Winter 2011/12 Edition

WATERWITCH MAGAZINE OF THE

LANCASTER CANAL TRUST

Number 148

The Lancaster Canal Trust (Registered Charity No.240957)

Affiliated to the Inland Waterways Association

http://www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk/

A wonderfully tranquil photo of the Lune Aqueduct as

the stonework gets a facelift

2

EVENTS 2012

21st April Coffee Morning Garstang

25th April IWA Meeting (see advert page 6 )

5th/7th May Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, London

26th/27th May Country Fest, Westmorland Showground,

Crooklands

2nd/4th June Trailboat Festival, Stroud

27th July/3rd Aug WRG Summer Camp, Stainton (see page 11)

29th/31st July IWA National Festival, Burton on Trent

25th /26th August IWA Campaign Festival, Preston

13th September Westmorland County Show

14th September Kendal Torchlight

27th October Coffee Morning, Silverdale

. A warm welcome awaits all members who visit the stand/coffee mornings - so do come and say hello if you are attending or wish to assist at these events.

Please put the dates in your diaries now and if you feel you could help for an hour or two (or a full day) at any of the events please contact Beryl Bowcott on

01772 863418 or BBBowcott@aol.com

A plea from our

Membership Secretary

E-mails and telephone calls are the quickest and cheapest way to

contact our members. So that we will have more funds for the

restoration process we are intending, in addition to this Magazine, to

make email or telephone the preferred method of contact with

members. This will then save ever increasing postage costs.

We cannot do this without knowing your email address or phone

number so, may we ask those members who are on email, to please

confirm or inform the Membership Secretary of your Email address by

emailing alan.mather7@ntlworld.com or telephoning on (01204)521031.

Thank you

3

Contents

Chairman's Report 4

Canal Head Restoration Update 7

Boat Operation Manager’s Report 8

Working Party Report 9

The First Furlong 12

Preston Guild news 13

Preston Clean Up 15

Spreading the Message 16

Helen’s Quiz 17

British Waterway Partnership details 18

Kendal Torchlight 2011 report 19

Looking Back 20

Letter to the Editor 23

Canal & River Trust update 24

Last British Waterways Update - Lune Aqueduct 25

Hello 28

100 club Results 29

Dear Members. Welcome again to the latest issue of our Trust Magazine. Although

it seems to have been a relatively quiet winter season so far, particularly after the

great deal of work and events reported in the last issue, much work has been done

especially in regard to the Canal Head restoration and with the Summer Camp of the

Waterways Recovery group who have very kindly agreed to spend two weeks to

undertake an extension of the Canal at Stainton. Thanks to the encouragement &

support of Mr & Mrs Broomby who own that stretch, the Trust now hope to re-

water that dry section of the Canal between the two bridges we recently restored to

a clean bill of health. There will be much to report in the next but one issue of this

journal.

We now have a new member, Mike Macklin, who has very kindly come forward to

raise some serious money from the Your Heritage lottery fund. Peter Jones is

leading a project group which includes members Chris Mansley, Mike Macklin and

Paul Shaw given the task of planning the work for the summer. A pre-application has

gone in but there is much work to be done to see this through successfully. Keep

looking at our web site for the latest information. By the time the next issue comes

out British Waterways will be just a memory and we will have the new Canal & River

Trust, in its place Fortunately for the Trust, the same personnel are being retained

as were at BW and we look forward to continuing our happy cooperation, albeit

under a new name. Thanks guys!

We have somewhat reined our attendances at summer shows and fetes; a lack of

sufficient man/girl power is the main reason We would always gratefully accept any

help from members both new & old. Beryl Bowcott is the one to contact on(01772)

863418 or at BBBowcott@aol.com Finally, it would be great to receive more letters, old photos etc., that could be

worked into an article of interest to members Please contact me and we can discuss

how best to proceed if you don’t have the software to do it all yourself. Regards

David Currington. Editor

4

The start of a new year is a good

time to look back at some of the

activities of 2011. There were two

impress ive human powered

expeditions taking place on the

Lancaster Canal; in May Peter

Woolsey set off from Stainton on his

epic 16 day kayak trip by canal to

London and in September the British

Rowing tour had 70 oarsmen and

women from clubs all over the

country traversing the canal from

Preston to Tewitfield.

A team of teenage volunteers from

Young Cumbria descended on

Stainton in August to build a small

landing stage which will be a valuable

asset for trip boat charter

passengers as well as the many canoe

and dinghy owners who launch at

the end of the watered section.

Our restoration work focussed on

Stainton bridge where, despite

various administrative hurdles, we

were able to rebuild the failing

parapet walls with the help of our

colleagues from Waterway Recovery

Group (WRG).

The events team carried the canal

message to the general public at

several local and national shows,

braving some appalling weather in

the process. Meanwhile, our trip

boat Waterwitch had a mainly good

season with the August Saturday

running proving successful.

Our involvement over the past four

years in the Lune Aqueduct steering

group has come to fruition with the

HLF-funded enhancement works

now well on the way to completion.

We should also look forward to

some major events coming up in

2012. First and arguably most

important is the transfer of British

Waterways to the Canal & River

Trust.

At the time of writing the

arrangements still have a number of

uncertainties, including the date and

the financial deal. What is certain

however is that the role of

volunteers will take on a higher

profile in the new set-up; indeed BW

have already enlisted the help of

canal societies across the country to

help them identify and modify all the

BW signs and rebrand them as CRT.

It strikes me that if the Government

wants volunteers to run sections of

the country’s infrastructure they are

going to have to reduce the burden

of bureaucracy involved in doing so.

