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Editorial

As we write this piece our thoughts are ones of sadness at the news of the passing of Colin Ward, the founder editor of Cargoes. When Colin handed over the reins some four years ago we realised his was going to be a hard act to follow. He had a natural editorial ability which shone through in the numerous editions for which he was responsible. But Colin had a variety of interests beyond waterways and his wide circle of friends and acquaintances were reflected in those who came to bid farewell and to celebrate Colin’s life on 23rd July at Easthampstead Park Crematorium. We are grateful to Tony Davis for the tribute to Colin which appears on page 4 of this edition of Cargoes.

Continuing our thoughts ‘editorial’, we would like to record our thanks to Tony and Sabine Clark who helped greatly in the transition and enabled Cargoes to continue to prosper after Colin left. We are sorry they are no longer involved but welcome Cecil Ives whose skills have enabled him to produce a 177 page book of his life story with a whole chapter on his ‘Boating experiences’.

This edition of Cargoes again attempts to bring you news of what has been happening across the whole of the South East Region and what is in store – quite a task when one considers it encompasses what must be a unique gallimaufry of waterways. Probably the most significant Regional news since our last edition is the fact that 2010 will see the return of the NWF to Beale Park with its special significance in marking the centenary of the birth of Tom Rolt, one of the founders of IWA. Gillian Bolt’s article on page 5 sets the scene and gives details of the Festival’s inaugural meeting at Newbury in October. Past experience of the 2003 and 2006 events has illustrated how success can be achieved when as many members as possible contribute. We urge members to get involved and we, through Cargoes, will endeavour to keep you informed in the lead up to what will undoubtedly be IWA’s major event of 2010.

Cargoes Editorial Team

Cover photo: Colin Ward receiving a Richard Bird Medal for services to IWA from Region Chairman Brian Roberts at the Guildford & Reading Branch AGM in 2006

[Photo: Ray Carnell]

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From The Region Chairman

When I wrote in the Summer Cargoes I was very much an interim Chairman for the old Central Southern Region. I can now report that my application (under the new rules) to be elected as the fist Chairman of the new South East Region was unopposed and at the IWA AGM in September I will be formally appointed for a period of two years. Whilst I am delighted to be accepted it is disappointing that there are so few volunteers for key positions within IWA - none of the other regions had more than a single applicant and in two cases there are still chairmen to find. Similar issues of finding committee members exist within the various branches within our region.

So what have I been up to since I last wrote? Apart from the numerous meetings that I attend there were three events in May, some reported in the last issue, that were worthy of particular note. First I attended the Wey and Arun Canal Trust’s celebration for the opening of the Loxwood link as well as the naming of their new electric trip boat “Wiggenholt”. The new Loxwood bridge was a marvellous achievement for a volunteer organisation without the benefit of large regeneration grants that some of our colleagues further north sometimes benefit from. Few can now doubt that London’s lost route to the south coast will one day reopen.

I was also privileged to attend a lunch hosted by the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust attended by their patron the Duchess of Cornwall. Although the principal focus was the reopening of a bridge outside our region, it did include showcasing all the work on the route of that canal including the third of which is in our South East region.

The third event was the reopening of the Basingstoke canal. I enjoyed helping intrepid boaters through the Woodham locks for the Brookwood rally and I also attended the subsequent Odiham rally at which the National Chairman Clive Henderson paid a visit. It was a delight to see the canal open for the first time in two years and all who attended enjoyed the tranquil beauty of this leafy waterway through Surrey and Hampshire in glorious Summer sunshine. Unfortunately, and not unexpected, this delight was short lived as by late June the Deepcut flight closed due to a combination of safety concerns and also water shortages. There are no quick solutions but my priority is to press Surrey County Council for adequate capital funds for preventative maintenance and to assist the Surrey and Hants canal society in their quest for solutions to the water supply issues.

Finally I did manage to do some boating spending most of June afloat- a period which included the hottest weather of the season so far. Once again I enjoyed the unique heritage of our inland waterways whilst also regretting that narrowboats do not come with air conditioning!

Paul Roper

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Colin Ward

I was saddened to hear of the death of Colin Ward on 8th July last. Colin was a stalwart of the Guildford and Reading Branch for some 30 years, and there cannot have been any committee or event during that time that he was not in some way involved with. And always as a very willing participant, adding his own brand of humour and expertise to whatever new or downright crazy scheme we came up with to campaign for the cause of the local waterways. Chandlery auctions; nautojumbles; boat rallies; small boat cruises; lucky lock games; waterway talks; you name it, Colin was involved somewhere. He excelled himself as a salesman serving on the Branch Nautojumble stand at the Beale Park National in 2003 where he used his skills to dispose of a pair of vintage water-skis; only to cap this in 2006 when selling a child’s toboggan - in the middle of summer!

With the demise of the Region Newsletter "Windlass" in 1989, Colin agreed to become editor of a new Branch newsletter "Guardian"; subsequently transformed into "Guardsman" when joined by the Solent and Arun Branch; and into "Cargoes" when the Oxford Branch also joined. He must have spent many happy hours playing with anagrams of the branch initials to get the names right! The magazines had a reputation for excellency of content and punctuality of publication. It was for long and distinguished service to the IWA that he was awarded a Richard Bird Medal in 2005.

I am lucky to have made a number of long term friends through mutual involvement in the waterways cause, and Colin was amongst the best of them.

Tony Davis

Colin with the pair of water skis, reckoned as providing the ‘ultimate sales challenge’at the Branch Nautojumble at the Beale Park National in 2003 [Photo: Ray Carnell]

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National Festival & Boat Show 2010

Celebrating the centenary of the birth of Tom Rolt

The 2010 IWA National Festival & Boat Show at Beale Park will hope to celebrate Tom Rolt’s many achievements and interests. Although IWA members will obviously wish to commemorate his iconic cruise around the waterways in 1939, leading to the wonderful book “Narrow Boat” and thence the formation of the Inland Waterways Association, there are many other groups that Tom identified with during his lifetime.

The Vintage Car Club and the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society are but two of those groups and Festival organisers would hope to have a good presence at the Festival, representing both the cars and the railways. In addition Tom was, first and foremost, an engineer with a particular interest in Victorian engineering achievements and vocational skills and it is hoped to represent these diverse groups in some way at the 2010 Festival. If anyone has particular contacts with any such groups, Festival organisers would be delighted to hear from them.

The Centenary Festival Launch evening has been booked for:

Monday, 19th October at 7.30 pmat West Berkshire District Council Chambers, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, Berks, RG14 5LD

We are also delighted that the present Chairman of West Berkshire Council, Cllr Geoff Findlay OBE and his wife are to visit the Redhill Festival in 2009 to receive the Tiller Pin Trophy from the Mayor of Rushcliffe, prior to our arrival at Beale Park in 2010. Cllr Findlay has also kindly agreed to attend the Launch Evening in October.

As ever, volunteers will be needed to make this Centenary Festival something extra special so please contact the team and attend the monthly meetings to find out where you can help us to make this event especially memorable.

For further information please contact: Festival Helpline 0844 800 6583

Gillian Bolt

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Salisbury Group

Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes:

At our May meeting George Eycott came to talk to us about the Claverton Pump together with Peter Dunn, who updated us on the restoration of the Burbage crane.

