Aegre July 2011

Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 1

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AEGRE


Aegre is published © 2011 by the East Midlands Region Committeeof the Inland Waterways Association for members of Leicestershire,

Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branches.Northampton members receive their own publication.

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or ofthe East Midlands Region. They are published as being of interest to our members and other readers.

Inland Waterways Association: Registered Office; Island House, Moor Road,Chesham HP5 1WA. Registered as a Charity No: 212342.

Tel: 0845 4501146 Website: http://www.waterways.org.uk

Editor for Aegre: Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0GQTel: 01507 602713; email: [email protected]

This is the web version with lower definition pictures. Picture credits: Page 21. Coverpicture: Boats at Boston May 2011

Chairman John Pomfret, db Drijfhuis, Braunston Boats Ltd, Bottom Lock, Dark Lane, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HJ Tel 01788 891027

Vice-Chairman Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End, Goxhill DN19 7JX Tel: 01469 530138

Leicestershire John Evans, Highfields Farm, Woodhouse Road,Branch Acting Quorn, Loughborough LE12 8AL Tel 01509 416647Chairman

Lincolnshire Dave Carnell (as above)Branch Chairman

Notts. & Derbys Vacant. Contact Mike Snaith, below.Branch Chairman

Northampton Bernard Morton, Yew Tree House, 14 Baker StreetBranch Chairman Gayton, Northants. NN7 3EZ Tel: 07785 375787

Region Planning Mike Snaith, Hawthorne Cottage, 70 Main St,Officer & Notts Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7EU& Derbys Branch

Secretary & WRG John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Rd West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208

Member Ian MacDonald, 68 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JG Mobile: 07950 003383


AEGREJuly 2011 No. 129

Next issue probably to be publishedin November 2011. Contributionsto the editor by the end ofSeptember 2011 please.

The space on the right is for localcontact information.

ContentsCanal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region......................4Region Chairman’s notes......................................................5News from Lincolnshire Branch............................................61000 Years of Traditional Crafts In Lincolnshire...................9Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend............................................10Waterway Recovery Group in the East Midlands...............12Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2011....................................17Festival Extravaganza Floats into Staffordshire.................18Journals Received..............................................................20The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam.......................................20Picture Credits....................................................................21Publications Received.........................................................21News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire......................22Regional Diary Dates 2011/12............................................24Notts & Derby Branch Programme.....................................24Northampton Branch Programme.......................................25Derby and Sandiacre..........................................................26Leicestershire Branch Programme....................................26Lincolnshire Programme....................................................27


Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society Chris Madge, c/o 62 Broadway, Duffield, DerbyDE56 4BU Tel: 07827 946444www.derbycanal.org.uk

Erewash Canal P & DAssociation

Howard Smith, 1 Millfield, Kimberley, NottinghamNG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 9384129

Foxton Inclined Plane TrustFoxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road,Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657www.fipt.org.uk

Friends of the Cromford Canal Patrick Morriss, The Shieling, Dukes Road, LowerHartshay, Ripley, Derby DE5 3RP Tel: 01773 742895www.cromfordcanal.org.uk

Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce,Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375www.granthamcanal.com

Grantham Canal Society

Melton & OakhamWaterways Society

Richard Booth, Sysonby Knoll, Asfordby Road,Melton Mowbray LE13 0HP Tel: 01664 503330http://beehive.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/mows/

Old Union Canals Society 36 The Ridings, Desborough, Kettering NN14 2LPTel: 07010 705103.www.fipt.org.uk/Local.htmSteve Hayes, 10 Chelmer Close, N Hykeham,Lincoln LN6 8TH Tel: 01522 689460www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk

Trent and Mersey Canal Society 1 Pinfold Cottages, Back Lane, Little Haywood,Stafford ST 18 0UL. Tel: 01889 882770www.trentandmersey.btinternet.co.uk

Buckingham Canal Society Helen Preston, 16 Mallard Drive, BuckinghamMK18 1GJ Tel: 01280 821232www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk

C/o The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne,Towcester NN12 7SEwww.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk

Friends of the Canal Museum

c/o Braunston Marina, Braunston, Daventry, NN11 7JHwww.thefriendsofraymond.org.uk

Friends of Raymond

John MacDonald, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead,Louth LN11 0DA Tel: 01507 610539www.louthcanal.org.uk

Louth Navigation Trust

Sleaford Navigation Trust


Region Chairman’s notesWe are now well into the boat festivalseason, with the Branches running orattending successful events at Loughbor-ough, Northampton, Leicester, SouthKyme, Stoke Bruerne and Crick BoatShow, despite the weather over bothbank holiday weekends in May beingless than ideal (to put it mildly). This ison top of attending working parties andarranging guided walks and cruises onlesser known parts of the system. Inputof Branch members’ time and effort intoorganising these events is very muchappreciated, as they are an essential partof maintaining IWA’s profile locally.They provide an opportunity to recruitnew members, which is essential for ourlong term future as an organisation.

