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Meridian

Cuttings

Meridian

CuttingsIssue No. 003 New Year 2013

The newsletter of the North & East and South London branches of The Inland Waterways Association

Campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development

of the Inland Waterways

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Welcome to the New Year 2013 volume of Meridian Cuttings. If you’ve just put your feet up after the seasonal washing up, or are twiddling your thumbs until your boat’s dewinterised, start turning the pages - because there’s something for everyone in this bumper edition.

Firstly, Alan and I would like to thank all of you who’ve been coming to the socials - we have had some record attendances at South London recently and this enables the Committee to make donations to the speakers’ charities on your behalf. Alan has worked his socks off to get interesting topics for next year’s programme on page 6, so we hope to see even more of you soon. Perhaps at our New Year’s Dinner on the 18th January? We’ve chosen RSJs again because the food is so good and it shouldn’t be so hectic after the Christmas/New Year rush - you’ll find a booking form on page 22. Roger Wilkinson’s IWA with London Walks programme is on page 8 and Peter Finch has written up his notes from the Kensal Green to Alperton walk - so if you need to shift a few calories after the festivities, now’s your chance!

This year’s Canalway Cavalcade is part of IWA Festivals’ Summer Celebrating London’s Waterways - for which we need lots of volunteers to bring London’s waterways to everyone’s attention. So if you’ve just a small amount of time and energy to spare please get in touch with Jerry, whose details are on page 11.

Part of these celebrations will be the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in July and you can find out what’s happening there on page 14.

Don’t forget the Committee Elections and AGMs - we are in real need of keen people to help on our Committees - all the details start on page 20 with a nomination form on page 22.

And lastly, I’d like to add my best wishes and compliments of the season to those of our Chairmen and Committees and I hope to see you somewhere on our wonderful waterways during the coming year.

Christine Smith, Editor

Page

A View from the Chair:

London Region 3 N & E London 4 South London 5

South London Sales Report 5

South London Socials Report 6

South London Social Programme 6

North & East London Socials 7

IWA with London Walks Programme 8

Thames 21 and the Thames Tunnel 8

Canalway Cavalcade 10

The Regent’s Canal - 200 years on 12

Page

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 14

Welcome to all new members 15

A Walk from Kensal Green to Alperton 16

Branch and Region AGMs 20

Branch and Region Committee Elections 21

Committee Candidate Nomination Form 22

South London New Year’s Dinner Booking Form 22

Who’s Who on the Committees 23

How to get to the Branch socials 24

Contents

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A View from the ChairFrom London Region Chairman,

Paul Strudwick

With the nights drawing in it is time to reflect on what we have achieved in London over the past year and to look forward to next year. 2012 has been a busy one for the branches in the London Region as well as for IWA nationally. In July we saw the launch of the new Canal & River Trust (CRT). IWA’s campaign certainly ensured that their financial settlement is more generous than it could have been.

This year London Region has, as it does every year, held the largest IWA rally of the year at Little Venice. It has had a successful campaign to keep Commercial Road Lock open throughout the Olympic period. This was followed up by using our volunteers, who were originally intended to act as harbour masters for the expected hundreds of visiting boats, to assist in manning the lock as well as the control points around London. The efforts by IWA volunteers have been well received by CRT and all the boaters they came in contact with. Finally we have hosted the National AGM at Chelmsford with members coming from all over the country to visit our Region.

In your branches London & North East Branch has, with The Friends of Regents Canal, been fighting Starbucks to stop them removing the visitors centre in the Camden Lock house and in South London Branch you been working on the Thames Estuary Partnership project as well as showing the flag at events all over the place. Other branches in the region have been running successful boat festivals, working parties and fundraising events including a classical music concert!

So much for the past, what have we got coming up next year? Actually it is already looking as though it is going to be another very busy one. IWA Festivals have decided to use the boating events in the region, Cavalcade, Rickmansworth, Ware, Angel and Slough festivals along with the National Boat Festival, to create an IWA Summer campaign throughout the capital’s waterways. They will be looking at our branches to help run linked events, talks and displays, theatre performances, discovery tours, sponsored walks, clean-ups, pub tours and brewery trips, street parades and anything with a theme, or a location, or a story around the London waterways.

During the next year we will need to engage with CRT to try and find a solution to the problem of the Non-Compliant Continuous Cruisers who are so common on the canals of London. Your region committee is already working on this and we are engaging in meaningful dialogue with CRT. The trick will be for us to help CRT to do this in such a way that it does not just spread the problem over an even wider area. This is on top of our on-going campaigns and the new problems that will inevitably come up and will require our attention. If you think you have some time to help us next year, please give any member of your committee a call.

In case I don’t see you before can I wish you and your family a happy Christmas and a busy New Year (helping IWA of course).

Paul StrudwickLondon Region Chairman

Front cover photo: Paddle Steamer Waverley near Tower Bridgeby Roger Squires

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From North & East London Branch Chairman, Tim Lewis

Since our last report much of the branch committee’s time has been taken up with the issue of illegally moored and overstaying boats. In the short term we have been highlighting the problem of boats moored on lock landings. Meetings with C & RT representatives have identified the main problem spots and we look forward to more identification and signage being applied at these locations. In the longer term we have produced recommendations on how to resolve the problems and have presented these to Sally Ash, Head of Boating at C & RT

Three IWA representatives attended consultative meetings organised by C & RT’s consultants ‘Community Resolve’, the purpose being to seek to resolve conflicting needs and views over the use of the River Lee and the Regents Canal. Although we have reservations on how the meetings were organised we now await their report and recommendations prior to taking further action.

