BRANCH NEWSLETTER

AUGUST 2012

Beverley Beck on the weekend of the Queen’s Jubilee

East Yorkshire Branch

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A Newsletter in August ?

We are publishing this newsletter a few weeks earlier than usual because

there are some special events occurring soon which we feel members

would want to know about and support.

Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd September. Folk Sail Weekend at the

Waterway Museum, Dutch River Side, Goole. See poster advert inside.

Saturday 15th September. We look forward to the visit of Mikron Theatre

Group who are presenting ‘Losing the Plot’ at7.30pm in the Derby and Joan

Hall, Finkle Street, Cottingham. This is a fund-raising event so your Branch

can continue to support local waterway restorations so we need you

support and that of your friends, especially any who may have an

allotment. Though tickets may be available at the door it would make

planning much easier if you rang and booked your tickets with Roger

Bromley on 01482 845099 or online. If you would like a copy of the poster

then send your email address to bandrrobins.gmail.com or ring 01482

658254. I have some laminated copies for display outside. There will be a

raffle and we would appreciate gifts to offer as prizes.

Saturday 6th October Joint meeting with members of the North Riding

Branch in the Westborough Unitarian Chapel, Falsgrave Road, Scarborough

starting at 2.00pm. Mel Smith will give an illustrated talk on ‘Commercial

Traffic on the Yorkshire Waterways’. There will also be some dvd

presentations, tea and biscuits (of course!) and an opportunity to socialise.

Parking may be difficult though there is Pay and Display parking at

Sainsbury’s nearby but only for two hours, some on-street parking or use

the Park and Ride. It is a 5-10 minute walk from the railway station. This is

taking the place of the Whitby meetings so please support it if you can.

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Celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee with Beverley Beck Boating

Association

To celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee on 2nd

June Beverley Beck Boating

Association organised a ‘Boat Gathering’ on Beverley Beck. Members of

your Branch went along to support BBBA, to publicise IWA and to enjoy

the festivities.

Those of us who can remember the Coronation will know that it rained. A

lot! Well it rained again for the Jubilee Celebration held at Beverley Beck

though not quite as much.

Over 40 boats lined both sides of the beck from the road bridge right up to

the beck end. There were barges, canoes, sailing ships, narrowboats, cruisers

and even a submarine.

Our Branch stall was also there with the gazebo (very welcome in the wet)

promoting local waterways, raising funds and making people aware of the

IWA.

Despite the rain we had many visitors throughout the day who bought books,

cards, canalware, raffle tickets, flags and tried to win prizes in our games.

A superb Jubilee Cake was made by our secretary Chris and the day ended

with us making well over £100 for IWA funds. Grateful thanks must go to

all the helpers who turned up on the day to make this outing a success.

Put a note in your diary to come and see us at the Folk Sail weekend at the

Waterways Museum in Goole on September 1st and 2nd.

If you have anything of waterway interest which could be used for display

purposes or sold to raise funds please contact Roger Bromley or Chris

Stones (01482 875894).

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Market Weighton Canal walk.

A rainy day in June saw a few hardy members meet at Landing Lane

Broomfleet for a walk along the Market Weighton Canal. We were hosted

by Bruce Miles, a long-standing member of the Market Weighton Canal

Society which is now seeing a revival with renewed interest being shown in

the canal. Bruce was able to tell us about the industry of brickmaking which

was once carried out in many sites along the canal and many other

interesting facts concerning the waterway and its surroundings.

After a short meander because of the rain, we moved on to the entrance

lock where the canal meets the River Humber. The lock is now seldom used

for navigation due to a hefty charge being levied by the Environment

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Agency who are responsible for operating the lock. In theory though, the

canal is navigable for about a couple of miles by powered craft. The

headroom under the M62 is around 3 metres at standard water levels.

After a good look around we made our way into Newport to enjoy the

delights of fish & chips from the local chippie. Alas it was closed so it was

into the pub for a drink and a natter before making our way back home first

stopping at the takeaway in South Cave to buy our supper.

While thinking about the Market Weighton Canal

The Branch has neglected this waterway over recent years but your

committee was pleased to receive reports of efforts locally to make the

canal more of a local amenity. As always there is a need to know what

residents feel, so many questions need to be asked and the responses

thought about in the hope that a way forward can be found which will

please as many people as possible. The length of canal under consideration

is from the main road in Newport to the M62 and perhaps a little further to

the river Foulness. Initially the Branch has agreed to help with the funding

of the Feasibility Study and beyond if possible.

