The Canoe Camper Spring 2016 #305

The Canoe-Camper issue no 305Spring 2016

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NATIONAL FAMILIES MEET 2016

HEREFORDFRIDAY 27TH MAY - FRIDAY 3RD JUNE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

[email protected] OR

PHONE 01302 645427

THE CANOE CAMPING CLUBPRESIDENT: Jo Ledger VICE PRESIDENTS: Dek Davie, Fred Hutt

SECTION COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL COUNCIL ADVISORY OFFICER Dave Henderson, 71 Hill Top, Bolsover, Chesterfield, S44 6NG

Email: [email protected]

VICE CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE Tim Wheeler, 3 Birch Close, Sprotborough, Doncaster, DN5 7RE

Tel:01302 645427 Tel: 01246 827202 Email: [email protected]

GENERAL SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY (SITES OFFICER/WEBMASTER)Fran Faulkner, 23 Somerville Road, Eton, Windsor, SL4 6PB

Tel: 01753 850122 Email: [email protected]

HONORARY TREASURERBrian Hamer, 16 Teal Avenue, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire,SK12 1JT


5TH EXEC MEMBERGraham Devenish 13a Brunswick Place, Hove, BN3 1ND Tel:01273 821155 Email: [email protected]

YOUTH LIAISON OFFICER & MAGAZINE EDITORJosie Faulkner, Flat J Venita Manor, 317 Leigham Court Road, SW16 2RX

Tel: 07939244318 Email: [email protected]

YOUTH LIAISON OFFICERTommy Faulkner, 23 Somerville Road, Eton, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 6PB


ACCESS OFFICERKevin East, 7 Silesian Gardens, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8SGTel: 01932 562111 Email: [email protected]

COMMITTEE MEMBERS DEE & NORTH WEST COORDINATOR

Brian Hamer, 16 Teal Avenue, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire,SK12 1JT Tel: 01625 879504 Email: [email protected]

HERTS & EAST ANGLIA COORDINATORPete Bradshaw, 53 Hillingdon Avenue, Sevenoaks, TN13 3RB

Email: [email protected]

MIDLANDS COORDINATORSimon Beeston 11 Elston Hall Lane, Bushbury, Wolverhampton,

WV10 9HE Tel: 01902 653430 Email: [email protected]

NORTHERN COORDINATORCherry Forrester, 121 Cardigan Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,

NE6 5HS Tel: 01912 763312 Email: [email protected]

THAMES & SOUTH EAST COORDINATORRobin Hickman, 32 Shepherds Way, Roffey, Horsham, W Sussex,

RH12 4LS Tel: 01403 267244 Email: [email protected]

WEST COUNTRY COORDINATORPaul Whitehead 17 Whitley Crescent, Bicester, OX26 4XR


CAMPING & CARAVANNING CLUB NATIONAL ADVISERPhil Henson

ARCHIVISTJanet Hales, 9 Strode Street, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9PT

Tel: 01784 432 517

REPRESENTATIVE TO PARLIAMENTARY WATERWAYS GROUP AND TO THE SPORT AND RECREATION ALLIANCE

Rosemarie Green, 25 Waverley Road, South Norwood, London, SE25 4HT Tel: 0208 654 1835

CHERTSEY CANOE SHEDS Rosemarie Green, Address above

CANOE-CAMPING CLUB LIBRARY CURRENTLY WITH THAMES & SOUTH EAST 2

NATIONAL FAMILIES MEET 2016

HEREFORDFRIDAY 27TH MAY - FRIDAY 3RD JUNE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

[email protected] OR

PHONE 01302 645427

THWART

CHAIRMAN‘S

THE CANOE CAMPER #305

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Spring has fi nally arrived and the camping season has started abeit a little wet and windy. The rivers are fl owing well and I am

looking forward to a fun summer of canoeing and camping. The Canoe Camping Club aims to be an inclusive organisation, and to achieve this, we need all our members to play an active role in contributing to canoeing and camping activities.

We welcome input in the form of ideas and offers of help to run events. Without the support of the members, the club cannot continue to offer the events currently available. Whatever you can offer goes a long way to make the club work.

I am looking forward to our families meet in Hereford this year, where I hope to meet as many of you as possible. If you have not booked yet, PLEASE do as this helps in the planning of the event.

Until then, keep safe and have fun!

Dave HendersonChairman

LETTE

RS‘RO

TIDE

SPRING 2016

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It’s been a blustery winter, but I hope that now the sunshine is making more of an appearance that you’ve had a chance to

get out on the water. Not long now until the national meet at Hereford, and I look forward to seeing lots of old faces and new.

In this issue you’ll find the ramblings of Tim Watson who now happily satiated from his first paddle after the long winter, Tony Smith reflects back on his time as a member and Dave Balls first part in a series about his time spent paddling in Russia back in the 90s.

As always, we can’t have a quarterly newsletter without your submissions, so keep them coming in. The next deadline is June 26th — however keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter page as this might change due to a new work commitment (I wish I could tell you what it is, but I can’t. The clue is that it involves camping, live music and three weeks in a muddy field).

Speaking of Facebook and Twitter, if you have either of the social media sites, you can follow us on Twitter @canoecampermag or on Facebook search for The Canoe-Camper. There you will find the link to the colour copy of each issue before it gets posted out!

Hopefully see some of you in May, I’ll be camped with all the youth causing havoc.

Yours Truly,Josie Faulkner

Please send all contributions for the Summer 2016 issue no. 306 to the editor by 26th June. Email or hard copy acceptable. Please do not edit or convert photos other than by cropping and keep them separate from the text.