On the planning front we continue to be consulted regarding major developments affecting the waterways within our branch area. The two major schemes that are currently open for consultation are the Wood Wharf Development on the Isle of Dogs and the London Olympic Park Legacy. At Wood Wharf we have asked for an improved boat access to The Poplar docks and more recreational use of the waterside. We appear to have achieved this at the expense of some very high rise developments along the new link canal.

For the Olympic Park Legacy development, we are pushing for the maximum availability of the waterways for leisure and freight. Details of the plans and your opportunity to comment can be found at Londonlegacy.co.uk. We have also made comments on the new Thames crossings proposals which involve a new tunnel at Silvertown and the relocation of the Woolwich ferry to a new site in Gallions Reach; details are on the tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings TfL web site.

On a smaller scale we have successfully campaigned against the widening of the towpath under Wharf Road bridge, Islington, on safety grounds; commented on plans for the redevelopment of Holborn Studios site at Eagle Wharf and have made representations to the Camden Planning Inspectorate on the future of the information centre at Camden Lock which is the subject of a planning enforcement order against the tenants, Starbucks.We continue to hold monthly socials at the Pirate Club to which all are welcome.

As you will realise from the above the branch is very active on many fronts, however this work is carried out by a small number of committee members and we would very much like to hear from any members who would like to assist us in our campaigning. We can offer assistance in whatever field you are interested in assisting in and would only expect you to put in the commitment that you would be happy with. Please contact myself should you think you can help.

TimNorth & East London Chairman

The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee.Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342.

Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1WATel: 01494 783453 www.waterways.org.uk

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South London Sales

From South London Branch Chairman, Alan Eggby

The branch stand raised over £1300 this year along with over £700 of sales of stock from IWA Sales for which the branch receives a percentage. Once again a big thanks to Eric Garland for over £400 of this from his efforts at many events.

Attendance at branch social meetings since the summer has improved (see page 6)

Jane Davey has resigned as membership secretary due to health problems: our thanks to Jane for her work over the years. The committee will be looking for a volunteer to take over this important job.

On behalf of the committee I wish all members a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

AlanSouth London Branch Chairman

Four further events were attended since the last newsletter; we did not in the end attend the Great River Race. My thanks to all those that help on these stands. Looking forward to next year, details of events we hope to attend are listed below.

IWA Sales. Waterways Game and Publicity Stand 2013

Planned Events, Dates Known

Canalway Cavalcade (Information stand) 4th - 6th MayRickmansworth Canal Festival 18th - 19th MayNational Waterways Festival, Watford 19th - 21st JulyEltham August Bank Holiday 25th AugustAngel Canal Festival 1st SeptemberThames Festival 14th - 15th September

Other Events, Awaiting Dates or Confirmation

Streatham Kite DayFairy Hall ParkKingston River FestivalColdharbourLambeth Country Show

Alan Eggby

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of the London Region or its branches. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter within this magazine, including adverts.

Editor: Christine L Smith, 41 Jubilee Avenue, Twickenham, TW2 6JA. Tel: 020 8255 1581 or Mob: 07774 890 750.

Email: christine.smith@waterways.org.uk

Published by the IWA, N & E and South London Branches at: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453

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South London SocialsThere was a near record attendance at the September meeting for Richard Thomas’s talk about the Manchester Ship Canal. This was an excellent presentation as we have come to expect from this speaker. He concentrated on the construction period with some wonderful photos illustrating what a massive project this was and how different were the working practices in the late Victorian period. The revolution in cargo handling and the closure of the docks seemed at one time to spell the end of the upper section, but traffic is building up again and, of course, there has been much “Docklands-type” development which has rejuvenated the dock estate.

In October, Roger Wilkinson gave us “More Travels with My Canoe”. He started by telling us that the IWA map of the waterways didn’t include any of those he would be showing us, which definitely made us think. With a canoe you certainly can reach waters that conventional craft cannot, like the River Brent up to Uxbridge Road, the River Wye and isolated stretches of canal which won’t be connected to the network for many years. This was a fascinating talk proving that a narrow boat is not the only way to explore the waterways.

It was very pleasing that the November meeting attracted a record attendance. We should have had John Talbot, Chief Engineer of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust but he was unavailable and at short notice Tony Ford, the Trust’s Bridge Engineer stepped in. A short stretch of canal in the Dunsfold area has recently been reopened with a small trip boat operating and he explained in some detail the problems in rebuilding Compasses Bridge, Alfold, which gives access to the airfield and its industrial premises. This is of historical significance as the adjoining Compasses Inn was where the official opening of the canal took place on 29th September 1816. The aim is to restore the canal under the bridge in time for the 200th anniversary, but Tony outlined all the variables about the future of the airfield site which may conspire against this being achieved. He continued with the proposed solutions to reopening the canal in the Bramley area to relink it to the River Wey and the national network, including the use of Cranleigh Waters, as part of the original line has been built over. Tony amply demonstrated what is involved in restoring a canal abandoned nearly 150 years ago and why it takes so long (and I haven’t mentioned money!).

There will be no meeting in December and our next event will be a new venture, a New Year’s Dinner on Friday 18th January 2013 at RSJ Restaurant, Coin Street, off Stamford Street, a few minutes’ walk from Waterloo Station. A booking form is on page 22. Please let Alan Smith know by 31st December if you would like to come, enclosing a £10 deposit. The price will be £25, inclusive of service but exclusive of drinks other than coffee.

