hereward spring 2011
DESCRIPTION
The newsletter of the Peterborough Branch of the Inland Waterways AssociationTRANSCRIPT
PETERBOROUGH BRANCH
HEREWARD SPRING 2011
www.iwapeterborough.org.uk The IWA charity registered number 212342
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Peterborough Branch. They are, however,
published as being of interest to our members and readers
T he Branch has made a donation towards the cost of the creation of public visitor
moorings at Benwick on the Middle Level system of waterways. The facility
will provide boaters with a much easier opportunity to stop off at the picturesque
village located on the route from the Nene-Ouse link line to Ramsey and Holme Fen.
A cheque for £1,080 was handed over by branch chairman Alastair Chambers to Jeff
Walters, commodore of the Middle Level Watermen’s Club, at the Branch meeting
held at Peterborough on 19th January.
Alastair said “Peterborough
branch IWA has fully supported
the project to create public visi-
tor moorings at Benwick and has
been happy to donate its share of
the profits of the IWA National
Festival held at St. Ives in 2007
towards this local project”.
Funding was also provided by
the Parish Council and the Wa-
termen’s Club themselves. The
work was undertaken by the
Middle Level Commissioners
own engineering team to designs
agreed by all parties involved
and is a splendid example of
what can be achieved with a co-
ordinated effort.
1
BRANCH SUPPORTS NEW MOORINGS
AT BENWICK
Above: Branch Chairman Alastair Chambers (right) presents the cheque to Jeff Walters on behalf of the Branch
Opposite Page: Views of the new moorings nearing completion in
January. Some finishing work remained to be completed but the moor-
ings will be ready for use by boaters for the coming ’season’ and will be
a welcome addition to the facilities on the Middle Level system.
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
Alastair Chambers
O K lets do the easy stuff first. Welches Dam, not a lot I can say at
present. Matters are wending their weary way. The IWA has
agreed to take legal advice on the position as to whether a Statutory
right of Navigation exists on this route, and when we hear anything I’ll
let you all know..
BW and EA and the New Waterways Charity. At the recent Trustees meeting we had
an update from Paul Roper (Chairman NavComm) and Clive Henderson (National
Chairman). It is not yet clear whether EA will be part of the NWC from day 1. Obvi-
ously if it is not then it blows a big hole in IWA’s long held dream of a Single Naviga-
tion Authority and single licence. It would appear to be simply a case of legal logisti-
cal logjam in resolving aspects of the law regarding EA. Not insurmountable by any
means but unquestionably time consuming.
We also had presentations from John Edmond, outgoing head of IWAC and Robin
Evans, currently Chief Executive of BW. Both were articulate, passionate and care
about waterways. We shall have to await the outcome.
Easter Cruise. Yes there will be one, see page 9 for details.
AGM. Yes it’s coming! March 16th at The Indoor Bowls Club. Volunteers for the
Chairman’s job, please form an orderly queue.
Which brings us to Socials. The Xmas social was great, a really good evening en-
joyed enormously by the 9 people who came! Do we bother this year? David Venn’s
talk equally thin on the ground. A disappointment to your committee after adjusting
the format. However the talk on sailing the Atlantic, and Irven Forbes presentation
were both well supported. What do you want us to do? Please tell us before we stop
trying to please everybody and abandon the social meetings.
See you soon,
Further details of Northampton Branch activities can be found on-line at:- www.waterways.org.uk/regions_branches/east__midlands/Northampton/diary
All members are welcome to attend any of these events.
2
MARCH 8th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch & East Midlands Region AGM. Followed by Inter-Branch Quiz. Held at The Walnut Tree PH, Blisworth, Northamptonshire
APRIL 12th 8pm Northampton IWA Branch Meeting. Colin Edmond with "Chelmer & Blackwater - Past, Present and Future" at The Walnut Tree PH, Blisworth, Northamptonshire
MAY 30th-2nd IWA National Campaign Rally at Becket's Park, River Nene, Northamp-ton organised by IWA Northampton Branch 10th Northampton IWA Branch Meeting. Speaker to be announced at The Walnut Tree PH, Blisworth, Northamptonshire
NORTHAMPTON BRANCH DIARY
3
REGIONAL NAVIGATION GROUP UPDATE
T he latest Environment Agency RNG meeting took place on 10th February and
produced two positive pieces of news together with a number of problems. I will
deal with the latter first.
