http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latest.cgi News, pictures and comments from Britain's best-selling waterway magazine. (Version without external links.) http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3037 <div>We have no idea at which waterways festival this photo was taken, but clearly it was in a different era of health &amp; safety consciousness! &nbsp;Does this boat still exist, and is it still used as a trip boat?</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2012/AshbyCanalboat600.jpg"><br></div> Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:24:31 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3036 <div>The Inland Waterways Association <a href="http://www.waterways.org.uk/news_campaigns/campaign_news/minister_announces_increased_funding_for_canal___river_trust" classname="" target="" name="">today issued a statement that cautiously welcomed</a> the settlement Defra has made on funding the new Canal and River Trust.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Association said: "We need to ensure that any early teething problems are no more than that, and not symptoms of greater problems, and we will want to convey any issues of substance arising to Government before it conducts its two-year review in 2014.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"We will also keep an eye on progress towards the absorption of the EA navigations in 2015/16 to ensure that no last minute hitches derail the transfer.</div><div><br></div><div>"[However] in times of tight fiscal restraint, seeing the original settlement substantially increased together with retention of the full property portfolio of commercial premises and land has to be regarded as a relatively good deal."</div><div><br></div> Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:44:57 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3035 <div>Local councillors at the Rochdale suburb of Sandbrook have called for British Waterways to install visitor moorings where the Rochdale Canal runs through their neighbourhood.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The site is close to the culvert under Edinburgh Way, a major construction site for the reopening of the canal in 2002. Yet despite the major works there, and it being close to the Sandbrook Way retail park with all modern shopping and leisure facilities, boats have never been easily able to moor there. Instead, they often continue to Littleborough or Castleton.</div><div><br></div><div>The councillors say they have received overwhelming support not only from boaters but from local residents for stabilising the bank and installing official visitor moorings. They say it would bring extra life and business to the local retail park, assist in community safety and could mean that people take better care and pride at the proposed location.</div><div><br></div><div>In a letter to the Rochdale Chronicle, Councillors Dale Mulgrew and Pat Colclough, said: We were astonished by the level of interest that this idea generated when we did our walkabout around those neighbourhoods and we received a very strong endorsement indeed.</div><div><br></div><div>Mike Reeve, the manager of the adjacent pub, The Sandbrook, is also enthusiastic about the idea, saying it would be a 'tremendous boost' to have boats stopping there. "Having canal boats here, and installing some lighting on the towpath, would give a greater sense of security to local residents."</div><div><br></div> Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:03:44 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3033 <div>The Canal &amp; River Trust is full steam ahead after its trustees struck a deal for more grant money but Government delays have pushed the launch back from April to June.</div><div><br></div><div>The new charity, which is taking over from British Waterways, had been scheduled to launch on April 1st. The trustees were unhappy with the Governments initial offer of 39m per year, and have been negotiating to raise the settlement.</div><div><br></div><div>With public finances stretched, the new deal will see the 39m, inflation-free figure retained for the first three years, but then raised to 49m plus an adjustment for inflation. The initial offer was a 10-year deal, but the final agreement will now last for 15 years.</div><div><br></div><div>This deal was unanimously agreed by the trustees, according to trustee John Dodwell. The key thing is have we received something that makes the Trust viable?, and the answer is yes. He estimated that the deal is worth around one-third more than the original offer.</div><div><br></div><div><b>The details</b></div><div><br></div><div>The Government and trustees have also struck a deal on the BW pension fund deficit. The Trust will receive a one-off sum of 25m to cover increased costs; the Government will then guarantee the balance for 19 years. The pension funds trustees were anxious that a charity would be less secure than a state-backed organisation, and could have asked the new Trust to pay off the whole deficit at once.</div><div><br></div><div>John Dodwell emphasised that the long-term nature of the deal was as much a breakthrough as the extra money. In the past, BW might have thought they had three years money, and then it would be cut within that period. We have certainty for 15 years.</div><div><br></div><div>In return for the increased grant, the Government is likely to set conditions for the Trust: for example, on canal maintenance, the number of structures in the worst D and E categories will be required to stay below 25%. Privately, the Trust believes it will also need to rebalance spending so that more is dedicated to dredging and other work.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Launching the Trust</b></div><div><br></div><div>With the Parliamentary transfer process behind schedule, British Waterways and Government department DEFRA have conceded that the April 1st date is unattainable. They are now working towards a June launch, though no formal announcement had been made when WW went to press. BWs Simon Salem said that the date was perfectly workable, and he was confident the new Trust would receive media attention despite competition from the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.