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The River Foss

You will notice from the programme listing on the back page that we are

having a talk on the River Foss in November. If you fancy exploring the

river with members of the River Foss Society before this talk then check the

website www.riverfosssociety.co.uk for organised walks in the coming

weeks.

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The Great Gazebo

Yes, we now have a gazebo to give protection for our branch display stand

and volunteers come rain or shine. We are so pleased that Chris and Dave

are leading the use of the display and it is appearing at more and more

events. Through it we publicise the waterways and IWA and raise funds to

be used for local restoration projects.

We need your support. You can help by informing us of events where we

could take the great gazebo, donating goods to sell or materials for display

and, of course, by staffing the display and sharing your enthusiasm for and

knowledge of waterways with the general public. Chris and Dave’s number

is 01482 875894, they’d love to hear from you.

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IWA West Yorkshire Thwaite Mill boat gathering

Looking for a constructive purpose for a trip out in our barge “Reiger” we decided

to attend the IWA West Riding boat gathering at Thwaite Mill just outside Leeds

on Saturday 30th June. Although our original application was to IWA we were

eventually contacted by BW only 4 days beforehand to be advised we were to

berth in Clarence Dock. This was after the Aire & Calder Navigation was reopened

on 26th June as the flood locks had been closed following a period of heavy rain.

Our instructions were “you need to aim for the end of Clarence Dock on

the right opposite where the U-Boat is moored, please moor parallel to the

dockside in order to leave space for the Dragon Boat Racing”. Clearly the

suggestion to aim for the end was a psychic understanding of my navigational

skills. The presence of a U-Boat and a fleet of dragon boats did not give any more

confidence in the safety of the mooring.

As it turned out we were the only boat from the Thwaite Mill gathering directed to

Clarence Dock or certainly the only one to make it! On entering the Dock we found

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that the footbridge allowing entry into the Commercial section (The Far End) had

to be opened by Clarence Dock Property Company employees no,t BW.

This proved a slow process and we found ourselves being blown about the dock by

the high winds on that day made much worse as they were channeled between

the blocks of buildings surrounding the dock. One or two of the residential boat

owners were certainly looking concerned as we closed in on them. Where we

were instructed to moor needed a complete circuit of the dock on the very

adequate pontoon before you exited if you could get by the U-Boat captain.

As we wanted to partake in the BBQ organized by IWA West Riding on the Friday

night and we were two miles from Thwaite Mill we had to find transport. With a

serious lack of knowledge and information even in the Armouries I walked to the

bus terminal having been given two different routes for this by Armouries staff.

After suffering a long queue at the information desk the very helpful assistant

advised me he would walk it but did offer the possibilities of an 110,140 or 189

from Hunslet Road. Deciding to use the bus as we left Clarence Dock we saw a taxi

picking up a passenger and obtained a business card for the return journey.

The BBQ was organized by Elaine Scott with help from the boaters moored at

Thwaite Mill and was very enjoyable and gave a good opportunity for us to get to

know each other. Thanks to Ken Morrison for the quality of the ingredients!

A mobile call to Amber Taxis resulted in a prompt response slightly confused by

the fact that a gate on the road to Thwaite Mill had been closed and locked after

we had entered.

On Saturday morning Clarence Dock was a hive of activity as preparations were

made for the start of the Dragon Boat Racing scheduled for 9.30am. It was clear

that between Reiger and the U-Boat moored opposite each other we had created

something of a chicane on the dragon boat race course. Having also been advised

that I should be wearing a lifejacket to get to and from my boat by one of the over

zealous dragon boat officials we decided it was time to escape from Clarence Dock

to the more placid surroundings of Thwaite Mill having established that there was

space for us at the Mill.

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We spoke to the Dragon Boat organizers and established a VHF communications

link with them through Patch the skipper on Sobriety (which had arrived at

Clarence Dock at midnight and moored next to the foot bridge) and slipped out

after the third race.

Having met Mike Tucknott, (that rare creature, an IWA member and BW

Volunteer) on Friday night at the BBQ who was responsible for berthing at Thwaite

Mill we called to say we were on our way and he most helpfully opened the lock

for us on the way down.

Thwaite Mill was bustling with activity and Elaine resplendent in Bonnet, Boots

and Black skirt was all action as she Bulldozed her way round the site. Meanwhile

Peter her better/other half serenely glided around swan-like, camera clutched to

chest looking for that winning photo opportunity.

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We displayed the IWA East Riding banner on the side of Reiger and engaged

several visitors in conversation and dispensed Pocklington Canal literature.