Front Cover - Paddling on the River Lark by Fran Faulkner

Visit the Canoe Camping Club Website at : www.canoecampingclub.co.uk

The Canoe Camping Club is a section of the Camping and Caravanning Club (company limited by guarantee)Greenfields House, Westwood Way, Coventry, CV4 8JH

T: 0845 130 7631 or 024 7647 5448***

Printed by: The Printhouse, Hove, BN3 2FB

IN THIS ISSUE...1. HEREFORD POSTER

2. CONTACTS

3. CHAIRMAN’S THWARTDAVE HENDERSON

4. EDITOR’S LETTERJOSIE FAULKNER

6. PADDLING DEFICIENCY SYNDROMETIM WATSON

7.OBITUARY — JAN-ALLE KOK

8. REFLECTIONS OF A CLUB MEMBERTONY SMITH

12. CANOE CAMPING CLUB YOUTH

13. NATIONAL FAMILIES MEET 2016

17. EASTER IN THE EASTFRAN FAULKNER

19. RUNS LIST 2016

21. THE RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE PT.1DAVE BALL

24. WOODMILL ON THE RIVER ITCHEN WILD WATER RACESUSAN TEMPLETON

25. CLASSIFIEDS

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PADDLING DEFICIENCY SYNDROME

IN THIS ISSUE...

However once tormented with P,D,S, the victim will need continuous treatment for life.So my second dose of treatment follows a cold and grey stint on the Severn. All my warm kit was packed for the following day; I was not going to get cold out there! So Saturday evening all I had to do was swap Mrs Tim’s canoe for mine. This was closely followed by more treatment consisting of a hot shower and then off to a centre of personal well being (Pear and Partridge) for some solids followed by a few carefully measured pick-me-ups doses of hop based potions followed by a few of grape origin.

Just to add to the mix we watched the Rugby.So the second day started off with a 1 ¾ hr drive to Darley Bridge in Derbyshire to meet up with a fellow sufferer and some carers to paddle on the Derwent. Unfortunately the second sufferer also called Tim was deemed too ill to paddle and needed to rest more.

The day turned out to be warm one, warmer still for me as I donned my dry suit in readiness for the day ahead.

….”Ahh ye gods” I thought “I’m going to cook in this!” so I stashed it in the van, and off we went. There were four of us, my paddle buddy Welsh Dave his daughter/padawan Hannah and a mentor of mine from my earlier paddling

years Alan. The water was lovely and clear in this little but very pleasant river. I was soon getting into the rhythm of solo paddling again; catching the many eddies as we meandered down stream. A mention to the “water whippers” (fly fishermen) we came across; they were as pleasant as anything. With lifted spirits we paddled on.

I was aware of an incident earlier on in the year involving Town Bridge and with this firmly in mind, every bridge we came across I sped up to inspect before signalling it ok to run. Catching eddies and ferry gliding at every small feature was the order of the day. All three bridges were clear of debris and good to go; with a little more water the rapids were easier. A little bounce and we were all through. A ball bounced into the river before me, so to keep the football youth / canoeist relationship intact I promptly rescued the ball and returned it to the rightful owner.

Normally on this run we would finish with a play on the slalom course, however today there was a competition so we aimed to have lunch and finish at Artists Corner. But only after a play on the friendly small surf wave.

So ends my day two of rehabilitation. Bring on the next session.

PADDLING DEFICIENCY SYNDROME

BY TIM WATSON

SUNDAY THE 20TH MARKED THE SECOND DAY OF TREATMENT FOR MY LINGERING CONDITION P,D,S. (PADDLING - DEFICIENCY -SYNDROME) IT HAS BEEN A LONG AND HARD WINTER OF SUFFERING, BUT FORTUNATELY FOR ME THERE IS NOW A LIGHT AT

THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

6


7

It is with some sadness that I write about the death of Jan Kok. He had been suffering from ill health for a number of years. Jan was a larger than life Dutch canoeist, and will probably only be known to some of the older C-CC members. I first met Jan in the early 1970s. We became friends and when visiting England he frequently stayed with me. He always had a soft spot for the English. Earlier, when the Nazis invaded Holland; those unwelcome visitors stripped the country of its resources. The Dutch were starving. At the age of twelve, Jan begged for tins of corned beef from British soldiers, thus helping his family survive. Among Jan’s achievements, he organised the Veluwe Marathon Canoe event.

The marathon attracted canoeists throughout Europe and Jan was immensely proud when he recorded one thousand participants. The Kanovierdaags at Zwartsluis was another prestigious touring event organised in an area of great natural beauty. Jan’s events were always full of unexepected and unusual treats — not your average canoe-camping weekend, but rather participation in a festival. Jan also attended C-CC camps. Whenever he brought his small caravan it would soon be bursting at the seams with friends all drinking Dutch Geneva. His reward for all his hard work was a silver medal awarded by the Queen of the Netherlands.

JAN-ALLE KOKJULY 1932 - NOVEMBER 2015

DAVE BALL

SPRING 2016

7 8

1. A Soggy StartIn 2005 we stayed at the forest site in Beddgelert during one of the wettest Augusts on record. The non-stop rain dampened our spirits as we sat in our caravan reminiscing about the many journeys we had logged in our little boat across 5000 miles of the Inland Waterways. But the boat was now sold and we wondered whether we had been right to opt instead for a Grumman canoe and the tiny Eriba caravan which was to be our home in Snowdonia for two rain-soaked weeks. One morning during a brief respite in the weather, we looked out and saw that a car had pulled onto the opposite pitch. A Grumman canoe – just like ours — was on the roof rack and a sticker in the back window read ‘The Canoe Camping Club’. Was this an omen?

REFLECTIONS OF A CLUB MEMBER

2 Tentative stepsSince selling our boat, the need to get afl oat persisted. With a canoe instead of a cabin cruiser it made sense that we should paddle with others and there were still parts of the Inland Waterways we had not yet visited. With a young family we had always arranged our own adventures, travelled independently and had never thought of joining a club. But the car sticker had got us thinking. We had never heard of the Canoe-Camping Club though the combination of canoeing and camping struck a chord and we determined to research it.

3. Bread puddingMy fi rst club meet was on the 29th April the following year. Mary was unavailable so my plan was to paddle the Grumman solo from Cricklade to Lechlade. It was not the easiest of paddles. My J-stroke was unrefi ned and paddled solo - the Grumman could not compete with the speed of the other boats. For most of the trip I was the unwilling Tail-end Charlie though some-one always stayed back – to chat – to offer advice and to let me try their more sophisticated paddles. Back at the campsite as I waited for my lift home, I was invited over for a cup of tea and a generous slice of bread pudding. I had joined a club that offered more than just canoeing and camping.