Meanwhile, our national committeemembers and Head Office staff havebeen busy, often ‘behind the scenes’,pressing BW and DEFRA for the bestdeal we can get for the new waterwaycharity. While the change moves us for-ward towards the national waterwaysconservancy that has been an aim ofIWA since it was started, we are clearlydisappointed that the EnvironmentAgency navigations will not be includeduntil 2015/16, and even on that there isno absolute guarantee. We are also veryconcerned about the reduction in Gov-ernment grant and continue to argue thecase for adequate funding for what theGovernment sees as one of its flagship‘civil society’ projects. On this, IWAgave evidence to MPs at a formal in-quiry into the funding of the new charityorganised on 8th June by the reconsti-tuted All Party Parliamentary Water-ways Group. One of our key argumentshere has to be the value that waterways

provide to millions of users, not onlyboaters, and the fact that most bank-sideusers are much more attracted to water-ways if there are boats on them.

IWA has now responded to the first con-sultation document on the new water-ways charity issued by Defra, focussingparticularly on the funding issue. AsClive Henderson has pointed out, theextra funding needed is the equivalent ofthe cost of only a few hundred metres ofthe proposed new HS2 railway. As astart we want to see the past pension lia-bilities of BW met in full and indexationof the agreed Government funding. Theconsultation response is now on theIWA website and I urge all members totake the time to read it (you can down-load it and print it out) - there’s a lot inthere. We now await publication of thedraft Order that will set up the charity,on which there will be a further round ofconsultation. Meanwhile, the transitiontrustees are in place, including JohnDodwell, a former IWA General Secre-tary, and management arrangements andthe ways that users will be representedare being discussed, so there’s stillplenty of lobbying for IWA to do. Wemay have an uphill struggle to ensure achange in culture, so that the new charityis not just a re-branded BW!

As we move into the summer and hope-fully some more settled weather, I hopeyou will be able to get out and enjoy thewaterways, by boat, on foot or by bike,taking the opportunity to invite otherwaterway users to join in with Branchactivities, with a view to persuadingthem in the longer-term to become mem-bers.

John Pomfret, Region Chairman


News from Lincolnshire Branch

Looking back to the Branch AGM inFebruary, business was conductedpretty much as anticipated. There wasan appeal for new blood to join us inpromoting the waterway activities, butno one came forward to help. Despitethis three successful events took placein May and all were well supported.On May Day the boaters’ gathering inSouth Kyme attracted over 20 boatsfrom a wide area of the system. Thisannual event continues to grow, withthe enthusiastic support of the ParishCouncil and Sleaford NavigationTrust.

This year, in addition to the scarecrowtrail, duck race, table-top sale and theannual parish meeting, open to all,they obtained permission for the his-toric Kyme tower and grounds to beopen to the public. A medieval re-en-actment by the “Knights of Skirbeck”,some of whom looked remarkably

similar to some Parish Councillorswearing suits of armour, gave demon-strations of hand-combat, jousting,ancient crafts and period lifestyle. Ifproof were needed as to the benefitsrestored waterways bring to commu-nities, this event proved that point,receiving excellent coverage in anational waterways publication..

On the down-side, the EnvironmentAgency’s control of water levels andweed growth are cause of consider-able concern to both environmental-ists, villagers and boaters alike. Anumber of complaints have beenmade to the Agency and meetingsrequested. Such is the extent of theeffect on navigation that boaters aredeterred from leaving the RiverWitham to benefit from the worksfunded by the Lincolnshire Water-

Visiting boats at “Packet Boat Steps”


ways Partnership, and the SleafordPaddlers, canoeists, have moved theiractivities from the town and on to theRiver Witham.

To encourage boaters to navigate theBlack Sluice (Fenland Link) the EAoffered fee concessions and a buffetover the weekend of May 13th, 14th

and 15th. The tides on these dates wereideal for locking through BostonGrand Sluice, down the tidal Havenand into the Black Sluice via the newLock. Many boats enjoyed the event,with praise for the waterway, and hos-pitality at Hubberts Bridge andSwineshead public houses.

Over the late May Bank holiday, incloudy and blustery weather, elevenboats locked through Anton`s Gowton the River Witham into the WithamNavigable Drains. Travelling alongthe Frith Bank to Cowbridge they

locked up into the Maud Foster Drainand headed for the centre of Boston,passing under two of the ButterleyIronworks bridges, celebrating the200th anniversary of the factory, tomoor at the “Packet Boat” steps. Heretime allowed for visits into the townto see some of the historic buildingsand windmill, before leaving for theStonebridge Drain to find a shelteredspot for a barbecue. Having spotted ablack swan, who objected to our pres-ence, we winded at the junction ofEast Fen Catchwater and West FenCatchwater Drains without finding asuitable place, so we ate on the boats.

Sunday still proved very blustery aswe returned through Cowbridge Lockonto the Witham 4th IDB waters. Herea number of routes were available.Some chose to go north on theMedlam Drain, winding at New Bol-ingbroke in sight, sound and smell ofthe Steam Rally at Carrington village.

NB Apfelkorn under a Butterley bridge


Others chose a circular route via WestFen Drain and Newnham Drain backto Anton`s Gowt, whilst two boatssqueezed through two tunnels towardsSandy Bank. During the trip air draftat several bridges was checked andwill be added to the Branch map forplacing on the Branch web page. Theboats in our picture on page 6 are leftto right back row, Billabong, FlorieKendal, Scrimmager, Apfelkorn, Com-fortably Numb, Wigford and Petmar;front row Kime, Fairies Wear Boots,Nell and Navi, Ivan Cane’s wilder-ness trail boat from East AnglianWaterways Association. Our outsidecover picture is of the assembledboats from the other direction.

