http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latest.cgi News, pictures and comments from Britain's best-selling waterway magazine. http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3979 Londons Paddington is set to get a new landmark with the announcement that Westminster planners have approved proposals to construct a kinetic fan bridge that will unfurl over the Grand Union Canal at Merchant Square. Fri, 17 May 2013 16:18:35 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3978 Saturn, the last horse-drawn Shropshire Union Canal fly-boat in the world, which is now used for education projects, is currently visiting towns and villages along the Llangollen Canal. Thu, 16 May 2013 11:48:40 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3970 Brazen thieves managed to steal a narrowboat from a marina despite a getaway speed of only five miles per hour. The 40,000 boat, Samshiba, was taken from the marina in London Road, Kegworth, and was last seen heading for Leicester. It is expected the boat is still somewhere in Leicestershire, based on the boats top speed and the number of canal locks in the county. The 60ft vessel had been in the care of East Midlands Boat Services when it was taken in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Fri, 10 May 2013 12:23:01 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3969 An 86-year-old great-grandfather had a miraculous escape when he fell from his bicycle into the canal. Jack Earl was rescued by six passers-by as he struggled to get himself free. He lost consciousness and was eventually dragged out after 20 minutes in the freezing water. The pensioner was lucky to escape with hardly a scratch on him to show for his ordeal. Thu, 9 May 2013 15:40:37 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3965 A former seaman who dedicated himself to a Mirfield charity was given a uniquely fitting send-off at his funeral. Robert Boothroyd, who died after a battle with cancer, volunteered and fixed boats for the Safe Anchor Trust. More than 200 people who attended his funeral saw his coffin carried down his favourite canal in a floating cortege. Safe Anchor Trust Founder Les Moss said: It was a very unusual funeral and if you didnt know Robert and heard about it out of context then it would sound very odd indeed. Sun, 5 May 2013 11:15:18 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3964 When the lease ended on the flat that artist Rob Pointon was sharing with his girlfriend, photographer and animator Karen Sayle, the couple decided to embark on a house hunt. However, they didnt start trawling through estate agents particulars looking for a des res. The unconventional couple bought a narrowboat, fitted it out as a floating studio, and then spent a year traversing the man-built and natural waterways of the UK, with Rob painting as they went. Fri, 3 May 2013 11:53:39 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3963 <div><b>Richard Parry</b>, currently a director of the First Group rail operator and for many years a senior executive of London Underground, is to be the new chief executive of the Canal &amp; River Trust, succeeding Robin Evans, who steps down shortly.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Richard Parry had spent 19 years with the London tube network in various senior roles, including revenue and strategy - culminating as deputy managing director for TfL Rail and Underground.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">He moved to First Group in January last year to take charge of its bid for the West Coast rail franchise, which it won from Virgin last August. However, when this was overturned by the government in October after a legal challenge he was moved to run the much smaller Hull Trains company in December 2012.</div><div><br></div><div>He is also a trustee of People 1st the council which was set up to improve skills in the hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism industries, particularly in the areas of management and leadership, customer service and craft/technical skills.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>CRT chairman Tony Hales said Parrys rail experience had given him fantastic experience of managing complex &nbsp;infrastructure something which is crucial for our network of lock flights, embankments, soaring aqueducts and other engineering feats of the industrial age.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hales praised Parrys strong record of leading organisations through change, and said he was very pleased that Richard is moving from rail to water, recognising the renaissance that has seen our canals and rivers come to life and the opportunity we have to give them a bright future.</div><div><br></div><div>Parry himself said I have bags of enthusiasm for the waterways and have seen first-hand the shot in the arm that canals provide to the communities they flow through.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Richard Parry is 46 and married with two teenage daughters, and lives in the West Midlands.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/Richard_Parry_of_Hull_Trains.jpg"><br></div> Fri, 3 May 2013 10:30:05 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3958 Sealine workers are being warned to brace themselves for significant job losses after the Kidderminster-based luxury-boat builder entered administration. Administrators from Baker Tilly Restructuring and Recovery were called in to the company, based at Whitehouse Road, off Worcester Road, earlier today. Sealine employs about 300 people. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:47:02 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3954 The Shropshire Star will set sail on the regions waterways this weekend when it gives its name to a new canal boat. The 70ft narrowboat will be used to take passengers on pleasure cruises along the Shropshire Union Canal from its base at Norbury Junction, near Newport. It will be officially launched at a VIP naming ceremony on Saturday, as part of the Norbury and Shrewsbury Canal Trusts annual bank holiday festival. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:35:42 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3953 <div>The Daily Telegraph today profiles Max Sinclair, the veteran canal campaigner who began the Droitwich Canals restoration in 1959 and was lucky enough to see it completed 42 years later.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Max is held up as one of the first winners of the <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/eh-angel-awards-2013-open-for-applications/" classname="" target="" name=""><b>English Heritage Angels Awards</b></a> scheme,&nbsp;aimed at honouring 'volunteers and craftsmen who have distinguished themselves in the rescue of a site or building under threat.' &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;"><div><i>We are used to quick results in this 24/7 age. Max Sinclair understands the value of patience, however. It took him more than 40 years to achieve his goal, overcoming obstacles physical and bureaucratic. Now, at the age of 82, he sits on the bench by the lock at Mildenham Mill and surveys the object of his ambition, the rejuvenated Droitwich Barge Canal.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>We dredged 300,000 tons of soil and mud out of here, says Max of the volunteers, many of whom he never knew, responsible for bringing this tranquil waterway back to life. We laugh at David Cameron and his Big Society, but this really was the Big Society: people making a contribution, playing their part for no reward other than the pleasure of being with other people and doing something worthwhile.&nbsp;</i></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>The scheme is sponsored by the Daily Telegraph, hence Max's profile in the newspaper.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>If you want to nominate someone as an English Heritage 'Angel', you have until 19th May - <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/eh-angel-awards-2013-open-for-applications/" classname="" target="" name="">more details here</a>.&nbsp;</div> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:05:52 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3952 Bath and Wiltshire police are appealing for information to help trace a 39-year-old man, Allan Campbell. Officers want to talk to him about a number of canal boat burglaries over the past three months. He is described as white, 6ft 2ins tall, of proportionate build and with numerous tattoos on his arms, hands, chest and back. He has no fixed address and is believed to have been in the Warwickshire area recently but may have moved on. Bath police are investigating eight canal boat burglaries that they believe are linked. Three happened over the Easter holiday weekend in the Bathampton and Claverton areas. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:35:29 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3951 <b id="docs-internal-guid-1472d5c5-5525-aa87-022c-488bfe05fde6" style="font-weight: normal;"><h2 dir="ltr" style=" line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1472d5c5-5525-aa87-022c-488bfe05fde6" style=" font-weight: normal;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; display: inline !important;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Friday 26th April CRT closed the Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal, and its towpath, after serious cracks appeared in the brick abutment of Reeds Bridge (bridge 2A), close to the junction. </span></p></b></h2><br><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><p dir="ltr" style=" line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Walker, engineering manager for the Canal &amp; River Trust, said: On Friday evening we noticed that one of the brick sides that supports Reeds Bridge had significantly moved so for safety reason we have had to temporarily close the canal and towpath around the bridge. &nbsp;Were not sure yet what has caused this problem and over the next few weeks we will be carrying a full and thorough investigation and we hope to have the canal and towpath back open as quickly and possible. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style=" line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style=" line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/Bridge_2A_Slough_Arm.jpg"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br></p></b> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:36:08 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3950 Max Sinclair Canal enthusiast For half a century this man has inspired thousands of volunteers in his campaign to rescue the Droitwich canals in Wychavon, Worcestershire. Max, now 82, led helpers who bought diggers, built locks, made new towpaths, and cleared away 300,000 tonnes of mud. Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:15:47 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3949 The mother of a Burnley boy rescued from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is calling for safety fencing on the canal side to prevent further accidents. Two-year-old Ayaan Shah was walking with his mother in the Colne Road area of Burnley on 15 April when he ran off. He was found face down in the canal ... His mother Nazia Khan said: "I don't want any other mothers to go through what I've gone through." Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:33:38 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3948 The tourist attraction is developing a project to celebrate Gloucester Docks' contribution to the nation. This week it found out the Heritage Lottery Fund has given it initial support of 60,700 to help improve its visitor experience. The project, called From Birmingham to the Sea, will see the museum change its displays to tell the story of the River Severn and the canals from Sharpness to Birmingham. Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:25:59 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3947 Part of the cross-border Ulster Canal which has not been used for 80 years is to reopen, it has been revealed. The 14km route runs from Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh to Clones in Co Monaghan. New towpaths and bridges will also be created as part of the 35 million euro work which is expected to take three years. Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:15:09 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3946 A former seaman and boat lover who died after a battle with cancer had his perfect send off in a barge coffin. The funeral cortege with a difference involved popular Robert Boothroyds family following him to his service along his favourite canal. Robert, 60, was an ex-merchant seaman and boat engineer who dedicated his time to a charity which runs canal trips for disadvantaged children and community groups. Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:10:07 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3938 A CAMPAIGNING canoeist who is aiming to get free access for all on Britains waterways has vowed to continue his fight, despite being forced to give up a court case into the matter. Andrew Biddulph challenged Burton on Trent Mutual Angling Association and requested 4,000 compensation from the club, after he discovered there were restrictions in place for a section of the River Dove for which the club holds the fishing rights. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:18:04 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3937 The Mirfield Boat Co has completed restoration of the inspection launch owned by the erstwhile owner of the Rochdale Canal, the late Arnold Ziff. The boat is a replica of an inspection vessel used on the Rochdale Canal. The boat was last used by the Ziff family for corporate entertaining, but had fallen into disrepair. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:21:15 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3936 Landscape architect Antony Nelson, a director at Design International, has drawn up a plan for a raised cycle path along the Regents Canal. The dedicated bike path would run between Angel and Hackney partly over the canal itself. The proposal also calls for a series of cultural hubs along the route. Nelson will be canvassing canal users later in the year, before presenting his idea to the Mayor and Transport for London. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:44:36 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3934 An elevated bike path along the Regents canal has been proposed as a way of ending the growing battle between cyclists and pedestrians. Landscape architect Antony Nelson, 41, came up with the idea after being forced to abandon the towpath between Hackney and Islington due to increasing congestion and fast and aggressive cycling. He plans to consult canal users on the design, which would use lightweight steel panels to minimise costs, and hopes to win support from Transport for London. The elevated path would weave across the canal and allow boats to pass below. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:40:00 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3921 Last week the wall at Buckland Lock, on the Aylesbury Arm, partially collapsed opening up a large crater along the towpath. As a result the lock, which is over 170 years old, has been closed until it can be repaired. Fri, 5 Apr 2013 14:32:22 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3917 The vast wall in Droitwich's Netherwich Basin will again be brought to life this year with another temporary mural from members of Droitwich Arts Network. And residents are being invited to play their part with a public painting event next Saturday (April 6) in Vines Park to help put together the huge 64 foot wide design. Last years Great White Shark has been released from captivity and back into the ocean in preparation for a pirate ship to set sail down the towns historic canal to the Netherwich Basin. This years design will depict the ship being apprehended in the canal basin and has been given the title Captain Kidds Last Adventure. Wed, 3 Apr 2013 16:37:42 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3916 <b id="internal-source-marker_0.699091462418437" style=" font-weight: normal;"><h2 dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.699091462418437" style="font-weight: normal;"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; display: inline !important;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font size="2">Cowbridge Lock, the only one on the the Witham Navigable Drains has just been subject to an eight-month, 70,000 upgrade. </font></span></p></b></h2><br><font size="2"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></font><p dir="ltr" style=" margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While Antons Gowt Lock, under the control of CRT, gives access from the River Witham to the western drains, under the jurisdiction of the Witham Fourth District Inland Drainage Board, to access the Maud Foster and the Stonebridge drains, controlled by the Environment Agency, boats must pass through Cowbridge Lock.