Tony Smith reflects back on his time in the Canoe-Camping Club, and all the

colourful characters he met on the way.WORDS BY TONY SMITHILLUSTRATIONS BY AMY CARTWRIGHT

Snow

don

ia

DAVE BALL


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4.Camp Paddle and ChatA common feature of all subsequent meets was the conversations on and off the water. With erstwhile strangers, it would start with a courteous introduction and comments on the weather before the discussion began to fl ow freely in whatever direction we wanted to take it. Sometimes the talk would turn to the latest gadget; at other times we would share paddling or camping exploits. Sometimes a story would emerge that was not remotely connected to our chosen pursuit but well worth the retelling. For those who chose to share (and most did), there was a back-story – always interesting, never boring.It transpired that my fellow paddlers were a very mixed bunch indeed.

5. Lots of People..From the stories that people shared – a picture emerged showing the diversity of our many backgrounds: I have paddled with a lorry driver who can turn his long articulated vehicle on a sixpence. Now that is a skill that I greatly admire. I have talked with a stone mason, an electrician, a civil engineer, a plumber, a carpenter, a dentist, a gardener, nurses, musicians, researchers, medics and mechanical engineers. We have a poet, an artist and a foundry-man. We have experts in fi bre-optics, poisons, air-conditioning and petrol-chemicals. We even have our own (now retired) stunt man and (I am told) someone who knows more about the workings of the human brain than the average man in the street.

7. Tales from the Waterways

My conversations with fellow paddlers were fruitful on many counts. They were often informative, usually colourful and sometimes simply a story too good not to pass on. Here is a short selection:

“The fi rst time I camped at the Oxford site, I was still at the stage of being unclear about what to pack and

what to leave out on a canoe-camp. But my neighbours on the next pitch had a lifetime of experience and their advice was simple: I did not need to encumber myself with any washing up paraphernalia. I could do without a bowl, liquid, brush, dishcloth or tea towel. All I had to do was just lick the plate clean. I liked that suggestion not just for its simple logic but also for its lack of pretension. Clearly there was no scope for pretension in the world of canoe-camping.”

“Paddling the upper Thames,

But the great thing is that it doesn’t matter who you are, what you do or where you come from. When you are canoeing and camping there are no artifi cial barriers. Our chosen pursuit is one of the great levellers.

6.Desert Island DiscsListening to Desert Island Discs, it struck me that if the Canoe Camping Club was marooned on a desert island, we would survive. I don’t know about raw materials but I do know that our shared expertise would enable us to create fi ne buildings, machinery,

an infrastructure and a telecommunication system with its own fi bre-optic fast Broadband. We could have our own Health Service supported by cutting edge research. Our treasurer could ban all taxation and we could set up an alternative revenue stream by exporting top quality bread pudding. In our spare time we could have Canoe Club on Mondays (oversubscribed), camp craft on Tuesdays, Gardening on Wednesdays,

Music on Thursdays and Stunt Club on Fridays.

Desert Island Discs

SPRING 2016

10

I learned of a great way to avoid watching rubbish on TV during the winter evenings. With two sheets of 8x4, I could make a decent boat out of tortured ply in the comfort of my kitchen. I remember discussing the detail of how to form a natural curve along the gunnels where the sheets join and I agreed that there is a great scope in this for a winter project.”

However, I am still in negotiations with my wife Mary about whether the kitchen will be the best location for this.

“An envelope arrived in the post - addressed to our youngest who was in America. Inside was a document that had to be signed and returned at very short notice so that she could receive back some of her own money. The deadline was very close and there was insuffi cient time to send the document out for her signature. So she asked if I could ‘replicate’ (I hesitate to use the F-word) her signature instead. I sprang straight into action with tracing paper and her sample signature. The very next day I explained this a to fellow paddler as we made our way down the Severn. I had no means of knowing that I was actually talking to someone who had worked as specialist illustrator designing bank notes for international currencies. She was able to tell me to ditch the tracing paper because ‘you will lose the fl ow of the original script’. She also added further professional tips which I took on board. I managed to get the ‘signed’ document in on time - the money was paid out, everyone was happy and no-one was harmed.”On Shakespeare’s waters, someone shared a closely guarded secret. I will tell you about this

as long as you promise on your honour to keep it to yourself. The secret involves the Heating and Plumbing Trade and was disclosed by a tall man who has a short tent, a wide grin and a narrow kayak.

It goes something like this: “Your tap has been leaking so you call in the plumber to fi t a new washer. Before he says anything he performs a complex and bizarre ritual with a weird combination of sounds, contortions and unconventional body language. He draws in a deep breath with a strange sucking sound which blends into scary ooh sound just like Frankie Howerd. He tut tuts and moves his head from side to side in a gesture of disbelief. At this stage you are so alarmed and on the point of calling an ambulance that - with impeccable timing - he will tell you how much the job will cost. The amount is always outrageously expensive but you are so relieved that he has not expired in your kitchen that you immediately give him the go-ahead. At the same time you consider whether he might be offended if you gave him a really big tip when the work is fi nished. Very few manage to achieve complete mastery of this skill because it requires dedicated practice well beyond the fi ve years of an apprenticeship to accomplish. Therefore it is the domain of just a small elite who are right at the top of their game. But for those few the fi nancial rewards are in the stratosphere. They will be able to get their own fl eet of vans – all with status plates. They might even stretch their spending to afford a tent big enough to sleep in.”