Our ever-popular ‘Complete Guide

to the Lancaster Canal’ is being

edited and updated for a new print

run which should be available in

April.

While the proposed development of

a new canal head in Kendal continues

to go like a roller coaster from

periods of genuine optimism and

excitement to moments of deep

despair, [see report from our

(Continued on page 5)

Chairman’s Report

5

President Hal Bagot on page 7] at the

other end of the dry canal we have

signs of some real progress.

In July and August we will have two

weeks of WRG summer camps

preparing the canal bed at Stainton

for the not-too-distant day when we

can actually extend the length of

water in the canal.

At the other end of the canal,

September 2012 sees another

Preston Guild and the IWA Canal

Festival at August bank holiday

weekend.

This will bring a lot of visiting craft to

the canal and it is our opportunity to

show off what we know and love

about it.

Most of these events are reported in

greater detail in Waterwitch, past,

current or future editions, so go

forth and enjoy the variety of things

happening on the Lancaster Canal.

W o r k i n g P a r t y e m a i l

Circulation

Every month I send an email about

working party activities to a list of

members (currently 77) who have at

some time indicated their interest in

taking part in our working parties.

Many times there’s one that bounces

back with an ‘undeliverable’ message

and I can do nothing but delete the

address from my list.

What to do about it?

If you are getting my emails (the last

one was 4th January) and want to get

more – do nothing.

If you used to get them but haven’t

received recently or have changed

your email address, and you want

future details – please send me a

brief message with the subject line

‘w/p please’ and I’ll put you back on

the list.

If you are getting my emails but don’t

want to hear about working party

activities in future – please send me a

message with the subject line ‘No

more w/p’ and I’ll take you off the

list. Don’t take this action lightly – I

hope that you will be able to get

involved at some time. It’s no more

difficult for me to send whether it to

7 or 77. Send to Richard Trevitt at

this address.

trevittr@hotmail.com

Richard Trevitt

(Continued from page 4)

6

An illustrated talk on the subject of

'The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals

the current status of on-going work and how it was achieved.'

By David Moore of the

Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust

Wednesday 25th April 2012 at 7.30pm

at

Kirkland and Catterall Memorial Hall. PR3 0HR

The evening has been arranged by IWA North Lancs and Cumbria Branch

Anyone is welcome to attend, there is no entry charge

hot drinks are available in the interval.

Want to avail yourself of a pleasant rest whilst walking on the

Towpath? You can find our new benches at the following locations.

Location Description Bridge Nos OS Grid reference (SD) Parish

Millness Bridge 164 53670,83050 Preston Patrick *(see pic)

Farleton Aqueduct 160 53846,81692 Beetham

South of Spinney Culvert 154a-154 52884,80295 Beetham

Opp Holme Coke Ovens 149-148 52625,78564 Holme

Holme Mills 147-146 52465,77882 Burton in Kendal

New Mill Aqueduct 145 52367,77241 Burton in Kendal

7

Discussions have been taking place

between a subcommittee of the

LCRP Executive and Members and

Officers of SLDC, and also with

Gilkes. During this period, a

Planning Application for a superstore

on the Rugby Club site at the North

of Kendal has been refused for a

second time, and may go to appeal.

A superstore is also essential to

Gilkes’ aspirations on a site next to

and south of theirs at Canal Head,

and will form part of a Planning

Application yet to be submitted by

them. It is, however, clear that as

part of this scheme, Gilkes wish to

redevelop their own site as a modern

factory where they would remain,

with a car park on the present SLDC

depot immediately to the east of

their factory.

This means that the Canal Head

former terminus, now under the

Gilkes factory, would then not be

available to be restored to its former

use, and so the subcommittee has

been investigating the alternatives

with SLDC, and Gilkes. The current

proposal is for a resited terminus

basin some 90 metres south, on the

line of the canal, at a point where

there is scrub woodland currently

underused. The implications of

forming such a terminus at this

location are currently being discussed

with Arup, our Consultants, and

SLDC. It is still planned to submit a

Planning Application shortly on behalf

of LCRP for the rewatering of the

line to include this basin and up to

Gilkes own Planning Application line

and down as far as the southern

outskirts of Kendal, and we are

working hard towards this. HB

UPDATE ON THE CANAL HEAD

RESTORATION

By our President

HAL BAGOT

The Trust is to hold a

Spring Coffee Morning on

Saturday 21st April at

Garstang United Reform Church, Croston Road, Garstang

10 -12am

8

It was a wet Summer, passenger

numbers were less than expected,

1 day was cancelled and a few

others finished early with few or

no passengers carried.

32 Scheduled Days

6 Charters ,

1375 passengers,

Donations £2188

By comparison, the figures for

2010 were 1,701 passengers and

£2523 donations.

Let us hope for better things this

summer.

WATERWITCH is now at

Mil lness Yard and winter

maintenance has commenced.

Training of new crew members

will commence mid April, charter

availability from late April and

public trips from 6th May. This

year there will be a few public

trips to Stainton this is a most

pleasant trip with attractive

scenery and a total journey time

of 1hour 30 minutes.

The Canal in the region of Peasey

Beck Feeder has become rather

shallow making navigation difficult,

this year there will be no passenger trips to Millness and the

boat will turn at the coal yard.

CHARTERS It was a good year

for charters with a surprise

booking of two in October and

one in November. The November

Charter was a most pleasant event

with warm sunny weather, a picnic

lunch on Waterwitch as part of

the 80th birthday celebrations of a

Trust Member and his family.

We now have two charter

bookings for 2012. For charter

enquiries or bookings please

phone Sheila Bamber on 07504

710351.