The pump at Claverton, designed by George Rennie, operated from 1813 up until 1952 when, allegedly, a log became trapped in the wheel and caused damage to the gear teeth. The restoration of the pump took place between 1969 and 1978. In the second half of the meeting Peter Dunn introduced us to a variety of old wharf side cranes. We saw pictures of 14 different cranes located so far on the Kennet & Avon Canal and were told about the first reconstruction of the crane at Burbage in which the army was involved. We then saw slides of the damaged crane at Burbage and how it was dismantled and transported to Claverton for reconstruction.

Following these talks, ten members paid a visit at the end of June, to see the pump in action and join a guided tour by the Claverton pump team. Peter Dunn then continued his talk about the Burbage crane, but now that we were standing beside it, we were able to get the full meaning of the reconstruction task.

The summer programme usually concludes with a boules match and BBQ at the Green Dragon. This year plan B had to be put into action due to the weather; Jeff the landlord braved the elements to cook the food over the BBQ from under a large umbrella, while we enjoyed the food in the pub dining room. As a result, the entertainment had to take the form of a selection of quizzes. Even though we had inclement weather it was agreed by everyone that we had had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Programme of Events 2009/2010

Thurs 17th Sept Adrian Softley (Chairman of Devizes Branch K&A Trust) will tell us about “Boat building & Industry at Honey Street on the K&A Canal.” We know Honey Street for the Barge Inn beside the canal but it was once an industrial centre about 200 years ago

Thurs 19th Nov Peter Halman will be giving us a power point presentation entitled“The Thames from Oxford to Windsor” – shaping history of the River Thames through the centuries.

Thurs 3rd Dec Waterways quiz at Chilworth Village Hall organised by Southampton CS

Thurs 10th Dec Christmas dinner at The Green Dragon, Alderbury.

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Thurs 21st Jan 2010 Liz Payne, Chairman of Cotswold Canals Trust.

Thurs 18th March Ron Heritage, Chairman, Oxfordshire Branch.

Unless otherwise stated, meetings are at the Green Dragon, Alderbury, starting at 7.30pm where visitors will be warmly welcomed. Further information can be obtained from Ron & Myra Glover on 01722 710322 or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

Mikron Theatre “Tales of the Thames”

As soon as the Civil War was explained by Cromwell and the levellers appearing as hand puppets, it was clear that the Mikron team had come up with another masterpiece. Four multi-tasking actors brought us their talents of comic timing, amazing scene changes, a variety of musical instruments and the lovely singing voice of Rachel Cartwright.

As the four moved upstream and downstream simultaneously through a variety of historic settings and romantic liaisons with minimal props but the imaginative use of various styles of puppets, the audience were almost rolling in the aisles when Gemma Ryan showed her manual dexterity whilst portraying putting a hoop on a sciff in the pouring rain.

The play took us through Thames life in all its forms from boatbuilding to river magic and covered eras of history from King John and the Right of Navigation through bull baiting and pickpockets on the Frost Fair to dockside cranes dipping their heads at Churchill's funeral. The contrast between the dockers, smelling the spices as they unloaded cargoes, and today's workers at Canary Wharf, buying commodities on their computer screens, was most poignant.

Adrian Palmer, now in his last season with Mikron, produced a brilliant characterisation of the artist Stanley Spencer whilst his memorising of the long lists in his script was right up to Two Ronnies standard. All four performers' diction was as clear as ever in the narrative as well as the songs which are helpfully reproduced in the comprehensive programme.

If I had to pick out my favourite scene it would be George Chalmer celebrating his Mikron debut by leading the audience participation in a hilarious House of Commonsdebate about the Great Stink of 1858. If you haven't seen this show by the time ofIWA’s National, then you will have to travel up to the Pennine canals for the autumn tour to discover where the Holy Place is on the River Thames.

Ben Scott

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Guildford & Reading Branch Events

Branch Publicity and Sales Stand

As in previous years we have been out and around the Branch area during the summer with the Publicity/Sales Stand and the Lucky Locks Game. Following attendance at the Odiham Rally (see separate article) we, together with colleagues from Middlesex Branch, spent three days at the Beale Park Thames Boat Show. The weather was less settled than usual for the beginning of June with heavy rain during the Saturday night. Aside from book sales etc, an IWA presence at this event can be seen providing valuable publicity and a continuity during the years between the periodic National Festivals at this venue. At Reading Water Fest on Saturday 20th June, the crowds turned out as usual for the 20th Anniversary of this event which is organised by Reading’s Borough Council and the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. At the beginning of July we were again invited by the National Trust (Wey Navigations) to take part in the Guildford Festival Boat Gathering which as usual attracted a large number of boats. The Saturday afternoon’s proceedings were rounded off with the ever popular decorated boat parade with a number of ingenious interpretations of this year’s theme of ‘Messing about on the River. Finally we made our way to Victoria Park Newbury on the last Sunday in July for ‘Newbury Waterways Festival’ organised by the Newbury Section of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. By this time it had become general knowledge that the National would be returning to Beale Park in 2010 - it was good to find the enthusiasm engendered by that news and the fact that the Festival Inaugural meeting is to be held in Newbury (see article by Gillian Bolt). The one remaining outside event in 2009 we shall be attending is the Fox & Hounds Rally at Fleet on Saturday 19th September - for details see SteveDallen’s item in the section on the Basingstoke Canal.

The fact that we have been able to get to the usual range of events this year is due in no small measure to the support of our regular team of volunteers. If you haven’t helped this year, please think seriously about offering your services next year when we shall need many more helpers with the pre-National publicity effort and to man our stand during the Festival itself. Further details will be found in future Cargoes.

RC

Southampton Canal Society Quiz – Thursday 3rd December

G&R Branch again hope to field a team for the annual quiz which is organised by Southampton Canal Society and held at Chilworth Village Hall Southampton. Our team selection is in the hands of Ben Scott who would be pleased to hear from anyone who did not take part last year but would like to know more about this year’s arrangements. Ben can be contacted on 01252 794377

RC

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G & R Branch Walk - Sunday 11th October

Meet by10.30am at Colt Hill Odiham Car park by the Basingstoke Canal (Grid Ref: 747518)

A Branch Walk has been arranged for the first time for many years and will take place in the Odiham and Greywell areas and will include part of the canal towpath. The length of the walk will be about 5.75 miles and a break for lunchtime refreshments will be made at the Fox & Goose at Greywell. The walk will be an opportunity to view the work that has taken place at King John's Castle with the new interpretation boards that describe the history of the site.

Don't forget to wear suitable clothing and footwear in case of rain. I would appreciate a call about a week before if you are thinking of coming along so I have an idea of numbers. Please contact me if you require any further information and I look forward to meeting you on the day. Those who do not wish to undertake the afternoon section can return direct to Colt Hill along the towpath after the lunch break.

Contact: David Millett on 01252 617364, Email: d.millett7@ntlworld.com

Weybridge Mariners’ Club

Bill McCoy our Mariners’ Club correspondent writes:

The rebuilt Club house is now up and running and our first function, our Summer Ball,was held on the 20th June. A fabulous night was had by all and what a relief to be in our own venue again.

On Saturday 5th September Weybridge Mariners River Festival is once again being held at Lock Island, Shepperton Lock, Ferry Lane, Shepperton from 12 noon to 16.00. There will be a free ferry from the Weybridge bank. The event includes a GRAND DRAW, BBQ, Boat Bits, Pimms Bar, Childrens’ Stalls and Games, Dunkirk Little Ships (take a river trip), Ferret Racing, Fly Fishing Demonstration, Home Made Cakes, Roast Pork Rolls, Jewellery, Little Golfers, Bric-a-Brac, Radio Controlled Boats, R.L.N.I. A fun day is expected by everyone. All boat clubs welcome.