Recent meetings attended included theMarine Coastguard Agency Humberto Wash, Boston meeting. Details oftheir “Kraken” operations at majorports were given, and this is to beextended to include major rivers. Theaims are to counteract smuggling ofall manner of things including illegalimmigrants. Working with localauthorities they will develop informa-tion systems to allow boaters and thepublic to be “eyes and ears” forunlawful activities on and aroundwaterways, similar to NeighbourhoodWatch schemes or an extension ofBoat Watch. Further details for Lin-colnshire will be reported on as theproject unfolds.

At the EA`s River Ancholme UserGroup Meeting in Brigg, theyreported a 43% reduction in theirNavigation funding. They are seekinghelp from local waterway users toestablish ways forward on projectsand funding. Currently the UserGroup has no terms of reference orconstitution, and draft copies of thesewere presented for consideration atthe next meeting.

Comments were made on the betterfacilities on the river within the Lin-colnshire Waterways Partnership areaas against that outside their boundary.Representatives were invited to form aworking group to study a similar part-nership within North Lincolnshire.

Looking beyond the National Water-ways Festival at Burton-on-Trent,where a number of East Midlandsmembers are involved, we are consid-ering dates for events in 2012. Withthe Royal Diamond Jubilee and theOlympic Games happening in ourmain festivities season, careful con-sideration as to dates is required.

For planned events in Lincolnshire,please see the diary pages at the backof Aegre. Dave Carnell


1000 Years of Traditional Crafts In Lincolnshire

Mary Powell of the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership (LWP) is alsoinvolved in promoting the Lincoln Cathedral and Castle area of Lin-coln. To publicise the project and works in progress, a day of traditionalcrafts was held in May. Groups of stone-masons from all British cathe-drals, and representatives from France and Norway, were given sectionsof a window frame to complete and by the end of the day had completedit. Works on leaded windows, lead roofing, wood working, felt, leathercrafts, thatching, blacksmithing, brick working, and dry stone wallingwere just a few of the many skills being demonstrated. It was encourag-ing to see so many young people engaged in these traditional crafts andskills. The traditional craft of canal art, along with a display of LWP andSleaford Navigation Trust material (below) took place in the LincolnCastle male cells. Despite the cold and dank atmosphere, an endlessstream of visitors kept volunteers busy answering questions and demon-strating barge and narrow boat art all day. In excess of 6,000 people at-tended and serious consideration is being given to repeating the event.


Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend

Over thirty working or historic tradingboats and fifty or so modern craft con-verged on Stoke Bruerne for the CanalMuseum’s Annual Gala on 10th-12thJune. The week-end kicked off earlywith an evening performance on thecanal side by the waterborne MikronTheatre Company with their productionof Hell and High Water on the Thurs-day. On Friday evening there was a get-together for boaters and lovers of tradi-tional music with entertainment fromthe Stony Stratford Folk Ensemble andtheir guests, a visiting group of musi-cians and dancers from Hungary. Theevent continued over the weekend with

a full programme of events on thecanal-side.

Early on Saturday morning a deliveryof beer arrived on traditional workingnarrowboat Cassiopeia from Marston’sBrewery at Burton-on-Trent, and sev-enteen barrels were duly off-loaded tothe village’s two pubs, The Navigationand Boat Inn, in readiness for the festi-val. Rachel Whillock, Marston’s brandmanager, said: “Beer and canals bothplayed a critical role in the industrialrevolution, and share the same indus-trial heritage. We are delighted that wecould step back in time to support the

Andrew Woodward, proprietor of the Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne, takes a delivery ofMarston’s beer carried by traditional narrow boat Cassiopeia crewed by MickPoyser. Photo supplied by Marston’s Brewery


Friends of the Canal Museum to experi-ence this traditional and forgottenmethod of transport.”

The Museum Green hosted a numberof stalls, including the ever-popularTowcester Ladies’ Market with theirhome-made produce; Back CabinAntiques; a tombola; children’s facepainting; sweets; cakes; jewellery;greetings cards and many more. Therewere also traditional craft demonstra-tions, including Roses and Castlespainting with Sue Woodward and BrianMayland; signwriting by Colin Dundasof Spiderworx; traditional clothing anddress of the canals and on Saturday, forone day only, there was a display ofartefacts and memorabilia from theStratford-on-Avon and Midland Junc-tion Railway, which once had a stationat Stoke Bruerne.

On both days there were demonstra-tions of model boats and working boat

handling skills on the water; a chanceto board a trip boat to the tunnel andback; buskers were performing on thewaterside; and the local Pitsford HomeGuard were on parade.

Saturday evening saw performances oftwo one-woman plays by Kate Saffin ofthe Roundham Lock Theatre Company.These told the story of Isobel, a"trainee" boat-woman delivering essen-tial cargoes during wartime, and alsothe real-life antics of two "ladies of thenight" who set up shop on a canal boatmoored on the Oxford Canal just afterthe war.

Early on Sunday morning the SunbeamVintage Motor Cycle Club rallied withpre-1931 motorbikes at the Museum carpark before setting off on the 17th“Rose of the Shires” run touring theNorthamptonshire countryside,returning to Stoke Bruerne in the after-noon.

