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Ouse News - Autumn 2011 The Cambridge Branch Newsletter covering the Great Ouse area Campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the Inland Waterways. The Inland Waterways Association August on the Great Ouse Photo: Fred Ray The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Cambridge Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. Contents: Branch Committee p2 Chairman’s Corner p3 Book Review p4 RSPB p6 All Aboard p8 Waterways of Ireland p9 A lock too far? p10 Branch News p12 Govt. Plans p13 Festival 2011 p14 Droitwich Canal p15
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Page 1: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News - Autumn 2011 The Cambridge Branch Newsletter

covering the Great Ouse area

Campaigning for the conservation,use, maintenance, restoration and

development of the InlandWaterways.

The InlandWaterwaysAssociation

August on the Great OusePhoto: Fred Ray

The views expressed in thispublication are notnecessarily those of theInland WaterwaysAssociation or of theCambridge Branch. Theyare, however, published asbeing of interest to ourmembers and readers.

Contents:Branch Committee p2

Chairman’s Corner p3

Book Review p4

RSPB p6

All Aboard p8

Waterways of Ireland p9A lock too far? p10

Branch News p12

Govt. Plans p13

Festival 2011 p14

Droitwich Canal p15

Page 2: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Membership Officer:Peter Webb35 Norfolk RoadEly, CB6 3EJTel 01353 658581e-mail: [email protected]

Webmaster:Stephen Foote14 High Street, ChrishallRoyston, SG8 8RPTel 01763 838936e-mail: [email protected]

Member:Derek Bradley24 Witchford RoadEly, CB6 3DPTel 01353 661601e-mail: [email protected]

Ouse News Page 2

Branch Committee

Chairman:Keith AldertonHolly Cottage, 57 Globe StreetMethwoldThetford, IP26 4PQTel. 01366 727236 e-mail:[email protected]

Secretary:John Hodgson9 Beaufort Way, BrickhillBedford MK41 7XQTel 01234 344884e-mail: [email protected]

Treasurer:Enid Hodgson9 Beaufort Way, BrickhillBedford MK41 7XQTel 01234 344884e-mail: [email protected]

Ouse News Editor:Carole AldertonHolly Cottage, 57 Globe StreetMethwoldThetford, IP26 4PQTel. 01366 727236e-mail: [email protected]

Sales Officer:David Anderson21 Cambridge StreetSt NeotsPE19 1JLTel 01480 477227e-mail:[email protected]

May we remindmembers to sendany changes ofe-mail addressesto: [email protected]

Page 3: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 3

Chairman’s CornerWell, summer has now gone – or did it just not arrive? At least most of usdid not suffer from either too little or too much water!

Having at last extracted myself from the day-to-day running of the chan-dlery we did manage to enjoy our first two-week holiday on Watermist forsome eight years. We had a very leisurely run from our mooring at the topend of the Little Ouse to Bedford and back and were pleasantly surprisedto find just how attractive the upper reaches of the River Great Ouse are.The miles of riverside and lakeside walks at Bedford are well worth visiting.

As reported elsewhere, this year’s National Waterways Festival at Burton-on-Trent proved to be a great success, despite fears that the change fromthe traditional date over the August Bank Holiday weekend to July wouldhave an adverse effect on attendance. Unfortunately the venue was too far‘up North’ for any of the committee to get there by boat. Peter Webb didmake a valiant effort, only to be thwarted by falling under his boat and badlysmashing his ankle in several places, resulting in a stay in Macclesfield hos-pital whilst his leg was put back together with the aid of a box of stainlesssteel screws. However, I am pleased to report that both Peter, Jean andthe boat are all safely back home once again and Peter’s leg is well on themend.

I understand it was mooted that the Festival be held at Peterborough nextyear, but in the end it was decided that the event be cancelled because ofthe Olympic Games. Hopefully we will get the chance to host the Nationalin the Eastern Region once again before too long.

You will find listed in this edition the full branch programme for the 2011-2012 season that we hope you will find to be of interest. As always, wehave endeavoured to present a varied programme of both informative andsocial events that will suit a variety of tastes. Please remember that all arewelcome and so do not hesitate to bring along any friends or colleagueswho you consider would enjoy meeting a bunch of waterways enthusiasts.

Keith Alderton

Page 4: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 4

‘The Landscape Trilogy’ by L.T.C.RoltBook Review by Stephen FooteI have never understood the awe in which L.T.C.Rolt is held as a writer, soit is perhaps unsurprising that his autobiography did not move me to a frenzy.