</div><div><br></div>The Trust will then need to concentrate on growing its income beyond the Government contract and BWs existing commercial activities.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>The contract is not a free pass to do nothing else for the next 15 years, said Simon Salem. But its a good platform on which to get going.&nbsp;</div> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:55:17 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3025 <div>It's clear that the&nbsp;Canal &amp; River Trust&nbsp;transition trustees have reached a deal on future funding of the waterways, with a statement (below) issued over the weekend by Defra. It says that the amount promised will be 'significantly more' than the annual 39 million originally announced, spread over 15 years, rather than the 10 years previously stated. The details are expected to come this week.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The&nbsp;Defra statement doesn't mention boats and navigation in the announcement, nor is there yet an announcement on the official launch of the Trust. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><b>Defra statement:&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This week, Environment Minister Richard Benyon is expected to reveal an unprecedented fifteen year funding settlement for the new Canal &amp; River Trust - a new national trust for the waterways in England and Wales.</div><div><br></div><div>In order to provide financial security for the future of the waterways and help the new Trust get off to the best possible start, Defra has already committed to provide a 460 million property endowment and 390 million funding for the next 10 years.</div><div><br></div><div>The figure announced next week is likely to be significantly more than this.</div><div><br></div><div>Responsibility for Britains canals and rivers will be transferred from British Waterways to the new Canal &amp; River Trust later this year. The new Trust will give local communities and stakeholders a greater role in caring for our network of 200-year old canals and rivers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>It will be able to harness the support of thousands of supporters and volunteers, allowing it to save money and putting decision-making into the hands of people who use and cherish the waterways the most.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This will facilitate the maintenance and restoration of 2,000 miles of heritage sites, wildlife habitats and open spaces along our waterways.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Canal &amp; River Trusts charitable status will mean new opportunities for revenue through donations, charitable grants and legacies, increased borrowing powers, efficiencies and volunteering activity.</div><div><br></div><div>A record 13 million people currently visit British Waterways canals and rivers every year, and over half the population lives within about ten minutes of a waterway.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:19:46 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3015 <div>A sign at (we think) Hatton Locks.&nbsp;When did 'sleeping policeman' become 'dead'?&nbsp;</div><div>We aren't sure when this photo ended up in the archives, or where it came from, but our guess is the 1970s.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2012/Hatton_Locks.jpg"><br></div> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:31:20 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3008 <div>It can now be revealed that the mystery vessel being constructed in a secret location by the Richmond boatyard run by Mark Edwards will be a massive 88 ft long, with a 12 ft beam and will closely resemble the Royal Shallop shown in last months Waterways World. It is almost certain that it will lead the pageant, bearing military trumpeters to herald the arrival of the Queen.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>With the Queens Bargemaster at the helm, Olympic oarsman, Sir Steven Redgrave will join a further 17 of Her Majestys 24 watermen to row the ten-ton craft, which will be called the <i><b>Gloriana</b></i>. She will be graced with a mermaid and serpent and will be decorated with around 4,000 worth of gold leaf, reminiscent of the spectacular boats belonging to the 12 great livery companies that formed the18th century pageants that so impressed Canaletto.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Mayor Boris Johnson said the barge will be a "truly striking addition to the Jubilee celebrations". Her cabin will be able to accommodate 58 passengers and she will be fitted with two electric engines for use if necessary in strong tides.</div><div><br></div><div>Initially, the vessel was to carry the Queen and other members of the royal family to Hampton Court, but unfortunately, this plan was defeated by extensive health and safety issues, and the role was subsequently allocated to the Spirit of Chartwell. However, Gloriana will afterwards be presented to the Queen.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Alternative space had to be found to build the boat hence the secret location - because she was too big to fit inside any of the boatyards buildings, so although she will be kept at Richmond, she will remain afloat.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As the Queens official royal barge, it is anticipated that in the future, she will regularly be called upon to take part in ceremonial and charity events. The 500,000 cost is being underwritten by the Conservative peer, Lord Sterling, who not surprisingly is hoping to receive donations! &nbsp;He said: "If you didn't do something for the Diamond Jubilee, when would you ever think was an appropriate time to do something?"