There were displays and stalls from rope work to IWA. But the main attraction for

visitors was the “Free Boat Trips” offered by my hero Les Moss and the Safe

Anchor trust who had four boats taking passengers for short trips and I

understand the donations that went in the bucket on the landing gave a

worthwhile return to the Safe Anchor coffers. We were fortunate enough to be

shown over their latest Boat “Safe Anchor Lady” by Les which has incorporated

many excellent features to accommodate handicapped people and wheel chair

users.

I felt for the Humber Keel and Sloop society who had made a considerable effort

to get Amy Hewson to Thwaite Mill and because they were past the Safe Anchor

berth did not get the number of visitors they deserved. If at all possible the free

trips should be furthest from the entrance to get visitors to pass all the other

attractions.

We had booked an evening meal at Mumtaz back at Clarence Dock but with the

use of the ultra efficient Amber Taxis we were able to get there and back for the

Boaters Quiz organized once again by the redoubtable Elaine. Though it was a

little regrettable that some of the questions were similar to previous ones if not

the same . The picture quiz of bridges, which had the hand of Peter all over it,

proved to be testing to all present.

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Thwaite Mill in itself is well worth visiting, being a water powered limestone

grinding Mill with most of its machinery in place and a working forge.

On Sunday the collection of boats moored on the riverside was augmented by a

large gathering of classic cars organized by the local car club.

Altogether Thwaite Mill was an enjoyable weekend, which we would be pleased to

visit again if IWA West Riding decides to repeat it next year.

It is to be hoped the weather will be better and the river navigation difficulties

avoided, leading to more boats attending.

Thanks and congratulations to Elaine, Peter and Mike for their hard work and the

rest of IWA West Riding for their organization.

We are grateful to Andrew Brett for this report on the Thwaite Mill which was

advertised in the April newsletter.

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Pocklington Canal News

Members of the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society (PCAS) continue to organise

working parties and are able to ensure that the visitor area at Canal Head

alongside the A1079 and the stretch of navigable waterway which is navigable are

kept in good order. They continue to raise funds through the work at the visitor

centre and other activities but substantial funds are needed for a push which will

extend the length of navigable canal and improve the canal environment. PCAS

has joined forces with BW/Waterway Trust and various other organisations to

prepare a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

New Horizons

The Pocklington trip boat is having another successful year; have you been

on it? There is a special extended cruise on Sat 25th August which at the

time of going to press has one or two places. If interested give them a call.

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Is it Christmas already?

No, Christmas is a distant thought but this is the last newsletter before

December so we need to give members details and ask for bookings and

deposits. You will notice that we have changed the venue to Cottingham

Parks Golf Club, Harland Way, HU16 5SW so that we can have a Sunday

lunchtime meal on 2nd

December. The lunch is 12 for 12.30 and the room is

available until 3.00pm which makes it easier for members who do not like

driving in the dark or live some distance away to be able to join us.

Bookings to Chris Stones on 01482 875894, menu and price below.

Do make a special effort to join us, we would like to meet as many

members as possible.

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BRANCH PROGRAMME and other waterway events Autumn 2012

Venue (unless stated otherwise) Cottingham Methodist Church Hall, Hallgate,

Cottingham HU16 4BD 8.00-10.00 pm. Use entrance down side of church.

Sat/Sun Folk Sail Weekend

1st/2

nd Sept. The Waterways Museum, Dutch River Side, Goole

Saturday 15th

Sept Mikron Theatre, ‘Losing the Plot’ See inside

Friday Commercial Boat Owners, Speaker David Lowe

21st Sept. Inland Waterway Freight, the way forward

Saturday Joint meeting with N Riding Branch at Scarborough

6th

Oct. Details inside.

Friday ‘Humber Estuary Service’. The safety of navigation on

19th

Oct. The Humber by Andrew Swift

Friday The Story of the River Foss Society by

16th

Nov. John Millet and Peter Hopwood

Sunday Branch Christmas Lunch, Cottingham Parks Golf Club

2nd

Dec. Details inside

2013

Friday ‘All you need to know about locks’ by

18th

Jan. Paul Waddington

For more information about the Inland Waterways Association use the website

www.waterways.org.uk or contact Barry Robins on 01482 658254 or

07885941983. For more information on the above meetings contact Roger

Bromley on 01482 845099. The Branch email address is roger@roger.karoo.co.uk

This newsletter is edited and produced by Barry Robins, 90 Carr Lane, Willerby,

Hull HU10 6JU, tel 01482 658254

Note: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the

Association and should not be construed as such unless so stated.