The River Cam
The Conservators of the River Cam have been considering how to increase their reve-
nue for some time. In December they issued a consultation document setting out the
options which they were considering and asked for comments. The time for comment-
ing has now passed. We were told at the RNG meeting that 72 responses had been
received and that a decision on how to proceed would be taken by the Conservators at
a meeting on 16th February. As you will know, at present boats based on the Conserva-
tors’ section of the Cam and having an Agency licence can under a licence interchange
agreement between those two bodies use both the Cam and Agency waters. Similarly
under the same agreement Agency boats based elsewhere and having an Agency li-
cence can use the Cam without further charge. [NB. There is a separate Cam licence
which is used by those boats based on the Cam and which do not normally leave the
Conservators’ section of the river. The fee is set at a rate of 95% of the Agency charge
for an Anglian licence and is unaffected by the present proposals]
Two of the options in the consultation document were variations on a common
theme and essentially would mean that boats based on the Cam and wishing to use
both it and Agency waters would in future have to have both an Agency licence and a
special Cam licence which would be set at either 25% of the normal Cam licence or at
a flat fee rate. This change would affect only Cam-based craft; boats based elsewhere
and having an Agency licence would still be able to use the Cam without further pay-
ment.
The third option would see an end to the interchange agreement so that boats based
on Agency waters would only be able to use the Cam on payment of a full Cam Con-
servators’ licence and vice versa for Cam-based craft.
The potential implications of this debate are serious and could possibly be expen-
sive. As I write this we await notification of the Conservators’ intentions.
The Killer Shrimp
There was a presentation by Ian Hirst of the Agency’s Fisheries Department about the
so-called “Killer Shrimp” Dikerogammarus villosus. In essence the shrimp is a fresh-
water species which it is suggested kills invertebrates and small fish. It is feared that if
it became free to roam the country it would alter significantly the waterside habitat and
ecology. Currently it is present in Grafham Water reservoir to a major extent and to a
limited extent in Diddington Brook which is the natural outflow from that reservoir.
To date the strategy has been to try to limit the species to the reservoir. This has in-
volved taking care when using fishing tackle in those waters, the washing down of
craft before and after use etc. The cost of research and these controls, particularly to
Anglian Water has been large. In discussion it became clear that other infested sites
had been identified in Wales; one of those sites had a much greater concentration of
shrimp than Grafham Water.
4
£7.95
Having heard the presentation I for one was left wondering whether it was not inevita-
ble that sooner or later the shrimp would “escape” into the wild given that it already
has several bases across England and Wales and is able to multiply quickly. Future Agency Consultation
As you will know the Agency intends to close down the RFERAC at the end of March
2011. There has to date been uncertainty as to what would replace it and how these
changes would affect both the RNG and the separate consultation bodies for individual
rivers.
Some light was shed on these issues at the meeting. It certainly appeared that there
was a good chance that the RNG and river consultation bodies would continue. The
problem arose in relation to the RFERAC replacement. It appears that the present in-
tention is that the new consultation body will be based on the existing River Basin Li-
aison Panel. Currently this has a membership of about 15. It is apparently intended to
increase this membership although there was a noticeable coyness about the target
number. Amongst those to gain seats would be local councillors. The losers appeared
to be users and in particular the navigation interest whose representation it was intend-
ed to reduce. At present navigation has three members in the RFERAC which has a
membership of some 15; it is intended that it should have one member in the enlarged
body. Cont’d on page 7.............................
5
6
STUART HOLMESSTUART HOLMES
BOAT SAFETY EXAMINATIONSBOAT SAFETY EXAMINATIONS
PETERBOROUGH BOATING CENTRE
Chandlery Diesel - Calor
73 NORTH STREET
STANGROUND, PETERBOROUGH
Tel: 01733 566688
7
Mill Drove, Ramsey
Cambs. PE26 2RD Tel: 01487 813621 [email protected] www.billfenmarina.com
Moorings occasionally available,
£11.25 per foot per year + VAT, if paid annually.