Avoid Watching Rubbish on TVLick the Plate Clean

8. Colourful CharactersIt is inevitable that The Canoe-Camping Club should attract a wide and colourful membership – sometimes eccentric, usually colourful, never boring and always individual. Here is a small selection:

I arrived at the Cobnor site and chatted to the couple on the next pitch. They were new to the club and this was their fi rst meet. We looked up as we heard someone coming over to say hello. He wore a fl owing black robe, pink wellingtons, had a shaven head, lots of tattoos, piercings, metal jewellery and a waxed moustache. It was not what my neighbours expected and I sensed their unease. However, It took no more than a casual introduction before we were chatting and laughing as though we had all always known each other. Then there’s the Pasty Man. He earned his name from an incident on the Tamar when the last pasty in the shop fi nished up in the wrong hands and therefore the wrong mouth. Several years later he confi ded that his lorry driving job took him every week down to all the pasty shops in Cornwall with fresh supplies of fl our AND they often gave FREE SAMPLES. So his adopted nickname was doubly justifi ed. I am fairly certain that API (Advanced Pasty Indulgence) helps to develop a great sense of fun and a solid humour. The evidence points in that direction. It’s not only pasties because I know someone else who has a particular liking for custard – however you serve it up. Last summer I spent four days at a base camp with a small group of friends. I

9.In it TogetherIf you recognize yourself in the above – please take it as a tribute to the part that you play in making our club what it is. If you do not see yourself above – you have not been forgotten because the same plaudit applies. Our club is more than the sum of its parts and what makes it great is that we have all decided to join, to be ourselves and just do what we do. The Canoe-Camping Club is what the label says on the tin. We are good for canoeing and we are good for camping. But we are great for a lot more besides.

Please accept my thanks.

have now passed my allocated ‘Three Score Years and Ten’ though one of the group was old enough to be my mum so there are no prizes for guessing who that was.

We camped, paddled, chatted, shared treats and had a great time. But the golden moments for me were to hear of those epic paddles around the North-West of Scotland, competing in the DW and paddling across the channel umpteen times including both ways in one hit. You can’t do that sort of thing justice in a short paragraph. Suffi ce to say that it was my privilege to hear those tales fi rst-hand from the lady who just went out and did it.

Wh

at it

Say

s on

the

Tin


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SPRING 2016

Canoe-Camping CLub Youth

YOUR YOUTH SECTION NEEDS YOU!

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We are always on the look-out for volunteers to help run the youth section of The Canoe-Camping Club, but more importantly, we are on the look for more youth members! We have plenty of space for anyone aged 11-16 to join us.

At the national families meet in Hereford this year, we will have the youth camping area set out for anyone under the age of 16 to put up their tents for the week if you don’t wish to camp with your parents, and we will arrange some ad hoc youth activities too, including a youth run and wet games on the river.

The POD will be up with cards and games inside for rainy days, and will also be a quiet space for anyone wishing to do homework/revision between the hours of 5pm and 7pm.

We will host a cards night – those who have been before will know of the game speed/racing demons, so those wishing to play will need to bring a deck of cards EACH. Of course, if it’s glorious sunshine we shall try and fi gure out some other fun things to do too.

As always, we need volunteers to help run the CCY, so if you have any ideas for activities or wish to get involved, please let us know. If you would like any more information about CCY, how to become a youth member or any other queries, please feel free to contact Josie or Tommy at [email protected].

PHOTO COURTESY OF STUART MACLAREN

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR 2016

Day Paddles, Long & Short / Canoe Camp the Wye (if leader forthcoming) / Training: Canoe, kayak, safety Bring & try various boat and equipment types / Marquee for social use (barbeque and other activities)Campsite games, canoe sports, Bilge sale etc*Communal Barbeque Sunday 29th 7pm

Further details will be announced in update newsletters

The types of activities vary depending on the weather, river conditions being suitable and the availability of volunteers. The Meet relies on those with skills contributing – please let the organisers know if you are able to assist in training / run leading / organising “après-canoe” etc.

Those that have been before will be expected to assist with stewarding etc, if not otherwise contributing to running of the event.Offers of help by newcomers will be very welcome.Please note there are no Electric Hook ups on this site. Water, Dishwashing & CDP are available at the club house.Toilets and showers are available at the club house and Sea Cadets building

RETURN COMPLETED FORMS with payment toTim Wheeler3 Birch CloseSprotbroughDoncasterDN5 7JY

•Book only ONE pitch per form. Duplicate the form for extra pitches.•Complete the form and questionnaire fully.•Please do not send cash•Site opens 12pm. Friday 27th May, closes 6pm Friday 3rd June 2016•Refunds can only be provided after the event and will be at the discretion of the organising committee.

For Inquiries regarding the meet, or offers of help, contact Tim Wheeler - e-mail: [email protected] or phone 01302 645427

THE CANOE CAMPING CLUB INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL FAMILIES HOLIDAY MEET

HEREFORD ROWING CLUB 37 GREYFRIARS AVENUE, HEREFORD HR4 0BE

WWW.HEREFORDRC.CO.UKFRIDAY 27TH MAY TO FRIDAY 3RD JUNE 2016


PHOTOS BY TIM WATSON & CLIVE DS

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2016 will be the 25th time this event has run, some of us have been attending every year from the

early days and our children are now adults and some are now returning with their children. In 2015 it was great to have many newcomers to the meet, including some new families with very young children join us for their first time. The meet is very child friendly, but it is not compulsory to bring children, though ‘the child within’ certainly helps! The meet is suitable for all ages and levels of experience. For Beginners, or more experienced paddlers trying paddling with young children the meet is ideal, providing opportunities to develop new skills under the watchful eye of highly experiences members. Helping newcomers develop the skills to safely enjoy the sport is central to the event. Unlike activity centres, all coaching and leadership is provided free by suitably experienced members attending the meet. The result is a very low cost holiday, though due to being reliant upon voluntary leaders, we cannot guarantee particular activities will happen, but it is rare anyone leaves disappointed. Again for 2016 we have use of the Sea Cadets facilities which provide good facilities for families and young persons including Disabled/Parent & Child shower room. In addition, we have been assured that the, long overdue, improvements to the female facilities at the rowing club will have been completed. Having resumed responsibility for organising the event, after a break, 2015 was a time for review and we came away with lots of ideas for how to improve the event, in particular to revive the wet and dry games. Reverting to the Bring Your Own BBQ, using the Sea Cadets BBQ worked well and we will run with that option again this year. This year (hopefully a one off) the meet will Finish Friday Evening, instead of Sunday morning, due to The Rowing Club’s Regatta being at the weekend. It is usually a week later. This means we will have to condense the programme a little, but will have the weekend to recover! We look forward to seeing you at Hereford, all welcome, first timers regulars, all ages. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept under control, to avoid scaring children or conflict with other dogs. Any questions/queries, my contacts are in the front cove of the magazine. Tim Wheeler

SPRING 2016 14

CANOE-CAMPING CLUB – HEREFORD 2016BOOKING FORM

Family Name: C&CC Number:

Please tick if new to the meet Address: Post Code: Phone Number (optional):

E-mail (to receive meet information updates and queries)

We Intend to:Arrive on: time: Depart on:

C&C Club Unit or: Solo Lightweight Camper Tick one box

C&CC Unit consists of up to 2 Adults + children (5 -18). <18 CCY Members are only accepted if accompanied by a responsible adult.