His book is divided into three parts, and it is the second part, sub-titled‘Landscape with Canals’ that covers the period of his life aboard hisnarrowboat ‘Cressy’ and the publication of the first (and greatest) successof his writing career – ‘Narrow Boat’. This second part is likely to be ofmost interest to waterways enthusiasts. Although one of the founders of theInland Waterways Association, I was surprised to find that he was actuallyonly involved with the Association for a relatively short period; from foun-dation in 1946 to his abrupt resignation in 1950.

What does the autobiography tell us of the man himself? I discovered a manill at ease with the world as he found it; trained as an engineer but seemingto despise the very machines he had helped to create; unable to come toterms with the fact that there is nothing as certain as change and you can’tturn the clock back – ever.

So his love of old cars, old railways, old canals, old buildings, old anythingspeaks volumes. The meeting at Tardebigge between him and Robert Aikmanin 1946 was the catalyst for the formation of the IWA – but it would be hardto imagine two people less likely to relate to each other. Where Aikmanwas the assertive, abrasive doer, Rolt was the romantic dreamer, trying tore-create a world that had already gone for good and would never return.In his book he despairs of the canals being reduced to a ‘playground’. Infact, the renaissance of the canals as a leisure resource is one of the out-standing achievements of recent times.

Having read his book, I get the impression that if he could return to thewaterways today he would not like what he found. Such a pity. In theforeword to ‘The Landscape Trilogy’ his wife Sonia writes ‘... he said, ‘Ihave had a happy life’. I do hope so.

(Sutton Publishing Ltd. 2005 et seqISBN 0 7509 4139 1)

Page 5: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 5

A well stocked Inland Chandlery with friendly and knowledgeable staff catering for Cruisers & Narrowboats

Come and see us (you'll find us 2 minutes walk from Ely waterfront), or have a look at our easy to use mailorder website

Boat Safety SchemeExaminations

Watch out!

Cambridgeshire eel catcher, Peter Carter, is to feature in a newtelevision series called Ade in Britain, which will be celebratingtraditional regional food. The programme is scheduled to be shownon ITV1 in November. Mr Carter is one of the few eel catchersleft in Britain and was filmed on one of his recent expeditionscatching and then preparing eels.

Ouse News Advertising

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• Circulation 350 within 30 miles of Cambridge

• Adverts cost £30 (+ VAT) per half page for a year

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(carolealderton @sky.com)

Page 6: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 6

When the RSPB moved in to what is now Lakenheath Fen nature reservein 1995, they were faced with the task of converting just over a square mileof arable farmland and poplar trees into a reedbed nature reserve to providehabitat for bitterns, a rare member of the heron family. In our favour, thearea chosen had the following benefits; it was large, flat and “wettable.”

Sixteen years down the line, bitterns have nested on the reserve for thethird consecutive year. Hold the phone though; I have just skipped the storyof many years of hard work, trial and error and ingenuity!

Of course, the biggest issue was where to get the water from, as there’s nouse having a dry reedbed! Fortunately, the northern boundary of the reserveis the Little Ouse river, which straddles the Norfolk/ Suffolk border. Theland here is peat overlying sand, which makes it very porous. Water seepsin under the riverbank, moves through the reserve through artesian pressure,and would usually continue moving beyond the southern boundary. Keepingwater on-site required a major piece of infrastructure to be put in place,known by staff as SID. SID is our Seepage Interceptor Drain, a four pointtwo kilometre drain that runs for the length of the reserve. Water from theriver is re-circulated within the site using two electric pumps situated ateither end of SID. It is then pumped into a high level feeder channel runningalong the northern edge of the reserve, and fed back into the reedbed througha system of 21 sluices. Up to one million cubic metres of water can betaken (by licence) from the river between November and March; it comesin though a pipe, by gravity. This assists in achieving high water- levels inspring. However, it has not been necessary to use that source since 2006.