On Sunday 13th September we are again hosting the Dunkirk Veterans and their flotilla of little ships from the Dunkirk Little Ships Association. It is amazing to see all these heroes (unfortunately getting less and less each year) coming to our club and enjoying themselves. Another great day out. Please come along to see this wonderful sight.

For more information, please see our website at: www.weybridgemariners.co.uk

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Basingstoke Canal

Brookwood & Odiham Rallies

It was good to see some 50 boats make it up to Brookwood for the gathering at the Country Park over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May. The Mayor of Woking, Councillor Tina Liddington and her husband together with Basingstoke Canal Director, Ian Brown, cruised the length of the moorings aboard ‘Aqua Vitae’ to review the assembled craft. Many of those present were returning to Brookwood following participation in the IWA Campaign Rally there in 2006 and some expressed the view that obstacles to navigation had not improved since their previous visit. By the following weekend about 20 of the boats, including the Narrow Boat Trust’s ‘Nuneaton’, had made their way up to Colt Hill, Odiham which had not seen such a gathering since the Rally in 2001 (marking the 10th Anniversary of the original reopening of the Canal in 1991). IWA National Chairman, Clive Henderson, and his wife Helen together with invited guests enjoyed a buffet lunch aboard the John Pinkerton, courtesy of the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society, with a cruise to the limit of navigation at Odiham Castle and a walk to see the eastern portal of Greywell Tunnel. But as the proprietor of Galleon Marine told me, welcome as it was to see so many boats at Odiham again, it remained to be seen what effective steps were going to be taken towards solving the longer term problems of the Canal, such as water supply, which were on-going threats to their hire boat business.

RC

In the Chair at Odiham: National Chairman, Clive Henderson, with the Chairmen of Oxfordshire Branch, Ron Heritage, and South East Region, Paul Roper.

[Photo: Ray Carnell]

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Canalside improvements

At the Canal Society AGM in May members made it plain that improving the user-friendliness of the Canal should be a top priority. One step in that direction was taken this summer when WRG Working Parties installed landing stages at some of the locks on the Woodham Flight. Another scene of activity has been at Ash Wharf where completion of bankside protection work is due to be followed by a joint BCA/Guildford BC environmental scheme. It is envisaged that this will allow canalside access for visitors and improve mooring facilities for boaters.

Bank protection work in progress at Ash Wharf [Photo: Courtesy Surrey Advertiser]

Fox & Hounds Rally – Saturday 19th September

The Basingstoke Canal Boating Club's annual Rally at the Fox & Hounds, Crookham Road, Church Crookham, Fleet goes ahead as ever, though slightly later in the month than usual, on Saturday 19th September. Expect all the usual fun and games, with the attendance of the colourful and atmospheric steamboats courtesy of The Steamboat Association. As well as stalls and visiting boats, the Fox & Hounds will be providing a barbecue in the afternoon. For entertainment there will be Morris Dancers and, new this year, a raft race staged by the Fox & Hounds.

Entry to the rally by boat is £5 including launching at the Barley Mow slipway at Winchfield. Further details of this facility and of canal conditions and lock availability are to be had from the Basingstoke Canal Authority on 01252 370073. The BCA are waiving the normal cruising fee for those attending this rally. Application forms are available from Jan Byrnes, 01252 676833 or basingstoke.boating@googlemail.com.

All in all it should be a lively if not to say exciting event – look forward to seeing you there.

Steve Dallen

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S&HCS Social Meetings

The talks season of 2008-9 proved once again to be very popular with members and visitors alike. Although the talks are usually on a waterways theme we try to cover a wide variety of areas both at home and abroad. The new season will commence in October at the same regular venue of the Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham near Woking. Meetings start at 8pm on the third Wednesday of the month. Coffee/tea and biscuits will be available during the interval. Non members and friends are very welcome.

Wed 21st October Tony Pratt - 'Lost Wey to the Sea' Tony will follow the historic route from the River Wey at Guildford to Portsmouth via the Wey & Arun Canal and the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal. The full history of this important link will be described and Tony will also show some of the documentary film made about seven years ago.

Wed 18th November Dr.Roger Squires - 'The River Douro from Oporto to the Spanish Border'. Roger returns to describe the most dramatic navigation in Europe which includes the deepest locks and 90 miles of navigable river coupled with some spectacular gorges. All this in a glorious part of Portugal.

Wed 16th December Brian Stovold - 'The Wilts and Berks Canal - Past, Present and Future'. Brian, a Director of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust and Chairman of the East Vale Branch, will cover the history of the navigation and describe the current position and future of this important project to connect waterways in this part of the country, where restoration is taking place at various locations over a wide area.

Wed 20th January 2010 Peter Oates - 'The Itchen Navigation'Peter, is well known to us as a member of the Southampton Canal Society and a Working Party leader during the restoration of the Deepcut locks, returns to talk about the history of this navigation and telling us of the current work that is taking place with Lottery funds to ‘cosmetically’ restore some of the locks and features.

For further information on this talks programme please contact David Millett on 01252 617364 or Email: d.millett7@ntlworld.com

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Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Meetings

Both the Newbury and Reading Sections of the Trust hold a series of autumn/winter monthly meetings to which non-members are always welcome.Meetings for the remainder of 2009 are given below.

The Newbury meetings are at The Stone Building, Newbury Wharf at 7.45pm prompt (doors open 30 mins before). Admission is free, light refreshments and ample parking (£1 charge). The Newbury meetings are as follows:

Wed 30th September: BOATING UPSIDE DOWN: Holidaying on Australia’s Murray River, by Rob & Julie Dean

Wed 28th October: THE STORY OF LONDON’S DOCKS: The history of the docks from Roman times to the present day. By Jeremy Batch

Wed 25th November: SECRET CANALS OF BRITAIN: A canoeist’s-eye view of the system with particular emphasis on the canals that you cannot reach easily from here. By Stuart Fisher, editor of Canoeist magazine and author of the recently published book by Adlard Coles: ‘The Canals of Britain: A Comprehensive Guide’.

General Enquiries: Trust Administrator 01380 721279 or Newbury Branch Secretary 01635 580356

The Reading meetings are held at All Saints Church Hall, Downshire Sq, Reading RG1 6NH (off the A4 Bath Road, Reading end) at 7.30 for 8pm start. A £2.50 per person donation is requested towards the hire of hall and provision of refreshments. Reading meetings are as follows:

Friday 25th September: Old K&A and Old Reading by Derek Cann

Friday 30th October: Dipping into the Wells Angela Spencer-Harper on her first – of many – books.

Friday 27th November: Christmas ‘Party’ and ‘Reading Quiz – illustrated’

Further details on Reading meetings from John or Pam Swift on 0118 941 5540

More information can be found on the K&A Trust website: www.katrust.org.uk

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River Thames News

Our Thames Representative, Tony Davis, reports from the June Working Groupmeeting on those items discussed which were of most concern to the IWA. (If it seems that we talk about the same matters each time, this is because we do!)

Navigation Charges. Stuart Taylor led on this. The purpose of the proposals is to determine a Charging Plan for 2010/2013 to follow the present 3 year plan. This has seemingly generated a £1m. increase in income, with registrations falling only 0.1%. Their customer surveys have found that higher charges were not a major factor in people giving up boating. To meet their Funding Strategy targets EA say they must keep increasing fees each year, as well as generating growth in registrations. In the present climate they realise they are unlikely to achieve their target. Asking us whether a ‘Greater Than Cost Inflation’ (not RPI) would be acceptable (to fund improvements) we said: “not in the current climate”. It seems likely EA will accept this and impose an ‘Inflation Only’ increase of just under 4%.