Slipway for bottom blacking from £100.00
Chandlery, Fuel, Gas, Toilets, Shower
We stock Rylard & Craftmaster Paints, Anodes, Coflex,
Rust Konverta, Incralac etc.
Cont’d from page 4...............
You do have to wonder what is going on. We are extolled to promote the values of the
Big Society with lots of community involvement; yet the Agency’s way of doing this
appears to be to reduce the extent to which it consults with the users of its services
and give representation to “the suits”. Bizarre! Capital Works – The Nene
I will finish with two pieces of good news. The Nene Task Force is the Agency con-
sultation vehicle for the Nene. John Dudley represents the branch on that body. For
some time the NTF has been lobbying to improve landing stages on the Nene, particu-
larly as to their length and siting. Consultants did start work on producing a detailed
plan but this was stopped as a cost cutting measure. The good news is that the “brakes
have been taken off” so that the work has re-started and a completed report is ex-
pected shortly. It will then have to receive business approval. It is not pretended that
money will be abundant in the next financial year but what the completion and ap-
proval of the report will mean is that when any spare money does become available it
will be possible for the Agency without delay to make use of that money by taking
down the report and using the money to carry out work on one or more of the identi-
fied sites.
The meeting concluded with more welcome news. The Government increased the
VAT rate at the beginning of the year to 20% and this increase the Agency has to im-
plement. However subject to that increase, Agency charges for licences and mooring
fees will not be increasing in the next financial year i.e. 2011/12. Nigel Long
8
PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS
Unit 3C
Cromwell Business Centre
New Road, St Ives PE27 5BG
Tel: (01480) 462150
Fax: (01480) 493309
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:www.srobb.co.uk
Contact Ray Whitby
E aster is looming into view, Good Friday is 22 April and it’s time for the plans for
the cruise to be unleashed on an unsuspecting World. This year I felt we should
try for a couple of places we haven’t taken the cruise before.
Good Friday meet at High Lode Lock around 1pm and cruise down to Holme Fen.
We haven’t been for a while and Carole is keen (desperate) to see if the ‘Admiral
Wells’ still does Baileys in chocolate cups.
Easter Saturday we run back up to Benwick where we can moor at the new moor-
ings and indulge in a leisurely pub crawl. These are the result of some excellent work
by the Waterman’s Club, to which we were happy to donate a bit of money, and it
would be a shame not to use them. Saturday afternoon we continue around to Bevills Leam, mooring along toward the
pump station, hopefully the weather will allow a boater’s bankside Barbie! Easter Sunday I thought after a lie in a run up to Whittlesey and a visit to the new
‘Wetherspoons’, about which I hear good things, then go our separate ways on Monday
morning. This is an IWA event insurance will be needed, forms from me by email. See you there
EASTER CRUISE
9
Alastair
10
Suppliers of quality components · Federal Mogul Pistons & Rings · Payen Gaskets & Seals · Æ Bearings
CRANK REGRINDING · VALVE CUTTING · REBORING SURFACE GRINDING
ENGINE RECONDITIONERS Specialists in Petrol & Diesel engine rebuilds for marine, car & commercial applications, including cylinder head refurbishment, crack & pressure testing
Monsal Works, Somersham Road, St Ives, Cambs PE27 3LY · Tel 01480 462111
Members of Peterborough Branch may wish to attend meetings of our neighbouring
Cambridge Branch. All will be made welcome. The remaining programme for 2011 is
given below.
CAMBRIDGE BRANCH MEETINGS
Thursday 24 March 2011: Branch AGM followed by a speaker from the EA on the latest in-formation regarding navigation matters in the area.
Sunday 1 May 2011: Annual Gathering of Boats at Reach Lode, a mini rally, lunchtime barbecue and quiz. Members come by boat or car and bring their own selection of food and drink. Boats start arriving on the Saturday and there is often a meal booked in a local pub on the Saturday evening. The historical Reach Fair is held on the Bank Holiday Monday.