Those of you who are familiar with the Little Ousewill have seen people striding along the flood bankcarrying cameras or binoculars - well now is yourchance to find out what this is all about! David White,Information Officer from the RSPB Lakenheath Fen

Reserve is joining us on 27th October to give us a talk, but in themeantime he has given us some background information:

Page 7: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 7

The reedbed was created in five phases between 1996 and 2000. Alto-gether about 20 kilometres of channels, 50 small pools and eight kilometresof bank were created. Water levels in each major reedbed compartmentare controlled with sluices. As the top-quality soil has to be retained onsite, water levels have to be held above natural ground level. As over 25,000cubic metres are held on the reserve, the Reservoirs Act was invoked. Thisrequired that a safety bank, or reservoir dam, be constructed to preventany water escaping if the internal banks failed. The earth bank was alsofour point two kilometres long.

So that, in a nutshell, is how the water is managed. Another large task wasplanting the reeds. Incredibly, between 1997-2003, a third of a million wereplanted by hand, mostly by volunteers. The reeds came from two sources,some were grown from seedlings and others were cuttings from existingreedbeds. As the reeds were planted, wire mesh was placed around themto prevent marauding coots and geese from eating the reedbed before ithad a chance to grow!

Hopefully this has given you an introduction to what we have done at RSPBLakenheath Fen. In my talk, I will explain some more history surroundingthe area and about some of the wonderful wildlife that has colonised it in thelast sixteen years. I look forward to meeting you soon! David White

Don’t miss the Half Cut Theatre on 24th November

Following last year ’s popular performance Up the Cut, wewelcome back Derek Harris, who will be presenting Characterson the Cut. A series of both humorous and serious insights intothe people, past and present, who have, for one reason or another,been drawn to the canals of this country. Told from the viewpointof an observer at ‘The Pub on the Cut’, the audience is introducedto a variety of characters including an ‘Idle Woman’ and a‘Gongoozler’. Each has a song to sing (some of which requireaudience participation) and a tale to tell. The show is now in itsthird year.

Page 8: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 8

All aboard …

There was good news thissummer for people wantingriver cruises. The LibertyBelle has returned to the GreatOuse in Ely after Steve King’ssudden death last year. MrMartin McKeever, who liveson a narrowboat in the Elyarea, has taken over the tours.He has also started a newCruise and Dine service,which involves an evening

cruise to a local pub. Martin has more plans to expand his business nextsummer and having lived in the area for 20 years feels he would like tomake a contribution to the city. For more information contact Martin on07572 829386.

The owners of The Swan res-taurant and bar in Littleporthave also commenced boattours. Customers have beenoffered afternoon river tripsthroughout the summer as anextra treat, either before or af-ter their meal. It is also hopedthat the Blue Bayou will behired for parties and otherevents. Mr Walker feels thatthis will make The Swan justthat little bit different from other local restaurants. Further information canbe obtained by either visiting the restaurant or by ringing 01353 861677.

Page 9: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 9

Waterways of Ireland – an introductionThe inland waterways system in Ireland is managed by Waterways Ireland,an organisation similar to British Waterways in the UK. They cover all the

waterways in the whole of the island of Ire-land. Again, as in the UK, the navigable wa-terways of Ireland are a combination of natu-ral rivers and man-made canals. They are nowlargely linked together so boats may travelthroughout most of the system enjoying awhole range of environments from the glori-ous natural beauty of rural Ireland to theformer industrial areas. The major navigationsare the world famous River Shannon whichruns almost exactly north – south from Boylein County Roscommon to discharge into theAtlantic Ocean at Limerick. The Grand andRoyal canals both join the Shannon in the

midlands and run east to Dublin. From its junction with the Grand Canalnear Naas to the west of Dublin isthe Barrow Navigation, discharg-ing into the ocean at Waterford.Further north, other major water-ways linked to the main system arethe Erne and the Shannon – ErneWaterway which links the two.There is a “stand alone” waterway,the Lower Bann Navigation, fromColeraine on the north coast toLough Neagh, west of Belfast.The parallel with the UK does not end here!We have a sister organisation in the Inland Waterways Association of Ire-land (IWAI.) Founded a little later than our own, in 1954, it is also formedinto branches that are generally geographically based around their localwaterways. They have regular branch meetings dealing with items of localand general interest and cruises in convoy on their waterways. The pictureshows the banner at such a meeting which was held in New Ross BoatClub towards the south of the Barrow navigation. John Hodgson

Page 10: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 10

A lock too far?

You may be aware that that that there has been a long standing contro-versy regarding the future of Welches Dam Lock. The lock has now beenout of operation for over 5 years and it is feared that if it is not restoredsoon it will be lost for all time.