Our programme of talks for 2013 is listed on the opposite page and we hope to see you there.

Alan Smith

South London Social ProgrammeTime: 19:30 for 20:00Venue: The Primary Room United Reformed Church Hall Addiscombe Grove Croydon CR0 5LP

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There is good parking adjacent to the hall and excellent transport links via East Croydon train and tram stations

Admission to the talks is free to all, members or non members, but a contribution towards room hire is requested.

Friday 18th January 2013 New Year’s Dinner 7:30 for 8:00 p.m. at RSJ Restaurant 33 Coin Street off Stamford Street, London SE1 9NR. Three courses including coffee £25:00 per person (excluding soft or alcoholic beverages). Please give your booking numbers to Alan Smith by 31st December (menu choices will be available by the end of December). See booking form on page 22.

Wednesday 13th February Canal Cruising US Style by Alan and Christine SmithWednesday 13th March AGM followed by a talk by Les Etheridge, National ChairmanWednesday 10th April Passage to Astrakhan by Roger SquiresWednesday 15th May Natural Thames by Wendy Yorke and Dick Mayon- White of The Thames Rivers Restoration TrustWednesday 12th June Regent’s Canal ’Regency Roulette’ by Lester Hillman

There are no social meetings at Croydon during July and August

Wednesday 11th September Speaker to be confirmedWednesday 9th October Scottish Lowland Canals by David BowkerWednesday 13th November Aileen Butler’s Magic Lantern Show

For more information about South London’s Socials please contact Alan Smith, telephone 020 8255 1581, mobile 07774 890 750

or email alan.smith@waterways.org.uk

For updates and information on all IWA events and branches please go to: www.waterways.org.uk

North & East London SocialsNorth and East London Branch Socials, combined with London Region, are held as follows:

Time: 19:00 for 19:30

Venue: The Pirate Castle Gilbeys Wharf Oval Road London NW1 7EA

Contact for details: Libby Bradshaw Tel: 020 8874 2787 or email libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk

Socials are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from January to June and from September to December

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IWA with London Walks ProgrammeTowpath Walks Group is looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short

walks along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal (and elsewhere).

This introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways - which most outsiders don’t realise is here! It is also a good way of recruiting new members to the IWA and an excellent method of raising funds for IWA branches in London Region. No experience? No problem, we’ll brief you so, if you’d like to give this a try please contact Roger Wilkinson

All dates are Sundays*Start time for all walks is 2.30 p.m.*

Normal charge: £9, Concessionary and Student rate: £7

Date Route Start (Tube Station)

27 December* Regent’s Canal: Little Venice - Camden Warwick Avenue6 January Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Camden King’s Cross (taxi rank)20 January Regent’s Canal: Regent’s Park, River Tyburn – Little Venice Baker St (Baker St North/Lords exit)17 February Regent’s Canal King’s Cross - Camden King’s Cross (taxi rank)17 March The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers Bromley–by-Bow7 April Regent’s Canal King’s Cross - Camden King’s Cross (taxi rank)21 April Regents Canal Kings Cross– Hitchcock’s Hackney Kings Cross (taxi rank

* Except Thursday 27 December, which starts at 10:30

For more information please contact:

Roger Wilkinson: Telephone: 020 8458 9476 Email: rogerw9796@yahoo.co.uk

Green drainage must accompany Thames TunnelNovember 8, 2012 http://www.thames21.org.uk/2012/11/green-drainage-must-accompany-thames-tunnel/

Opponents of Thames Supersewer urged to embrace both solutions after US presentation

A US wastewater expert has urged London to embrace the Thames Tunnel as the only solution to end the scandal of

millions of tonnes of untreated sewage that enters the Thames each year through the city’s combined sewers. Members of the Thames Tunnel Now coalition, an expanding collective of environmental and amenity groups committed to cleaning up London’s river, have called upon opponents of the project to acknowledge that green infrastructure cannot be an alternative to the Thames Tunnel, but an important addition. This was the message from America following a presentation this week to water industry experts by Virgil Adderley, CSO programme manager for the city of Portland in Oregon.

Mr Adderley explained how Portland had initially sought to solve the pollution of the Willamette

Thames Tunnel

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River system from Oregon’s 50 plus Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) by introducing a comprehensive system of Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDs) without resorting to building a separate tunnel to capture the discharges. After more than 20 years of work and studies, the city of Portland concluded that while green drainage had an important role to play in less built up areas, it was no substitute for a tunnel.

In his presentation at Glaziers Hall, Southwark Virgil Adderley said: “Whatever we tried, we found that a large tunnel is needed to achieve acceptable levels of CSO control. Green infrastructure is important but only as a complementary measure…”

Recently opponents of the Thames Tunnel have claimed it would be possible to retrofit London’s entire 150 year old drainage system to achieve total separation of sewage and rainwater. The Portland Study shows beyond any doubt that even in a much less densely populated environment, green infrastructure solutions alone cannot solve the problems of the Thames Tideway.