Meetings are held at Milton Community Centre, Coles Road, Milton,
Cambridge, CB24 6BL
EA ANNUAL UPDATE - February Meeting
I rven Forbes gave his annual report to the Branch at the February meeting against the
background of uncertainty that still existed at that time as to whether EA navigation
will be incorporated in the proposed new Waterways charity. He expected a decision
by the end of February so by the time your read this issue the outcome may be known.
Income from boat licences has steadily risen from £0.6M in 2000 to £1.6M in 2010
but there were signs that new registrations of powered craft were levelling off although
non-powered craft licences were increasing. A strong line is being taken on licence
evasion with 15 recent prosecutions and 34 either pending or in preparation. Irven took
pride in the fact that £15M had been invested in capital works in the Anglian region
over the past six years. With the current financial constraints this level of investment
will fall but he and his team will always strive to seek all funding opportunities.
Plans for this year include two weed cuts across the region with a move towards
achieving consistent standards in all work undertaken with more pre-fabrication off-
site. This will save both money and stoppage times. Success reported were the new
non-slip landing stages, the improvement to over 100 lock paddle mechanisms and the
weir booms which have saved several potential accidents and proved their value. Im-
provements to the Strong Stream communication system have been instigated by split-
ting the Nene and Ouse into upper and lower sections to give better response to local-
ised conditions. Much of the improvements to navigation have been funded from the
Flood Management budget and Irven expressed some concern that this method of cross
-funding will be lost if EA Navigation is separated to another body.
With the grant-in-aid reduction being faced, reliance on Partnerships with other bod-
ies will become more important in the future. EA Navigation had benefited to the tune
of £16M from the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership over the last 10 years and this
relationship is still strong although finding in the immediate future will be much re-
duced. A new Partnership has been established with Peterborough CC with funding for
landing stage improvements at Orton Lock and the establishment of a pro-active Wa-
terspace Strategy for the river corridor through the city including plans for a marina
and water taxis to expand on the very successful model currently operating in Spalding.
Similar initiatives are underway at Ely, Bedford and Spalding, where the local councils
see benefits to be obtained from a vibrant and well used riverside space in their areas.
The new mooring facilities at Northampton will be completed in July and to coincide
with a Festival which will mark the 250th Anniversary of the establishment of the Nene
as a through navigation and 100 years existence of Northampton Boat club. The event
is being promoted by the IWA and Northampton BC and will be a high-profile launch
of the improved facilities at Northampton.
Irven, as always, stoically stood for a concluding questions session and some regular
issues were raised regarding pump-out, water and rubbish facilities, particularly on the
Nene. Members felt these facilities were no getting close to non-existent. Use of vol-
unteer input on the EA Waterways was aired again and Irven explained the future poli-
cy would be tied up with the future status of EA Navigation and its place in the ‘Big
Society’ government policy. The Branch wishes to thank Irven for his valuable input
to our annual programme.
11
12
A fter another ’Winter from Hell’ with temperatures down to
more than ten degrees below zero for several weeks I am sure
like me you are all looking forward to some serious boating. We
receive our renewals for cruising licence, boat insurance and moor-
ing fees all in January and the ever increasing outlay seems all the
more painful when use of the boat is very sporadic to say the least. It’s a test on the
resolve of the most committed boaters.
At this time of year contact with the waterways is often maintained by browsing
through the glossy magazines and while perusing the most popular one I was struck
by the ever rising price of new and used boats. The issue I was reading had a review
of a new narrowboat which made a hole in someone’s bank account to the tune of
£120k. It was a lovely boat and had every conceivable ‘bell and whistle’ that one
could wish for. In fact it had gizmos we don't even have at home! But that is a lot of
money for a boat. I then moved onto to browse the brokerage adverts and saw that
prices of well above £80k are fairly common and a good few were over the ‘ton’.
Whatever happened to the Springer ‘Waterbug’ and similar cheap entry level boats
and cruisers?