Unit Type - please tick Caravan Motorhome Trailer tent Tent

Note: 1. You must be registered with the C&CC to book a unit.

2. Non-members may only camp with a member and must use the same unit as the full member. They must register and pay as temporary mem-bers if >18 and will also be charged as an additional person.

3. Non-family <18yrs will usually be charged the additional child rate.

4. Small Pup tents must be pitched with the main unit and must not be used for cooking.

Age If <18

Names Please include all persons attending

BCU Number If you have one

Coaching Qualifications/ Canoeing Standard


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EASTER

EASTIN THE

BY FRAN FAULKNER

SPRING 2016

18

With the unforeseen cancellation of this year’s Easter Meet, Bob and I decided to accept the Open Canoe

Association’s invitation to join them on the Norfolk Broads. We were not alone – Cherry and Geoff plus John and Margaret, had also chosen this alternative. Barton Turf Adventure Centre was to be our base for the weekend, with paddles planned on the nearby Barton Broad as well as further afield. Sadly storm Katie put paid to us venturing out onto open water and trips were organised on the more benevolent rivers. Friday saw Bob and me head off after, arriving and pitching our tent, for a brief journey from Barton Turf Staithe up the River Ant towards Sutton Staithe as the sun set. Saturday Bob decided that he would explore the area on foot, and I joined a group

paddling up the Dilham Canal. We lunched near a bridge, and turned to head for home as the head wind strengthened. Sunday was our final Norfolk paddle – we headed over to Wroxham with the group and explored the River Bure up towards Coltishall. At Belaugh, Bob and I decided we had gone far enough and stopped in the company of two friends from Song of the Paddle for our lunch at the Staithe. As we got back onto the water the heavens opened and a huge squall flung us back to the river bank. We sat hunkered down in our waterproofs as the horizontal rain stung our faces, waiting for it to abate. 5 minutes later the sun came out and we paddled back to the cars under blue skies, wondering whether we had dreamt the deluge! Monday saw us battening down the hatches and sitting out the storm – we were glad to have the classroom of the centre to take refuge in – then we parted company on Tuesday morning – Bob to Northamptonshire where he would visit relatives, whilst I headed south to the second half of my East Anglian adventure.I was to join a choir singing in St Edmundsbury Cathedral on the Friday, so made my way to a campsite at Isleham Fen, adjacent to the River Lark. Wikipedia has this to say about the Lark:

“The River Lark is a river in England that crosses the border between Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. It is a tributary of the River Great Ouse, and was extended when that river was re-routed as part of drainage improvements. It is thought to have been used for navigation since Roman times, and improvements were made in 1638 and in the early 18th century, when locks and staunches were built. The upper terminus was on the northern edge of Bury St Edmunds, but a new dock was opened near the railway station after the Eastern Union Railway opened its line in 1846. The navigation was officially abandoned in 1888, but despite this, commercial use of the river continued until 1928. Following acquisition by the Great Ouse Catchment Board, locks at Barton Mills and Icklingham were rebuilt in the 1960s, but were isolated when the A11 road bridge was lowered soon afterwards. It now has one operational lock at Isleham, and can be navigated to Jude’s Ferry.” So that was my next three days mapped out – I would be Larking about! Wednesday saw me heading upstream – I put in at Isleham Marina and headed for Isleham Lock – only to be thwarted in my intention to lock through by my lack of an EA key to get into the control cabinet. Having portaged I had a pleasant and uneventful paddle to the head of the navigation at Jude’s Ferry, then carried on to head further upstream. The current became stronger as I approached a disused lock. Just downstream of it lurked a white dragon and his mate – he was determined to drive me off his patch, hissing and thrusting at me. At one point he took off towards my boat with much loud flapping. Unperturbed I eddied out and broke open my antidote for angry swan – packed lunch. Breaking bread with the swans turned them from aggressive to friendly, and I was able to change into my dry trousers ready to wade up the staunch, dragging my boat behind me with no further threat. Not much later I came across another small weir – made of shuttering – and again climbed out of my boat to line it up. All too soon I reached my turning point – Mildenhall – and stopped for the rest of my lunch in the shade of the Mill building. The return trip with the not inconsiderable flow was achieved In half the time. Not far from Isleham I came across a riverside stone denoting the place where a famous preacher was baptised. I avoided the lock portage by paddling down the natural river until I came to the weir barrage.

THE CANOE-CAMPING CLUB - The club for canoeists who camp and campers who canoe

We are an active Section of The Camping and Caravanning Club, Greenfi elds House, Westwood Way, Coventry, CV4 8JH FOR MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT THE SECRETARY Fran Faulkner [email protected] The Canoe-Camping Club organises local day trips and weekend meets throughout the year, as well as longer holiday meets. You’ll fi nd outline details of the events for the year here. Some events such as the Easter Meet and the annual Families’ Holiday Meet are attended by members from all over the country. Members are welcomed on all meets. (Some of the more advanced trips may be restricted to experienced paddlers). This programme is an outline of proposed events for the calendar year 2016. Further details will be made available when events have been fi nalised in the quarterly magazine, the Canoe-Camper, distributed to members, via the website www.canoecampingclub.co.uk and via the ‘Pitch and Paddle’ Facebook group. Camping and Caravanning Club membership cards must be shown at all meets. Canoe-camping Club members should keep the Secretary informed whether they are current members of British Canoeing, Canoe Wales, The Scottish Canoe Association or the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland.