Big and little boats at the Gala. Photo courtesy ofJames Rudd; www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/nn12


Recollections of WaterwayRecovery Group in the

East Midlands

From John Baylis:

Mike Briggs and I joined the IWA in1969, and that winter with our wivesattended the Annual Dinner of thethen Sheffield Branch. From memorythe speaker could well have beenRobert Aickman. John Booth, theChairman, spied our new faces andasked if we would join his strugglingcommittee. This we did, Mikebecoming Working Party Organiserwhile I took over Sales. Mike reallygot the working party off the groundwith away trips to the Peak Forest,Ashton and Caldon canals and to theriver Avon and Yorkshire Derwent. Inaddition he managed to get largegroups for the “Big Digs” on theAshton and Droitwich canals.

Following IWA re-organisation in1974, Mike became Chairman of thenew East Midlands Region and amember of Council. Also on Council

at that time was Graham Palmer, thefounder of Navvies. Interest in canalrestoration was growing and Navviesbecame the Waterway RecoveryGroup, looking at all canal restora-tions and providing user-operableplant. Following the completion of theAshton and Peak Forest canals theManchester volunteers changed to amobile operation as WRG North Westand Mike talked to Graham aboutforming WRG East Midlands.

In those days the Erewash, Granthamand Cromford canals had restorationsocieties, but Mike saw the need toget a winding hole on the ChesterfieldCanal above Worksop; the mostobvious way being the re-building ofMorse Lock and winding in the LadyLea Arm. As a member of IWA andthe Retford & Worksop Boat Club Iformed the Morse Lock Action Groupand started negotiations with BritishWaterways. Mike Oxley donated aBenford belt drive dumper and wereceived support from the local land-owner. And from that time WRG EastMidlands was formed as a somewhatloose organisation of interestedworkers from other groups.

However, BW was not looking atrestoring Morse Lock and was notprepared to talk. I took the dumper toIronville to work with Mick Goldsand the Erewash Canal Preservation &Development Association on theCromford Canal locks, which werethreatened by the proposed BW workon Codnor Park Reservoir, under the1975 Reservoir Act. I worked at


Boots in Nottingham at that time, andone of my colleagues, the late Dr.John Marshall, received an occasionallegacy which had to be spent on chari-table aims. John purchased an oldJCB 3C for work on the Cromfordand then hopefully on the GranthamCanal. Soon after, John also boughtus a Ruston Bucyrus 3RB trackedexcavator which was based for con-venience at Langley Mill and workedon the building of Jubilee Dry Dock.

IWA planned the 1977 CampaignRally at Worksop to celebrate the bi-centenary of the Chesterfield Canal. Icalled a meeting in Worksop in 1976,the outcome of which was the forma-tion of the Chesterfield Canal Society.BW built the new piled winding holebelow Morse Lock. The work at Iron-ville petered out due to the lack ofactive support from DerbyshireCounty Council. The JCB sufferedfrom engine trouble and spent sometime having the engine re-built by

Mike Harrison and any work was atLangley Mill, where I helped the Lan-gley Mill Boat Company on buildingthe Jubilee Dry Dock. The 3RB wasmoved to Trowell for a few months towork for John Marshall’s colleagueClive Gerrard and the NottinghamCanal Society on culverting a col-lapsed embankment section of thecanal by the M1 motorway.

I continued to go with Mark Tiddyand the Sheffield IWA working par-ties, some of which were on the Mont-gomery Canal. After a poorly

organised weekend, where MickGolds and the ECP&DA were

short of brick-laying mate-rials and the correct prepa-ration, Graham Palmerasked me to look after theFrankton Locks restorationuntil he could find a suit-able local person. I organ-ised preparation work byWRG North West and Shef-field IWA and re-buildingby the ECP&DA on some

locks, and with Pat Osborne and theTrent & Mersey Canal Society onpatching and other re-building works.What originally started as a short termproject lasted for seven years until thecompletion of Frankton Locks in1987.

There had never been many volun-teers directly in WRG East Midlands.It was largely co-ordination and somevisiting work by Mick Golds andMark Tiddy’s groups. We had aweekend at Deep Cut Dig on the Bas-

The 3RB in action


ingstoke. I worked at the StratfordBlitzes, and after Frankton we went towork on Aston Locks atQueen’s Head on the Mont-gomery, and Mick Goldsorganised works on the SleaNavigation. The Ruston3RB continued to find workat Langley Mill and for afew months went to the Fel-lows, Morton & ClaytonArm in Nottingham to dosome dredging for theGrantham Canal RestorationSociety. This was the closestthe 3RB got to the GranthamCanal, despite JohnMarshall’s hopes, and the JCB 3Cwas retired to the scrap heap.

After the work at Ironville in 1976 theBenford dumper was left in JackBrown’s transport yard for nearlythree years when Mick Golds decidedwe should have it at the ErewashCanal Bicentenary Rally in 1979. Wemanaged to move the dumper on atrailer to the rally at Ilkeston butfound that the engine was seized up.However a boater who was early tothe rally offered to try and get itgoing. After removing the cylinderhead he managed to move the pistonby the judicious use of a sledgehammer and a block of wood, and fol-lowing polishing of the bore withemery paper the engine ran again. Itwas moved back to Langley Mill andwas used regularly for 26 years untilMick decided to do up the somewhat

tired engine and rebuild the dumper in2006.