In the same issue there was, in contrast, an article about a trip by an enthusiastic
group on a Camping boat made in 1977. By Camping boat I mean a working narrow-
boat in which the accommodation was provided under the sheets in the hold using
cooking and sleeping facilities that were rudimentary to say the least. (I leave the
issue of toilet provision to individual imagination).
The contrast between that 1977 ‘adventure’ and today makes one wonder whether
the Inland Waterways are becoming too elitist. We have heard how many of our or-
ganisations, including the IWA are suffering because of an ever aging membership
with few younger members and families coming along. If the cost of acquiring a boat
is little short of buying a house then this is the reason. Have younger newcomers
with children who will be the next generation of boaters been priced out of the mar-
ket? It is a point worth reflecting.
I am not for one minute advocating roughing it like that trip of 1977 but surely there
is a case for a range of entry level boats that are affordable, compliant with today’s
safety requirements and provided with basic holiday type facilities that would attract
newcomers to the water without the need for a second mortgage.
This year will see the start of dramatic change in the format of the Inland Water-
ways and it is hoped that whatever system of management and control comes into
being appreciates that people’s ability to pay is not a bottomless pit.
Enough of all that. We are into Spring and the Waterways are at our beck and call.
Time to plan this years cruises and routes which is always a pleasurable task. Or per-
haps you are of the persuasion that just sets off and makes a decision at each water-
way junction. Sometimes the most enjoyable outgoings come from just taking it as it
comes. Wherever you get to, enjoy your summer.
EDITOR’S NOTES
Philip Halstead
INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION Peterborough Branch
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
CHAIRMAN: Alastair Chambers 52 Hereward Way, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8QB
Tel: 01778 344438 e-mail: [email protected]
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN & SALES OFFICER: Graham Baughn PO Box 15, 10 Marina Drive, March, Cambs PE15 0AU
Tel: 07578-753558 e-mail: [email protected]
SECRETARY: Nigel Long 7 Georgian Court, Peterborough PE3 6AF
Tel: 01733 553782 e-mail: [email protected]
TREASURER: Michael Slaughter 45 Elstone, Orton Waterville, Peterborough PE2 5JZ
Tel: 01733 390598 e-mail: [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Carole Chambers 52 Hereward Way, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8QB
Tel: 01778 344438 e-mail: [email protected]
EDITOR: Philip Halstead, 20 Cane Avenue, Peterborough PE2 9QT Tel: 01733 348500 e-mail: [email protected]
John Dudley, 1 Bellmans Road, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1TY
Tel: 01733 202581
Roger Mungham Boatmans Cottage, Workhouse Lane, Upwell, Wisbech PE14 9ET
Tel: 01945 773002 e-mail: [email protected]
David Biggs, Evelines, 85 High Street, Chatteris PE16 6MP Tel: 01354 696956 e mail: [email protected]
Roger Sexton, 2 Shaw Drive, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 9TB
Tel: 01354 652329
David Venn, Bruffs Lodge, High Street, Nordelph, Downham Market PE38 0BL
Tel: 01366 324102 e-mail:[email protected]
Richard Fairman, The Old Railway House, Cowbit,
Spalding, Lincs PE12 0XD Tel: 01406 380575
13
Brian W. Smith
Marine Surveyor
Pre-Purchase Surveys
Valuations—Insurance Surveys
CE Compliance for Home Builds
Boat Safety Examinations
Engine Evaluation & Condition
Ultra-sound
Osmosis Assessment
Gas System Surveys
Member of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners - Gas Safe Reg. YDSA
Contact Brian on:
Tel: 01354 680341
Mobile: 07887 781649
E-mail:
15
W aterway junctions always provide a fascination for boaters and other users.
There are decisions to be made as to which way to go and where the options
may lead the unsuspecting or ill-informed. There is however an amazing variety of
forms such junctions take over the wide expanse of the inland waterways system.
Our own Fenland waterways are known for their tranquillity and there can be no
more a tranquil scene than Angle Corner (photo 1) located on the Middle Level Sys-
tem where the main Nene-Ouse through route crosses the obstructed Twenty Foot
River between Whittlesey and March. On a crisp January day, the flat landscape and
big clear sky is the type of backdrop that inspired the great landscape painters of East
Anglia!