RUNS L IST 2016

16 -17 Apr ROYAL MILITARY CANAL & ROTHER Thames & SE16 - 17 Apr RIVER DEE Midlands17 Apr UPPER GREAT OUSE Herts & EA30 Apr - 2 May LAKE BALA Midlands + Dee & NW30 Apr -2 May 3 DEVON & SOMERSET CANALS West Country6 - 8 May SOLENT PADDLES West Country7 - 8 May THAMES CAMP Thames & SE8 May GREAT OUSE Herts & EA22 May RIVER MOLE Thames & SE27 - 30 May POOLE HARBOUR/JURASSIC COAST West Country28 May - 3 Jun RIVER WYE National Families’ Meet National11 - 12 Jun MONMOUTH/BRECON CANAL West Country18 - 19 Jun RIVER THAMES, OXFORD and Annual General Meeting National24 - 26 Jun NORTH NORFOLK Herts & EA25 Jun BRISTOL FLOATING HARBOUR West Country1 - 3 Jul RIVER NENE Herts & EA2 - 3 Jul RIVERS ARUN AND ADUR Thames & SE1 - 3 Jul NOTTINGHAM National Youth Rally Youth2 - 3 Jul GLOUCS/SHARPNESS CANAL West Country8 - 10 Jul RIVER NENE Midlands9 - 10 Jul ULLSWATER Dee & NW10 Jul THAMES TIDEWAY Thames & SE

16 - 17 Jul KENNET & AVON CANAL West Country24 Jul ST PATRICK’S STREAM Thames & SE14 Aug THAMES Thames & SE20 - 21 Aug RIVER WYE West Country27 - 30 Aug DEVON COAST West Country27 - 30 Aug SOUTH WALES Midlands28 Aug RIVER WEY Thames & SE4 Sep THAMES Thames & SE10 - 11 Sep RIVER AVON West Country11 Sep RIVER DEE Dee & NW17 - 18 Sep CHICHESTER HARBOUR Thames & SE17 - 18 Sep RIVER SEVERN Midlands24 - 25 Sep POOLE HARBOUR/JURASSIC COAST West Country2 Oct THAMES Thames & SE8 - 9 Oct NORFOLK BROADS Herts & EA6 Nov JUBILEE RIVER Thames & SE12 Nov RIVER IVEL Herts & EA13 Nov RIVER DOUGLAS Dee & NW27 Nov BASINGSTOKE CANAL Thames & SE11 Dec RIVER WEY Thames & SE11 Dec RIVER CHERWELL West Country11 Dec BRIDGWATER CANAL Dee & NW26 Dec RIVER DERWENT – Matlock Raft Race Midlands

For information please contact:Dee & North West

Brian Hamer, 7 Glastonbury Drive, Poynton, Stockport SK12 [email protected]

Herts & East Anglia

Pete Bradshaw, 4 Thirlmere Court, Felixstowe, IP11 [email protected]

Midlands

Simon Beeston, 11 Elston Hall Lane, Wolverhampton, WV10 [email protected]

Northern

Cherry Forrester, 121 Cardigan Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE6 [email protected]

Thames & South East

Robin Hickman, 32 Shepherds Way, Roffey, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 [email protected]

West Country

Paul Whitehead, 17 Whitley Crescent, Bicester, OX26 [email protected]

Canoe-camping Club Youth

Josie Faulkner, Flat J, Venita Manor, 317 Leigham Court Road, London, SW16 2RXTommy Faulkner, 23 Somerville Rd, Eton, Windsor, SL4 6PB

[email protected]

The Canoe-Camping Club is a national club for touring canoeists (and kayakers) and for those who like to combine canoeing/kayaking and camping. The Club caters for everyone, with a variety of meets round the country. Some are ideal for beginners whilst others challenge the more experienced paddler. Members are always glad to offer help and friendly advice to newcomers. All ages are welcome, and in particular the Club likes to encourage families Unless otherwise stated, inland trips are planned on relatively easy water. Conditions on coastal trips are less predictable. Distances depend on conditions and participants: organisers will advise, and also reserve the right to decide whether individuals may participate. It is often possible to organise shorter and easier trips for the less experienced.


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In 1993, the Canoe-Camping Club celebrated its sixtieth anniversary by organising an

international canoe-camping tour on the River Thames, starting at Lechlade and finishing at the Thames barrier. Although probably now long forgotten, the tour was awarded a silver cup by the International Canoe Federation for the best organised tour in the world. Today, I wonder what became of that cup? I am probably correct in stating that we are the only club in the British Canoe union to achieve this distinction. So what’s this got to do with Russia you may be thinking? Well, camping during the tour was on sites situated along the Thames. The tour attracted interest from overseas canoeists; surprisingly including a group of Russians. Due to technical problems, they missed the event. When the tour was over, feet up and relaxing in my armchair — just as I thought the dust had settled — my phone rang. A voice

said, “I am Oleg Zolatarev. We missed the tour.” My reply, “Yes, I know you did.” Oleg asked, “Can we visit England?” Me, “Sure you can, come in October. Bring friends if you like.” Local member of the Herts and East Anglia Section offered hospitality. Our national committee made a modest financial grant to defray the visitors sightseeing expenses. Eventually, five Russians arrived and we showed them the sights of London. The organisation of the original tour took a year and a half’s worth of my spare time. I discovered that my recent retirement could be hard work. There were endless negotiations with land owners: the ICF demanded certain protocols be met, talks with the police on security issues, and arrangements for visitors cars to be parked on secure army air bases at Abingdon. You must understand there is a lot of complex work when

organising for 200 people. The real plus was the generous assistance given by other club members. After the new friends returned, I continued to correspond with Oleg. He insisted that I visit Russia, and promised that he would organise camping and sightseeing. I have to confess that in my sixty two years of camping in various parts of Europe, Russia would never have featured high on my list. In a moment of weakness, I decided to accept the invitation.So it was in 1995 that I flew into Moscow’s Domodedova airport. Oleg and his friends were there to greet me. They said as a special visitor, the occasion warranted a traditional welcoming ceremony. This consisted of white buttered rolls (incidentally the only white bread and butter I saw in Russia). The food was naturally accompanied by obligatory glasses of vodka — all celebrations are accompanied by vodka. Our destination

HI THERE MEMBERS!