</div><div><br></div><div>The initiative for a specially built boat came from Prince Charles who contacted Lord Sterling almost two years ago. Sweet chestnut from Highgrove, Prince Charless private estate, is among the materials used in her construction. Craftsmen are energetically involved in the drive to meet the 20 week deadline.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Such a vessel, hand built entirely of wood, would normally take nine months to complete and most evenings Mark Edwards can be found hard at work till 10 pm and beyond. &nbsp;He is no stranger to this type of boat; he created the Jubilant, used as the Mayors Shallop last November when the annual Lord Mayors pageant was returned to the Thames after pollution 160 years ago caused it to become a land-based event.</div><div><br></div><div>Sir Steve, who has visited the yard where she is under construction, commented, I was captivated not just by the beautiful lines of this magnificent vessel but by the infectious energy and enthusiasm of the young team working to build it. I can't wait to have a go at rowing it</div><div><br></div><div>Tom Chaplin&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2012/Gloriana.jpg"><br></div><div><br></div><div>Artist's impression of Gloriana, a brand new Royal shallop based on an 18th Century design, and built by Mark Edwards' Thames boatyard at Richmond.</div> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:20:10 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3003 <p class="MsoNormal"><p class="MsoNormal"><p class="MsoNormal">British Waterways and its partners have finally sold a 250-year lease on its valuable Woods Wharf site in Docklands, to the Canary Wharf Group (CGW). BW owns half of the long-disused site, which has been planned for development for several years. The deal is worth 52.4m in cash to BW, along with 6m a year in ground rent.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">Less well noted in the public announcement is that the Ballymore property group, which owns 25%, is being paid 38m for its share.</p><p class="MsoNormal">CGW chairman Sir George Iacobescu said they had bought the site because BW did not have the desire to take the project forward at the pace we wanted.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The new Wood Wharf is being designed by Richard Rogers, and CGW says it will change the character of Canary Wharf, bringing in 1,600 homes, as well as an open-air market, hotel and health centre. A key part of the sites value is the now-excellent transport links, and the first tenants should be moving in by the time Crossrail is completed in 2018.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2012/WoodWharf600.jpg"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p></p></p> Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:39:45 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2997 <div>The Dutch Barge Association has announced that its 2012 annual rally is to be at Mapledurham, near Reading, on the 17th-20th August. The moorings will be above the lock, near the historic Mapledurham House and close to the watermill. Near the house is a large meadow, which will be available exclusively to the Association, and the river frontage will have a capacity of 30 barges, moored 3-4 deep.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The rally will be an interesting opportunity to examine the new Archimedes screw turbine electricity generator, the first of many to be installed at Thames weirs in the near future. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, the DBAs training officer, Chris Ries, has donated a second trophy for the DBAs barge handling competitions, and is seeking suggestion for a title for the trophy. The trophy is a scale model of half a barge hull, based on his own barge. Entries are requested to events organiser Bill Cozens (bill.cozens@barges.org).</div><div><br></div> Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:18:43 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2996 <div>The forthcoming Canal &amp; River Trust launched its appeal today for volunteer lock keepers around the waterways network as it takes over from British Waterways this year. And to get the message across, they brought out Brian Blessed, larger-than-life actor, adventurer and 'commanding presence', for a photocall at Aldermaston Lock on the Kennet &amp; Avon Canal. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>If the waterways ever needed a 'town crier', few would be better suited to the role than Blessed, who is lending his own image to the campaign for free. The Trust estimates that one-fifth of Britons use the waterways each year, and wants people to volunteer as lock keepers to ensure a polite and friendly welcome to all waterway visitors and particularly in assisting novice boaters through the locks and helping to maintain local stretches of waterway.</div><div><br></div><div>The volunteer scheme was started last year along the Grand Union and Kennet &amp; Avon canals and the River Trent. It is now being rolled out across the rest of the network, particularly at prominent locations such as Bingley Five Rise (Leeds &amp; Liverpool Canal), Tuel Lane - the deepest lock in the country (Rochdale Canal), and the Hertford Union. &nbsp;This latter location will briefly become the most important and visited on the waterways this summer, as it borders the Olympic Games site.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Brian Blessed said that the UK waterways helped to create his love of the outdoors and wildlife: "When I was a child I loved our canals and rivers, going off exploring on my bike and looking for wildlife. Theyre unique places so I would urge people with a real passion for their local waterway to get involved as a volunteer lock keeper or take advantage of one of the many opportunities to support the Canal &amp; River Trust.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"[The waterways] meant so much to me as a child so I think its important we all do what we can to help protect them for our next generations to enjoy."