Harmonisation of charges between Regions. We seem to have been discussing this for 10 years, and nothing has yet come of it so far. The one factor which this region would be reluctant to change would be the charging system based on square area. This is the fairest where the cruising limitations are the lock sizes, and the greater part of the capital expenditure is on locks and lock-keepers.

Draft Angling, Recreation and Navigation Strategy 2010-2015. At an early stage of development, and as usual all the aims are laudable. One of the supporting aims is "to invest money raised from anglers and boaters to benefit users". How is this to be ringfenced to prevent a recurrence of the Lock Enlargement Levy debacle?

Thames Annual Navigation Report. This is a new proposal to be first produced for 2009 and I think should be welcomed. It will include headings like River Activity; Customer Satisfaction; Enforcement; Operational Management; Finance, etc. We will discuss at our February meeting each year, and we will then be able to see at a glance how EA are performing.

Short Stay Moorings Policy. A subgroup is working on this and IWA are represented. It will decide on sites where charging should be allowed and those not. I have made it clear that I would support a policy of every mooring having the first 24 hours free; a normal charge thereafter; and a punitive charge after that.

Volunteers. The EA are looking at how they can involve volunteers, and I welcome this. Apparently there are pilot schemes in Eastern Region, and Thames will build on the results they throw up. All good stuff.

Current Work Programme. The 2008/9 programme was successfully completed with an extra £430k fully used. This makes £5.73m in total for the year. In the winter

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programme there are major works planned for Bray (3 months) and Shiplake (4 months). The final three locks to become self operated out of hours will happen this winter. This is the culmination of a 20 year campaign which the EA (and its predecessors) said could not be done and was too dangerous! [See separate article detailing planned ‘lock improvement programme’ up to the end of the year]. There have been slow, but effective, actions on the enforcement front including actions against overstayers; speed and wash; unlicenced boats; and even one unlicenced commercial operator.

The "would you believe it" paragraph. EA Thames is currently reviewing their Drought Plans!

Next meeting is on 2nd November. Could any suggested items be sent (via the iwacargoes Email address) by mid October please.

Tony Davis.

Thames lock improvement programmeThe following scheduled work details were issued by EA early in August:

Iffley 2 November 2009 to 27 November 2009 New out of hours public power.

Clifton 9 November 2009 to 11 December 2009 New lock ram trench anchors.

Days 9 December 2009 to 23 December 2009 New lock ram trench anchors.

Shiplake 2 November 2009 to 26 February 2010 Replacing lock gates and lock. chamber repairs.

Marlow 2 November 2009 to 11 December 2009 Re-sheeting the lock gates and new out of hours public power.

Bray 2 November 2009 to 29 January 2010 chamber repairs.

Alarm at severity of Waterways Budget Cuts

As we go to Press there is again alarming news about funding for the waterways.The announcement of BWs grant in aid for 2010/11 indicates a reduction of over 16.7%. There is already an ongoing annual deficit of between £20 and £30 million and the proposed cuts will exacerbate an already critical situation. There is also concern that similar cuts may be planned within the EA. In commenting on these worrying developments National Chairman Clive Henderson concluded by saying ‘We don’t want to return to campaigning on the scale that was required to deal with the 2006 Defra instigated Budget cuts – but if we have to – we will’ For full text of statement see IWA website www.waterways.org.uk

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Replacing lock gates and lock

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River Thames Alliance AGM

The AGM took place at Henley on 9th July and was well attended, as usual. The Alliance now has a fully-representative membership of 81 local authorities and business and user organisations from the non-tidal Thames and is making steady progress in its co-ordinated efforts to deliver the policies and aspirations of the Thames Waterway Plan launched in 2006,

To attract increasing visitor numbers, the RTA Marketing Partnership has run successful campaigns with Tourism South East and done very well with Thames tourism publicity in national newspapers and magazines. The excellent website visitthames.co.uk has seen 30% more traffic this year.

The Environment Agency has consented to over 150 events on the water and there have been many more along the riverside. That IWA’s National Festival will be at Beale Park again in 2010 was warmly welcomed.

Dorney Lake is the venue for the 2012 Olympics rowing and flat water canoeing events and there is much planning taking place with regard to such things as walking and cycling routes, security … and how the River can operate that Summer!

An increasing number of Thames Path improvement projects have been completed –including major riverbank works at Goring and Oxford. Another major task, now, is the replacement of all the (now aging) Thames Path signs.

We were given an update (by consultants) on the Thames Access Points (TAP) project to identify and develop locations along the Thames where visitors may find easy access to the River and its amenities. The Waterways Trust has funded much of the preparatory work that has been done and EA have agreed an interpretation board format for display at Locks and other TAP sites. Road Signs pointing out the River are almost non-existent and to put that right is probably achievable. We were shown possible designs for large TAP waterfront visitor access structures – a nice idea but hugely expensive and perhaps unrealistic, apart from a few major sites.

Extensive improvements to the Teddington Lock area have now been completed – at a total cost of more than £4 million. John Edmunds has unveiled a plaque to mark the achievement; during his time as an EA Thames Region Board member, he was a great help in securing Government and Board commitments to capital investment for the Thames.

The Waterways Trust scheme for grants of up to £5,000 for River Thames projects enabled the restoration of the slipway at South Stoke, provided funding towards the intended restoration of a slipway at Bablock Hythe (there is talk of re-opening the ferry, too) and helping Mikron Theatre to produce their “Tales of the Thames” musical play.

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The RTA Moorings Group plans are continuing to make progress. EA has introduced a charging policy for its own sites that propose 24 hours free mooring, with seasonalcharging at the most popular sites, and punitive charges to deter ‘over-stayers’. Local Authorities and private site owners will be encouraged to follow the same policy. Effective site management and enforcement procedure, where needed, will have to be an ongoing commitment.

There has been a slight increase in the total number of privately owned powered boats. The number of Holiday Hire Boats on the Thames has increased this year to 151 (26% more) - but still a shadow of the 1,000 of a couple of decades ago!

The Thames still has Paddle and Rymer Weirs at nine sites – including the main weirs at Radcot, Rushey and Northmoor. The future of these is under debate that will lead to extensive consultation; on the one hand there are health risk issues associated with their operation and on the other, English Heritage are involved from the heritage viewpoint and are expected to recommend a ‘listed’ status for some of them.

The RTA Learning Partnership, led by the River & Rowing Museum, is enabling some 20,000 youngsters a year, from all backgrounds, to learn about the River and there is now valuable working-together with similar initiatives based on the tidal Thames.

Grafton and Clifton Lock Sites have been given a £1.1 million modernisation to enhance the sites for river users. The former project received an Institute of Civil Engineers Award. There was a similar spend on the Cookham and Marlow lock areas. Seven more locks were equipped with Out-of-Hours Power – leaving just three more to be done.

The Lock Unmanned signs, introduced a year or two ago caused some confusion and have now been replaced with signs showing the words ‘SELF SERVICE’ in white on a blue background … but there is still no way of knowing whether the Lock Keeper’s absence is for a ten-minute tea break – or for all day!

EA is advising on an exciting proposed scheme to bring waterways, with paths and boats, to the centre of Maidenhead.