A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD PEN A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE C-CC OF EARLIER TIMES. IN DEFERENCE TO SENSIBILITIES, I SHALL NOT REVEAL WHO THAT WAS. HOWEVER, IF YOU EXPECT TO READ TALES OF DERRING DO I’M AFRAID THAT YOU ARE

DOOMED TO DISAPPOINTMENT.

THE RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE PART 1

BY DAVE BALL

SPRING 2016

22

was Tula, and after a considerable discussion, there seemed to be a consensus on the best road to take. I then learned that when Russians are trying to make a decision, it’s accompanied by lots of discussion and advice, which can be extremely time consuming. Tula lies to the south of Moscow, and soon I discovered that the car was devoid of any functioning suspension — a condition shared by all the Russian cars I encountered thereafter. On the motorway, our driver steered a continuous, violent and erratic course to avoid the numerous huge pot holes. During my stay, I was told that Gogol (a famous Russian author) is reputed to have said “Russia has two problems…fools and bad roads.” The man also had a capacity for understatement: I can add a few to that list. We were fortunate to be driven by a skilled and brave driver. Another surprise was there were no petrol stations. It was sold from roadside tankers and measured from large metal jugs via a funnel. Because of the complete absence of parking places, lorries were parked in groups wild west fashion by the road. This was a safety precaution as isolated vehicles were frequently the prey of criminal gangs. We were also stopped by heavily armed police, passports and papers had to be shown. Russia was having a few problems with Chechnya, or was it the other way around? I stayed with Oleg and his family, this being a totally new cultural experience. Breakfast consisted of chewy gritty porridge made from buckwheat, which Oleg explained made men strong! God knows what it did to the women? The gruel was paired with black bread and homemade jam, no margarine. I thought the consistency of the bread made it unnecessary to clean my teeth. Tea was dispensed from a traditional Samovar, no milk, and I couldn’t help but wonder what affect this diet would have on my diabetes. During the holiday I lost half a stone in weight. I enquired about the possibility of a shower, but was informed that that their unique gas heating system was dangerously temperamental and likely to explode. It seemed better not to antagonize the technology. It dawned on me that that for people living in Russia, life could pose a lot of problems. My host took me to see the sights, that was, sights that could be classified as a credit to the system. Leninsky (our village) had an excellent large theatre, an elaborate sports

complex and a nursery where young children took part in social activities. The colour used to decorate was predominantly red. All these amenities were on a grand scale, far in excess of what you would find in a traditional English village. I asked if there was a supermarket. Oleg pointed to a building but said there was nothing to be seen inside. It seemed prudent and best not to pursue the matter. Russia at the time was adjusting to the collapse of communism and the introduction of a free market economy. The residential area comprised of blocks of flats, the standard construction abysmal, the designs totally without imagination. The maintenance virtually non-existent. The majority of stairs I encountered had steps missing and banisters floating, and on footpaths unprotected metre deep holed. This

was going to be an adventure, and at times you needed you have your wits about you! In every house the furnishings were of similar design, and seemed that there was very little choice. If the state factories decided to manufacture a particular product, that’s what you bought. A few days later, I was introduced to Irena, a student who was studying English who had been co-opted to help on

the holiday. I asked if we could go on another tour of Leninsky. I wanted to get answers to my questions, so my strategy was keep asking until the truth emerged. After my arrival, the village was buzzing with the news about a strange Englishman continually looking at things and asking questions.“Could I look inside the supermarket please,” I asked.We did. The shelves were half empty, with no imagination to the display. The labels on the food were all of a similar design, and in the butchery section was heaps of frozen meat in unrecognizable shapes and sizes. Now I understood everything! We also visited a store owned by two young men selling TVs and household goods. When they discovered I was from England they wanted to compare prices and represented a new generation sailing on unchartered waters. Irena kept apologising for the condition of her home village, and I think she was embarrassed. She also quietly confessed that she was in the midst of a plan to move to America, where she had heard it was possible to enjoy a better life — what a brave girl. Most small villages in Russia have

“IN A MOMENT OF WEAKNESS, I DECIDED

TO ACCEPT THE INVITATION. SO IT WAS

IN 1995 THAT I FLEW INTO MOSCOW...”


23 24

husband who was a Colonel in the army. One of his functions was to train the army Judo team, and explained that at the teams inception, there was no information about this activity in the country, so they had to import text booked from America. He also asked “What did the English do in the Great Patriotic War?”Obviously the communist propaganda of the time had totally air brushed Britains contribution, so with the wife’s linguistic assistance, he had a history lesson on the conflict in which both our countries shared. The Great Patriotic War on 1995 was still a major event people lives. Russia lost 28 million people, the majority of whom starved to death. And we thought we had it hard!

Dear reader, Perhaps you may have shocked when reading this account. Please remember that it’s in the year 1995: most people in Russia had free gas, a free flat, there was little expenditure on the town infrastructure, and threw most of their rubbish in the forest…you know about the roads. Average wages were £5 a month and the Rouble was 48 to the £1. Undoubtedly the plus side of my visit was the people. Friendly, generous and incredibly hospitable: prepared to help the unknown stranger. A secretive people, and sadly fatalistic in their belief that their situation can never be changed. In the following years when I visited my Russian friends, I recognized signs of improvement. Bosch and AEG washing machines were to be found in their shops and some of the wooden log houses started to abandon the earth toilets at the bottom of the garden. I like to think that on occasions when Russian friends would visit me, it opened up their horizons, and vice versa.