The problem as always is cash – or more appropriately, lack of cash! Iunderstand that repairing the lock itself would be relatively straight for-ward and could be achieved by replacing, or repairing, the gates and car-rying out remedial civil engineering work on the structure of the chamber.In the past, the offer of help using the voluntary labour and expertise of theWaterways Recovery Group to carry out this work has regrettably beenrejected by the Environment Agency.

The repair of the lock itself would not be prohibitively expensive; howeverthe major problem lies elsewhere with the poor state (or porous state) ofthe navigation channel. Prior to closure, the section between HorsewayLock and Welches Dam was filled overnight on specific weekends to al-low the passage of boats. However, as soon as the lock had been usedthe water quickly drained away. The EA has carried out extensive surveysand have come to the conclusion that there is no cost effective way ofrectifying the problem.

In these difficult financial times, the question has to be asked whether it isreasonable to expect vast sums to be spent on restoring a little used water-way that is tucked away at the extreme end of the system. How muchwould it cost per boat movement? It must be remembered that the EA hasa finite navigation budget that can only be spent once and money spent onWelches Dam could well mean a substantial reduction in expenditure else-where in the Anglian Region. It would be a shame if the considerableimprovements made to the infrastructure and facilities on the River GreatOuse and tributaries in recent years were to be allowed to go into decline.

Page 11: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 11The long-term solution may be for the Welches Dam section of the FortyFoot Drain to be bypassed, with a new section of channel and lock provid-ing an additional access point to the Ouse near Earith as part of the pro-posed Fens Waterways Link Route. This would provide a new route fromthe Middle Level avoiding tidal waters and, along with the Bedford & MiltonKeynes Waterways, really would be worth investing large sums on as bothwould provide new through routes to the canal system.

‘In your dreams’ I hear you say! Back in the real world, what do we dowith Welches Dam? The IWA has a long proud history of fighting seeminglylost causes and our efforts have saved many an abandoned navigation. Thereare those in the organisation who consider that Welches Dam must be re-stored now, not withstanding the curent budget restraints. Others take amore pragmatic view and, with reluctance, would be content to see restora-tion held over until funds become more readily available. However, every-body agrees that we must not allow the navigation to be officially aban-doned.

These are difficult issues with no easy solution. Please make us aware ofyour views. Keith Alderton

Boat fire at Ely

A fibreglass cruiser exploded at ElyMarina in August, resulting in twocrew members receiving minorinjuries.It is thought that petrol fumes wereignited by the engine ignition systemshortly after refuelling.The incident highlights the need fora very high standard of maintenanceand safe working practices whenusing petrol in a marineenvironment.

Increased traffic on waterways!

Investigations are underway totransport sewage sludge from theEly area to the Anglian Water treat-ment plant at Clenchwarton, nearKing’s Lynn, by river rather thanroad.This would reduce the number oftankers on the road. Could this bea way of clearing the roads and uti-lising the rivers? We shall learn moreafter further consultations andcostings.

Page 12: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 12

We welcome the following newmembers to the branch andhope they will introducethemselves to us when comingto an event or meeting:

Our March meeting will be ourAGM and update from the rivermanagers of the EnvironmentAgency. This will be held on:

Winter Meetings

Branch News

Mr J L Barlow, St Neots

Mrs A Bromley, Cambridge

Dr M Macauley, Potton

Mr M P & Mrs D F Warbuton,Harleton

Mr L Lee Leonard, Littleport

Mr E D Rowt, Saffron Walden

Mr C Collins, Cambridge

Mr S Bavester, Over

Mr D Jermy & Ms A Mayer,Chittering

Members who have moved tothe branch:

Mr S J & Mrs C A Fisher,St. Ives

THURSDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2012

are at 8 pm. on Thursdayevenings at the Cole’s RoadCommunity Centre, Milton(North Cambridge) CB24 6BL.

Members & Visitors welcome.

Our February meeting will bea quiz together with a fish andchip supper and will be held on:

Our October meeting will bea talk about ‘Lakenheath Fennature reserve’ and will be heldon:THURSDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2011

Our November meeting willfeature the ‘Half Cut Theatre’and will be held on:

THURSDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2011

THURSDAY 22ND MARCH 2012

Page 13: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 13

Government Plans to Increase Houseboat Moorings

The Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, has stated that financial incentives areto be offered to councils to allow more moorings for houseboats on water-ways.