VOLUNTEER BOOKING

CLERKS: Two boat booking

clerks are needed to work from

our canal side base at Crooklands,

working as part of the boat team

taking bookings from the public,

advising them of trip times, liaison

with the boat crew, small sales

items, promoting the Canal and

the Trust and all the clerical work

of the day. You would be on duty

for approximately six hours and

need to commit yourself to six or

more scheduled days usually

Sundays through the Summer

Season. If you are interested or

would like to know more please

contact me, my details are at the

back of the magazine.

Alan Mather Boat Operations Manager.

Boat Operation Manager’s Report

9

Our major project in September,

working with WRG to restore

Stainton bridge, was reported in the

last Waterwitch.

Since then we

undertook part of

the underpinning

work at Stainton

Aquedu c t i n

October, work

that we had had

to postpone in

S e p t e m b e r

because of high

flow in Stainton

Beck. This was

only part ia l ly

successful and we

will be revisiting

the aqueduct in

the summer.

November saw a

large team from

LCT, IWA, LC

B o a t C l u b ,

Preston City

Council and local

residents doing a massive clean up in

the canal at Haslam Park, Preston.

This is the site of the

IWA / Preston Guild

Canal Festival next

August - which will be

all the more successful

for the absence of the

underwater rubbish which was taken

away in two full skips. There will be

another visit to Preston in June for

more preparatory work prior to the

Festival.

See the following report from Trisha

Buzzard on this matter plus her

further update on the progress to

date of the Preston Gui ld

arrangements

A small gang

turned out in

December to do

the annual check

on the benches

we installed last

winter on the

towpath between

B u r t o n a n d

Millness, (see page

for locations if you

happen to be out

walking and need a

rest), and also to

clear an area of

brambles from the

dry canal bed at

Stainton – part of

our preparation

for the WRG

summer camps.

From November

to January one of

our authorised chainsaw operators,

Trevor Cotton, spent a considerable

amount of time at Hincaster Horse

Path dealing with maintenance of

trees in the hedgerows either side,

under our 5 year management

(Continued on page 10)

Working Party

Report

The underpinning work needed at

Stainton Aqueduct

10

agreement with BW and English

Heritage. On one such visit in

January he found several trees

felled by the gales blocking the

path and was able to cut them

immediately and re-open the

path. All this activity left a

considerable amount of brash to

(Continued from page 9)

(Continued on page 11)

Above: Many of the offending trees are

felled

Many of the trees are in very poor

condition

Making sure it falls where it should!

Evidence of the extent of decay

Trevor Cotton (left) and Paul

Shaw confer on progress.

Above: The

general extent

of the clearance

work on

opening up the

Horse Path

11

be processed and the working party

in January had a big bonfire to do just

that.

The big event in the summer will be

the work camps run by WRG in the

weeks commencing 21st and 28th

July. We are planning for some

serious earthworks and lining works

in the section from Stainton to Sellet

Hall as a major step towards

restoring water to this length. In the

next couple of months our working

parties will be making various

preparations to enable the WRG

camps to be most effective.

See page 12 for a report from Peter

Jones who is one of a small Group of

members, with particular engineering

skills, who are co-ordinating the

planning and work assisted by the

essential work of our new Fund

Raising officer Mike Macklin.

You can find out more about the

WRG camps and enrol to take part

by visiting their website at

www.wrg.org.uk

The next edition of ‘Waterwitch’ will

have details of how you can take part

in supporting our activities during

these two weeks. This information

and fuller details of all the working

party activities can also be found on

our website at www.lctrust.co.uk

Regards Richard Trevitt

(Continued from page 10)

Another Plea This time from our Chairman

We urgently need some additional

help from members to deliver

supplies of our new Guide to

outlets.

If you feel you can help with task

which does produce some

good income for Trust funds

please ring Richard on

(01534) 846303 or at (trevittr@hotmail.com)

Waterway Recovery Group had its origins in waterways restoration working

during the 1960s, but formally came into being in 1970. The aim was to be the

coordinating force, not centred upon any individual project but backing up and

assisting local groups on any worthwhile restoration project. Since then

considerable knowledge and experience of restorations methods have been

built up. The Waterway Recovery Group is now a subsidiary of the Inland

Waterways Association and at present WRG owns a fleet of vans, and a range

of plant including excavators, dumpers, pumps, mixers, winches, and other

sundry equipment. Interested? Seek more info at:

http://www.waterways.org.uk/wrg/

12

It may only be about a furlong in

length (225 metres in modern

parlance) but it will the first stretch

of the Lancaster Canal to be

significantly restored since the

Northern Reaches of the canal were

'remaindered' in the 1960s.

This coming July a working party of

Waterways Restoration Group

(WRG) volunteers assisted by Trust

members will spend two

weeks digging out and re-

lining the length from the

existing water at Stainton

Crossing Bridge (B172)

to Sellet Hall Bridge

(B173). We have worked

with WRG volunteers

before but not on a

project as big as this.

This will involve some

s e r i o u s d i g g i n g

equipment (not just

navvies with pick and shovel),

something for which the WRG guys

(and gals) are well trained. Other

tasks will include vegetation

clearance, some tree felling (the

minimum necessary), stonework

repairs and general labouring.

This work, although not increasing

the current navigable length by a

significant amount, is seen as a start

in the restoration towards Well

Heads Lane and beyond through the

Hincaster tunnel.

It is complementary to

the major restoration

work planned by the

L a n c a s t e r C a n a l

Restoration Project,

their first phase being

Canal Head to Natland

Road.