</div><div><br></div><div>The outgoing British Waterways said that in the year ending March 2011 volunteers contributed more than 24,000 days, and in the lock keeper trials last summer, over 50 people successfully became volunteer lock keepers.</div><div><br></div><div>"Being a lock keeper is arguably the most symbolic job on the waterways", said Ed Moss, national volunteering manager for British Waterways and the forthcoming Trust. "It will be a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and help support the Canal &amp; River Trust in what will be its first year."</div><div><br></div><div>"The key qualities were looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Whether its helping a boat through the lock, talking to customers, litter picking or vegetation work, it can really make a great difference."</div><div><br></div><div>Volunteering will be essential to the success of the Canal &amp; River Trust, which will immediately become one of the biggest charities in the UK. It will also give local communities a bigger say in the running of their local canal or river.</div><div><br></div><div>A full list of volunteer lock keeping locations are available at www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/volunteering or by emailing volunteer@britishwaterways.co.uk or phoning 01827 252097. Willing volunteers can start quickly and no prior experience is necessary as a full induction, training and a uniform will be provided.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/BrianBlessedAldermastonLock600.jpg"><br></div><div><br></div> Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:45:24 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2994 <div>The Cam Conservancy has announced major changes in boat licence conditions along with large increases of up to 21.5% in annual licence fees.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Local boaters have reacted furiously to the news, said Camboaters representative Amy Tillson. We will be approaching the local MP, Julian Huppert, and to central Government if necessary. Unlike the new Canal &amp; River Trust or the Environment Agency, the Conservancy is a Parliamentary body accountable only to central Government.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>We will also be investigating the possibility of getting the Cam Conservators amalgamated in the Canals and Rivers Trust in 2015 when the EA may be also incorporated.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently, boaters can use the Cam Con waters if they buy an EA licence, under an 'Interchange Agreement'. Most boats choose to do this, except for the 25% who buy a Cam only licence from the Cam Conservancy.</div><div><br></div><div>However, from 2012, the Interchange Agreement is changing dramatically. For boats who moor on the Cam, buying an EA licence will no longer be an option. All boats moored on the Cam will have to buy a CamCon-EA licence which will be 110% of the relevant EA licence for their length, effectively 17% more than a current EA licence because of the EA's 6.4% (CPI+2%) fee increase this year. This means that for the 25% of boats who currently have a Cam-Con licence, their fees will effectively increase by an extraordinary 21.5%.</div><div><br></div><div>Boaters on EA waters will thus have the option of:</div><div><br></div><div>1) &nbsp;An EA licence which does not allow access to the Cam,&nbsp;</div><div>2) &nbsp;An EA-Cam licence, at 110% of the relevant EA licence for their boat length,&nbsp;</div><div>3) &nbsp;A visitor licence at 15% of the relevant EA licence,</div><div><br></div><div>However, a boat caught on the Cam without a licence will be obliged to pay for a visitor licence at a punitive 25% of the relevant EA licence.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Boats with the universal EA/BW Gold licence will have to opt for an additional visitor licence for the Cam, as the Gold licence will no longer cover Cam Con waters. However, the Conservators are discussing 'trade plates' which will allow visiting boats to come to the Cam for services such as slippage and repair work.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Details of new Interchange Agreement are on <a href="http://www.camconservators.co.uk/pdf/Note-7b-12-01-12.pdf" classname="" target="" name="">http://www.camconservators.co.uk/pdf/Note-7b-12-01-12.pdf&nbsp;</a></div><div><br></div><div>The conservators are also taking on an additional warden in the summer months whose job will partly be to monitor boat movement and enforce licensing.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div> Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:35:35 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2993 <div>In the absence of definite news, speculation is growing that the launch of the new <b>Canal &amp; River Trust</b> might be delayed past its original launch date of 1st April. The transition trustees are continuing to negotiate with Defra, particularly over the issue of government funding for the next decade. It is said that trustees are arguing firmly that an annual grant of 39million is insufficient to give the Trust the flying start it desperately needs.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>BW and Defra are refusing to comment publicly. However, sources close to negotiations believe that a final agreement is very close, likely before the end of January. Once agreed, the transfer needs to be approved by Parliament and the Welsh Assembly, but any delay in negotiations will put pressure on the parliamentary timetable. Conceivably this could delay approval for months, although both BW and Defra consider it unlikely.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Rumours on some websites that selected journalists were privately briefed on the delay seem wide of the mark. Indeed, the transition trustees released a public report on the negotiations last month. It pointed out:&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>While the Parliamentary process looks as if it will now take longer than we had previously been advised, putting pressure on an April launch date, all the building blocks needed to establish the new Trust next year are falling into place it is all taking place much longer than either party would wish.