Otter poo was found in January at a Thames Lock island in Surrey. Competition for Keith Webb at Grafton! New shallow gravel beds to encourage fish spawning have been created at Cricklade. Juvenile brown trout (the first in the Thames for twenty years) have been found at Eynsham. In June, thousands of fish were transferred to the River from a most odious home – the water treatment tanks at Walton. Their new experience will be being caught by Anglers … what a life!

John Dalton

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IWAKES Branch Reports

TMCA Meeting – Sailing Barge ‘Cambria’

The very enthusiastic Project Manager of the Sailing Barge Cambria Trust, William Collard, came to Gravesend in June to tell the Thames & Medway Canal Association about that project. Cambria was built on the Thames at Greenhithe in 1906 by William Everard. She could carry 170 tons, and traded under 5000sq ft of canvas, allowing her to reach speeds of 9 knots.

Her survival as the last representative of commercial sail on the British coast, in the age of 38ton lorries and the container ship is proof of the adaptability, economy and fitness of purpose of the Thames sailing barge. Eventually this type of transport went into decline and Cambria was left to rot away.

Luckily a group of enthusiasts was formed and eventually, after a lot of hard work, Heritage Lottery Fund came through with nearly one million pounds. This started more hard work, finding the workforce with the skills to rebuild the barge to her former glory. This having been achieved, she can be seen at her present home at Standard Ouay, at the bottom of Abbey Street,Faversham.

Angela Acott

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust (SORT)

Work on Isfield Lock re-commenced once more in the Spring with the full restoration of the east wall again being the target for the volunteer work parties.

2008 had seen the east wall, within the length of the chamber between gate recesses, restored and the coping stones replaced.

That work has continued this summer and the brickwork within the bottom gate recess completely restored . Areas of the same wall have also been strengthened with resin-bonded pins to help stabilise the existing brickwork. Coping stones will be in place along this section before the winter closure of the site.

The scaffolding has now been extended beyond the gate recess to allow work to begin on the part demolition and restoration of the lower east wing wall. Soil has been removed to expose the existing wing wall brickwork and this has revealed just how much work lies ahead to complete the east wall restoration (see photograph).

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Revealed – the restoration task ahead [Photo: Terry Owen]

The upper east wing wall has also been exposed by removing the build-up of silt. The exposed stonework has been cleaned and prepared for restoration.

The aim of the Trust is to complete full restoration of the east wall before October when working parties are unable to continue at the site until the following year, however with only until the end of September available to the working parties, that progress will depend upon availability of volunteers and the continuing good weather so far experienced this summer.

Extra help is always welcome on the site, remotely situated alongside the River Ouse and anyone interested in joining the regular Thursday and weekend parties should contact Ted Lintott on 01444-414413 or tedl@talktalk.net.

Terry Owen

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Thames and Medway Canal

Brian Macknish of the TMCA reports:We have appeared on television again. A filming and interviews took place on a Tuesday morning and was screened the same evening on BBC South East. Hope you saw it.The first steps to restoring the canal continue and land permissions for pump installation are nearly finalised.Following a meeting with Gravesham Borough Council we are going to expose the canal/basin lock chamber to check its condition, when we have landowners consent.We had a successful campaign during Gravesham Heritage fortnight with an “Open Day”, two guided walks and static displays at several venues.We were also present at Shone Country Park for a weekend and generated a lot of interest.Tuesday mornings go well and we get a good mix of volunteers strimming, sawing, litter picking and generally helping to tidy up. If you feel you could help 9am-12noon contact us for the location of the day. Fly tipping still happens and Gravesham Borough Council remove it when informed.We continue our contacts with the developers of The Albion Peninsular (north east of the basin) and attended a Council planning meeting where approval of the application was deferred yet again because of parking, traffic canal and basin concerns.If you are moving to or living in Gravesham we could use more help in all “departments” and would like to here from you. This restoration is going to happen.

Wilderness Trail Boat Gathering

A Boat Gathering took place on the River Medway in Kent on a beautiful bright day in early May. Thirteen Wilderness trail boats from the Wilderness Boat Owners Club, who had traveled from all over Britain to attend the event, gathered to celebrate and help publicise the Environment Agency’s new slipway and boaters facilities situated at Allington Lock near Maidstone. Also present was the IWAKES ‘tent’ with the Thames & Medway Canal Association display inside as well as drinks and nibbles for those attending.

Environment Agency Southern Region Navigation Manager John Morgan welcomed the Mayor of Maidstone Councillor Denise Joy and the Wilderness Boat Club Chairman, following which the Mayor took a short tour around two of the boats and enjoyed the lovely scenery around Allington Lock with a short cruise on the River.

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The Wilderness Boat Gathering in May proved a very popular event [Photo: Roy Sutton]

Everyone was reluctant to leave as it had been such a successful morning. Some of the Wildernesses remained on the River for a few days afterwards, also making use of the other facilities, water and sanitation station provided at the lock. Everybody thought that Environment Agency had done a marvellous job, a credit to them.

The Environment Agency has recently opened a new £80,000 slipway and boaters facilities to improve access to the river beside the Lock which also offers safe storage for cars and trailers being close to the Agency’s Lock house Offices. The 5 metre wide slipway has been built to Inland Waterways Association approved specification and a low-level non-slip platform for canoeists, pump out and electrical hook-up facilities have also been provided. Recently the Medway has had a number of other improvements that include.

1 New landing stages at most locks 2 New upstream overnight moorings 3 Rebuilding of Hampstead Lock 4 New pump out facilities at Yalding and Tonbridge

Roy Sutton

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Medway Navigation

Work carried out by the Environment Agency has certainly helped to improve navigation on the river! Unfortunately the contractors had a mishap with their dredger, on the regular skipper’s day-off, as it was returning downriver to carry out further work below Yalding. Due to it capsizing there are ongoing H&S investigations and until these are resolved there will be no further dredging on the river.

The Medway River Users Association (MRUA) is doing a "push" to increase its membership, the reasoning being the more members "the stronger/louder its voice". This organisation fought hard, with IWA, to save the Medway Navigation when the EA wanted to "run it down". Any IWA members who would care to join them, especially persons who boat or visit the Medway, would be welcomed. Membership costs just £10 per year for joint membership (husband & wife) and a car/boat windscreen sticker! They are planning to elect a social secretary soon to look at the prospect of events, trips and gatherings becoming a real possibility. (Contact Graham Ingram on 01273 302971 for information. Members who happen to be in the area may also like to know that Graham’s boat “Abigail”, a 30ft Freeman, is moored at Little Venice Yalding).

Rivers Darent and Cray

The Darent can be cruised from the Thames up as far as Dartford, however it is advisable not to go beyond where the harbourmaster’s launch turns where the river Cray branches off. Although boaters very rarely use the river, it attractscrowds further upstream. Dartford has seats alongside the river, just by the bridge, where on a nice day office and shop workers take their lunch. The river offers very picturesque scenes as it continues its way along to Darenth and on toFarningham, where you can sit by the river whilst taking refreshments from the local hostelry. The river then passes the roman villa, (open to visitors) and onto Eynsford, possibly the best spot for a day out. Children paddling, fishing, horses and their riders cooling off in the river.

When it comes to the navigable part of the Cray, not a lot is happening, especially in the way of boating. However, a lot of interest in the river takes part more upstream. The residents of the Crays, (St Marys; St Pauls & Foots) seem to keep the river clear of debris, I am not sure if they clear it out or just do not throw rubbish in. Further along the river in Old Bexley village, the river runs by the old mill, which, among other uses became a restaurant. That now has gone, and the old mill is now the HQ of a construction company. Volunteers from which, under the watchful eye of Ashe Hurst, Riverkeeper from the charity Thames 21, cleared litter, weeds,widened the river to improve flow, planted reed beds, built new habitats for wildlife, finally painting the footbridge.