Chief Executive of London’s leading waterway charity, Thames21, Debbie Leach said: “Decades of study have made it crystal clear that nothing other than the Thames Tunnel would meet the standards set by the Environment Agency in the timescale set by the Government to end the scandalous pollution of the tidal Thames, which is now the subject of European Court action. Londoners deserve their river back and some of these groups now need to accept that the science is not on their side. Everyone who cares about having a clean river should get behind the Thames Tunnel, which needs to be built now”

The RSPB’s senior water policy officer, Phil Burston, said: “Portland shows that tackling urban drainage problems with green infrastructure (SuDs) can substantially reduce river pollution by up to 35% – but to eliminate the sewer overflows stifling the Thames and doing so much harm to its wildlife, tunnels and pumping stations combined with these green measures are the only real and practicable solution.”

Background: Thames Tunnel Now [www.thamestunnelnow.org] is an expanding collective of environmental and wildlife charities and amenity groups, which came together in October 2011 to call for an end to on-going sewage pollution in the River Thames through the construction of the Thames Tunnel project. TTN includes: The Ahoy Centre, Angling Trust, Angling Development Board, Association of Thames Yacht Clubs, Barge Association, Inland Waterways Association, Canoe England, Chiswick Pier Trust, London Corinthian Sailing Club, London Sustainability Exchange, London Youth Rowing, London Wildlife Trust, Mammal Society, Marine Conservation Society, National Association of Boat Owners, Putney Bridge Canoe Club, River Thames Society, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Rowers Against Sewage, Salmon & Trout Association, Thames21, Thames Anglers Conservancy, Thames Rivers Restoration Trust, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, WWF,

The Portland experience (presentation available in full on request) in 1990, Portland’s CSO’s caused: Poor water quality, Breached standards for bacteria, Threats of legal action, Outfall litter.The Portland CSO Control Program was approved by the state of Oregon in 1995. The total project costs, including two major interceptor tunnels, exceeded $1.4 billion. It included three specific projects: Green infrastructure ‘Cornerstone’ measures to separate rainwater from the sewage system and store it; New pumping and treatment works on the Columbia, Slough and Willamette rivers; Deep tunnel storage and conveyance. The Water Framework Directive: The UK is currently at risk of being heavily fined for failing to meet its commitments under the Water Framework Directive set by the EU, due to the on-going sewage pollution of the River Thames. The Thames Tunnel will help the UK meet these commitments, and ensure continued compliance with the urban waste water treatment directive, thereby avoiding unlimited EU fines.http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/legislation/water-framework-directive

For more information contact: Emily Braham: emily.braham@thames21.org.uk tel: 07827 352 675, or Tim Webb: tim.webb@rspb.org.uk tel: 07921 740 753

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CELEBRATE LONDON’S WATERWAYS AT

CANALWAY CAVALCADE

4 - 6 may 2013AT

little venicelondon w2

www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals

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CAVALCADE NEEDS YOU!Come and join the team responsible for mounting one of the country’s most

successful and best attended waterways events.

Canalway Cavalcade, now in its 30th year, is held over the three days of the May Day Bank Holiday in the heart of the capital in Little Venice.

We are looking for enthusiastic people in the following areas:

Sponsorship ManagerLiaise with local and national companies to explore mutually beneficial marketing and

advertising opportunities to generate revenue for all aspects of Cavalcade’s events and activities.

For more information and to apply please contact:Jerry Sanders, Commercial Director

email: exhibition@waterways.org.uk or telephone: 07788 204442

Assistant to the Catering ManagerAssist in managing the day to day operational needs of a small group of quality outside

caterers, most of whom have attended the festival over a number of years. No previous experience of catering or the catering trade is required.

For more information and to apply please contact: Freddie Cooke, Festival Catering Manager

email: exhibition5@waterways.org.uk or telephone: 07711 392442

Assistant Trade Show ManagerAssist the Commercial and Trade Show Manager in the layout and build of the event and looking after the traders during the event. The ideal person might also have an interest in

sourcing new traders beforehand. Preferably London based.

For more information and to apply please contact:Jerry Sanders, Commercial Director

email: exhibition@waterways.org.uk or telephone: 07788 204442

Assistant to the Waterspace ManagerAssist in booking in boats attending the event, organise moorings,

co-ordinate two pageants.

For more information and to apply please contact:Mark Saxon, Waterspace Manager

email: marksaxon999@hotmail.com or telephone: 07867 488161

You can help in lots of other ways too: if you’ve a few hours to spare before or during the event please

contact Jerry for more details

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The bicentenary of the Regent’s Canal Act was celebrated with walks, words and music

THE OPERA:Islington’s London Canal Museum at the heart of the Regent’s Canal made a splendid focus for celebrating a canal bicentenary.

The Regent’s Canal Bill was lodged on 7th May 1812, just four days before prime minister Spencer Percival was assassinated in the House of Commons lobby. It took until 8th June and five attempts to find a new prime minister, Lord Liverpool. Soon after, the US declared war on Britain and Napoleon invaded Russia.

While events unfolded on a world stage, the weighty script for the Regent’s Canal drama progressed through parliament. On Monday 13th July 1812, the Regent’s Canal Act received royal assent. Construction began three months later in October.

Story in songThe preview of Regent’s Canal - a Folk Opera was performed on 13th July at the London Canal Museum by the Musical Flying Squad and London Irish Theatre. The fast-paced drama featured engineering challenges, legal machinations, money troubles, tragedy and scandal.

The venue and timing were uniquely appropriate and helped whisk the audience back two centuries.

Architect and canal promoter John Nash, engineer James Morgan and Counsillor William Agar - the local landowner who vehemently opposed the canal being run through his land - were brought to life by Kai Simmons, Andrew Boxer and Ian Macnaughton.