A Trust project team is

currently working hard

to raise the almost

£50,000 required to

design the work and plan

(Continued on page 13)

The First Furlong!

13

the project.

You could help with in this project! If

you have any professional or

technical experience and a bit of

time it would be welcome –

particularly in civil engineering and

draughting. Please contact Peter

Jones as below.

An ecological survey is planned to

identify any potential effects on the

wildlife and minimise disruption. The

finished result will be planned to

look as natural as the existing

watered sections and provide a

pleasant environment for visitors by

foot, bike, canoe and the occasional

boat.

It is hoped to put further information

onto the LCT web site but if you

want to know more please contact

Peter Jones on (01539) 739105 or at peter@cpsj.me.uk The working party

dates are from Saturday 21 July to

Saturday 4 August 2012 and if you

would like to come along and help

please contact the Trust via its

Chairman Richard Trevitt on (01524)

846303 email at trevittr@hotmail.com

PJ

(Continued from page 12)

Plans are progressing well for the

Festival to be held at Haslam Park

over the August Bank Holiday

(Saturday, Sunday and Monday (25th,

26th and 27 August).

Attractions already expressing

interest are the Cuerden Birds of

Prey, a storyteller for the children's

den, circus workshop and puppets.

Steam engines and motor vehicles

are lining up to come and horse and

carriages rides are being organised.

Did I mention the funfair?

In addition there will be activities for

the youngsters: canoeing, jump jet

simulator and model railways. Trade

entries are coming in providing

interest for the boaters. Caterers

are booking in. All in all a busy time.

Fortunately, there is lots of space in

the park to fill. Boating entries are

coming in now that British

Waterways have decided on the

depth available to narrowboats

through the Link. The purpose of

the Festival is to celebrate the 10th

anniversary of the opening of the

Link and it is hoped to effect some

enhancement of the Ashton Basin

end of the canal.

If any Trust members would like to

help, please contact Trisha Buzzard

(07802 438412). We need helpers

for site management, campsite

management, marshals, clean up

brigade, security and general

dogsbodies. Previous experience is

not required - there is plenty of

advice and guidance around and

about......

Hoping to see you all there.

Trisha Buzzard.

(Continued on page 14)

PRESTON GUILD CANAL FESTIVAL2012

14

For those members not entirely clear

just what the Preston Guild is all about

the following extract is taken from their

website at

http://www.prestonguild2012.com/

It is well worth a visit to get the

complete story.

“Preston Guild is a historic celebration

dating back to 1179. It is the only Guild

still celebrated in the UK and as such is

unique. The 2012 celebration will be the

first Guild in the 21st century and the

first since the granting of Preston’s city

status in 2002. Held only once every

twenty years, the Guild plays an

important role in the development of

Preston as a thriving and important

Lancashire city. The changing times mean

that each Guild has its own identity but

shares a heritage of over 800 years.

Residents and visitors, artists and

businesses, athletes and performers –

everyone gets involved in Preston Guild.

The Guild has a long history and has

evolved over the centuries,

but one thing that has

always remained the central

focus of the Guild is people

-the people who plan it,

participate in it, promote it

and the people who tell

their stories of the Guild to

children and grandchildren.

King Henry II granted

Preston the right to have a

Guild Merchant in 1179,

when he gave the town its

first royal charter. The Guild was an

organisation of traders, craftsmen and

merchants. It had a monopoly of trade in

the town and only its members could

carry on a craft or business. Newcomers

could only trade here with the

permission of the Guild, and such

approval was not given lightly.

At intervals the Guild Merchant updated

its membership lists, to ensure that

people were not falsely claiming the right

to trade in the town. Anybody who

claimed to be a member of the Guild had

to come to Preston and, in a public

court, swear loyalty to the Mayor and

the Guild Merchant. His credentials were

checked and if he was eligible, and paid a

small fee, he would then be admitted or

re-admitted as a Burgess ( the name for

a member of the Guild Merchant).

There is some evidence of a Guild Court

in 1328, but the first reliably recorded

celebration of the Guild was in 1397,

when it was already more than two

centuries old. These gatherings for

renewing membership were infrequent.

It was soon accepted that they were

needed only once in a generation. As a

result, from 1542 onwards, Preston

Guild took place every twenty years.

The rarity of the celebration, and the

fact that large numbers of people

congregated in Preston for

the occasion, made the

Guild a special opportunity

for feasting, processions

a n d g r e a t s o c i a l

gatherings. In this way the

great festival which is the

Preston Guild was born,

hundreds of years ago,

and continues to flourish

today. (extract taken from

Guild Website).

(Continued from page 13)

History of the

Preston Guild

15

Nearly 30 people turned out to help

the latest canal clean up at Ashton

Basin in Preston last November.

Trust volunteers were joined by

members of the Lancaster Canal

Boat Club and local residents and

park users. Also present were

Hazel Mayou, Volunteer Co-

ordinator from BW and Steve

Broomhead, Chairman of the

newly formed BW Partnership

in the north west.

Two full skips of rubbish were

removed from the towpath and

the canal. Amongst the "finds"

was an old moped fished out just

below Blackpool Road bridge -

clearly the previous owner had got

fed up with it, possibly because he

failed his driving test! Other

"trophies" were numerous tyres and

countless plastic shopping bags,

plastic bottles and tin cans.

The clean-up was organised by the

committee formed to manage the

IWA Campaign Festival at Haslam

Park over next August Bank Holiday

in conjunction with Preston Guild

celebrations. In the hope of

achieving some improvement of the

Ashton Basin, the committee are

hoping to obtain external funds for

enhancement of Ashton Basin to

attract both boaters and the public

to enjoy some quiet relaxation in the

middle of the city.

Thanks are due to all those who

volunteered including members of

the Lancashire Branch of the Inland

Waterways Association and Preston

City Cllr, Robert Bosworth.

Another clean up is scheduled for

June 10th. TB

Preston Clean Up

Above: Steve Broomhead,

(blue fleece). Chairman of the

BW Partnership and some of

the other willing volunteers

taking part in the clean up.

Left: One rather sorry looking

moped awaits collection. it

took 5 big strapping fellows to

shift it ....

16

The Trust currently has leaflet

dispensers sited at Tewitfield,

Crooklands and Stainton and these

have proved very successful in

publicising the work of the Trust and

attracting new members. The

dispensers are replenished on a

regular basis by Trust members.

Subject to approval by British

Waterways it is hoped to install

more dispensers, along the canal and

we are looking for additional

members willing to keep these

stocked up. The proposed sites are

at;- top lock basin at the junction of

the canal and the Ribble Link; Hand &

Dagger wharf, Salwick (Br 26);

Jolly Roger boating centre, Catforth

(Br32); Bilsborrow (Owd Nell’s);

Garstang moorings (Br 62); Galgate

(Br 86); Lancaster near the

‘Waterwitch’ public house; Lune

Aqueduct; Hest Bank near Br 118;

Bolton Le Sands between Bridges

122 & 123; Carnforth

between the ‘Canal

Turn’ and the

a m e n i t y b l o c k ;

Tewitfield marina;

Holme south of Br

147 near the bench;

Kendal in the vicinity

of Changeline Bridge.

Other than the sites

at Holme and Kendal,

there will be one

dispenser holding our

c o m b i n e d

information and membership leaflet.

There will be two dispensers at

Holme and Kendal the other to hold

the Trail leaflet. Members adopting

one or more sites would be supplied

with a stock of the appropriate leaflet

(s). How often visits will need to be

made to replenish stocks is difficult

to say, but a minimum of once a

week is suggested.

If any member is prepared to assist in

this venture please contact David

Slater on 01772 746914 or email;

davidslater61@gmail.com

David Slater

Spreading the Message

17

20 LANCASTER CANAL

GUIDE QUESTIONS

Answers can all be found in ‘The Complete Guide to

the Lancaster Canal’ (4th Edition)

All answers are numbers.

Any comments made concerning use of

approximations, rounding up or down, mixed

measurements etc. will be regarded as offers to compile the next quiz!!!

How long is the canal?

What is the navigable length?

How many bridges are there?

How many pubs are mentioned?

How many marinas and boat yards are included?

How far can you legitimately cycle?

Total number of locks included?

What is the maximum boat length on the main line?

What is the maximum boat length on the Glasson Arm?

How many attractions are mentioned?

How many pages are there in the guide?

How many buses between towns?

How many food outlets mentioned?

What is the minimum cruising time from Preston to Tewitfield?

How many bridges have level access to the towpath?

How many bridges have ramp access to the towpath?

How many bridges have step access to the towpath?

How many bridges have gate access to the towpath?

How many bridges have stile access to the towpath?

How many advertisements are included? Answers on page 24

Yet another Plea! PAT Testing Is there any amongst our members, or their families and friends, who is suitably

qualified to carry out electrical PAT testing? We have several items of

electrical equipment that legally require Certification at regular intervals.

The cost of such work is ever increasing and if we could find such a

volunteer it would be of great help to our finances. If you can help

please contact any member of the Executive. (see back pages for contact

details.)

18

The North West Partnership was

formed (officially) last April when

14 members were appointed to

the Board. The aims of these

Partnerships, (there will be 11

across the country for each of the

regional areas,) is to identify

support - in both cash and kind -

to continue maintenance of the

canal system after BW becomes a

charitable trust (Canal and River

Trust) in April this year.

Several other partnerships have

already been formed and the rest

will come into force during the

coming year. The North West

board includes two active

members of the Trust: Trisha

Buzzard and Mike Macklin. Also

appointed are Cllr Ken Hudson

and Barry Cole. Ken Hudson is

well known on the Lancaster

Canal and Barry Cole, of course, runs the Kingfisher trip boat

based at Barton Grange.

Several meetings of the NW

Partnership have taken place over

the last few months and towards

the end of last year, confirmation

was received from DEFRA that the Board have authority to

continue their work for the

coming three years. From a

standing start the Board have

identified two main challenges:

the diminishing economic market

available to provide funding and

that the general public have

limited awareness of the need for

their support in order to keep the

canal system up to an acceptable

operating level. Both of these

difficulties are being addressed by

the Board and they are pledged to

maintain the canals in their area -

these are the Lancaster, the Leeds

& Liverpool, the Liverpool Basin

and the Leigh Branch. BW have

been at pains to ensure that

Partnership members are fully

aware of the task at hand and

many opportunities have already

been identified.

Both BW and the Partnership

realise that they are in for the

long haul - but all are determined

to achieve the task at hand.

Information will be available on

progress of other Partnerships

throughout the national boating press and we shall certainly keep

Trust members advised of

progress in the North West

PMB/MM

BW Partnership

19

The Trust was well represented

at the 2011 Torchlight in Kendal.

The parade coincided with a

working party weekend attended

by the North West WRGgies.

After working hard all day on

Friday, they came along to Kendal

to decorate the wagon kindly

supplied by Ray Gibson

sporting a mini digger

supplied by Richard

U t t l e y o f R L T

Construction. Banners

around the wagon loudly

displayed the name of the

Trust and Trust

members acting as

marshals were able to

distribute leaflets about

the Trust to the many

thousands lining the route.