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In Crayford itself, the council has spent money on refurbishing the area around the part of the river that flows through centre whilst further along the Cray angling club clean up the part of the river that they fish from. The river then flows on down to the old Vitbe mill, now derelict, where it becomes part of the navigable river, but due to neglect is very hazardous. From there it runs to join the river Darent and together they flow out to 'Old Father Thames'.

Ken Bishop

Royal Military Canal walk

On a beautiful day in May eight (out of nearly 600 members) enjoyed a ramble along the banks of the Royal Military Canal from Ruckinge to Appledore that was organised by Alan Hales and Maryllyn Elpheck. The scenery was super, with many may trees in full bloom. We were accompanied by a cheerful cuckoo and watched by many sheep and cows. We had a half-way halt for coffee at a canalside Wyevales. We continued through rape fields in yellow glory and watched a grass-snake in a ditch beside the canal. On reaching Appledore we had a welcome cup of tea in an “olde worlde tea shoppe”, with delightful china cups saucers and teapots. They could be recommended to anyone and made a perfect end to a perfect day

Angela Acott

Thames & Medway Canal – New towpath seats

The three seats that were donated by National Grid have been installed alongside the towpath with the help of Branch members at the Work Parties. The third seat was fitted at what the Work Party organiser calls the picnic spot and where we encountered about 700 cyclists who were on a charity run. Once again blessed with fine weather eight workers were present including an enthusiastic young lady from WRG Bit-in-the-Middle.

National Grid gave the seats after installing two gas-pipelines under the canal. The seats were made by Opal Fabrications of Mark Lane, Gravesend.

Angela Acott

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Future IWAKES and Other Events

Wednesday 14th October: 7:30 for 8pm:“The River” (Thames) by Mike Wenban:At Gravesend Sailing Club, The Promenade, Gravesend. (See Map):Organised by Thames & Medway Canal Association (all welcome):

Thursday 19th November: 7:00 for 7:30pm:A fascinating selection of historic waterway videos organised by SORT:In the Upper Room, Haywards Heath Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath (near railway station, about 200yds up from Clair Hall) (See Map): Joint meeting with Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust, Solent & Arun Branch and Kent & East Sussex Branch:

Thursday 10th December: 7:30 for 8pm:“Gravesend Lifeboat and the RNLI” by Ian (Helmsman) and Tina Smith:At Gravesend Sailing Club, The Promenade, Gravesend. (See Map):Joint IWAKES meeting with TMCA:

Thursday 21st January 2010: 7:30 for 8pm:Roy Chandler, Chairman of Essex Waterways Limited, will talk on the Chelmer & Blackwater:At Strood Yacht Club, Knights Road, Strood.

Thursday 25th February 2010: 7:30 for 8pm:IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch AGM:At St Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone:

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

Suggest an Activity for IWAKES

The IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch Committee tries to arrange an interesting variety of informative talks on the waterways through the winter and a couple of visits or special events during the summer. Is there somewhere you think we should visit or is there something we should plan to do? Do you know of a good speaker who the branch has not heard before? Please send suggestions to Sue Schwieso (01634 847118 suejschwieso@talktalk.net).

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Oxfordshire Branch Chairman’s Notes

As I write these notes for the Autumn edition of Cargoes I am making my way back to base in order to put the final touches to the preparations for both the Oxford “Open Doors” event September,12th/13th and Banbury Canal Day, October 4th. Mary of course also plays a major part in the organisation of these as our “Events and Volunteers co-ordinator”. I trust we will meet some of you at one, or both, of these events.

Speaking of events, next year (2010) looks like being a busy one for Oxfordshire Branch as we welcome IWA’s National Festival back to Beale Park on the Thames. We will play a leading role in the Tom Rolt Centenary Celebrations, marking 100 years since his birth and following on from this year’s 70th anniversary of the start, in July 1939, of his historic journey on NB Cressy from Tooleys boatyard in Banbury. More news about this next time.

You will find elsewhere our Winter and Spring Social Events Calendar. We have been fortunate in attracting some interesting speakers. I hope you will support them (and us) by attending. Arranging this programme has been yet another task which Mary and I have undertaken during our summer cruising as we still have a vacancy for a social secretary. If we cannot fill this position then sadly our main means of meeting YOU will cease. It is just not possible for us to continue to fulfil all of these roles and we must prioritise what we undertake. As a Registered Charity the Inland Waterways Association has to fulfil its obligation to the public to “Keep the Waterways Alive” and promote the “Benefits of the Inland Waterways for All”. We as members must promote IWA by encouraging people to join and support these aims. Events where we meet the public therefore have to come first. If you are in a position to carry out the role of Social Secretary I would be pleased to hear from you. Soon

Our tripOur trip this summer has not been without its difficulties. Deadlines set by others which I was obliged to meet. Eventually arriving at Lechlade only to have our bow and stern ropes cut at 1.30am.Bad weather warnings at the locks on the Thames as we hurried down to the R.Wey in order to attend the Basingstoke Rallies. A rather hairy trip down the tidal Thames as the wind rose over a fast ebbing tide as we neared Limehouse Basin. Must be a first to have the Catamaran from the “London Eye” and a big trip boat from Westminster“heave to” to give us the space to get into the basin. But praise from the lock keeper, when thanks to advice from Roger Squires we made an almost perfect entrance into the lock mouth, despite the conditions.No pictures I’m afraid as in addition to the computer and washing machine my camera too packed up. Things do go in 3s they say!!Due to weather and weed our long planned trip to the Middle level was cut short. We only got as far as March, Cambridgeshire and turned back when the forecast was for storms and heavy rain. We had to ensure we would be back in time for yet more target dates. Still I guess it makes for more of the stories we all tell.

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Before closing I would like to thank Byfleet Boat Club and Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society for organising the Rallies this year. I am sure these will be widely reported elsewhere in this newsletter but suffice to say they did a splendid job in difficult circumstances. Let us hope the Basingstoke’s problems are eventually sorted out for this is a beautiful canal, too good to miss.

Ron Heritage

Oxfordshire Branch Social Events Calendar

Wed 9th September Hugh Jaeger History of Oxford Canal terminal in Oxford

Sat 12th/ Sun 13th Sept Oxford “Historic Waterways” Event Sat 10am-5pm Sun 10am-4pm

Sun 4th October BANBURY CANAL DAY. 10.30am – 5pm

Wed 14th October Ron & Myra Glover an illustrated talk "Crossing Germany West to East".

Wed 11th November* Chris Coburn “Adventures in a Narrow Boat – for a purpose”

Many of you will know Chris for his exploits on NB Progress which have been well documented and shown on TV in "Waterways World" and "Country File"

. Wed 9th December* Skittles evening and Buffet Supper*note corrected dates

Wed 13th January 2010 Ron and Mary Heritage”Highlights from some of their ventures on the Waterways”Incl: Tidal Thames to Gravesend, On the Mersey-Liverpool and the waterways in Scotland

Wed 10th February Roger Squires Chairman of IWA Navigation Committee and a past Commadore of the St Pancras Cruising Club “Cruises with the Club” Past and Future

Wed 10th March Oxfordshire Branch AGM.

Wed 14th April To be arranged

Unless otherwise stated the above events are held on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm for 8.00pm at SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB, YARNTON ROAD, KIDLINGTON. OX5 1AT.New Members and Visitors will be made most welcome.For more details or directions contact Ann Yeatman Tel: 01865 372552.

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Banbury Canal Day

Sunday 4th October 2009 ~ 10.30am-5.00pm

This will be the 6th Banbury Canal Day organised by Banbury Town Council and despite the doom and gloom of the economic crisis we promise to cheer up a chilly October day with fun and entertainment for everyone.

For the brave at heart embrace our theme of Ghosts & Ghouls and come along suitably attired as there will be prizes on the day for the Best Ghost Ship, Best Ghost & Ghoul Stall and Best Walking Ghost or Ghoul.

Booking is well underway already with both boaters and stall-holders so we can guarantee Banbury Canalside will be packed with boats of all different descriptions and plenty of exciting stalls.

A 6 hour programme of dance will take place just outside Sovereign Wharf come rain or shine – and General Foods garden will once again host a 5 hour Folk Concert. The Mill Arts Centre will be open all day as will Tooley’s Boatyard and Sovereign Wharf with displays and exhibitions galore and a free boat taxi service running between the two boatyards plus free boat trips as usual and a vintage double-decker bus running from the bus station to Hilliers Garden Centre.

Add to this all the fun of the fair, a wealth of exciting food options and a Hook Norton Beer Tent ~ what more could anyone possibly want SEE YOU THERE!

Banbury Town Council

Oxfordshire Artist Michele Field

1st July to 28th September 2009: CANAL & FLORAL ART EXHIBITION BY MICHELE FIELD at the NATIONAL WATERWAYS MUSEUM, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester, Northampton NN12 7SE. OPEN 10am to 5pm daily.Not only can you enjoy the art show but also this unique canal side museum takes you back in time to a fascinating journey and insight of canal life. Stoke Bruerne oozes charm and makes for a great day out.

During the Summer months (Open10am to 5pm daily): Michele now has a new venue for the display of her original work local cards & canal prints & original floral canvases. This is at ANNIE'S TEA ROOM at Thrupp situated at the end of Canal Road over the lift bridge on the Oxford Canal where you can view & buy Michele’s artworks, cards and canal prints and also enjoy some light refreshment and home made cakes.Website: www.saa.co.uk/art/micheleOnline Gallery Website: www.britishartists.co.uk/michele_field

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Solent & Arun Branch Notes

River Arun Cruise

We started the season with our annual cruise on the River Arun with half a dozen boats on beautiful May Sunday, Pallingham was reached with some tree pruning. However the EA had removed some other trees that were hampering navigation on the river.

Christchurch Cruise

In July, again on a beautiful Sunday, four boats and their crews gathered at Christchurch to explore the rivers Stour and Avon. We started off on the River Stour and all of us were pleasantly surprised about the number of people out and about on the river. The power craft made it as far as the old road bridge at Iford, whilst the unpowered explored further. We moored alongside a concrete wharf like structure adjacent to the old bridge, and were curious about why it was there and felt it was probably from World War 2. If any one knows it’s history then please let us know. We then returned to Christchurch and explored the river Avon completing a circular tour, again the river was very busy and we even encountered a floating ice cream seller!

A great day that we will have to repeat before too long, thanks to Andy Berncastle for doing all the research.

Forthcoming events

The following are events taking place during the annual Heritage weekend:

Saturday 12th Sept. A guided walk along the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal, from Barnham to Hunston. Meet 10.30am at Barnham Court Farm, Church Road, Barnham. Approx 6 mile walk, allow 4 hours. Bring packed lunch. Sunday 13th Sept. Poyntz bridge opened from 10.00 to 4.00 with guided industrial heritage walk around the basin at 2.30.

Both of these events are promoted by SIAS and further information can be obtained by phoning 01243 576701.

River Hamble Cruise on Sunday 20th September

Our final cruise for 2009 will be our usual September event, which alternates between the Beaulieu River and the Hamble, this being a Hamble year. The double high water in the Solent area enables us to explore both arms at the top of the river at high tide. Meet at the natural hard at Swanwick (on Swanwick Shore Road, Grid ref. SU495093) on Sunday 20th September to launch from 11.00 and set off at 11.30 to Curbridge (Horse and Jockey). First HW is at 13.00

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approx. This will give us time for a quick lunch and to then cruise up to Botley Quay for around 14.00. Please contact Andy Berncastle on 023 8027 3599 or Email: hilary.berncastle@btinternet.com if you plan to attend or have any queries.

Southampton Canal Society Annual Quiz

On Thursday 3rd December, the branch will once again be fielding a team, if you would like to take part in what is always a great evening then please get in contact.

The Intersociety quiz is followed by an American Supper, and is held in Chilworth Village Hall starting at 7.30.

Mike Laishley

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

Brian Stovold, Chairman of the East Vale Branch writes: I must apologise that this

to the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society for the 16th December and, lo and behold, I was at Newbury Waterways Festival next to IWA’s stand and before I could say " heave ho me hearties" in deference to the piratical theme of the festival I had volunteered to do something for the next issue of Cargoes. So here goes with a quick run down of the Trust in Oxfordshire

The East Vale Branch of the WBCT is based around Wantage. We meet socially on the first Wednesday of each month at the Royal British Legion at East Hanney. We also meet on the second and fourth Saturdays for work parties.

The West Vale Branch meets at Shrivenham Bowls Club, Colton Road, Shrivenham at 8.00pm on the second Wednesday of each month.

The Abingdon Branch meets occasionally for social meetings.

The main work at the West Vale end has been the reconstruction of Steppingstones Bridge by WRG workparties. It is nearly complete and looks absolutely fantastic. The Trust has recently taken a lease over a section of canal at Shrivenham and is working on a lease over a further adjacent section.

Meanwhile nearer to Wantage we continue to work on a section near Childrey (over which we have a lease). This will include the building of a weir. At the next village eastwards we have been working on a new permissive footpath between two demolished bridges, one of which we are planning to restore in the

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is a rather hurried few words. Within the last few weeks I have been contacted to do a talk

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foreseeable future. On clearing some of the debris on the culvert we found inscribed in the concrete the builder’s name and the date of construction, 1947.

The Monday Mob have been doing a fine job, once a month, of keeping up the routine maintenance on the towpaths. There is always more for them to do!

Looking at the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust as a whole, May 25th was a day I shall not forget in a hurry. It marked the day that the newly restored Double Bridge at Naish Hill near Laycock was officially opened by our Patron, the Duchess of Cornwall. The official opening on site was followed by a reception at Bowood House at which various Trust members, landowners and Councillors met the Duchess and were given the chance to talk about the work on their particular bit of the canal.

Also, we have lost our Chief Executive, Ken Oliver, as he has now been appointed to the new " Canal Officer" position with the new Wiltshire Unitary Authority. This appointment is a very welcome step forward in the restoration of the Wilts & Berks.

More details of the Trust’s meetings, work parties etc can be found on their website at www.wbct.org.uk.

[Our thanks to Brian for his Wilts & Berks update. A detailed look at the prospects for restoring the Wilts & Berks Canal can be found on pages 30 – 33 of the Autumn 2009 Edition of Waterways. Ed]

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Wey & Arun Canal Trust News

Appointment of a New Chairman

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust announced that on May 14th 2009, Peter Foulger retired as Chairman of the Trust after 12 outstandingly successful years. Peter’s successor is Sally Schupke, who has been the Trust’s Public Relations Officer.

During Peter’s chairmanship, the Trust has made giant steps towards its aim of restoring the complete route between the Rivers Wey near Guildford and Arun near Pulborough. The Canal formed an essential link between London and the south coast. Particular mention should be made of a few of his achievements:

- the Drungewick aqueduct has been rebuilt and is open- a swing bridge is now in place at Haybarn- the Drungewick slipway is fully operational

Finally, as a fitting culmination to Peter’s reign, the Loxwood Canal Crossing is now open and thus a critical blockage to the restoration of the Canal towards the Surrey border has been removed.

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Sally is an attorney and lives in Shalford, at the northern end of the canal route. Speaking after her appointment, she said: “I am honoured to take the leadership of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust at this exciting time. It is daunting to follow in the footsteps of Peter Foulger who’s greatest achievement has been to demonstrate that full restoration of the Canal is not just a wild dream, but an achievable objective. With the support of my management colleagues and the Trust’s growing band of enthusiastic volunteers, I will work hard to promote even faster progress towards our final aim”.

Nick Herbert MP visits the Canal

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert paid a visit to the Wey and Arun Canal in June to see how parts of the historic waterway are being brought back into use. He was met by Trust’s Chairman, Sally Schupke, and Trustee Peter Foulger who pointed out the work that has taken place, particularly the Loxwood crossing restoration.

The MP was taken on a short cruise aboard the Trust’s new electric powered canal boat –the Wiggonholt – and heard about the Trust’s long-term plans to extend the Canal. Sally commented that the Trust was delighted to welcome Nick as one of its Vice-Presidents and looked forward to an excellent relationship in the future. Nick Herbert commented: “I love canals and it was a huge pleasure to visit the Wey & Arun Canal again. I attended the official opening of the Loxwood crossing last month and was fascinated to return and take a closer look at some of the work that the Trust has been doing. I’m honoured to have been asked to serve as a Vice President and look forward to supporting the work for many years to come”. He added: “I was especially interested to hear about the Trust’s plans to restore more of the Canal, part of which runs through my Arundel and South Downs constituency. Perhaps in the future, the MP will be able to make a journey from Westminster to Arundel by boat!”

The Annual Sponsored Walk

This year’s walk (“The Poddle”) was held on Sunday 14th June 2009 and covered 10 miles, visiting the picturesque setting of Wiggonholt, near Pulborough, Sussex. This year’s route was in recognition of the contribution provided by the Wiggonholt Association to the Trust’s 50-seater trip boat “Wiggonholt”. Wiggonholt Association chairman, Peter Flatter, said: “We are very pleased that the walk included our historic little hamlet, its beautiful surroundings and our lovely 13th century church.”

Pulborough Village Hall was the start point for 255 walkers and the 10-mile route, shorter than last year, was ideal for such a sunny day. Of particular interest to canal enthusiasts were the Stopham Bridge, built in 1403, and the entrance to Hardham Tunnel and the Arun Navigation cut; there are no plans to restore this tunnel which was built to take 3 miles off the journey. The centre arch of the bridge was raised in 1822 to permit boats bound for the Wey & Arun Canal to pass underneath. Due to the kindness of four landowners, the walk was able to pass over private land, including the Parham Estate.

Preliminary estimates are that this year’s walk raised more than £13,500 that will contribute to the cost of new lock gates for Devil’s Hole Lock in Loxwood.

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Shalford Consultation

The Trust’s aim to restore the link between the River Wey and the River Arun will involve reinstating a connection with the Wey, south of Guildford, and thus to the national inland waterway network.

Open meetings will be held in the Upper Village Hall at Shalford on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September (11 am – 4 pm) for residents of Shalford and Bramley, and other interested parties, to learn more about the proposals and express their views and comments on them. There will also be an exhibition showing work already done further south on the Canal and explanations of the various options for Shalford and Bramley together with designs by the Landscape Dept of the University of Kingston.

Forthcoming Events:

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September from 2-4pm.On these ‘Heritage Days’ Brewhurst Mill, Loxwood will be open and there will be a special display, “Touching Memories”, on loan from the Horsham Museum. Gifts and teas will be available, as will boat trips. Please park in the Trust’s car park behind the Onslow Arms pub on the B2133, then follow the signs on the short walk, via Brewhurst Lane, to the Mill.

Sunday, 20th September, 11am – 3pm.The SMALL BOAT RALLY at Dunsfold (Alfold Road to Three Compasses pub), for dinghies, canoes, kayaks, etc. This section is not yet suitable for larger craft. The Three Compasses will be open for lunch and facilities. For Boat Booking arrangements (£5.00 entry) see Small Boat Rally contact details below.

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September, 11am – 4pm.Shalford Consultation (with exhibition) in the Upper Village Hall, Shalford. All are welcome - further details see above.

Saturday 24th October at 2.30pmThe Trust’s Autumn meeting at Pulborough Village Hall.

Contacts

Wey and Arun Trust: http://www.weyandarun.co.ukPublic Relations: Email to:pr@weyandarun.co.uk or PR Officer on 01483 560543Office: 01403 752403 or Email to:office@weyandarun.co.uk Small Boat Rally organiser: Sally Schupke 01483 503029 or Email to: rallies@weyandarun.co.uk

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South East Region: Chairman Paul Roper‘Cranborne’, Baughurst Road, Baughurst, Tadley, Hants RG26 5LL

Phone: 01189 813381 Email: paul.roper@waterways.org.ukGuildford & Reading Branch: Chairman [Vacant] (Enquiries to Region Chairman)

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

Phone: 01622 890586 Email: mcfhannan@btinternet.comOxfordshire Branch: Chairman Ron Heritage‘Arbre’, Main Street, Fringford, Oxon OX27 8DP

Phone: 01869 277400 Email: oxfordshire@waterways.org.ukSolent & Arun Branch: Chairman Mike Laishley

16 Park Avenue, Widley, Waterlooville, Hants PO7 5DWPhone: 023 92325000 (evenings) Email: mike.iwa@ntlworld.com

Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA.

Editorial Team: Ray Carnell and Cecil Ives iwacargoes@hotmail.com

Next Issue Winter 2009 Copy date: 15th October 2009

NAVIGATION ART CO.NAVIGATION ART CO.

34

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Stop Press …………

IWA South London Branch

Join us as we cruise through the unspoilt countryside surrounding the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation aboard the barge ‘Victoria’. She is a purpose built vessel, 58ft long by 12ft 6in wide, licensed to carry 48 passengers.

Meet at Paper Mill Lock, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford in Essex at 12.45 hrs. Victoria will depart from Paper Mill Lock at 13.00 hrs and will navigate to just beyond Hoe Mill Lock, returning to Paper Mill Lock – estimated time of arrival is 17.00 hrs.

Hot, cold and alcoholic beverages available for purchase during the trip. A selection of food and snacks is available but need to be booked in advance. Consumption of your own food and drink on the barge is not permitted. Dogs are not allowed.

The cruise costs £15.00 per person (no concessions) and individuals need to arrange their own transport to Paper Mill Lock.

Further details and application forms available from Alan or Christine Smith on 020 8255 1581, Mobile 07774 890750, Email: smith.alanj@blueyonder.co.uk.

Closing date extended to 17th September but early application advisable.

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on SUNDAY 4th OCTOBER 2009

Join us as we cruise through the unspoilt countryside surrounding the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation aboard the

INVITES YOU TO JOIN IN THE CHELMER &

BLACKWATER NAVIGATION CRUISE

on SUNDAY 4th OCTOBER 2009