At the opposite end of the scale there can be no more an urban setting for the junc-
tion of the Ashton and Rochdale Canals hard behind Piccadilly station in Manchester
(photo 2). The Ashton Canal leaves or joins the Rochdale through a bridge beneath a
new building that seems as though it would challenge a well fed rabbit! This area at
the top of the infamous Rochdale Nine flight of locks was not long ago the pits of
dereliction and passage through this route cost you nearly 30 quid for the experience.
Now the area is being developed, the Rochdale Canal is restored across the Pennines
but it still has problems with water supplies over the heavily locked route.
For those who venture down the demanding nine locks on the semi-subterranean route
through Manchester’s trendy ‘bohemian’ sector the rewards for those into Industrial
Archaeology to be had in Castlefield (photo 3) are legion.
WATERWAY JUCTIONS — by The Editor
16
Here the Rochdale Canal joins the Bridgwater, the canal that started it all, while the
infant River Medlock flows through on the level and the former Manchester & Sal-
ford Junction Canal tunnels pass beneath. Above all this supported on massive iron
and brick viaducts are some of the railways that were embryonic is establishing what
we now call Network Rail. A few years ago to add to all this, the Gardner engine
enthusiasts held a rally for anything whether floating or wheeled that had a Gardner
engine. It resulted in a magnificent turn-out of boats, buses, lorries and all sorts.
Sheer bliss!
The junction of the Trent & Mersey Canal with the River Weaver Navigation re-
quired a neat bit of kit to overcome the significant difference in level. This resulted in
the Anderton Boat Lift (photo 4). For several years we stopped off when passing on
the T & M and always walked down the hill to gaze up at the rusting masterpiece and
view the massive gear wheels stripped off and laid forlornly in the undergrowth. It
was a sad sight and I always hoped that one day it would be put to right. You can
imagine the feeling when in 2002 we took Sands Green on the newly restored lift and
had a splendid trip on the Weaver from the flashes at Winsford down to Weston Point
docks. It was splendid and recommended to all if you visit the north west.
A junction that I always find rather complex is Kingswood Junction (photo 5) where
the Northern and Southern Stratford Canals meet each other and then the Grand Un-
ion. There is also a railway bridge across here as well! If you were leaving the GU
and going down to Stratford you used to have to go up one lock to the Northern Strat-
ford, do a very tight U-turn and down one lock to get back to the level where you
started. This was tremendously wasteful of water on what is a busty route in summer
so they drove a new lock across the ‘isthmus’ and now you can go straight through.
Simple! The Southern Stratford is notable for the distinctive barrel-roofed lock cot-
tages and one is pictured here at Kingswood.
The Montgomery Canal has been under restoration for many years and it seems to
have fits and starts as money is available. The canal leaves the Llangollen (or should
I say Shropshire Union – Welsh Branch to be correct) at Welsh Frankton. To save
water the lock times are limited and this puts off many from venturing down this su-
perb waterway. The wait is well worthwhile and you will be looked after by the
friendly lock-keeper Colin, who looks after the lockside and is ready to offer his local
knowledge. The BW sign sports stick-on numbers to keep the length of the canal up
to date as the restoration was moving so rapidly when the millennium money was
flowing. It is a lovely quiet cruise to the border with Wales and one day it may be
possible to actually get to Montgomery.
The final junction (photo 6) is what could be considered an archetypal canal junc-
tion where the waterways join at 90 degrees and there is a horse bridge to take the
towpath over the ‘branch’. This is Portland Basin where the Ashton Canal makes an
end on junction with the Huddersfield Narrow as it heads up to Standedge Tunnel,
and the Lower Peak Forest Canal heads off to Marple to join the Upper Peak Forest
and the Macclesfield Canal. These are a few of the many junctions that exist on our
waterways and there are many more that are rich in history and interest.
Waterway Junctions
Waterway Junctions
Waterway Junctions
Waterway Junctions
Waterway Junctions
Waterway Junctions
Waterway Junctions
Waterway Junctions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