</div><div><br></div><div>However, even if there is no delay in the move to Trust status on 1st April, the public launch could be delayed until mid-June, to ensure it does not clash with the planned Diamond Jubilee festivities over the Whitsun bank holiday or the Olympics the following month.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>WW understands that should there be any delay in Trust status, it will also include the transfer of the Scottish waterways to Scottish government control.&nbsp;</div> Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:38:26 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2989 Scotland's busiest inland waterway, the nine-mile Crinan Canal, is expected to see continued growth in 2012, helped by two new developments.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>The newly separate British Waterways Scotland will now offer assisted lock operation for boats with only one or two people on board, while the new Crinan facilities building will be opening this summer as part of the European INTERREG IVA Sail West Programme, which jointly funded construction.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Almost 2,000 transits were made in 2011, but the canal is still a long way from maximum capacity. The improvements are partly intended to encourage boaters to linger on the waterway and explore the area, instead of treating it as a simple transit to avoid the 85 mile coastal passage around the Mull of Kintyre. A transit licence is valid for four days, and BW Scotland says that the canal has much to offer as a tourist destination.</div></div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/Crinan_Canal_jkydesign.jpg"><br></div><div>The Crinan Canal&nbsp;</div><div><font size="1">Photo: cc-by-sa jkydesign @ www.sxc.hu&nbsp;</font></div><div><br></div> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:57:56 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2988 <div>With water levels in the south-east at an all-time winter low, BW is taking the unprecedented step of stopping the Tring summit level of the Grand Union Canal for the rest of the winter season, and allowing the water level to drop by around 12 inches to conserve water supplies.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The stop planks are going in at Northmoor Top Lock (No. 49, near Berkhamsted) and at Marsworth Bottom Lock (No. 39, near Marsworth Junction) will allow the water level to be lowered to below the upper section of the canal bank, which BW says is the section most prone to leaks. However, BW says this reduced level will not allow boats to safely moor or navigate and have given a week's notice to allow boats to escape the stoppage. The Aylesbury Arm is also being closed.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>BW says 2011 was the driest year for the south east since records began, and in some parts the groundwater tables and reservoir holdings are still much lower than normal winter levels.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Jeff Whyatt, senior waterway manager, said: The top part of the canal bank is often most susceptible to leaks due to the fact that it is continually wetted and dried and it is also subject to holes or cracks formed by burrowing animals and wash from passing boats. By taking this action now, we hope to be better able to conserve water and be less reliant on our groundwater pumps which can then be used later in the year.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Despite recent storms, groundwater levels remain lower than normal for this time of year which, in turn, means that reservoirs in the Tring area are refilling slower than would normally be expected. &nbsp;This is placing increasing pressure on the reservoirs which are still required at this time of year to maintain the canal at a normal operational level.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>BW anticipate the closure remaining until the start of the summer hours in March, but will be reviewing it weekly.</div> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:12:19 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2987 <div>Repairs to the private Whitchurch toll bridge near Pangbourne have been postponed for a year. The 3.8million project was originally scheduled to start later this year, but it has now been delayed until the autumn of next year and will not be completed until April 2014.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Whitchurch Bridge Company blamed objections by English Heritage and the need to keep the bridge open to navigation for the whole summer season.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The company submitted applications to South Oxfordshire District Council and West Berkshire Council in May but only obtained permission in December.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesman for the bridge company said: "The Environment Agency has told us it wants the bridge open to boat traffic for the whole of the summer this year. We are also disappointed with the response from English Heritage, which we dont think has properly understood the engineering evidence about the condition of the bridge."</div><div><br></div><div>The company says it will inspect the 100 year old bridge frequently in the meantime, and describes it as in poor condition structurally.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div> Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:27:18 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2979 We learned this morning that Shobnall Boat Services, the chandlery based in WW's home town of Burton-on-Trent, has ceased trading.<div><br></div><div>Owner Andy Garside said: "We have fallen victim to this terrible recession and have seen a marked down-turn in business over the last two years, coupled with increased competition.