</span></p><br><font size="2"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></font><p dir="ltr" style=" margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A routine structural survey in 2011 of this 1940s lock revealed deterioration, largely due to metal fatigue of the superstructure and guillotine gate.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style=" margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style=" margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In conjunction with Dave Carnell, IWA representative for the East Midlands, helped draw up a refurbishment programme to ensure that not only would this vital link lock continue to allow access to the Witham Navigable Drains north of Boston but it should continue to protect the Maud Foster Drain -- and thus the northern parts of Boston -- from flooding.</span></p><br><font size="2"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></font><p dir="ltr" style=" margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Work included removing and overhauling the worn lock machinery, replacing the gate counterweight, renewing upright supports, replacing cross braces, fitting a new 4.5-tonne guillotine gate, shot blasting the entire structure that was not being scrapped, and repainting. To enable these works, the lock required damming off at both ends, scaffold to be erected in and around the lock to enable dismantling and reconstruction works using a 27-tonne crane, which had to gain access across the eighth tee of the adjacent golf course. </span></p><br><font size="2"><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></font><span style=" background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Work is now complete and the lock is once again available to boats.</span></b> Wed, 3 Apr 2013 16:31:53 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3915 On my journey this year I travelled 429 miles, operated 17 lifted bridges and went through 267 locks. My collection of 149 bags of rubbish on my journey this year brings to 306 bin liners full of our rubbish collected. Yet I failed in my task. Not once did I stop and feel that someone had beat me to it. The whole point of me doing this is to encourage others to follow suit. I know some are, but most aren't. ... Litter is a problem. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Even though you may not discard litter, if you dont pick it up when you see it, you are contributing to its effects. Wed, 3 Apr 2013 16:27:11 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3914 A multi-million pound scheme to transform the former mining village of Measham into a canal-side development will be reviewed by residents. Measham Parish Council is inviting residents to give their views on the scheme by holding a public meeting at the villages St Laurences Church Hall in High Street, on Tuesday, April 9, from 7pm. Wed, 3 Apr 2013 16:02:01 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3913 The Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundations London Luton Airport Operation Fund has awarded 1,000 to IWA Milton Keynes Branch. The award is to be used to defray the Branchs costs of mounting its bi-annual clean-up weekends covering over 20 miles of the Grand Union Canal all through Milton Keynes down to south of Leighton Buzzard. Wed, 3 Apr 2013 14:34:38 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3912 On 28th March, the Heritage Lottery Fund announced a grant of 65,000 to a consortium of organisations, including IWA, to improve engagement with the people of Oxford in the citys canal. Oxford City Canal Partnership is a consortium, including Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, IWA, Oxford Civic Society, Oxford City Council and Jericho Living Heritage Trust. Wed, 3 Apr 2013 14:31:21 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3907 <b id="internal-source-marker_0.11868780851364136" style=" font-weight: normal;"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frances Done, the chair of The Waterways Trust between 2003 and 2012, has been appointed a trustee of the Canal &amp; River Trust.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Maria Cassoni earlier this year. </span></p><br><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frances Done is currently chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. In making the announcement CRT chairman Tony Hales said As we aim to get more young people involved with the canals in the coming years, her role with the Youth Justice Board will be invaluable.</span></p><br><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frances Done describes herself as a regular holiday boater. A chartered accountant by training</span><span style=" color: #1F497D; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, during the 1990s</span><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> she was director of finance and then chief executive of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and was later with the Audit Commission.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During her time with Rochdale Council she led negotiations on the local authority side for the restoration of the Rochdale Canal.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div><span style=" color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></div></b> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:49:53 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3900 Organisers of the World Pooh Sticks Championships have announced that this year's event has been cancelled due to "unsafe" river conditions on the Thames. The Rotary Club of Oxford said that water levels are too high for its safety boats to be out on the river, but that it would try to hold the event later in the year. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:37:23 GMT