After the initial re-opening of LangleyBridge Lock in 1973 and the DryDock in 1977, Mick Golds waslooking at consolidating the areaaround the Great Northern Basin. TheECP&DA purchased from Vic Hallamthe derelict building which had reput-edly been a mortuary and/or a pig sty.The walls were rebuilt, the roofreplaced with vintage tiles and elec-tricity installed. This became the jointECP&DA/WRG EM Workshop. I stillworked at Boots, and during times ofchange in its engineering departmentsacquired some machine tools such asa large electric hacksaw, a pillar drilland a hydraulic bending press. These,along with other tools and weldingequipment, became the mainstay ofthe workshop tools.

In these early years WaterwayRecovery Group had to become WRG

Stop plank grooveswaiting galvanising


Ltd., a subsidiary part ofIWA, to satisfy the account-ants and the Charity Com-mission. I ran the WRG EMaccounts along with the lateFred Webster from Not-tingham Branch. Much ofthe early WRG work was forFrankton or Aston, andincluded making a cementgrouting pump which is currently onthe Grantham Canal, and the oakbuffers for the head of the locksbelow the top gates. We also had aTransit van for a short time and I pur-chased two air compressors, both ofwhich are still in use on the DerbyCanal and at Langley Mill. I alsobought several compressed air drillsand equipment for Frankton, most ofwhich is still in occasional use.

With the demise of the Sheffield (laterSouth Yorks & Dukeries) Branchworking parties, and a growing per-sonal aversion to sleeping on hallfloors over the weekend, I startedlooking at engineering work which wecould do cheaper than buying profes-sionally. The ECP&DA had alreadymade a good start by the use of exNational Coal Board welders to re-build the swing bridge and other workon moving north along the CromfordCanal. With Ken George I wasinvolved in designing and makingsecurity gear for the ECP&DA LockCottage at Sandiacre, and we rebuiltthe old cast-iron range in the cottagekitchen. We also built the steel work

used in the shuttering and piling onthe extension of the Cromford Canalat Langley Mill. Then later whenErnie Boddy retired from BW andcame to do the welding, he re-sheathed the five foot dredging bucketfor the Ruston Bucyrus 3RB exca-vator with a 10mm thick steel scroll.

Some early WRG work was makingmooring rings and fitting them, but Isoon found that it was cheaper andmore profitable to buy them readymade and galvanised and only chargefor fitting. WRG EM has fixed nearlya hundred mooring rings on theEmbankment in front of County Hallfor Nottingham City Council; soldsome to British Waterways and canalsocieties; and also fitted rings inBoston on the Witham NavigableDrains. Whilst at Boston we alsooffered the Witham Fourth DistrictInternal Drainage Board a betterfender solution for the guillotine gateat Cowbridge Lock. However theypreferred to do the actual work them-selves, but to our design. A regular

Six inch pipes for Langley Mill


item of production is grappling hooks,which we have made for both BW andWRG nationally amongst others.

Since I took over as Quartermaster forIWA Festivals, looking after the Tar-dis, the forty foot trailer in which theequipment is stored, we have madesteel stillages for timber posts; modi-fied the back ramp and fitted hand-rails; and made under-floor panniersfor railway sleepers and scaffoldingtubes.

About four years ago, when BW saidthey were going to re-gate LangleyBridge Lock, I designed and, with thehelp of ECP&DA members, made thenew 3:1 reduction Grand Union typeground paddles and spring paddlelocks. Since then BW have used mydesign for Custom Engineering tomake spring loaded locks for the Ere-wash Canal. These are currently beingfitted on the Erewash, and Leicestersection of the Grand Union.

Over the last year the ECP&DA hasfitted three phase electricity in theworkshop so that we can now use alarger, and more reliable, welder; andbuilt a new, separate wood workingworkshop. Last year Alan Woodhousemade the stand for the Tom Rolt Cen-tenary Cruise, and this year has madea stand for the ECP&DA dinghy atthe Burton-on-Trent Waterways Festi-val. Recently we have started tomake some piling tie-back fittings forthe IWA Inglesham Lock restoration.

Without the help and support of MickGolds and the ECP&DA working par-ties the work we have done would nothave been possible. I helped Mickwrite the Method Statements and RiskAssessments for BW, so that theECP&DA is now a “self-supervising”group, which works every Friday onmaintenance at Langley Mill or manu-facture of items for other canal socie-ties.

Paddle gear with new lock


Our fascinating phenomenon on the Trent again, and we are grateful to theEnvironment Agency for their predictions, shown up to September 30th. Thesetimes are for Gainsborough, and are adjusted for the change from GMT toBST, but it can be up to thirty minutes earlier depending on possible strongwinds, for example. Stockwith should be about 20 minutes earlier than Gains-borough, and Owston Ferry about 45 minutes earlier. This seems a quiet year,because of the way the moon phases and the equinoxes fall. The biggest fore-cast is for September 29th at 07.58. For more details EA have a very usefulleaflet giving some of the folklore and recommended viewing places, like Der-rythorpe, Gainsborough itself, Morton, Stockwith, and Susworth. PH.

Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2011

Date Time ForecastAugust 1st 08.04 SmallAugust 2nd 08.43 MediumAugust 3rd 09.25 MediumAugust 4th 10.07 SmallAugust 29th 07.02 SmallAugust 30th 07.41 MediumAugust 30th 20.51 SmallAugust 31st 08.21 LargeAugust 31st 20.55 SmallSeptember 1st 09.02 LargeSeptember 2nd 09.46 MediumSeptember 27th 06.35 MediumSeptember 27th 19.11 SmallSeptember 28th 07.16 LargeSeptember 28th 19.49 SmallSeptember 29th 07.58 Extra LargeSeptember 29th 20.29 SmallSeptember 30th 08.42 LargeSeptember 30th 21.10 Small


There will be much to see and do onthe banks of the Trent and MerseyCanal at Shobnall Fields when Burtonupon Trent hosts The Waterways Fes-tival, previously known as theNational Festival and Boat Show,from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st July2011.

This new date is a change from thenormal practice in recent years ofholding it over the August Bank Holi-day, and has come after significantconsultation with exhibitors, theattending public, and IWA volunteers,who are all vital to the staging of theevent.

Nestled to the East of Staffordshire,the historic brewing town has beenchosen for the second time to host theannual celebration, with up to 30,000people expected to attend.

The three day festivalis an exciting and col-ourful extravaganzapacked with an arrayof attractions all aimedat providing an educa-tional and fun day outfor all the family.

Around 350 boats,many decorated, willline up along thewater’s edge. At least28 historic boats, thelargest number ever tohave attended the fes-tival, will offer water-

ways enthusiasts and history lovers achance to see how people lived andworked on the waterways in yearsgone by. The boats and their crewswill travel from all over the canal sys-tem, just as they did in their previouslives as working boats, carrying goodsall over the United Kingdom - fromLondon to Birmingham, from Bristolto Manchester and from Liverpool toLeeds and the East Coast.

Making a special guest appearancewill be the only restored ex-FellowsMorton and Clayton steam-powerednarrow boat, The President. Ownedby The Black Country LivingMuseum, the boat was built over acentury ago as a steamer, converted todiesel power in 1925, and, followingrestoration in 1974, returned to steampower.

Festival Extravaganza Floats into Staffordshire


The event is renowned for its highquality entertainment, and historylovers will be drawn to the majorViking battle re-enactment and livingcamp being staged by the worldfamous Regia Anglorum. With a rep-utation for vivid and dramatic enter-tainment, the Mikron TheatreCompany will debut a new waterwaysshow called Hell and High Water.There is much more to see, includinglive music, water activities and fair-ground rides.

The festival will also host up to 250exhibitors, so whether you’re inter-ested in boats and chandlery or justwish to browse the many specialitystalls, including clothing, arts andcrafts, jewellery and speciality foodand drink, the choice is extensive.

The event itself is organised entirelyby a small army of volunteers gath-ered from canal enthusiasts and manyfrom the local community of the hostarea. If you’d like to get involved andbecome a volunteer please contactAnn Myall on 01488 682504.

Make sure you put the date of thisnational IWA event in your diary!

Advance tickets can be purchasedonline atwww.thewaterwaysfestival.co.uk.Ticket prices: Single Day Adults £8(On Gate £10), Single Day Conces-sions £7 (On Gate £8) and Three Day(day time only) Ticket £15 (On Gate£19). Children under 16 GO FREEwhen accompanied by an adult.

President and Kildare seen at Stoke Bruerne.These pictures from Waterways Images


The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam

Journals ReceivedWe are very pleased to acknowledge copies of journals from various canal andriver societies and trusts. They include “Endeavour” from NorthamptonBranch; “The Portal” from Friends of the Cromford Canal; “The Cuckoo”,from the Chesterfield Canal Trust; “The Bridge”, from Grantham Canal Soci-ety; the “Melton and Oakham Newsletter”; and “The Wharfinger”, from LouthNavigation Trust, as well as “Navigation” from our regional neighbours atWest Midlands.

Anyone interested in receiving a copy of one of these journals should contactthe relevant address given in our page 4 directory.

For “The Cuckoo” contact the editor John Lower at 92a Tapton View Road,Chesterfield S41 7JY.

Just recently I was struggling with a lock gate single-handed, and not being 20stone, I was having some difficulty (you may guess where it was, choose frommany). To solve the problem I fetched out of the back of a boat locker an an-cient device, and managed to start the reluctant beam. At this point someonearrived from the other direction and offered to help, as boaters do. However hewas surprised to see my gadget, the like of which he had never heard nor seen.In the hope that it might be of help to other weaklings like me who may nothave come across it, here it is; it’s called a Handy Billy.

You need one double and one single block, with thimbles; about 12 metres ofdecent 6mm rope, not the nasty polypropylene stuff they sell as clothes line,and two separate bits of rope, preferably a bit thicker and about 2m. long.These are to go around the end of the lock gate beam and some other sturdyfixed point, if you can find one. The arrangement goes like this, with the dou-ble block end towards the part required to move. A gentle pull, and you get a3:1 mechanical advantage, which will shift most things.


