Hereward Spring 2010

PETERBOROUGH BRANCH

HEREWARD

www.iwapeterborough.org.uk The IWA charity registered number 212342

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Peterborough Branch. They are, however,

published as being of interest to our members and readers

Dramatic Sunset over the Water

SPRING 2010

Cover photo: John Revell

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Alastair Chambers

I know it’s a cliché but it really does seem like only 5 minutes since I wrote

my last piece, time is flying. Since then the Committee organised the annual Christ-

mas social, which was an outstanding success, enjoyed by around 40 people, who all

seemed to enjoy our mix of fun and jollity as well as the now traditional pass the parcel. The Branch is always up too something and this year we will be running our May Day

Bill Fen Do, courtesy of John & Lyn. Head Office have been busy, the S.O.S. cam-

paign is gathering pace and as you read this it is not too late to contact your MP and

protest about the cuts to EA’s navigation budget. This will have an impact on ‘frontline’

services. We have only a short window of opportunity to get MP’s to listen, as once the

election has been held no doubt it will be business as usual again. I make absolutely no apology for returning to the subject of numbers and bodies. It is

a sad fact that your committee is not superhuman, and we need more people to help

share the load of running the Branch, organising events, a social programme and attend-

ing meetings with a range of interested parties. You do not necessarily need to sit as a

full committee member, any time you could give, or any skills you have could all help

lighten the load. Please do not be backward at coming forward, we need helpers for

Bill Fen, we need anyone who wants to contribute. Being Region Chairman as well does mean I get a wider view and I can say that our

situation is not unique, we are all busy people and it is always easy to think that some-

one else will do it, sadly we don’t have enough other people. We have lost Norwich

Branch, I don’t want to lose any others!

On a brighter note the Committee have decided to focus our efforts on improving

facilities around the Middle Level and fundraising will be dedicated to that end. See you all soon.

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

O nce again the Branch will be holding it’s by now legendary May Holiday Boules

& Barby at Bill Fen Marina (courtesy of John & Lyn Shotbolt). Although details

are scarce those of you who have survived previous years have a good idea of the ba-

sics.

Entertainment starts on the Friday evening (April 30th) when the bar will be open,

times to be advised.

Saturday will see the usual jollity, fun and games, with again evening entertainment.

Sunday Barby, Beer and more jollity. As ever we will need help and assistance, be it

behind the bar, helping with games or even restocking the loo’s. Any offers please con-

tact Mickey Slaughter.

This is our main fundraiser of the year and we are trying to get moorings around the

system as well as our ongoing titanic struggles with the byzantine complexity that is the

EA. All things that will benefit as local amenities for local boaters. We need your sup-

port and trust we will see you there.

BILL FEN ‘DO’

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ROUND-UP

Charges Increase In the last issue I reported that the national increase in navigation charges had been set

at 3.3%. I also pointed out that such an increase imposed across all three Regions

would see yet a further increase in the imbalance between the charges paid by boaters

in Anglia region and those in other regions. Towards the end of last year a proposal

was put to reduce the rate of increase on Anglia region to start to address that imbal-

ance. In the event the EA Directors totally rejected the proposal. They were more

impressed by the fact that if the increase in Anglia were frozen [so that the 3.3% in-

crease was not imposed at all] it would cost the Agency about £50,000 in lost fees at a

time when every penny counted. Quite apart from the fact that we had not asked to

have the full increase remitted the Directors clearly believed that to grab every last

penny from boaters in an already over- charged region was more important than any

issues of justice or fairness. Waterways Finances 2010/11 There has been a substantial cut in the Grant in Aid payable to the Anglia Region in the

next financial year. This year the total budget for the region is about £5.1m. It is ex-

pected that the year on year reduction in income in the next financial year will be of the

order of £476k. i.e. approaching one tenth of the overall budget. We have been assured

that the capital budget will be the same as in the current year. It is the revenue budget

which will bear all the cuts. What is planned is that a number of appointments either to

planned additional posts or to fill currently vacant posts will not be made. This will be

coupled with a reduction in maintenance works. What all this means is that as you

navigate about the system you are likely to notice a reduction in service levels. That

the country generally is in a financial mess is no secret; that the Agency is forced to

make such cuts is not therefore a surprise.

This news does, however, underline the necessity to support the IWA SOS 2010

Campaign.

Strategic Priorities for Water Related Recreation in Eastern England This is the title of a Plan which is shortly to be launched formally. It was produced by

Brighton University and was managed by a steering committee including British Wa-

terways, the Agency, Natural England and Sport England. It is potentially of some

importance. If a planning department is faced with an application for permission it is

likely to be to this document that it will turn to establish what waterway recreational

assets are deemed important by those responsible for such matters and what plans those

bodies might have. Planning departments are likely to proceed on the basis that if as-

sets/ plans are not recorded in this document they are not important. Against that back-

ground I pointed out at the last meeting that the Plan contained a list of Strategic Wa-

ters. The Plan says that “a number of current waters in the region have such strategic

significance that their recreational and conservation value needs to be recognised”. It

then goes on to list them. In the list are the Broads, the Ouse and the Nene – but there

is no mention of the Middle Levels.

We are talking about a system that provides over 100 miles of navigation, the navigable

link route between the Ouse and the Nene and miles of channel where angling can be

pursued, to say nothing of the numerous opportunities for casual walking and other in-

formal recreation. It has either within its area or nearby a number of sites of social dep-

rivation. All this has been ignored by the steering committee and those who drew up the

Plan. At the recent meeting there was a report from the Agency’s Regional Strategy

Unit. In relation to the Plan it was stated in terms that “whilst any identified factual

inaccuracies could be addressed, further amendments would be inappropriate”. As the

omission of the Middle Levels was not a matter of fact but a policy decision we were

being told in effect that even if the Plan was wrong it was not going to be changed. This

was totally unacceptable to the Group which as a result rejected both the Agency report

and the original Plan. We will now have to see what, if anything, develops.

Great Ouse Tidal Strategy All of you will be only too aware of the long-term problem of the silted state of the

Tidal Ouse between Denver Sluice and Salters Lode lock. A review of the strategy for

the management of this area has been under way for several years. Tony Harrison, one

of the IWA’s consultation engineers has been sitting on the Technical Advisory Group

involved in this process. The draft of the proposed Strategy for the future was published

for consultation in the autumn of 2009 and to this the IWA responded.

At that stage the Agency had intended to address the silting of the tidal Ouse by alter-

ing the draw mark at Earith to allow more water down the New Bedford to help achieve

a flushing effect and by repairing the 3 little eyes and increasing the water retention

level in the Ely Ouse by 0.2m. to achieve a flushing effect through those eyes.

It had been admitted that these steps in themselves would do no more than hold the pre-

sent level. In addition the Agency proposed to wait for a major event (defined as two

wet winters) to kick start the removal of siltation. It was thought that such an event

would reduce the bed by about a metre and once this had been achieved the above two

steps should maintain that reduced level. The Agency’s solution to the siltation problem

therefore amounted to little more than to await an “Act of God”: if He would not help

us nobody else (least of all the Agency) would!

From the address to the Navigation Group it became apparent that it was no longer

planned even to alter the draw mark and that this element of the Strategy would not be

pursued. As to the Ely Ouse the intention was still to maintain an increased head of

0.2m. but the Agency also intended to explore whether it might be possible to have a

higher head. In that connection it was reported that the third eye which had not been

repaired in the autumn was still not working. While the Agency had tried to bring it

back into operation it had broken down twice and the Agency was still trying to make it

operational.

In its consultation response the IWA had pressed hard that the bed ploughing which

had been tried and found successful in the run up to the “National” at St. Ives in 2007

should be reinstated. Others proposed this solution or simple dredging. Despite the fact

that the number of steps proposed by the Agency to tackle the problem of siltation had

actually been reduced from that set out at the time of the consultation it was indicated

that there was still no intention of dredging or ploughing the river or taking other such

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£7.95

action. The reasons given were either that the steps did not work or cost too much. In

short the proposals of the IWA and others made in the consultation process have been

ignored.

There was at the Group meeting very strong criticism of the Agency stance but no

movement was forthcoming. Meanwhile the bed of the Ouse at this point is about

1.3m. higher than was the case in 1975.

The Old Bedford/ Old Bedford Sluice/ Welches Dam Lock One of the main reasons that passage through the Old Bedford and the Sluice is so dif-

ficult is that the approach channel to the Sluice is silted and has to be dredged before a

passage can be made. Options to improve the passage along the Old Bedford via the

Sluice are being made and developments are awaited.

As to Welches Dam the bad news is that expenditure approval for the repair to the

lock referred to in the last edition of Hereward was refused by the EA and the engi-

neers are required to go away and do further research. Revised plans will not be put

before the appropriate committee until April so that permission to proceed will be de-

layed until then at least. From this it can be seen that at present there is no guarantee

that the lock will be repaired, as had been expected, in the coming financial year.

There is due to be a report back meeting on all the above issues at the beginning of

March.

Nigel Long

6

STUART HOLMESSTUART HOLMES

BOAT SAFETY EXAMINATIONSBOAT SAFETY EXAMINATIONS

PETERBOROUGH BOATING CENTRE

Chandlery Diesel - Calor

73 NORTH STREET

STANGROUND, PETERBOROUGH

Tel: 01733 566688

7

Mill Drove, Ramsey

Cambs. PE26 2RD Tel: 01487 813621 [email protected] www.billfenmarina.com

Moorings occasionally available,

£11.25 per foot per year + VAT, if paid annually.

Slipway for bottom blacking from £100.00

Chandlery, Fuel, Gas, Toilets, Shower

We stock Rylard & Craftmaster Paints, Anodes, Coflex,

Rust Konverta, Incralac etc.

BRANCH MEETINGS PROGRAMME - 2009/10

17 Mar 2010 AGM - with address by Region Chairman, Alastair Chambers followed by ‘Up the Cut’ - songs & tales by Derek Harris.

21 Apr 2010 Peter Carter—Eel Catcher— This season’s Meetings Programme concludes with an insight into the life cycle of these fascinat-ing creatures.

All meetings held at the Peterborough & District Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton Street, Peterborough PE1 5HA commencing at 7.30pm

Members & Non-members Welcome

If any member has any ideas for topics or knows of any interesting speakers for next season’s programme please let any member of the committee know

8

PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS

Unit 3C

Cromwell Business Centre

New Road, St Ives PE27 5BG

Tel: (01480) 462150

Fax: (01480) 493309

E-mail: [email protected]

Web:www.srobb.co.uk

Contact Ray Whitby

O ur speaker for the November Meeting was Mary Powell of the Lincolnshire

Waterways Partnership which is made up of Lincolnshire CC, British Waterways

and the Environment Agency.

The Partnership was established in 2002 to implement the Lincolnshire Waterways

Regeneration Strategy and has been very successful in securing funding for a range of

waterway related projects. The projects have included the development of Fiskerton

Fen as a nature reserve, the provision of canoe facilities at Surfleet Seas End and de-

velopment of the Water Rail Way which is a 33 mile long off-road trail for walkers and

cyclists along the route of a former railway line between Lincoln and Boston. Funds

have also been secured for restoration work on the bottom lock of the Slea Navigation,

a slipway at Sleaford and provision of a mooring on the Grantham Canal to allow the

operation of a public trip boat.

Perhaps of greatest interest to Branch members was Mary’s report on the progress of

the Fens Waterways Link and the successful completion of the new lock and access

facilities to the Black Sluice at Boston. This is the first phase of the project to link the

major rivers of the East of England by a navigable route and work has now com-

menced on the design of the next phase to link Boston with Spalding. Mary acknowl-

edged that she had received tremendous support from the Partners in achieving the

successes so far, particularly Lincolnshire CC and hoped that the neighbouring Coun-

cils on the route for the remaining sections of the link would take up the initiative gen-

erated to ensure the project is completed. Whilst being modest about her own input

into the achievements so far, the meeting was left with the view that her drive and en-

thusiasm had been a key role in those successes.

A ndy Stacy gave us an insight into the tribulations of boating in the wide open sea

with a tale of a voyage he and three colleagues made some years ago across the

North Sea to the Kiel Canal and Hamburg. They set sail in two boats which by today’s

standards were fairly basic and left Surfleet intending to take two weeks for the trip.

Bad weather meant it was four weeks before they returned to their berths. Strong

winds of force 7 and 8 meant they had to repeatedly seek safe havens along the coast of

north Germany and Holland and on making the return crossing to The Wash, they were

blown off course and made landfall near the Suffolk coast. This meant a final coastal

sail northwards back to home on the Glen.

For members with nerves about the Nene in strong stream, the views of the heaving

seas and the massive ships they had to share locks with were awe inspiring. The lim-

ited facilities and equipment on board the boats were also an eye-opener for inland

boaters used to the ‘floating cottage’ narrowboat.

After the formal presentation Andy gave members an insight into working the charts

and the basics of plotting a course which was very interesting for those more familiar

with Pearsons and Imray guides.

9

BRANCH WINTER MEETINGS

TALES OF A SALT WATER SAILOR January Meeting

NovemberMeeting

10

Suppliers of quality components · Federal Mogul Pistons & Rings · Payen Gaskets & Seals · Æ Bearings

CRANK REGRINDING · VALVE CUTTING · REBORING SURFACE GRINDING

ENGINE RECONDITIONERS Specialists in Petrol & Diesel engine rebuilds for marine, car & commercial applications, including cylinder head refurbishment, crack & pressure testing

Monsal Works, Somersham Road, St Ives, Cambs PE27 3LY · Tel 01480 462111

WELCOME!

The Branch wishes a warm welcome to the following new members:-

We look forward to seeing you at some of the Branch events which are announced in

this and future editions of Hereward.

Mr G Brown St Neots

Mr L Clayton Stamford

Ms S Crampin Huntingdon

Mr P Stebbing Thrandeston

Mr P Fleming Deeping St James

Ms M Futter Holbeach

Mr M Rowe St Ives

Ms J Ward Holbeach

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O n Sunday 17 January 2010 a novice boater, who was attempting to

navigate in Strong Stream conditions became trapped long-ways on against the

bridge at Irthlingborough on the River Nene, sparking a major rescue operation. It

took Environment Agency staff and several fire crews, including a specialist water

rescue team, more than three hours to turn the 65ft narrowboat to enable it to pass

safely under the bridge. At one stage, the force of the water against the craft and its

position against the bridge forced an attempt to winch it free to be abandoned because

the boat was in danger of tipping over. [See the photo inside the back cover].

Recent rain and snow melt had lead to a rise in water levels and flows and we had

issued Strong Stream Advice the day before the incident warning against navigating

on the River Nene. For one reason or another, in this case, this advice was not heeded.

It is vital that people know the state of the river before taking to it in their boats – it

could make the difference between life and death. In this particular case, the boat had

travelled only a few hundred yards downstream from where it had been moored before

the strong current swung the boat round and forced it against the bridge.

I am urging Nene Boaters to sign up for a free service to receive Strong Steam Advice

(SSA) from us and then listen to the advice we give. You can choose to have messages

sent to mobile phones, landlines, or receive texts or email alerts. Messages are sent at

any time of the day or night.

I would also like to ask for your help in trying to ensure that as many boaters who are

new to the Nene as possible are also aware of this free service. Until we have a lock

keeper in place at Northampton as part of the marina development it is possible that

people can come onto the Nene from the canal network without fully understanding

the characteristics of a river navigation and the dangers associated with strong stream.

If you happen to talk to anybody new to navigating the River Nene I would be grateful

if you could take the opportunity to explain to them how they can receive Strong

Stream Advice.

To receive an SSA registration form, please email mandy.doolan@environment-

agency.gov.uk. Alternatively, call the SSA line for pre-recorded updates at any time.

Call 0845 and choose option 1, followed by 032112 for the River Nene. To get infor-

mation on the River Great Ouse, follow option 1 with 033211, or for the Ancholme,

dial 031212.

SIGN UP TO A SERVICE WHICH COULD SAVE

YOUR LIFE! by Sue Cant

We hope you will please support our advertisers in return for the

valuable support they give to the Branch in making this publication possible.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Eastern Region of

the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Thursday 18th March 2010 at

8.00p.m. at the Milton Community Centre, Milton, Cambridge.

AGENDA

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 13th February 2009

3. Matters Arising from those Minutes

4. Chairman’s Report

5. Election of Committee Members (see notes below)

Notes: [following the amendment of Region Byelaws which have come into force on

14/3/09]

a) The Chairman of the Region is elected by separate ballot and the Chairmen of

each of the Branches within the Region are members of the Region Committee

ex officio. This is an election for the remaining members of the committee.

b) There is no limit to the number of members of that committee.

c) The period of office of the following elected members of the Region committee

comes to an end at the 2010 AGM namely, John Hodgson, Nigel Long, Paul Strudwick

and Peter Webb. All are eligible to stand for re-election. David King and Stuart

Thurston were co-opted during the year and their period of co-option expires at the

2010 AGM. Both are eligible to stand for re-election.

d) It is no longer necessary for those who wish to be elected to the committee to

be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so. Con-

sent from members of the Region who wish to stand for election at the AGM 2010

must be deposited with the Region Secretary [Nigel Long, 7 Georgian Court, Peter-

borough PE3 6AF or by e-mail at [email protected]] before the start of the

Annual General Meeting.

CONSENT FORM

I agree to stand for election to the Eastern Region committee at the 2010 Annual

General Meeting. I am a member of Eastern Region.

(Sign) ___________________ Print Name ___________________

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EASTERN REGION AGM

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Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Peterborough

Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Wednesday 17th

March 2010 at the Peterborough and District Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton

Street, Peterborough at 7.30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2009

3. Matters Arising from those Minutes

4. Chairman’s Report

5. Presentation and Adoption of the Branch Accounts for the year to 31/12/09

6. Election of Committee Members (see notes below)

Notes: [following the amendment of Branch Byelaws dated 12/5/09]

a) There is no longer any limit to the number of members of the committee

b) Under the 3-year rule Graham Baughn, Alastair Chambers, Carole Chambers,

John Dudley, Nigel Long, Michael Slaughter and David Venn will retire at

the forthcoming AGM. All are eligible for re-election.

c ) It is no longer necessary for those who wish to be elected to the committee

to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so.

Consents from members of the Branch who wish to stand for election at the

AGM 2010 must be deposited with the Branch Secretary [Nigel Long 7 Geor-

gian Court, Peterborough PE3 6AF or by email at [email protected]] before

the start of the Annual General Meeting.

CONSENT FORM

I agree to stand for election to the Peterborough Branch committee at the 2010 Annual

General Meeting. I am a member of Peterborough Branch.

(Sign) ___________________ Print Name ___________________

PETERBOROUGH BRANCH AGM

Brian W. Smith

Marine Surveyor

Pre-Purchase Surveys

Valuations—Insurance Surveys

CE Compliance for Home Builds

Boat Safety Examinations

Engine Evaluation & Condition

Ultra-sound

Osmosis Assessment

Gas System Surveys

Member of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners - Gas Safe Reg. YDSA

Contact Brian on:

Tel: 01354 680341

Mobile: 07887 781649

E-mail:

[email protected]

14

The Branch has decided to focus its efforts for this year on two main objectives. The

first is the Welches Dam/Old Bedford saga, the second is to improve the facilities on

the Middle Level, with particular regard to moorings. So this year we start on Good

Friday by meeting at Three Holes. Ideally by the gauging station where we think a

mooring would be good or back by the road bridge where the bank is lower. Wander

up to the Red Hart lunchtime-ish. The pub has recently reopened under new and keen

owners who want to encourage boaters and experience the benefits that we can bring

(A thirst!). After that we run down to Stonea, with possibly a stop by the staunch where the

drain runs toward Chatteris, another possible mooring site. After cocoa and an early

night we head for Horseways on Saturday morning, aiming to be at the Lock for a

photo call at midday. The 40 foot awaits as we cruise down to The George for Satur-

day night. Sunday is a trip to Floods Ferry for Lunchtime, Remi is cooking Sunday roasts. If

you want to eat then you must ring Remi or Tamsin on 01354 677302 to book lunch.

Remember its cash only. If the weather forecast is kind we leave to go back to the

junction and up toward Angle Corner, aiming for the Turves road bridge, yet another

potential mooring site. If the weather is bad then we can stay at Floods.Ferry and go

our separate ways Monday. This is an ‘Official’ IWA cruise, covered by event insurance, so you will need an en-

try form, these are available for me, either phone, write or email and I’ll send you one. Returned forms by 28th March please, hopefully this will be well supported and we can

beat our record of 14 boats.

EASTER CRUISE - arranged by Alastair Chambers

Email: [email protected]

15

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION Peterborough Branch

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

CHAIRMAN: Alastair Chambers 52 Hereward Way, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8QB

Tel: 01778 344438 e-mail: [email protected]

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN & SALES OFFICER: Graham Baughn PO Box 15, 10 Marina Drive, March, Cambs PE15 0AU


SECRETARY: Nigel Long 7 Georgian Court, Peterborough PE3 6AF


TREASURER: Michael Slaughter 45 Elstone, Orton Waterville, Peterborough PE2 5JZ


MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Carole Chambers 52 Hereward Way, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8QB


EDITOR: Philip Halstead, 20 Cane Avenue, Peterborough PE2 9QT Tel: 01733 348500 e-mail: [email protected]

John Dudley, 1 Bellmans Road, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1TY

Tel: 01733 202581

Roger Mungham Boatmans Cottage, Workhouse Lane, Upwell, Wisbech PE14 9ET


David Biggs, Evelines, 85 High Street, Chatteris PE16 6MP Tel: 01354 696956 e mail: [email protected]

Roger Sexton, 2 Shaw Drive, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 9TB

Tel: 01354 652329

David Venn, Bruffs Lodge, High Street, Nordelph, Downham Market PE38 0BL

Tel: 01366 324102 e-mail:[email protected]

Richard Fairman, The Old Railway House, Cowbit,

Spalding, Lincs PE12 0XD Tel: 01406 380575

16

The dangers of river navigation in flood conditions were demonstrated in January when a narrowboat was forced against this bridge and an emergency rescue operation was required as described by Sue Cant on page 11. The Environment Agency are requesting all Nene and Ouse boaters to register for the automatic issue of Strong

Stream advice by contacting [email protected] or by phoning the EA as outlined in Sue’s article. Do it now—it could save your life!

At other times a lack of water is

a problem for boaters and here we look back on some of the tribula-tions from last years attempt by members of the Branch to gain access to the Old Bedford River via the tidal doors. A landscape of mud and some vigorous use of the pole are seen in these views. It was all to no avail as the attempt proved fruitless.

Alastair gives details of the Easter Cruise in this issue when we will take campaigning to more frequently used waters around the Middle Levels in the hope these experi-ences will not be repeated.

Hereward Spring 2010

Documents

Transcript of Hereward Spring 2010