an impressive war memorial, complete with a perpetual flame dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. Leninsky’s was exceptionally large, containing the names of hundreds of local men who died when Hitler invaded Russia. Standing there was a moving experience and a time of extreme sadness. Next to the memorial was a new Othodox Church which had been lavished in the finest artwork and carvings, a stark contrast to the construction of the rest of the village. So far, not much about canoe-camping, but Russia was a complete experience and probably something which the average tourist never sees. Friends took me to visit Yasnaya Polyana, Count Leo Tolstoy’s estate, where he wrote one of his greatest books War and Peace. It was an impressive museum with all of the Count’s effects carefully preserved. The guide explained that he did not get on with his wife, but they had thirteen children. Even for the Russian women in the area, enough was enough. We the walked through the woods to his grave, which was a simple grass covered mound of earth without any memorial; just a bunch of red flowers deposited by someone unknown. It seemed incongruous that this was the final resting place of a world famous man. Tula is the centre for arms production, mining and where most Russian Samovars are made. IT’s Kremlin is well preserved and is popular with visitors, and has an arms museum dedicated to all manner of guns. The first Kalashnikov is on display, with comments from the inventor who it’s reputed that when he learned how it was being used, wished he had invented the lawn mower. Later in the week, I met with another English speaker, who would take me to see the regional art gallery had it not been closed. The entrance was an incredible sight though, with it’s front steps still intact. So we went back to her flat for tea, where I was introduced to her

“SO FAR, NOT MUCH ABOUT CANOE-CAMPING, BUT RUSSIA WAS A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE AND PROBABLY SOMETHING WHICH THE AVERAGE

TOURIST NEVER SEES.”

SPRING 2016

24

The race was based at Woodmill Activity Centre by kind permission of Neil Adcock the Operations Manager. A number of the paddlers that had never been to the centre before variously said “It is like H.G. Wells lost world but with canoes and other exciting kit rather than dinosaurs!” whilst others compared it to “A mini paradise”. It was great to see so many activities, e.g. kayaking and canoeing on the lake, river sluice pool and River Itchen and on the grounds, climbing, jenga but with crates and a person trying to stay on top (with a harness on) wild life talks etc., going on for people of all ages and abilities alongside the WWR race and everyone having fun. The Wild Water race started from just above

Mansbridge and raced down to Woodmill Bridge on the River Itchen and provided a good spectacle for the many members of the public walking along the path alongside the River. The race was held over two runs of 0.5miles. Hamble Sea Scout leader John Dyke gasped after he finished his second run “It is a long way to sprint!” 20 paddlers with an age range of 9 to 77 raced, a tribute to the sport where all ages can participate. Dr Selwyn Richards took the Men’s WWR class, with Richard Davis aged 77, 14 seconds behind in second place; Susan Templeton taking the honours in the Ladies WWR class. In the Open class raced by K1’s (with rudders to

steer) Richard Johns won the Men’s and daughter Poppy aged 11 the Ladies. Hamble Sea Scouts raced in force and produced some good results in both classes. There are a number of WWR and open races as part of a series taking place in the South with the next one being at Manor Farm Country park on 8 May 2016, followed by a WWR race run with the Winchester ranking Division 4 slalom on 15 May 2016 and then the Hamble River Raid http://www.hambleriverraid.com/ (including a ranking WWR race) on 21 May 2016, see http://www.wildwater.org.uk for details. For K1 racing see www.southamptoncc.co.uk/ based from Woodmill Activity Centre http://www.woodmill.co.uk/

WOODMILL ON THE RIVER ITCHEN WILD WATER RACEBY SUSAN TEMPLETON

ENDLESS RIVERMAIL ORDER SPECIALISTS

Tel. 01905 640003Please contact us for your free colour brochure.

All the accessories you need for canoes, kayaks and yourselfP.O. Box 699, Worcester, WR2 6ZL

E-mail [email protected]

Interested in the history of your craft?

Paddles Past is the quarterly journal of the Historic Canoe and Kayak Association.

Go to: hcka.org.uk for details.

25


The Canoe Camping CLub agm18 - 19 Jun

RIVER THAMES, OXFORD

Hi, I’m Corvette, a general purpose lightweight kayak used to the sea, rivers, lakes and occasional canals.I’ve had an exciting life having paddled all over the place, but especially the coasts and islands of the Southwest, South and Scotland.Sadly, I’m now looking for an enthusiastic paddler with whom to end my days (which will be a long time yet!) as my friend Rona has rusty knees and hips that won’t fit into my cockpit.Please come and collect me . . . I’m FREE!!Hope to see you on the water.Corvette”The statistics for the Corvette 1974 are as follows:•Overall length 13’ 11”•Internal cockpit width 15”•Internal cockpit length 28”•Orange fibreglass deck•Hull of diolen for light weight and strength•2 rudders (one never used or needed) with foot pedals•Adjustable foot rests•Buoyancy blocks fore and aft with inflatable buoyancy bags•Deck lines•Reed spraydeck•Cockpit cover•Handles well on rivers and sea•Stored under cover.Rona Cave, 13 Guest Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset BH16 5LQ ph. 01202 624 123

You can now follow us on twitter to keep up to date with all things Canoe Camping Club! Just type in @canoecampermag and click follow!

Did you know that Canoe-Camper is now online? The magazing is exclusively on issuu.com and is downloadable on android and apple products. Join us now on Facebook for an exclusive digital colour copy.

www.facebook.com/groups/162317170629300/

Seen a thing? Been on a trip? Have you got any access information, safety tips, extra runs, something for sale, information about the club,

photographs, or even any tidbits?

Send them to [email protected] by 26th June.

We can’t have a newsletter without your contributions!

I am writing with regards to my late grandfather Percy Blandford.

He wrote his Autobiography when he was 95 but never got around to publishing it as, in his own words “Who

would want to read it”.!I promised I would get his life story published and I’m excited to say that his memoirs A Life Full of Hobbies is

now available. Only 500 copies have been printed and I have sold many

worldwide. The book can be purchased directly from me via my email address, The

book is £12.95 + First class uk P&P £4.95.

If you would like any more information please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]

26

SPRING 2016

WITH 8/10 MEMBERS CHOOSING TO RENEW THEIR POLICIES,

ISN’T IT TIME YOU GAVE US A TRY?

KEEP YOU AFLOAT

SMALL CRAFT INSURANCE WITH CLUB CARE

0800 975 1646 CLUBCAREINSURANCE.COM

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Club Care Insurance Services is a trading name licensed to Vantage Insurance Services Limited (“VISL”) by The Camping and Caravanning Club. VISL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 311541).

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Documents

The Canoe Camper Spring 2016 #305