We were fortunate again in the

weather. We were able to speed

around the town in about an hour

and a half. The Levens Hall steam

loco was also in attendance

accompanied by Hal Bagot,

Chairman of the Lancaster Canal

R e s t o r a t i o n

Partnership.

In view of the

continuing success of

t h e T o r c h l i g h t

parade, it is likely to

be an on-going annual

event. Perhaps next year we shall be able

to show our success

in putting some water

into the Northern

Reaches TB

Kendal Torchlight Festival

20

Can it really be 20years since the Trust launched its long awaited trip boat on the Northern reaches. Here, to celebrate this anniversary, is the article that appeared then in Waterwitch. How Health & Safety has changed! The boats are still occasionally used for maintenance

purposes.

“The longstanding intention of running a trip boat along stretches of the Northern Reaches has finally been put into practice.

On a sunny Saturday, April 11th, Ebb & Flow were officially named by Hal Bagot of Levens Hall, who carried out the traditional ceremony by christening her bows with champagne.

Ebb & Flow then proceeded on their maiden voyage in the direction of Tewitfield Locks with a distinguished complement of passengers. Hal Bagot, Cllr. Stan Lewis; Chairman of South Lakeland District Council; Cllr. Roger Bingham, County Cllr. John Trotter; David Smith, Branch Chairman of the IWA; Terry Horran, Lancaster Canal Manager

and representatives from the parish councils of Burton, Holme and Sedgwick all attended.

Another special guest was 9 year old Paul Foster of Class 2, Holme Primary School. In a competition set up in local schools by our PRO and Schools Liaison Officer, children were asked to suggest two names suitable for the Trust's trip boat. Paul's choice of Ebb & Flow met with the approval of the committee and he was invited to take part in the naming ceremony. As a

prize, he received an Easter egg and a traditionally painted canal mug.

Ebb & Flow combined are a Hypozomatic boat made up of two sections, secured firmly with steel cables. This ancient Greek principle has been applied to a modern boat to allow flexibility to facilitate transportation. As a shallow draft vessel, it is particularly suitable for the low water levels on the Northern Reaches and this wi1l enable several stretches of the canal to be used once again by boat.

The introduction of the trip boat to

(Continued on page 21)

Looking Back

The Ebb & Flow of time! An extract from the Summer 1992 edition of

Waterwitch

Yet to be repainted as Ebb & Flow

21

promote awareness of the restoration aims is a significant step forward for the Trust. As the 30 minute trip is free of charge it is attractive to families who already comprise a significant section of our current membership.

Operational problems have already been encountered due to lack of volunteers to crew the boat.

Hello Sailors!

The Trust's new Hypozomatic Trip Boat "Ebb & Flow" is now in service. Running every Sunday afternoon until 27th September, except 14th June and 9th August from the Culvert at North Road, Holme Village from 1.30 p.m. to

4.30 p.m. No charge for the half-hour long trips, but there is a donation box to which all gifts will be greatly welcomed. Crewing is by volunteers. More are needed!

If you fancy having a go we can train you to steer and run the boat trips.

Rota for the next few weeks is:

Sun 31st May - Mike & Joan Wilkinson

Sun 7th June - Dave and Sheila Slater

Sun 13th June - Nick Brown and Volunteers

Sun 14th June - Festival Team

Sun21st June - Les and Joyce Bye

Each day ideally needs 3 people to cover it, so please do help if you can.

Can you help?

We are still seeking life jackets for the boat. Under our Certificate of compliance we must have life jackets available to anyone who wants them. Because of the wide range of sizes that people come in, we also need a wide

range of life jackets from adults size down to little ones for children. The Trust has been able to acquire sufficient to run the boat safely but this means that there may be times when we have to ask passengers to wait because the correct size jackets may be in use. If we had a stock of

various size this problem would be eliminated. So to the appeal - Do you have any surplus life jackets that we could have? Perhaps you have small ones that your children have grown out of? If so, we would be delighted to receive them for the boat.” DC

(Continued from page 20)

Work underway on fitting out A light load!

A poor quality photo as she turns

22

Frank Sanderson, a Trust member who runs the Old School Gallery & Tea

Rooms at Preston Patrick, Crooklands, is always thinking up ways to publicise

the Lancaster Canal and has recently issued a set of 4 ‘Country Walks’ based

on the area around Crooklands. Priced 50p each they can be obtained at the

tea rooms or by contacting Frank at (01539)566967 or at

franksanderson@hotmail. com

Do you fancy learning to paint traditional

Canal Folk art?

If so, Frank, himself no mean artist, has offered to run a series of weekly drop-in art classes this Spring at the Old School Gallery. He will start off with the painting of the traditional Roses & Castles and no doubt expand to other subjects. No previous experience necessarily needed and

all the required materials will be supplied on a cost only basis as and when required.

What could be simpler? For further details including dates and costs please contact Frank on

(01539)566967 or franksanderson@hotmail. com

23

Dear David,

Well I've been called many things over

the years but never "Mighty Man" ! (I've

certainly been dining out on it since I saw

the article about Crooklands Stables in

WW 145 & Cath Davenport's note in WW

147).

Incidentally, the guy in the white overalls

on the back of WW 146 is also me, not

long after my wife and I had been to

David Piper's yard to organize getting the

boat to Crooklands and initial craning into

the canal (I could probably dig out some slides of that epic if you're ever

short of WW material).

Worryingly, the "mystery man" at bridge 75 in WW 146 also looks

remarkably like me but I can't remember having a blue & red fleece. I only

hope someone else comes forward to claim that one as I appear in danger

of being a regular feature!

It's good to see that the Trust appears to be in good shape with a strong

committee. I know what hard work it can be from my own committee

years.

[Thanks Bill. Always very pleased to receive members’ pictures and supporting notes to keep us newer members up-to-date. Jpegs are best though I can scan & convert slides to jpegs. Sorry Bill but the ‘mystery’ man at Bridge 45 is our esteemed Chairman Richard Trevitt; bit of a wind up I suspect from myself & the person donating the photo; no names; no pack drill as they say! Ed]

Letter to the Editor

Mighty Man has his say!

24

The new Trust which replaces

British Waterways will be called

the ‘Canal & River Trust’ – please

note the Canal & River is singular,

not plural.

The new logo, [reproduced

below], and the name has had

much thought, consultation and

discuss ion wi th potent ia l

supporters, colleagues and

experts contributing to this

decision.

We believe that we now have a

name which shows clearly that

the new organisation is a charity.

The symbol too, evokes a clear

response from people, appealing

strongly to their view of the

waterways as a haven for

people and nature. We are

confident that the work (done

at no charge by Pentagram, the

world’s largest independent

design agency), will become

popular and much loved.

We are not about to embark on

a costly nationwide rebranding

exercise. Some preparation is

already underway with, for

example, new vans being ordered

plain white in preparation for new logos . The un i f o rms o f

operational staff will also continue

to be blue in the same vein that

they are currently.

It has also been announced that

we will be merging with The

Waterways Trust, to pool

expertise. In the future, TWT

will focus on the management of

existing museums such as the

Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port

Work is continuing with us

agreeing a funding package with

Defra – rather than having an

annual grant, we will enter into a

contract over a 20 year period.

The aim is that we will transfer to

the new charity early in April

2012. BW are currently planning

a series of events around the

country which will be tied in to

key projects to celebrate the

transition SH

Canal &

River

Trust

Update...

25

Restoration work to the structure is

progressing very wel l , with

completion expected in early

February, except the final dressing of

the towpath, which will be completed

when the weather improves in early

April.

All masonry work, such as the

replacement of missing and loose

balustrades and copings, as well as

extensive re-pointing, has been

completed. Other aspects of the

works now completed are graffiti

removal and bank repair work

stretching from the Lune Aqueduct

to the Caton Road Aqueduct.

Construction of an access ramp from

the Millennium Cycleway up to the

Canal towpath and a car park off

Caton Road continues to progress.

On the activities side, local artist

Chas Jacobs has been visiting several

local schools in Lancaster to paint

murals and roundel waymarkers with

the pupils. These pieces of art will be

installed at various points on the

Canal in Lancaster in April/May.

Briefs for the new interpretation

panels and Digital Memories project

are currently out to tender, with

consultants due to be appointed in

early February. These elements of

the project will aim to research and

collect people’s memories of the

aqueduct to be presented on a

webs ite , aud io t ra i l and 4

interpretation panels around the site

and along the canal in Lancaster.

A launch event is currently being

planned, with Dukes Theatre helping

with delivery of this. The event will

take place in May and include a light

project show at the

Aqueduct, as well as

performing arts and musical

performances.

With regard to publicity, the

Mayor of Lancaster, Paul

Woodruff, was shown

around the site by David

Hennessey, Lune Aqueduct

Project Officer, and Steve

Higham, BW Regeneration

Manager. The Mayor

(Continued on page 26)

B ritish

Waterways

A last Update...

The Mayor of Lancaster, Paul Woodruff , visits the Aqueduct

Lune Aqueduct

Restoration Scheme

Update

January 2012

26

was very impressed by

the work that is taking

place and offered his

support to the project.

We have also held

several open days,

inviting press and

members of the public to

the site to learn more

about the work and the

history of the Canal. A crew from

Granada Reports were present on

one of these days, resulting in an

excellent feature on the programme

that evening. A Facebook site has

also been set up, containing news

updates and progress photos.

SH

Top: Constructing the foot path

for the disabled.

Left & Above: No, not a bungee

jump but just doing a ‘Fred

Dibnah’ to clean up the

stonework.

Answers to Helen’s Quiz: (p17)

1. 57. 2.42. 3. 187. 4.56. 5. 18.

6. 16. 7. 23. 8. 75. 9. 70. 10. 24.

11. 80. 12. 19. 13. 33. 14. 12. 15.

23. 16. 53. 17. 58. 18. 39. 19. 21.

20. 19.

27

Open Day Visit to Lune

Aqueduct, December 2011

Above: A new towpath under

construction

Above: Constructing a ramp for the

disabled

Above: Pinning the embankments with

steel rods

Above: replacement of stolen balustrades

Above: All balustrades are now secured

by a system of steel pins Above: Newly widened steps

28

Hello! The Lancaster Canal Trust extends a very warm welcome to the following new

members who have joined since the last issue of Waterwitch, and we hope to

see you at some of our events:

Richard & Karen Holt Barnoldswick

Marian Bennett Kendal

Robert Beale Kendal

Rev Ray de Vial Kendal

Alan &Alys Strathchan Lancaster

Anne & Nevile Henderson Ambleside

Roger Boot Nottingham

Walter Butler Poulton le Fylde

Ian Mackie Ledbury

Clive & Cathy Brookman Piddletrenthide, Dorset.

Peter & Sandy Barker Upton upon Severn

Paul Baxter & Audrey Shaw Hest Bank

Tony Hales Henley in Arden

Howard Dickenson Kendal

Ian Walker Croydon

Ralph Williams Bradford

David Joyner Preston

Richard Gordon Kendal

James Gordon Kendal

Richard Eastwood Carnforth

Maureen Olley St. Anne's

Robin & Antonia Yates Kendal

Friends of Lancaster Maritime Museum Outing

Saturday 23rd June 2012

Cost £48 p. person

Leaves Burton 8.00am

Carnforth (Wharton Road) 8.15am

Lancaster (Chapel Street) 8.35am

£10 non refundable deposit per booking required

Return to Lancaster around 7.00pm

Please contact Ken Broadhurst for bookings & further information

on (01524) 781604

29

THE

LANCASTER

CANAL

100 Club Prizes: 1st £25; 2nd £15;

3rd £10. Winning Numbers since last Issue

The draws for July, Aug and Sept were not made at the time due to the absence of the Treasurer on

holiday/business. Four draws

were therefore made at the October Executive meeting. The December Draw will take place at Feb Exec. Mtg.

IMPORTANT NOTICE We currently have some 16 blank numbers in our 100 Club Draw. This means that that on average nearly 1 in 7 numbers drawn is likely to result in a blank number with no prize being given. Whilst this is good news for the Trust’s bank balance it means some members are missing out and we do not raise the full amout possible. If you are not in the Draw and would like to join please contact Cath Davenport for full details of how and when to join. Contact details are; Cath Davenport (100 Club Organiser) Tel (015395) 67250

1st 2nd 3rd

July 11 Blank 35

Aug 35 59 42

Sept 81 1 92

Oct 74 93 47

Nov 81 55 Blank

30

President

C.H.Bagot J.P. F.R.I.C.S.,D.L

Vice - Presidents

John Gavan

David Slater

Chairman

Richard Trevitt 2 Fern Bank, Lancaster. LAI 4TT (01524) 846303

Vice - Chairman

Helen Thomas 7 Bay View, Over Kellet, Carnforth, LA6 1DR

(01524) 735504

Secretary

David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal LA9 6AD (01539) 732599

Treasurer

Peter Jones 14 Blencathra Gardens Kendal LA9 7HL (01539) 739105

Membership Secretary

Alan Mather 15, Claughton Ave Bolton BL2 6US (01204) 521031

Public Relations Officer

Trisha Buzzard 07802438412

Waterwitch Editor

David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal LA9 6AD (01539) 732599

Working Party Organiser

Richard Trevitt 2 Fern Bank, Lancaster. LAI 4TT (01524) 846303

Grants Officer

Mike Macklin

mikemacklin@btinternet.com

LANCASTER CANAL TRUST Officers and Committee

2010/11

31

Beetham Parish Council

Burton-in-Kendal Parish Council

Bury & District Anglers Association

Catterall Parish Council

Kendal Civic Society

Lancaster Canal Boat Club Natland Parish Council Newton with Clifton Parish Council

Preston Patrick Parish Council Ramblers Association (Preston Area)

South Lakeland District Council

Water Farm Boat Hire

Yealand Conyers Parish Council Westmorland & North Lancashire

Long Distance Walkers Assoc.

Waterwitch is copyright 2012, published by

The Lancaster Canal Trust (Registered Charity No. 240957)

c/o David Currington, 12 Sedbergh Road, Kendal, LA9 6AD

The Lancaster Canal Trust may not agree with the opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or an official announcement, unless so stated - otherwise the Trust accepts no liability for

any matter in the magazine.

The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication.

The deadline for contributions to the next edition of

Waterwitch in early June 2012

will be 14th May 2012

Contributions may be e-mailed to

dadcurrington@hotmail.com

Or by post to

David Currington

12 Sedbergh Road

Kendal, Cumbria

LA9 6AD

Alan Mather

Boat Operations Manager

(01204) 521031

Beryl Bowcott

Chairman Recruitment & Promotions

(01772) 863418

Sandra Henstock

(L.C.B.C. Representative) (01253)764171

Affiliated Members

Printed by Kent Valley Colour Printers, Kendal. (01539)741344

Visit LCT website at: http://www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk/

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS & OTHER TRUST OFFICERS

Corporate Members Arlen Hire Boats CARP Ltd

32

Membership Application Form

If you wish to become involved and/or be kept informed on the restoration progress of the Lancaster Canal then why not join the

LANCASTER CANAL TRUST Fill in the membership application form below and post, together with the appropriate

membership fee to: Mr Alan Mather , LCT Membership Secretary

15, Claughton Ave, Bolton, Lancs, BL2 6US

The Lancaster Canal Trust Membership Application Form

Reg Charity No

240957

Additional Donation ………..

I/We enclose cheque/cash for £ ..…..…

Title: …………………….………………...…………

Surname: ……………………..……………………………

Forename(s): ……………………..……………………………

Partner’s Name: …..………………………...…………………..

Address: …………………………..……………………...

…………………………...……………………...

Post Code: …………………………………...……………..

Tel. No: …………………………………………………..

E Mail address: ……………………………...

Individual £14.00

Family - 2 adults plus up to 3 children at one Address. Please provide Partner’s

name

£20.00

Concession - over 60 & students £10.00

Affiliates—Public bodies and Non-profit making organisations

£14.00

Life £150.00

Please tell us if your details change

I/we wish that the subscriptions & donations I/we have made to the Lancaster Canal Trust be treated as Gift Aid donations. You must be paying income tax and/or

capital gains tax at least equal to the tax the LCT reclaims on your donations in the current tax year

please tick here ……... For further information on the Trust please visit our website at

http://www.lancastercanaltrust.org/uk