Also on hand were dramatist Rob Inglis, musical director Bob Stuckey, director John Dunne, guitarist Dominic Ashworth and Cathy Aitcheon, who managed publicity and administration. The event was attended by members of the King’s Cross Business Partnership, who returned

Performing at the Angel Canal Festival, 2nd September 2012

www.regentscanalfolkopera.org.uk

The Regent’s Canal - 200 years on

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from a walk along the canal as the curtain went up.

The theatre bar, alongside the museum’s ice supply heritage collection, and offshore victualling from a mooring anchored the after-show gathering. The sheltered quay proved ideal for socialising into the night.

Walk-on partsEarlier that day, the museum had offered walk-on parts in the history of the canal with a guided towpath walk to Camden Town.

Walkers traced the history and political drama between King’s Cross and Hampstead Road Locks in Camden. The Hampstead Road Locks are known today as Camden Lock, the area and the market around the lock attract 10m-15m visitors each year.

Lester Hillman Academic adviser to the Islington Archaeology & History Society

Note from Ed:This article is reproduced from the Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society, Autumn 2012 Vol 2 No. 3 by kind permission of Lester Hillman, who will be giving a talk entitled ‘Regency Roulette’ at South London Branch’s social in June 2013.

THE BOOK: David Fathers launched his new book ‘The Regent’s Canal’ on the floating bookshop Word on Water at Islington on 14th October. The launch date was chosen as it was the day on which work started on the construction of the Regent’s Canal 200 years ago.

David Fathers originally trained as a graphic designer and has always had a passion for drawing, painting and maps. Nearly ten years ago he was commissioned by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Wakehurst Place to create their first digital visitors guides. These are still in use today. Having lived in London for over thirty years he is slightly embarrassed to admit that he only ‘discovered’ the Regent’s Canal a few years ago. It was love at first sight. Despite having crossed over the canal so many times, it wasn’t until he was on the towpath that he became aware of the contrasts, richness and history of the canal and its environment. An avid cyclist and walker, he lives in north London with his wife and two daughters.

His book, ‘The Regent’s Canal’ is published by Frances Lincoln at £9.99. For more information visit www.franceslincoln.com

Note from Ed: For more information about the Regent’s Canal visit www.friendsofregentscanal.org.

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Queen Elizabeth Olympic ParkThe first stage of the permanent legacy of London 2012 comes to fruition in July 2013 with the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), a £300m project.

Following the Olympic Games, the next part of the story has begun. Over the next 18 months the Olympic site will be transformed into Europe’s largest new urban park for 150 years, as was envisaged when the project was planned. It will have over 22 miles of interlinking pathways, waterways and cycle paths, 252 acres of open spaces, 4 miles of rivers and canals, 111 acres of biodiverse wildlife habitat - including reedbeds, grasslands, ponds and woodlands with plenty of bird and bat boxes.

Some venues will continue to serve Londoners and host competitive sporting events - the Olympic Stadium, for example, will be the venue for the 2017 World Athletic Championships. The Velodrome and BMX track, with new mountain bike and mixed circuits added, will become the Lea Valley VeloPark, for community, club and elite use, and Zaha Hadid’s elegant Aquatic Centre will be a swimming pool for all to enjoy. Other venues will be modified or dismantled, with parts of the structures used elsewhere.

The East Village - which during the Games housed 23,000 athletes and officials - will provide nearly 300 homes, and 5 new neighbourhoods with community facilities will also be developed. The first new housing area will be Chobham Manor, opening in 2015 on the site of the Basketball Arena.

Walkways widened for the London 2012 crowds will become promenades and bridges leading to new attractions, gardens and venues for sports and shows. The transformation will take time, so there are plans for interim features like a fairground and an open air concert space.

During the 2012 Games, Anish Kapoor’s ArcelorMittal Orbit was open as a viewing tower and gallery featuring some of the artist’s work. When it reopens as part of the South Park, alongside the visitor centre and British Olympic Museum, it will be the centrepiece of a new ‘events district’.

By contrast, the top end of the Olympic site - the North Park - will be designed as a riverside park space with more of a community focus, reflecting the residential nature of the surrounding buildings.

The Water Polo Arena opposite the Aquatic Centre will be dismantled and become part of Stratford Waterfront, with cafes, bars and restaurants overlooking the restored Waterworks River. Although the Waterfront will be one of the later developments to be opened, this area will be the setting for outdoor sports in the meantime, with facilities for activities like climbing and skateboarding.

The distinctive International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre, which served 20,000 media workers during London 2012, will be refurbished as sustainable office and studio space. Similar plans will see the area where spectators entered the Olympic Park during the Games become the International Quarter, a commercial and residential precinct of offices, hotels, retail outlets and 360 new homes, reflecting the architecture of Westfield Stratford City across the road.

Additionally, the Copper Box, which hosted handball, modern pentathlon and Paralympic

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goalball during the Games, will become the Multi-Use Arena. With its capacity of 7500 it will also provide a new option as the city’s third largest indoor arena for events.

A year after the Games Opening Ceremony, the new park will be inaugurated in an opening festival in July 2013. Over the following years, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and its new neighbourhoods will become an established part of London. Meanwhile, more of the vision will take shape over the next decade. To find out more, go to www.noordinarypark.co.uk

This article was edited from various items available on the internet. Ed.

Gloriana moored in the Waterworks River, July 2012.