Publications ReceivedNorth Yorkshire Waterways, byFiona Slee. Published 2011 by Rich-low, PO Box 3994, Sheffield S259AZ.. £7.50. ISBN 978-0-9566675-0-2 http://www.richlow.co.uk.

Earlier this year we had the pleasureof reading a fresh guide book fromRichlow Publications, on the SouthPennine Ring. This completed anexcellent coverage of the Ring. Nowa new guide has been published, forthe Rivers and Canals of NorthYorkshire. These are perhaps a bitoutside many boaters’ experience, soit is good to have the new guide tointroduce the area to those who maynot have been before, and to giveup-to-date information for those

already familiar but perhaps not recently. It covers the Ouse, Ure, Derwent andFoss, and the Ripon and Pocklington Canals. It fully lives up to expectation.The spiral bound A5 format is handy for use, whether in a boat or in a mapcase (to keep the Yorkshire weather out). The print is of Richlow’s usual highquality, with imaginative use of colour in the maps, and in the text. Pleasantphotographs illuminate the text as well, and there are notes on history; accessby road, and angling, cycling and walking. It is good to see an inside frontcover devoted to horn signals, partly because there is real commercial trafficon some of these stretches. Would that more boaters knew and used them. Aworthy addition to the Richlow library.

PH

Picture CreditsWe are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photo-graphs or other illustrations to enhance this or earlier editions of Aegre: PaulKing; Paul Birtles; Tony Pitman; John Lower; Peter Stone; Ian McDonald;Dave Carnell; Brian Dominic; Beryl McDowall; Nancy Johnson; NormanOsborne; David Pullen; Dave Scott; Mike Snaith; John Baylis; Bill Joyce,Lynda Payton; Colin Crofts; Rod Auton, Linda Hulme, Harry Arnold.


News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire

Redhill Marina

It seems to have been relatively quiet over recent months in the local area,but one very interesting development is in Nottinghamshire, but only justinside the County. Many will remember the IWA National Festival held in2009 at Redhill, just by the new East Midlands Parkway rail station. There isnow a planning application for a marina with over 600 spaces on this site.

If you can remember the set-up then, the new plan is to dig out lagoonsroughly where the car park and camping area were, leaving access spits. Themain office and service area would be where the WRG camp was, and a fur-ther lagoon would be on the river side of the actual festival exhibition area,the landward side towards the railway and grazing field not being involved.The boat entry from the river would be where the camping admin. tents were,with a flood gate, and all the existing mooring pontoons along the riverwould be moved inside.

Anyone who would like more information could look at the Nottinghamshireweb site:

www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/environment/planningmatters/developmentcontrol/planning-applications/applications-detail.htm?id=5142

Cotgrave Country Park - Grantham Canal Improvements

From Kevin Mann.

Following a successful bid by Nottinghamshire County Council to NottinghamGrowth Point for funding, a substantial amount of work is due to commencewithin Cotgrave Country Park and in particular on the length of the GranthamCanal within the park. The funding bid was especially supported by the RiverTrent to Cotgrave Green Infrastructure study and the 6C’s Green InfrastructureStrategy, and was also enhanced by potential benefits to the adjacent develop-ment site on the former colliery.

The main benefit for the canal will be the removal of the large concrete col-liery culvert bridge (bridge 14a) between Cotgrave Main Road Bridge andHollygate Lane. This will potentially create the opportunity in the future todevelop this length of canal for navigation providing a distance of approxi-mately 1.7km (1.1 miles) In addition the following works will be undertaken:


- A new bridge will be constructed immediately below Lock 7 on the abut-ments of the original access bridge. This new bridge will be designed to com-plement the lock, provide multi-use recreational access and allow access forcountry park maintenance vehicles

- Redundant colliery services which were laid on the bed of the canal to theeast of the colliery bridge (14a) will be removed.

- A towpath upgrade to accommodate increased recreational use within thecountry park.

- Habitat and balancing pond improvements within the country park.

- Improvements to footpaths and horse rides within the country park.

- Landscape / habitat enhancement, new hedgerows, existing pond improve-ments, grassland enhancement and woodland management.

The total estimated cost of the work is £381,000, with NottinghamshireCounty Council providing £90,000 and the remainder being secured as GrowthPoint Green Infrastructure Grant. Currently Nottinghamshire County Councilare undertaking engineering surveys and detailed design work. It is hoped thatwork will commence in late summer or early autumn 2011 and the work willbe completed by January 2012.

Social Programme

For the Notts and Derby social programme for the coming autumn and win-ter, please see the programme pages at the back of the magazine.

WRG member Ernie Boddy in action on the County Hall Steps


Notts & Derby Branch Programme

The Notts and Derby branch of the IWA organises a series of public meetings.We are hoping to attract lots of new faces to the meetings and have arranged avery interesting and varied group of speakers. Non IWA members will be verywelcome to attend. You will find us a friendly bunch! We meet on the thirdFriday of the month throughout most of the year.

Meetings are held at 7.30 pm at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridg-ford, Nottingham NG2 7HY. This is not far from the A60 (LoughboroughRoad) and the Arena entrance road is roughly opposite Greythorn Drive. Itwould take about 25 minutes from M1 Junction 24 up the A453. Don’t bealarmed by a barrier at the entrance - they will let you out again.

