Sussex)

Congratulations!...to Mick Beattie and Sue on theirwedding

...to �Tenko� and Alison on their wedding

...and to Mark and Annette on theirengagement

Best wishes from �Navvies� to all of you.

BacBacBacBacBackfkfkfkfkfillillillillill

page 32

Well done British Waterways!Congratulations to BW for this Waterways Ren-aissance Award, proudly displayed at Hatton:

Look closely and you will see that they got it for�resorting and conversing the characteristig el-ements of inland waterways�. So whether or notBW actually do anything to save the canals orimprove them, at least we can rely on them to goand talk about them...

[Not that I�ve ever made any typing mistakes!]

LuxuryCanalCampaccommodation?

It is to be hoped that the �Canal Camp� sign spot-ted propped up outside a slightly decrepit-look-ing shed at the Wey & Arun Canal Trust depot atTickners Heath had simply been left lying there.

Otherwise it looks like the accommodation for thesummer Wey & Arun Camp will live up to the tra-ditional Camps booklet description of �Best de-scribed as basic�.

Splat the WRGie!Following the success of the �Splat the WRGie�fund-raising game at the Canalway Cavalcadefestival at Little Venice, we�re thinking of some-thing a bit bigger for the National Waterways Fes-tival at Beale Park...

Instead of a rag-doll we�ll have a real WRGie, in-stead of a cardboard tube we�ll use one of thosegiant-size building-site rubbish chutes attachedto the top of the abseiling tower, and instead of abundle of rolled-up newspaper to hit the WRGiewith, we�ll use a 14-pound sledge-hammer. (Ormaybe an excavator bucket?)

All we need now is some volunteer WRGies to be�splatted�...

Fortunately it looks like Marcus Jones has volun-teered, which should make the event very popu-lar with the punters.

So I reckon if we can increase the price in pro-portion, from 20p to maybe £5 a go, we ought tobe able to make a fair wodge of cash for the Ap-peal, as well as paying Marcus�s hospital bills...

And finally: Brian Bayston�s challenge...Brian ran the highly successful Race Night at Aston - highly successful in terms of fund-raising for theAppeal, but also highly successful if you happened to be Liz Dewey. She backed two horses in each ofthe eight eight-horse races andwon every time. She also had two goes at the �Tricast�, where you predictthe winning three horses in the correct order in the final race - and won. And she bought a horse in thefinal race - and it won! Brian says �What are the odds against that?� - answers to the Editor please.