Photo: R Squires

Welcome to all new members! Miss C Rhoades East London Mr R Martin North London Mrs R J Saunders East London Mr R Chapman East London Mr H Fagg East London Mr A & Mrs W Budge New Mexico, USA Mr L S Case California, USA Mr M Perkins Alberta, Canada Mrs B M Smedley South West London Ms C Jennings South East London Mr R Merricks South East London

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A Walk from Kensal Green to Alpertonby Peter Finch

Some parts of the Grand Junction Canal’s Paddington Branch are more interesting than might seem apparent at first sight. One of our Towpath Walks recently focused on the section from Kensal Green to Alperton. Here are the notes of the walk.

Kensal Green Station to Mitre Bridge

From the station, turn left then right, up the Harrow Road, into the entrance of Kensal Green Cemetery.

Here, bear to the right, into the Catholic St. Mary’s Cemetery, passing by the General Cemetery of All Souls (also known as Kensal Green Cemetery, London’s first “hygienic” garden cemetery. Consecrated in 1833, it replaced church burial grounds that had become a cause of scandal, exposed by journalists such as Charles Dickens).

The Catholic St. Mary’s Cemetery was opened in 1857. Among many other notable memorials here is one to Sir John Barbirolli.

Walk straight through the cemetery and turn left on to Scrubs Lane, arriving at the towpath of the Paddington Branch at Mitre Bridge.

Mitre Bridge to Alperton

To the east of the bridge was Mitre Wharf, used by nearby brickfields, with former Mitre Tavern nearby. To the west is the West London Railway bridge (originally used by the Birmingham, Bristol & Thames Junction Railway); it is now used by London Overground, Southern and some freight operators. The line originally went under canal, which explains the wide section after the bridge (made when canal was diverted).

On the right, the first building was the Rolls Royce car maintenance works, followed by many other warehouses along the canal, mainly occupied now by the sheds of Car Giant – which claims to be the world’s biggest car supermarket.

On the left is Wormwood Scrubs, a large open space where duels took place, as well as pigeon shooting. Claude Grahame-White, the pioneer aviator, took off from here in the 1910 London – Manchester Air Race. It is now used for team sports, and model aircraft flying; the King’s Troop cavalry used to exercise their horses there. The prison was built in 1874, replacing the one at Millbank.

At the bend, on the right, on the wall near the oldest group of warehouses, is a reminder of the G.U.’s investment programme: “dredged 1931 at 5ft”.

On the left of the towpath were extensive rail sidings and works, which were originally the GWR’s Old Oak Common Depot. Part of the site is now used by Great Western and Heathrow Express; the nearest sheds were closed in 2009. The new sheds are being used by Crossrail to assemble tunnel linings, which are then taken by road to Royal Oak.

Ahead to the right is the Mercury tower; connected by co-axial cables (run under slabs on the towpath).

After the London Overground bowstring girder bridge (1885), on the right is Old Oak Wharf,

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which was built a few years ago for the Powerday Re-Cycling Centre; commercial barges full of builder’s spoil can regularly be seen here.

Under the next railway bridge are two sets of stop gates. The next road bridge is for Old Oak Lane (Willesden Junction Station is to the right).

The Willesden Paper & Canvas Works was on the south (towpath) side of the GJC, west of Old Oak Lane, from 1873 to the 1930s. In their well-known waterproofing process, Willesden Paper was treated to make it waterproof and give strength and was used as an insulator under roof tiles. Cloth and canvas were treated in the same way. Captain Scott’s green canvas sledging satchel (now in the National Maritime Museum) was made of Willesden Canvas. Further along – a modern freight rail bridge with skew approach arches in brick, known as “ Five Hole Bridge”; after passing it, one can look back to see a surviving operational semaphore type signal (quite a rarity these days). There is a view of Wembley Stadium arch, ahead on the right.

Acton Lane Power Station of the Metropolitan Electric Supply Co. was a good customer of the canal; the coal arrived from Warwickshire pits, and ash was barged away. It is now a sub-station, and the cables under the towpath cross the canal here. It has twice been a filming location: as the atmosphere processing station in film “Aliens”, and interior of Axis Chemicals in the 1989 “Batman” film.

Just before the road bridge the former Sabey’s Wharf was used for loading rubbish; it is now a bric-a-brac store, with a Routemaster bus. To the right at Acton Lane Bridge is the “Grand Junction Arms”; there are moorings alongside and opposite. Stables here were used for boat horses, and in the mid 19th century it was a stopping place for passenger pleasure boats (that had started out at Paddington) on their way back from Greenford. On the towpath side, a café called “Jack’s Cabin” is named after Jack Simpson, who had a rowing boat hire business here.

On the offside is the winding hole formed by the entrance of the feeder stream from the Welsh Harp Reservoir, opened by the Regent’s Canal in 1835 to overcome their water supply problems. Sometimes one notices aromas from the McVities biscuit factory (on the right, in

Barge being unloaded at the Powerday Wharf

Photo: G Heward of Wood, Hall & Heward

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the background). It opened in 1910; digestive biscuits, jaffa cakes and rich tea biscuits were invented here. In the background on the left is the Middlesex Hospital. Originally a workhouse and infirmary, it became a hospital in 1903; recently, it has been largely re-built.