&nbsp;We were fortunately only 1 - 2 days away from completing work on a repaint of the only boat we had in our workshop at the time, and through the tremendous support of our staff (now unpaid) and a tremendously generous offer from Robert Neff at Mercia Marina of the use of his dry dock for a couple of days, we have been able to completely finish the work to the customer's total satisfaction."</div><div><br></div><div><div>The site is owned by the long-established Jannel Cruisers (01283 540006/07837 546032), who operate the moorings at Shobnall Basin - which are not affected. They hope to be able to reopen the dry-dock, gas and sales in the next few weeks. Shobnall's surveyor Iain Jones is continuing to work on a self-employed basis (07860 119476).</div></div> Mon, 9 Jan 2012 13:40:22 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2966 <div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/Buckby_Top_Lock_maintenance.jpg"><br></div><div><br></div><div>In an undated photo from the WW archives, eight (count 'em) BW staff insert stop planks at &nbsp;Buckby Top Lock, prior to repairs.</div> Mon, 2 Jan 2012 10:32:21 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2960 <div>Local boaters and residents at Sharpness are protesting at plans by British Waterways to install a giant 400 ft wind turbine in the old Sharpness docks area.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"We feel very strongly about this. It will ruin the view of the estuary and stand out like a sore thumb", the owners of Sharpness Marina Alan Crowhurst and Brian Williams were reported as saying in local paper Gloucester Citizen.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The giant wind turbine would be installed on Sharpness dock island, currently owned by British Waterways. It could produce enough electricity for between 736 to 1,226 households a year, and is part of a renewable energy programme by BW in conjunction with Partnerships for Renewables.</div><div><br></div><div>A former mayor of the nearby village of Berkeley, Valerie Watts, said: "It sounds rather intensive. A smaller one away from houses might be better. I am not against wind turbines, but they have to be the right size."&nbsp;</div> Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:24:36 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2953 <div>The stark canalside front of the National Indoor Arena (NIA) at Birmingham's Old Turn Junction is set to get a remarkable 20 million transformation.</div><div><br></div><div>Plans announced for the venue, owned by the NEC Group, will take advantage of its location to feature a new showcase entrance straight from Brindleyplace into the arena, with large glazed views over the water and the city.</div><div><br></div><div>The work is due to start later this year, and should improve the ease of access and comfort for the building as well as hopefully giving it a much more attractive aspect to boaters. No announcement has been made about the visitor moorings popular with boaters alongside the building.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Despite the impressive crowds attracted to events in the building since it opened 20 years ago, the NIA has long been criticised for the way it 'turns its back' on Birmingham's waterside, with fire exits and concrete driveways being the most prominent feature overlooking the canal.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As well as 81,000 sq.ft of main refurbishment,including a glazed gallery that will look out over Old Turn Junction, the design will include an extra 64,000 sq.ft. of shops, bars, restaurants and other retail space.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Aidan Ridyard of architects Broadway Malyan said: We see the new NIA as a waterfront window onto the excitement of the entertainment within and the heritage of our city surrounding it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/New_NIA_artimp.jpg"><br></div><div><br></div> Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:39:06 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2951 <div>Sagar Marine, which has been building high quality narrowboats and Dutch barges at Brighouse on the Calder &amp; Hebble since 1975, has gone into voluntary &nbsp;liquidation.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Founders Stephen Sagar and Wendy Sagar said they had taken the decision reluctantly, due to a downturn in trade.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the last 12 months the lack of business has just got worse due to the economic climate, Stephen Sagar said. We decided to go into voluntary liquidation, so all the suppliers and customers have been paid and no-one has been left out of pocket.</div><div><br></div><div>I am more disappointed about the five redundancies we made as most of them had been with the company for at least 25 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Working with sons Jonathan and Andrew, the Sagars had built a reputation in the waterways world, with loyal customers and several awards and were awarded the coveted John Beardsmore award for excellence.</div><div><br></div><div>When the Sagars started they were rare amongst boatbuilders in doing almost everything themselves from building the original steel hull to carpentry and upholstery work. &nbsp;They initially specialised in narrowboats, building their first Dutch-style barge in 1991 and introduced their Mini-Luxe, designed specifically for narrow canals in 1993.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/Sagar_barge_600.jpg"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A Sagar Marine barge in Brighouse Basin</i></div> Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:37:48 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2948 <img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/bargeespail600.jpg">You might remember a fascinating BBC TV programme that aired earlier this year, called '<i>The Golden Age of Canals</i>'. &nbsp;It gave the story of the tail-end of commercial carrying on the canals, told mainly through home movie footage, with assorted 'talking head' interviews with witnesses to the era.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>(It's being shown again, on BBC4 TV&nbsp;on Monday 19th December at 7pm.)&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The producer of that fine programme, David Parker, writes that he's now making a TV programme about 'traditional food', and adds:&nbsp;</div><div><div><br></div></div><blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;"><div><div>"I've come across a way of cooking called the <b>'Bargees Pail'</b>. Have you ever heard of it, and do you know anybody who can simulate it on a narrow boat today? I'd like to find someone cooking in this style if at all possible. Any advice would be gratefully received."&nbsp;</div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div><br></div> Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:17:19 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2945 <div>Aylesbury Canal Basin, May 1987.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/Love_is_having_someone_to_steer_the_butty_600.jpg"><br></div><div><br></div><div>Stanley Holland sent in this picture almost 25 years ago, adding: "It seemed, however, that when the couple sailed away for their honeymoon on the 'motor', they had decided to leave the butty behind."</div><div><br></div><div>So who did get married, in early 1987, who had what looked like a wooden traditional butty in Aylesbury Basin? &nbsp;</div><div><br></div> Fri, 9 Dec 2011 15:02:36 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2939 <div>Hereford and Worcester Fire Service are conducting a training exercise simulating a fire on a boat in the Wast Hill canal tunnel near Kings Norton tomorrow (Friday 9th December).</div><div><br></div><div>The exercise will involve both Hereford &amp; Worcester Fire &amp; Rescue Service and neighbouring West Midlands Fire Service, since the 1.5 mile tunnel extends into both areas - with the southern end of the tunnel in Worcestershire and the northern end in the West Midlands.</div><div><br></div><div>Fridays exercise, scheduled to start at 10am, will aim to test how the two fire and rescue services would work together to respond to a fire inside the tunnel, with particular emphasis on communications and tactical planning.</div><div><br></div><div>The exercise will be made as realistic as possible by using smoke generators placed on a barge midway along the tunnel.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Fire and rescue appliances attending will include water rescue craft, plus a Command Support Unit and the Urban Search and Rescue team from H&amp;WFRS.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/Wast_Hill_Tunnel_600.jpg"></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Wast Hill tunnel north entrance</i></div> Thu, 8 Dec 2011 13:26:56 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2937 The Basingstoke Canal near Woking in 1983 - some years before its eventual reopening. There's always hope!<div><br><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/Basingstoke_Canal_near_Woking_1983_600.jpg"><br></div></div> Wed, 7 Dec 2011 17:24:14 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2936 <div>The Yacht Harbour Association has awarded the maximum ranking in its Gold Anchor Award scheme to Overwater Marina, on the Shropshire Union canal near Audlem. &nbsp;The marina is the first on the British Waterways inland network to gain the maximum five Gold Anchors in the scheme.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The YHA said that this was a very commendable achievement for a marina that had been open for only 18 months. &nbsp;The scheme rates marinas on a scale from one to five, and is designed to assure boaters of the credibility and quality of the marina, based on the YHAs Code of Practice.</div><div><br></div><div>The YHA's Gold Anchor Award Scheme - which won them the 2011 PBO Green Award in the Campaign or Initiative category - is a voluntary programme that assesses customer service and moorings quality. The ratings provides assurance of the credibility and quality of marinas both in the UK and internationally.</div><div><br></div><div>Overwater Marina is set alongside the Shropshire Union Canal, and features a lakeland design with islands designed to give sanctuary to wildlife. &nbsp;Moorings are based in small groups around the marinas edge and separated by grassy promontories. &nbsp;The marina has been designed to not only fit in to its surroundings, but to actively enhance the environment with a range of new habitats which have been created and to make use of renewable energy technology to provide hot water and heating for its facilities building. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The award comes on top of Overwaters recent accreditation by The Green Blue, the joint environment programme created by the British Marine Federation and the RYA to reduce environmental impact on inland and coastal waters. &nbsp;The Green Blues ICOMIA Clean Marina Award comes as part of the Gold Anchor accreditation.</div><div><br></div><div>Gareth Turnbull, general manager of The Yacht Harbour Association, said: Janet Maughan and her staff have to be congratulated for their attention to detail and the high standard of customer service they offer in this first class marina.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/Overwater_marina_600.jpg"><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Overwater Marina: Just before Christmas it was first canal marina to get "Five Gold Anchors" -&nbsp;and presumably 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree on the wildlife island sanctuary in the middle of the marina.)</i></div> Wed, 7 Dec 2011 16:51:47 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2934 <div>The Boat Safety Scheme office has issued a warning following a recent boat fire where a liveaboard boater was lucky to escape with his life. He awoke in the early hours to find his boat was filling rapidly with smoke, after the solid fuel stove in the saloon set fire to the boats interior. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>However, it was pure luck which woke him; some time earlier he had removed the battery from his smoke alarm to avoid false alarms.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>When the boater realised what was happening, he had to crawl out of the boat on his chest to keep below the level of the smoke. Less than a minute later, flames filled the cabin as he stood outside calling the fire brigade.</div><div><br></div><div>BSS manager Graham Watts said: With just two to three breaths of toxic smoke in a boat fire, you could be unconscious, so every second counts when you need to escape. If your alarm regularly goes off when youre cooking, replace it with one that has a hush button that stops the alarm from sounding while you make the toast! These alarms are cheap and easy to buy.</div><div><br></div><div>But the alarm of choice is an optical alarm with a long-life battery, a hush button, and one that is certified as meeting either BS 5446:2000 Part 1, or BS EN 14604:2005, so it should carry a kitemark or horseshoe certification mark. An optical sensor alarm, although more expensive, is less likely to cause a false alarm.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Also, test it at the other end of the boat; if it's in the saloon and you cant hear it in the sleeping quarters loud enough to wake you, buy a second one.</div><div><br></div><div>There are guidelines for choosing and installing an alarm on boat on the BSS fire safety website www.boatsafetyscheme.com/fire.</div><div><br></div> Wed, 7 Dec 2011 15:16:10 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2931 How many liveaboard boaters buy a TV licence, especially continuous cruisers? It's unlikely anyone's ever done a survey, and since it's nigh-on impossible for ordinary people to speak to a human within the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/" classname="" target="" name="">TV Licensing Authority</a>, it's unlikely we'll find out what they are thinking or doing about it.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Last week we came across this undated, uncaptioned photo in the WW archives, showing a 1980s TV licence van crossing on what looks like a Norfolk Broads chain ferry. &nbsp;Any guesses as to the location and date?&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/TV_Detector_van_on_Broads_ferry_600.jpg"><br></div><div><br></div><div>It set me thinking a cascade of questions, starting with "What would a dedicated TV detector boat look like?", passing through "Would the TVLA &nbsp;investment be worthwhile", and finishing with "Would we be forgiven by liveaboard boaters without a TV licence for drawing the TVLA's attention to this extra, untapped source of licence money?"</div> Tue, 6 Dec 2011 11:49:30 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2929 <div>Suddenly, having the 20-year-old bridge and bulrush logo of British Waterways painted on your boat alongside the registration number is going to look so very last year, darling.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>When Audlem-based Cheshire Cat Narrowboat Holidays had their hireboat Summer Breeze repainted in November, they asked signwriter Rob Wagg to include the new Canal &amp; River Trust logo alongside the registration number. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Could this be the first boat to feature the new logo? asks Cheshire Cats owner Linda Andrews, after the boat was launched at the end of November.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/Summer_Breeze_CRT_8_resize.JPG"><br></div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2011/Summer_Breeze_CRT_6_resize.JPG"><br></div> Tue, 6 Dec 2011 11:15:25 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2927 <div><b>RiverCare</b>, the volunteer-run partnership project between Anglian Water, Keep Britain Tidy and the Environment Agency, has expanded to included the River Nene through Peterborough.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Anglian Water, who fund the scheme, say that four new groups are planned in Peterborough, operated by the Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) charity. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The charitys Communities Team Leader, Maxine Palmer, said: Where we start work depends in large part on the enthusiasm of local people. I am very keen to get started and get my hands dirty with this exciting project.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>If you are interested in helping to care for the Nene or other local rivers, Maxine Palmer would like to hear from you. &nbsp;She can be contacted on 01733 568408, or email maxine.palmer@pect.org.uk .</div><div><br></div> Fri, 2 Dec 2011 16:44:01 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2926 <div>The <b>Valley Cruises</b> hire fleet, based at the Springwood Haven marina near Nuneaton and also known as <b>Excellence Afloat</b>, has been sold as a going concern.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The business remains operating as before. The new owners, David and Geraldine Moore, themselves private boating enthusiasts from Banbury, said they had long admired the company, and intend to keep operating the existing fleet of 12 boats at Springwood Haven for the coming year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>They also hope to expand the fleet of five boats based at the old Stratford Court canal boatyard in Stratford-upon-Avon, which Excellence Afloat acquired last year. In particular, they hope to introduce a greater variety of boats to the Stratford base. The current fleet there are described as 'too similar', and David Moore says he hopes he can introduce some smaller and larger boats to match the variety at Springwood Haven.</div><div><br></div><div>'Excellence Afloat at Valley Cruises' can be contacted at <b>02476 393333</b> or on&nbsp;<b><a href="http://www.valleycruises.co.uk/">www.valleycruises.co.uk</a>&nbsp;</b></div> Fri, 2 Dec 2011 16:02:25 GMT