For SatNav equipped vehicles try 52° 55.328’ N, 01° 08.673’ W, or SK 5761036424. Note that Rushcliffe Leisure Centre is a different place. Further infor-mation about meetings can be obtained from Mavis White on 01636 671726.

Friday, 16th September 2011

Illustrated talk by Chris Madge concerning the latest restoration developmentsof the Derby and Sandiacre canal.

October 21st 2011

Talk on the Butterley Engineering Company, covering the 209 year history ofthe company from its establishment in 1790 by four partners. Speaker BrianKey.

November 18th 2011

Update on the Sleaford Navigation, speaker Steve Hayes.

December 16th 2011

Mini presentation by John Wilkinson entitled “The Liverpool Link”, followedby Christmas Refreshments.

Regional Diary Dates 2011/12All members of any branch, visitors, and non-members are all welcome to attend.


January 20th 2012

Boating on the Lincolnshire Waterways and the River Idle, by John Lower.

February 17th 2012

Annual General Meeting, followed by “North East Rivers” (Humber, Idle,Wharfe, Tees and Tyne). Freight boats, big ships to little tiddlers. SpeakerJohn Pomfret, Chairman of the East Midlands Region.

March 16th 2012

Mick Golds presents “The Erewash Canal and Restoration at Langley Mill”.

April 20th 2012

Alexa Stott from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust will present “From Dream toSteam - The Tornado Story”. Tornado was the first new main line steam loco-motive to be built in Britain for almost 50 years.

OUTDOOR SEASON

May 18th 2012

Guided walk along the Chesterfield Canal. Starting at 7pm from Staveley andfinishing at the Hollingwood Hub, the new visitor centre. Leader John Lower.

June 15th 2012

Guided walk along the Cromford Canal. Meeting at 7pm at Cromford Wharf towalk to Leawood pump and back. Approximately 3 miles, leader Mike Kelly.

Northampton Branch ProgrammeMeetings are at the Walnut Tree, Blisworth, at 8 pm. For more information onNorthampton events contact Graham Treagus on 01604 870515.

13th September 2011 Talk by David Bond on "Development of Towns andVillages along the Nene".

11th October 2011 Talk by David Blagrove on "Saving the Kennet andAvon".

8th November 2011 Talk by David Bond on "Bridges across the Nene"

13th December 2011 Talk by Richard Thomas on "Thames Tugs".


Leicestershire Branch ProgrammeMeetings will normally be held at 7.30 pm at The Wheatsheaf Pub, LeicesterRoad, Thurcaston, LE7 7JN, (at the junction with Mill Road) in the FunctionRoom/Skittle Alley, unless otherwise stated. The Wheatsheaf is on theAnstey to Birstall road. There is plenty of parking at the pub. For SatNavequipped vehicles try 52° 41.679’ N, 01° 09.715’ W, or SK 56738 11106.

The following is the skeleton programme for the 2011-2012 period.

Sat. 17 & Sun. 18 September

Branch Stand at Foxton Locks Festival

Thurs. 13 Oct.

Social Open Meeting

Thurs. 10 Nov.

Social Open Meeting

Thurs. 8 Dec.

Branch Christmas Meal

Thurs. 12 Jan. 2012

Social Open Meeting

Thurs. 9 Feb.

Branch AGM followed by Social

Thurs. 8 March

Social Open Meeting

Thurs. 12 April - Social Open Meeting

Thurs. 10 May - Social Event - Visit

Further details of meetings will be given in “Winding Ways” and will be onthe Branch web site. Alternatively, contact the Social Secretary, BerylMcDowall (phone 07710-029247) or email [email protected].

If you are coming to hear a specific speaker, you are advised to ring Berylnearer the time to confirm the details, as occasionally changes have to bemade.


Lincolnshire ProgrammeGrantham Events:

The Trip-boat:

Some 15 or so bookings so far, from mid April to early July, mean that TheThree Shires is off to a flying start. The crews have reported that she is muchmore responsive and easier to handle after the winter remedial work. Thenarrow and shallow section of canal between The Bridle Bridge (63) andCasthorpe Bridge (64) continues to cause some concern, especially with a fullyloaded boat. However we hope to improve matters shortly. The popularity ofthe cruises means we could do with a few more volunteers to crew the boat.It’s not difficult, and if you fancy having a go, contact Mike Oliver:[email protected] or tel 0163 681 4348

If you would like to book a trip, please telephone Fiona on 01949 850 999.(Please note there are new boat timings and prices).

Wednesday. September 14th

An evening of Archive Waterway Films given by Rob Foxon.

This is a rare opportunity to see some original footage of historic films onwaterways. The programme will include:

A Cruise down the River Trent in 1930’s.

There go the Boats. A 1951 film on narrow canals from BTC Film Unit.

Broad Waterways, a 1959 film from the same unit.

Commencing at 7.30pm. Tickets will cost £5.00 and include light refresh-ments. You are advised to book early as seating capacity will be limited.Venue and booking details to be announced later; contact Grantham CanalSociety, see our page 4 directory..

We have a full programme of meetings, held on Tuesdays (normally 4th in themonth) at Gregory’s Bar, Aspen Drive, Spondon, Derby, Derbyshire, DE217SG. Please join us if you can – details are posted on our website.

Derby and Sandiacre


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Aegre July 2011

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