After the hospital comes the Park Royal Estate. Originating on land leased in 1901 by the Royal Agricultural Society for the annual show, it was opened by the Prince of Wales, and named Park Royal. It was not a success, and was subsequently used for sporting activities, including, for a while, Queen’s Park Rangers. Express Dairy then took over, and munitions factories were built here during World War 1, developing into the vast Park Royal Industrial Estate in the 1920s and ‘30s, when the nearby North Circular Road and Western Avenue were built. Industries then used the canal. There was a predominance of engineering firms, including car makers – remembered by Sunbeam, Standard and Minerva Roads. The Estate was regenerated in the 1980s, in the largest industrial re-development in Western Europe.

On the offside, after the fire station, is the former Heinz factory, built in 1925, following the popularity of tomato soup. Beans and other raw materials came by barge from the Docks, with cans taken out for distribution. This factory was one of the largest local employers. The recipe for Salad Cream was invented here. In WW2, Heinz worked with ICI to develop the self-heating can. The factory also received a visit from the Luftwaffe. By the 1960s, Heinz was producing 1 million cans of baked beans a day. Then, economic pressure, with super markets’ “own brands” and other competition, caused production to be transferred to Wigan. The factory here was closed in 2000 and demolished in 2002, though the firm retains a local link through its HQ in Hayes.

At Abbey Road Bridge (or White Stone Bridge) are moorings and a café; on the left is a cottage (1821) used by GJC lengthsmen, who needed to be close by in case of problems with the Brent aqueduct. There are also stop gates here (in the event of damage to aqueduct or embankment).

On the left, the brick building is the former printing works of Waterlow & Sons; the Radio Times was once printed here. Behind it was the Guinness Park Royal Brewery (1934 – 2005; the significant buildings have now all been demolished). Guinness’s Wharf was close to the bend in the canal; barrels were delivered by fly-boats to the Midlands. They had double crews, with precedence over other craft, and took under 40 hours to reach Birmingham, rather than the usual 4 - 5 days. Guinness is now all brewed in Ireland.

Also on the towpath side, at the back, is Twyford Abbey. The name “twy” is after two fords over the River Brent. A landowner, Mr Willan, extended a medieval manor house in 1806, calling it Twyford Abbey. From 1902, it was used by the Alexian Brothers (a R.C. order) as a rest home for the elderly. It closed in 1988; its future is not finalised.

Near the start of the great embankment taking the canal from the south to the north side of the Brent valley is the North Circular Aqueduct. This is the second-longest single span aqueduct in Britain (after the Stanley Ferry Aqueduct in Yorkshire). The previous (pre WW2) reinforced concrete aqueduct survived wartime bombing and an IRA attack. The road-widening scheme needed a new aqueduct, so this one was built alongside the old one, then slid across on rails (1995). The Middlesex County Council crest (on the centre island) survives from the old aqueduct. In the distance, on the right, is the arch over the Wembley Stadium. Also on the right is the Ace Café, the legendary bikers hang-out in the ‘50s and ‘60s, visited by rock luminaries such as Gene Vincent and Billy Fury. Closed in 1969, and re-opened 2001, it has appeared several times in films and TV programmes.

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Immediately on the right, after the aqueduct, a WW2 pill box is concealed in the bushes and trees. Of the 28,000 built, less than a quarter of these still exist. A few yards further on, on the towpath side, the River Brent can be seen down below (the aqueduct, not readily visible from the towpath, dates from 1801). By the new white bridge across to a recent development, there are serviced moorings.

On the offside, before the Piccadilly Line rail bridge, were the former Alperton Wharves, from where bricks and other building material were shipped out.

Ealing Road Bridge is next. Alperton was a village which was transformed by the canal in latter part of the 19th century; it became known as the smelliest place in Middlesex, due to pig dung, sewage and horse manure, added to pollution from brick dust. It became a brick-making centre; these were sent by canal to the City, together with hay and foodstuffs; barges returned with rubbish and manure. 1920s and ‘30s industry developed. In 1979, the narrowboat “Prince” carried out a contract to transport concrete blocks from a builder’s merchant’s wharf in Alperton to a building project near Regent’s Park. This was probably the last time building materials were transported from Alperton by canal.

On the right is the “Pleasure Boat” pub , with moorings.

On the towpath side, further on, is Sainsbury’s supermarket, with convenient moorings. Alperton station is near the pub.

Peter Finch

Note from Ed: If you’re interested in leading or taking part in walks please see IWA with London Walks’ programme on page 8.

North Circular Road aqueduct (with County of Middlesex coat of arms on the centre island)

Photo: R Wilkinson

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BRANCH & REGIONANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the London Region of the Inland Waterways Association, and of its North & East London and South London

Branches, will take place as follows:

London Region 8:30 p.m. approximately* on Tuesday 12th MarchAt: Hillingdon Canal Club Waterloo Road Uxbridge UB8 2QX

*after the Middlesex Branch AGM business has been completed

South London 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday 13th MarchAt: The Primary Room The United Reformed Church Hall Addiscombe Road Croydon CR0 5LP

North & East London 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 19th MarchAt: The Pirate Club Gilbeys Wharf Oval Road London NW1 7EA

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2012 AGM plus Matters Arising

3. Report from the Chairman4. Presentation of Accounts

5. Business of the meeting notified under byelaw 1.3^6. Election to fill posts on the Committee

7. Questions from the floor

The formal AGM will be followed by another activity as per the branch’s social programme

CONTACT DETAILS

London Region South London North & East LondonChairman Paul Strudwick

40 Fifth AvenueChelmsfordEssex CM1 4HDEmail: paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk

Alan Eggby137 Strathyre Road,London SW16 4RHEmail: alan.eggby@lineone.net

Tim Lewis5 Herongate RoadWansteadLondon E12 5EJEmail: nbfulbourne@tiscali.co.uk

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London Region South London North & East LondonSecretary Robin Bishop