BBC News reported Mr. Shapps has said that :-

‘Houseboats could allow people to live in areas that otherwise might beout of their financial reach - around 15,000 people live on our waterwaysand many more would like to do so. Money that councils receive frommooring sites could be invested in new marina facilities or recreational ac-tivities that everyone could benefit from. Creating more residential long-term moorings could also reduce the number of boats overstaying on thetowpaths of canals and waterways.’

If you look at the situation locally, there is an obvious need to improve thesituation in Cambridge where residential boats take up the majority of theavailable moorings, leaving only a handful of spaces for visitors. The crea-tion of off-line residential moorings could potentially free-up space to ac-commodate many more 24/48 hour mooring slots and hence encouragepeople to come and spend money in the City.

We are lucky in our area, as we do not yet have a major problem with‘continuous moorers’, but you only have to look at the waterways aroundLondon to see how easy it is to let the situation to get out of hand. Thedanger is that as residential boats move off of the towpath into marinas theirplaces are taken up by yet more people seeking cheap accommodation.On balance, I think that we should welcome more investment in residentialmarinas, but must also ensure that the relevant authorities enforce the rulesregarding overstaying on towpath and visitor moorings.

Keith Alderton

Page 14: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 14

Sunshine and Success for The Waterways Festival 2011Shobnall Fields, Burton-upon-Trent

The huge swell of support from boaters, volunteers, exhibitors and visitorshas generated the most successful national festival for The Inland Water-ways Association (IWA) since 2007.

The Waterways Festival, staged in Burton upon Trent from 29th to 31stJuly, also enjoyed beautiful weather for the three day event which was awelcome return after a run of mixed weather for the last four years.

Latest figures from the festival organisers revealed:

• Around 25,000 visitors attended the event over the three dayperiod

• 360 boats moored along the Trent and Mersey canal – stretching1.5 miles in either direction of the festival site.

• A record breaking 28 historic boats were on show• 350 camping units stayed on-site• Hundreds of volunteers were involved in staging the festival• Over 250 exhibitors - ranging from boat builders to local crafts

people

Commenting on the success of The Waterways Festival 2011 - Ian West,IWA Festivals Chairman, said:

‘It’s been a delight to return to Burton which has been a beautiful sitefor us to stage this year’s festival. We have been really encouraged byboaters, local authorities and of course, the general public, who haveattended and supported the IWA’s longstanding campaign for the use,maintenance and restoration of Britain’s inland waterways. I’d like tothank everyone who has supported us this year - it’s been a truly spec-tacular event.’

Page 15: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

Ouse News Page 15

Droitwich Canal Opening1st - 3rd July 2011

The highlight of my recent canal trip was reaching Droitwich Spa during thecelebrations for the re-opening of the Droitwich canals. I have to confessthat, prior to my journey, I had no real idea where Droitwich was. Now Ican say it is near Worcester and close to the bottom of the famous Tardebiggeflight of narrow locks. I can recommend it.

The Droitwich Barge and Junction canals were officially closed in 1939 andthe Droitwich Canals Trust was formed in 1973 to re-open them. It hasbeen a long haul with money, labour and sheer doggedness from manyprivate and public bodies.

One of the volunteers told me that when they seemed to be going nowherethey would organise a working party and 200 volunteers would turn up.No-one could then say there was no demand for the re-opening of thecanals.

There were lots of other stories. One man living by the canal had bought atiny narrowboat some years earlier and had used this ever since to go to theshops a few miles down a short stretch of navigable canal. Another told mehow part of the canal had looked like an open sewer in the past. Anotherman had been walking the same section for 20 years. He had known itcompletely weeded over, with impassable lock without gates (or water).He said it was fantastic to see it fully restored.

As we arrived and passed through the Droitwich Barge Lock the churchbells rang – definitely a first. We were later told that the vicar had offered toring the bells in celebration that morning. There were thousands of peopleenjoying the sunshine, walking along the canal and looking at all the boats.Members of the press were there in force, a band was playing and the foodand beer tents were in full swing. It was a great occasion.

John Revell (Peterborough Branch)

Page 16: Ouse News, Autumn 2011

The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited byguarantee. Registered in England no 612245 Registered as a charity no 212342Registered Office: Island House, Moor Rd, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Phone 01494783453

Ouse News Page 16

Celebrations infull swing

Droitwich Canal Opening

A typical lockon theDroutwichBarge Canal

Preparingto passundertheM5


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