11 Lichfield Road,CricklewoodLondon NW2 2REEmail: robinebishop@tiscali.co.uk

Lesley Pryde2 Hepworth RoadStreathamLondon SW16 5DQEmail: cookielesley@tinyworld.co.uk

Roger Squires46 Elephant LaneRotherhitheLondon SE16 4JDEmail: rogersquires@btinternet.com

^NOTE : Byelaw 1.3 provides that any member of a region or branch may propose business to appear on the Agenda of an AGM of their region or branch, provided that notice of such business is delivered in writing to the Chairman of the region or branch at least six weeks before that meeting. If any such items are received, a revised Agenda for the relevant meeting will be in a Branch Newsletter which is due to be published before the AGMs.

BRANCH & REGIONCOMMITTEE ELECTIONS

To facilitate elections at the AGMs, nominations for election to a Branch or Region Committee must be received by the relevant Branch or Region Secretary before or at the AGM (see above). All candidates and their proposers must be paid-up members of the relevant Branch or Region and the candidate must indicate his/her willingness to stand.

All elected members of a Region or Branch Committee who have held office for a term of three years have to retire, as does any member co-opted during the committee meetings since the last AGM. Members in either category are eligible for re-election, provided that they are duly nominated as detailed above.

The particulars for each Committee are as follows:

London Region South London North & East LondonSecretary Robin Bishop Lesley Pryde Roger Squires

Deadline for nominations 12th March 13th March 19th March

Current number of elected members

5 6 7

Members completing 3 years in post

0 Dorothy RobbieTim Lewis

Alex and Jenny NunesRoger Squires

Members co-opted since last AGM

0 0 0

Note: Please note that under the new Bye-laws all Committees may vary in size according to the numbers elected. In addition to these elected members, the Region Chairman is ex officio a member of

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the Region Committee. We look forward to receiving further nominations for Committee membership.

COMMITTEENAME:

NORTH & EAST LONDONSOUTH LONDON LONDON REGION

delete those not applicable

Print Name Signature Date

Candidate

Proposer

Seconder

FRIDAY 18th JANUARY 20137:30 for 8:00 p.m.

atRSJ RESTAURANT33 COIN STREET

LONDON SE1 9NR

£25:00 per person including coffee, mints, VAT & service(excluding soft and alcoholic drinks)

BOOKINGS WITH £10 DEPOSIT PER PERSON BY 31st DECEMBER

TO: ALAN SMITH, 41 JUBILEE AVENUE TWICKENHAM TW2 6JA

Telephone: 020 8255 1581 or scan and email: alan.smith@waterways.org.uk

*menus will be available by 31st December

Name & Address Telephone No.

Number of Places Required

*Menu Choices(from A or

Vegetarian)

SOUTH LONDON NEW YEAR’S DINNER

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Role North & East London South London

ChairmanTim Lewis5 Herongate RoadWanstead, London E12 5EJTel: 020 8530 0425 / 07802 518094Email: nbfulbourne@tiscali.co.uk

Alan Eggby137 Strathyre AvenueLondon SW16 4RHTel: 020 8764 8194Email: alan_eggby@lineone.net

Deputy Chairman

Vacancy

Libby BradshawGround Floor Flat, 61 West Side,Wandsworth Common,London SW18 2EDTel: 020 8874 2787Email: libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk

Secretary Roger Squires46 Elephant LaneRotherhithe, London SE16 4JDTel: 020 7232 0987Email: roger.squires@waterways.org.uk

Lesley Pryde2 Hepworth RoadStreatham, London SW16 5DQTel: 020 8679 9866 / 07787 372408Email: cookielesley@tinyworld.co.uk

Treasurer Ian Israel32 Walfield AvenueLondon N20 0PRTel: 020 8446 1823Email: ianandpam@yahoo.co.uk

Dorothy Robbie23 Porcupine CloseMottingham, London SE9 3AETel: 020 8857 6367Email: dorothy.robbie@gmail.com

Social Secretary Jenny Nunes63 Salisbury RoadBarnet, HertsTel: 020 8440 8962Email: alex.nunes@btopenworld.com

Alan Smith41 Jubilee AvenueTwickenham TW2 6JATel: 020 8255 1581Email: smith.alanj@blueyonder.co.uk

Publicity Officer & Newsletter

Editor

Christine Smith41 Jubilee Avenue

Twickenham TW2 6JATel: 020 8255 1581 / 07774 890 750

Email: christine.smith@waterways.org.uk

Membership Secretary

Alex Nunes(contact details as above) Vacancy

Committee Members

Roger Wilkinson2 Lytton Close, N2 0RHTel: 020 8458 9476 Email: roger9796\@yahoo.co.uk

Sally Naylor21 Pitchford Street, Stratford, E15 4RZTel: 020 8519 7481 Email: snaylor@ymail.com

Vacancies

Ex-Officio as Region Chairman

Paul Strudwick40 Fifth Avenue

Chelmsford CM1 4HDTel: 01245 358342 / 07885 240291

Email: paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk

Representatives Planning & Navigation Committee:Wandle Valley developments:Deptford Creek developments:

Eric GarlandLibby BradshawEric Garland

Committee Members

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How to get to North & East London’s Social Meetings:

How to get to South London’s Social Meetings: