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=3243 <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pridewater Marinas has delayed opening its new 80-berth Kings Orchard Marina, near Lichfield, until next year.</b>&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">The company had hoped to open for business this August, and says the delay is due to negotiations with other local landowners and utility companies over the connection of vital services, including electricity and drainage.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ironically, only a month or so ago the company was warning that the main threat to its scheduled summer 2012 opening, might be the unfolding drought which would prevent them filling the marina basin.&nbsp;Understandably, that is now not a problem!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pridewater already operates two other marinas successfully Fazeley Mill near Tamworth and Grove Lock on the Grand Union near Leighton Buzzard.&nbsp; Managing director Terry Lane said he had apologised to the 50 prospective moorers on its priority waiting list and that he expected some of them to be upset because of the delay. Theres a huge pent-up demand for moorings in the area and we are as upset as anyone else, he said.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In order to ensure that we do not again make a promise we cannot keep we have decided to give ourselves ample time to resolve outstanding issues and fully complete the marina, meaning it is now likely to be early spring next year before we can arrange our open days with a new target opening date of 1st May 2013.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">He added that prospective moorers now on the waiting list would be offered additional extremely attractive incentives. These would be announced when the Open Days are eventually held early next year.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> Tue, 15 May 2012 16:02:24 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3240 <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><p class="MsoNormal">Forty founder members of the Stroudwater Canal Society the progenitor of the Cotswold Canals Trust held a special reunion dinner on Saturday 5th May to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the public meeting that led to the founding of the society. &nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">In May 1972 Michael Ayland organised a meeting in the Subscriptions Rooms in Stroud. This meeting resulted in the birth of the Stroudwater Canal Society, which has now become The Cotswold Canal Trust.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The anniversary dinner was held in the Dockers Club in Sharpness, and original attendees of that first meeting travelled from around the country to greet old friends that in some cases they hadn't seen for over thirty years</p><p class="MsoNormal">A large amount of photographs, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia on display triggered long conversations on those early days, when a group of enthusiasts with no money and no experience of canal restoration set about restoring not only the Stroudwater but the Thames and Severn as well.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Phil Holland, a past chairman of the Society, presented Michael and Beryl Ayland with an engraved fruit bowl, in honour of their role in founding the society. In a speech Michael recalled the events which lead up to that meeting, and reminded the gathering that the multi-million pound restoration work now in progress stems directly from the enthusiasm of the founder members in that first meeting.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Profits raised from the evening will be spent on repairs to the circular weir at Bowbridge, which was an early restoration project but which has since been vandalised</p><p class="MsoNormal">On the <a href="http://www.cotswoldcanals.com/pages/history-of-the-trust.php" classname="" target="" name="">Cotswold Canals Trust website</a> Michael Ayland remembers that first meeting well:&nbsp;</p></font></p><blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><p class="MsoNormal">To put it on to a sound footing we felt we needed a society and we called a public meeting at the Subscription Rooms in May 1972. I booked the George Room which would take fifty people as we thought there would be twenty or so likely to come.</p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><p class="MsoNormal">A couple of days before, we realised it may be more like one hundred so hastily the Subscription Rooms agreed to let us have the ballroom which was just as well as over three hundred people attended the meeting at which the Inland Waterways Associations John Humphries wooed the assembly with tales of other restoration projects and the Stroudwater Canal Society was born.&nbsp;</p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><p class="MsoNormal">Within the early months membership grew rapidly, but most of the early joiners had a bigger objective than the Stroudwater Canal that of the jewel of restoring the Thames and Severn Canal.</p></font></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2012/Michael_Ayland_trophy.jpg"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Above: Michael Ayland (centre) is honoured for his role in organising the founding meeting of the Stroudwater Canal Society in May 1972, by Phil Holland, a former chairman of the society.&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Below: 40 guests gathered at the Sharpness Dockers Club on 5th May 1972 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding meeting of the society.</i></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2012/Stroudwater_40th_anniversary_dinner.jpg"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></font></p> Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:19 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3237 <p class="MsoNormal">Its been the wettest April on record, and it has finally brought relief to the thirsty canal network. British Waterways says that the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal will reopen to navigation tomorrow (Friday 11th May), and some lock opening hours in areas affected by drought lengthened, after reservoir holdings improved over April.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The closure of the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, between locks 18 and 38, is to be lifted from Friday 11th May with boats able to navigate between 9.00am and 4.00pm. In addition opening hours at Foxton, Watford, Buckby, Braunston, Calcutt and Stoke Bruerne are to be extended by around two hours. The measures will be reviewed after the Diamond Jubilee bank holiday in June.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, BW is still warning that water supplies remain low, and is asking boaters to continue to&nbsp; be careful about not wasting water, by taking a few simple steps such as sharing locks, ensuring paddles are closed after use and in broad locks - opening both gates when entering or leaving, to avoid damaging their watertight seal.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">BWs operations director, Vince Moran, said ; Whilst the situation looks a lot brighter than it did a few months ago its important that boaters arent complacent. Reservoir holdings traditionally fall over the course of the summer anyway, so its important that everyone uses water efficiently to keep things running smoothly right through to the end of the main boating season.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shortened opening hours are to remain in place for the time being on the Tring Summit of the Grand Union as the reservoirs there are closely linked to groundwater levels and have not responded as quickly as others elsewhere on the network.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Similarly there will be no change to opening hours on the Oxford Summit, partly because holdings in Boddington Reservoir are being held down for engineering reasons. Reservoir holdings will be monitored closely and actions taken when it is appropriate to do so.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A map showing the updated opening times along with reservoir reports can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/features/water-management-in-2012">http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/features/water-management-in-2012</a>.</p> Thu, 10 May 2012 17:15:46 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3236 <div>British Waterways is starting to relaxing locking restrictions on several lines.&nbsp;First off - and just in time for the <b><a href="http://www.crickboatshow.com/" classname="" target="" name="">Crick Boat Show</a></b> - is a reopening of&nbsp;the Leicester Line of the Grand Union.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/grand-union-canal-leicester-line/boating/stoppages" classname="" target="" name="" style="font-weight: bold; ">Waterscape has just announced this</a><b>:</b></div><div><a href="http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/stoppage/detail/6293/Grand+Union+Leicester+Line+Kibworth+Top+Lock+18+-+Kings+Lock+38" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #003767; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; "><h2 style="margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #417630; line-height: 0.9em; "><span style="font-weight: normal;">Restriction: Grand Union Leicester Line Kibworth Top Lock 18 - Kings Lock 38 -&nbsp;</span></h2></a><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; color: #333333; "><i style="line-height: 1.5em; "><b>UPDATE (09 May 2012): Due to improved reservoir holdings we are lifting the closure currently in place on this section of the Grand Union Leicester Line.</b></i></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; color: #333333; ">From Friday 11th May 2012 this section will be open daily between 9.00am - 4.00pm until further notice.</p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; color: #333333; ">Locks 18,30 &amp; 38 will be padlocked to ensure there are no abuses/unnecessary water losses.&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #F6F2EF; line-height: 13px; ">We will continue to monitor the reservoir situation closely and if we get further improvements we may lift the overnight locking altogether.</span></p></div> Wed, 9 May 2012 20:48:34 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3234 <div>The Wilts &amp; Berks Canal Trust celebrated another milestone over the May Day bank holiday, with the official reopening of 175 yards of the waterway between Melksham and Chippenham. The event coincided with a five-mile sponsored walk by the Trust, between Chippenham and Lacock on the line of the canal, to raise funds for restoration.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The latest advance takes the Wilts &amp; Berks as far as Pewsham Bottom Lock, just east of Chippenham, putting just over a mile in water on this section since last year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The latest excavation operation was largely funded by a 5,774 grant from the Gannett Foundation. Trust volunteers have given thousands of hours of their own time to provide most of the labour removing roots, raising and widening the towpath, and rebuilding the wharf wall at the foot of the locks. Other improvements include the installation of new information boards, birdboxes, batboxes and benches, as well as the planting of hundreds of trees.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Trust chairman John Laverick said: We have been able to extend the rewatered section to include the wharf where narrowboats would wait for their turn to enter the flight. There is still an earth dam separating the newly-restored stretch from the longer line of canal opened last year, to protect against any unexpected leaks, but we expect this to be removed within the next few weeks.</div><div><br></div><div>With the stretch between Melksham and Chippenham being extended further every year, our dream of a fully restored canal is steadily becoming a reality.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Much of the current cost has been met from local grants and donations, but the charity hopes to secure more funding from national bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.</div><div><br></div><div>As with the K&amp;A, supporters believe it will generate a multi-million pound boot to the local economy through increased tourism and employment, as well as providing a popular attraction for walkers and cyclists.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>For further information on the local restoration campaign, visit <a href="http://www.melkshamwaterway.org.uk" classname="" target="" name="">www.melkshamwaterway.org.uk</a>, or the Wilts &amp; Berks Canal Trust website, <a href="http://www.wbct.org.uk" classname="" target="" name="">www.wbct.org.uk</a>, for the whole waterway.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><b>Below: (L-R) Peter Williams, Duncan Hames MP, John Laverick and Rob Jones ceremonially cut the ribbon opening the latest stretch of Wilts &amp; Berks Canal&nbsp;</b></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2012/W&amp;B_Pewsham_Locks_ribbon-cutting_with_Peter_Williams,_Duncan_Hames_MP,_John_Laverick_and_Rob_Jones_600.jpg"><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Below:&nbsp;</b><b>Excavation of the latest stretch below Pewsham Bottom Lock in progress earlier this year&nbsp;</b></div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.waterwaysworld.com/images/2012/Channel_clearance_near_Pewsham_Bottom_Lock_600.jpg"><br></div> Tue, 8 May 2012 15:09:32 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3226 <div>BW has announced significant concessions to continuously cruising boats on the London canals during the Olympic Games. &nbsp;Up to 250 new summer mooring licences are being offered at 360, allowing the 'London boaters' to stay in one place in the north London Controlled Zone, for the entire ten-week period it operates, 3rd July to 19th September.</div><div><br></div><div>The Controlled Zone comprises the Regents Canal from Little Venice to Commercial Road Lock, the whole of the Hertford Union Canal, the Lee Navigation south of Lea Bridge Road, Limehouse Cut and Limehouse Basin. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Previously the Olympic moorings for this zone were all being sold at premium prices. In some locations (for example, Victoria Park in Hackney) the 360 would have bought a only a single week for a full-length narrowboat. Take-up of these premium licences has been limited: by late April, a year after the automatic bookings website was opened, BW said it had sold only half of the 700 spaces on offer.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>At time of writing BW had still not announced what services were being offered to the boats, although it has also announced a 'Floating Market' of boat-based businesses at concessionary rates.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Given the economic situation and the potential water resource issues we are happy with this level of booking, said Jason Leach, head of the Olympic Programmes team.</div><div><br></div><div>Immediately outside the Controlled Zone, continuous cruising rules will be relaxed in two areas &nbsp; on the Paddington Arm and on the Lee between Lea Bridge Road and Enfield Lock. &nbsp;Here, boats can moor for free for the whole 10-week period.</div><div><br></div><div>However only boats recorded as being in the London area during the last national boat check are eligible for the 360 summer licence or the free 10-week licence.&nbsp;Continuous cruisers from outside London who want to come for the games will be refused the latest concession, and must pay for any of the remaining premium moorings.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In the meantime, BW has taken down the bookings web site; boaters wishing to book the remaining spaces will need to call the Olympics Moorings office direct on 020 7985 7200. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>BW said that boaters who had already booked and paid for the premium moorings were being given the opportunity to downgrade to the Summer Licence if they wished, or given a complete refund if they changed their mind and did not wish to come. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div> Fri, 4 May 2012 14:57:11 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3224 <div>A Welsh springer spaniel called Jasper has been chosen as the new canine face of the Canal and River Trust (CRT) at its launch this summer.</div><div><br></div><div>Jasper, the pet of Ray and Sue Hasmall, is the winner of a competition to find a canal-loving canine to lead a marketing campaign for the new charity when it launches later this year.</div><div><br></div><div>Around 1,000 photographs were submitted to the competition on the Flickr photo-sharing website, featuring dogs enjoying their time on the 2,000-miles of canal and river towpaths in England and Wales.</div><div><br></div><div>Jaspers photograph, taken on the Avon Ring during a family boating holiday in 2011, was chosen as the winner as the judges felt it was a bright, well-composed photograph and Jasper looked happy and alert and clearly enjoying himself on the water.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A professional animal photographer is now headed to Jaspers home at Church Lawton, on the Trent &amp; Mersey canal, to capture his enthusiasm for waterway walkies, as the British Waterways press release explains.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Runners up in the competition were:</div><div><ul><li>Bailey, a Jack Russell/King Charles cross, belonging to Carole Sims and partner Sid from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.</li><li>Paddy, a 20-month-old Irish Terrier belonging to Ken Downes and Catherine Piper from Wakefield, West Yorkshire.</li><li>Baker, a border collie belonging to &nbsp;Sarah McGarraghy on the Trent &amp; Mersey Canal.</li></ul></div><div>Jasper is likely to be a key figure in the Canal &amp; River Trusts publicity when it launches, including as a poster dog in the fight against dog dirt. &nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Tony Hales, the first chairman of the Canal &amp; River Trust, said: As we move forward we also hope that dog walkers will help us stamp out dog fouling on our towpaths which is inconsiderate and unpleasant and together help us continue to make strides in creating an attractive canal environment.</div><div><br></div><div>The Trust said the Flickr competition has proved so popular that they have set up a Facebook group, <b><a href="www.facebook.com/groups/canalriverdogwalkers" classname="" target="" name="">Canal &amp; River Dog Walkers</a></b>, giving people the chance to continue to share their waterside dog pictures and favourite walking routes.</div> Thu, 3 May 2012 16:10:47 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3223 <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span>The Broads Authority has finally agreed with the Great Yarmouth Port Company to take over responsibility for boats on Breydon Water and the Lower Bure. The move becomes official on 1st June 2012, and brings the entire Broads area under a single navigation authority.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span><u></u>&nbsp;<u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span>Breydon Water is within the Broads Authoritys boundary. However, when the Authority was established in 1989, responsibility for navigation remained with the Great Yarmouth Port Authority which now delegates most of its day to day responsibilities to the Great Yarmouth Port Company.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span><u></u>&nbsp;<u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span>Breydon Water and the Lower Bure are the vital link between the northern part of the Broads and the rivers Yare and Waveney, which are also within the Broads Authoritys boundary. For some time the present arrangement has been regarded as an anomaly, since boaters would have to cross the stretch under a separate navigation authority to reach other sections.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span>Informal agreement between the Broads Authority and the Great Yarmouth Port Authority was reached on the transfer in 2005 and</span><span>&nbsp;legislation passed in June 2009.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span><u></u>&nbsp;<u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span>"Breydon Water is the trickiest part of the Broads to cross particularly for novice hirers on holiday. A single navigation authority for the whole of the Broads will provide a consistent approach," said a spokesman for the &nbsp;Broads Authority. "Under the current arrangements we already provide a launch with two Rangers to patrol the area in the boating season. We could now make this a year-round operation."<u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span>The prime aim of the 2009 Broads Authority Act was to improve safety on the Broads, and the transfer of the Breydon Water area and lower reaches of the River Bure is the last major element of this legislation to be implemented. &nbsp;</span></p> Thu, 3 May 2012 11:17:13 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3218 <p class="MsoNormal">The Waterways Trust has announced the shortlist for the 2012 Waterways Renaissance Awards.&nbsp; This year 29 projects bound up with canals and rivers in the UK have been shortlisted, including education programmes, innovative design and construction schemes, pioneering environmental initiatives and dedicated volunteers.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is the tenth year of the awards, designed to recognise and reward exceptional projects that have turned inland waterways into desirable places for living, learning and leisure.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The finalists for the 12 categories are:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> A11 Bow Riverside Footbridge &amp; Walkway, London<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Avon Vale, Devizes<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Bath Bridges &amp; Chimney Restoration, Bath<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Beam Parklands, Dagenham<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Bedford Waterspace Study, Bedford<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Canals for the Community, Stoke on Trent<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Dewsbury Waterways, Dewsbury<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Droitwich Canals Restoration, Worcestershire<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Dutton Upper Horse Bridge, Northwich<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy, Edinburgh<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Education through Restoration, Cefn Flight of 14 Locks, Newport<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Granary Wharf, Leeds<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Heritage Boatyard &amp; the Restoration of Mendip, Ellesmere Port<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail, Hampshire<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Kings Cross Central Canal Fund, London<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Ladywell Fields, Lewisham<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Lagan Legacy, Belfast<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Langley Mill Swingbridge, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Leeds Waterfront Festival, Leeds<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Long Preston Deeps River Restoration, Settle<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> On the Waterfront, Beauchamp Floating Classroom, London<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Revitalisation of the Monkland Canal, Glasgow<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> River Nene Infrastructure Improvements, Peterborough<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Spalding Waterspace Study, Lincolnshire<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> The Peace Bridge, Derry/Londonderry<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Tregaron Flood Alleviation Project, Ceredigion<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Wallbridge Project, Stroud<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Waterways Action Squad, North West England<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> White Cart Water Flood Prevention Scheme, Glasgow</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Roger Hanbury, chief executive of the awards, said: "It is truly inspiring to see that, even in these very challenging economic times, people and organisations&nbsp; are continuing to work together to realise the benefits of our canals and rivers for communities across the UK. All projects reaching the finalist stage should be justifiably proud of all that they have achieved."</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The awards categories are: Area-Based Regeneration, Community, Design/Construction, Education/Learning, Flood Risk Management, Historic Environment, Innovation, Natural Environment, Partnership, Recreation/Tourism, Strategy, and Masterplanning/Volunteering.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The 2012 Waterways Renaissance Awards are sponsored by CPC Civils, Galliford Try and Hyder Consulting and May Gurney. The winners will be announced at the ICC in Birmingham on Wednesday, 23rd May 2012.<o:p></o:p></p> Wed, 2 May 2012 12:42:25 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3211 <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><span style="color: #222222; ">The irony of too much rain rather than too little has caused the postponement of next weekends Northampton Boat Gathering, on the River Nene at Beckets Park.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2">Earlier this month it had been feared the Gathering would be curtailed because of drought restrictions preventing boaters from coming via the Northampton arm of the Grand Union. Then agreement was reached with British Waterways to allow the event to go ahead with a provisional six-day opening of the Arm.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2">&nbsp;</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2">But now the heavy rains have led to flood conditions on the River Nene, closing it to navigation and stopping river-based boats downstream of Northampton from reaching Beckets Park.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2">The Northampton branch of the IWA has organised the Gathering for many years. The branchs chairman, Bernard Morton, said: Weve decided to postpone the event until later this year, probably until the August Bank Holiday weekend. By that time we hope the water shortage situation on the canals will have been resolved and this would &nbsp;allow many more canal-based boats to get to Northampton, resulting in a bumper Gathering.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; "><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2">Highlighting the dangers of the swelling river last weekend, over a thousand holidaymakers were evacuated from the nearby Billing Aquadrome and Cogenhoe Mill riverside camping sites, as a precautionary measure.</font></p><div style="color: #222222; "><br></div></p> Tue, 1 May 2012 13:26:10 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3209 <div>Engineer and waterways campaigner Terry Fogarty has proposed a plan to set up a museum in Birmingham dedicated to the canals of the city, and the role they have played in its development.</div><div><br></div><div>Surprisingly, the Second City doesnt have its own canal museum, despite being at the heart of Britains waterways. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Terry, who has been promoting his own invention of the diagonal lock for almost decade, believes a museum could be located alongside the Camp Hill Locks at Bordesley, where the Grand Union Canal meets the Birmingham Canal navigations.</div><div><br></div><div>I havent got a specific building in mind for the museum, but there are plenty of disused buildings that could serve the purpose, he said. &nbsp;The area around the Camp Hill flight is badly neglected and discourages boaters as well as tourists. A museum would act as a focus for development and improvements.</div><div><br></div><div>Another suggested location for a BCN museum has been at the old (and long-closed) Fiddle &amp; Bone pub, near Brindley Place. However, he criticises that as too central, losing the opportunity to regenerate the area around Camp Hill, at Acocks Green and Bordesley.</div><div><br></div><div>Terrys diagonal lock vision is not short of sceptics. Many have criticised it as hare-brained or worse. However, Terry says it has been backed in principle by BW chief engineer, George Ballinger. Installing the first one at Camp Hill would be a perfect accompaniment to the museum, proving the concept and drawing in the tourists.</div><div><br></div><div>He has now raised his museum idea with South Birmingham Development Planning and Regeneration official Peter Wright, who has already publicly backed the diagonal lock proposal.</div> Tue, 1 May 2012 12:31:28 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3187 <p class="MsoNormal">Canal traffic was halted for a couple of hours on the morning of Friday 30^th March in Middlewich for a memorable event. British Waterways closed Big Lock, Kings Lock and Wardle lock to ensure a clear road for Maureen Shaws last boat trip.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The coffin was loaded aboard the Thomas Clayton boat Tay, one of the gas tar carriers operated by the extended Jinks family who adopted Maureen as a baby. She was living on Spey when she got married and moved to Fellows Morton and Clayton. The boat set off from outside Maureens old cottage beside Wardle Lock, and made its way to the town wharf accompanied by a large crowd of canal folk. Her good friend Joan Baker accompanied the coffin on the boat which was steered by John Watson and Jim Taylor.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">The service in the parish church of St Michael &amp; all Angels was packed with 245 mourners, with standing room only for the latecomers. A very fitting send-off for a well-loved canal boat woman, and a memorable event for all who attended.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Rupert Smedley<o:p></o:p></b></p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:03:26 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3181 <div>The Chesterfield Waterside project the massive development proposed at the terminus of the Chesterfield Canal restoration has been awarded 2.4 million in funding for essential starter works from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The money will allow the small starter canal basin in the site excavated in 2009 to connect to the main canal restoration and the River Rother with a new lock.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>It will not make the stretch immediately navigable, but is essential to prepare the 62-acre site for future development, including access roads and sewer works.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Chesterfield Waterside is a vision to give the Chesterfield Canal a fitting terminus, and increase pressure to complete restoration of the remaining nine miles through to Kiveton Park. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The canal will be the centrepiece of the full 300 million project, said to be one of the 50 biggest urban developments in the country. The scheme will incorporate restaurants, offices, shops, hotels, bars, apartments and houses. The site runs from north to south either side of the River Rother and Chesterfield Canal, and alongside the A61.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Along with the canal basin, plans for the site will eventually include public parkland and a waterside residential neighbourhood of 1,200 homes, along with shops, bars, cafes, galleries and hotels.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div> Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:05:27 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3180 <div>Worries have been expressed about the future of the hotel boat industry after hotel narrowboat business Reed Boats announced it will close at the end of this year.</div><div><br></div><div>Martin Reed, who operates the narrowboat pair Oak and Ash, says he will be ceasing operations once this year's cruising season is over. As an ordained Church of England minister, he says he is interested in returning to church work, and encroaching age has made him aware that hotel boating is not something he can continue with indefinitely.</div><div><br></div><div>However, sharper business concerns have made him unable to continue into next year, even if he wanted.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>We are finding the constantly rising prices are making it very difficult to balance our books. Already the current increase in our charges this year is being eaten up by further price rises, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>He also criticised the increasing bureaucracy of working on the waterways. It seems like new regulations we have to comply with are appearing every week. This adds considerably to administration and to costs.</div><div><br></div><div>With other hotel boats pairs also up for sale this year, Martin Reed says he is unlikely to find buyers for his business as a going concern at the right price. He is likely to register them at the end of the season as private boats unless he gets a realistic offer.</div><div><br></div><div>Unlike most hotelboat pairs, which are mostly converted working boats, Oak and Ash were built specifically for the hotelboat business. The pair were launched in 2004 by Braunston builder Dave Thomas. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Martin Reed told the story of how he came to build and operate Oak and Ash in an article in Waterways World in July 2005.&nbsp;</div> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:51:28 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3159 <div>The British Marine Federation (BMF) says that after discussions with&nbsp;Water UK - the body representing water companies throughout the UK - it has been determined that boaters can use hosepipes to wash down boats 'for health and safety reasons'.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Seven companies Anglian Water, South East Water, Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water, Veolia Central and Veolia South East have now announced hosepipe bans, under the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>'Health and safety' in this context includes removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety, as well as preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents of disease. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"The government recognises the importance of washing down boats to minimise the spread of invasive non native species", said a BMF spokesman.&nbsp;</div> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:45:29 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3154 <p class="MsoNormal">On 4th April the Canal &amp; River Trust was officially recognised as a charity by the Charities Commission. The new Trust, which already has a Board of Trustees, a governing Council and the Prince of Wales as Royal Patron, is now legally permitted to start fundraising to support its objectives.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The Canal &amp; River Trust is due to take over the 2,000 miles of English and Welsh waterways, historic buildings, museums and archives from British Waterways and The Waterways Trust. Once approved by Parliament, this will be the largest-ever transfer of a public body into the charitable sector.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The transfer is being backed by a guaranteed 15-year funding contract from the government. This guaranteed amount replaces the annual negotiating round of grant in aid which has made planning the future of the waterways so difficult in previous years.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">The creation of the Canal &amp; River Trust is one of the most exciting projects in the charitable sector at the moment and will hold in trust for the nation one of our most extraordinary national treasures, said Lynne Berry, deputy chairman of the new trust.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">Charitable registration means that we are now almost ready to start raising income from charitable sources, to add to the waterways solid foundation of Government and self-earned income. The Canal &amp; River Trust is all about securing the future of the waterways, and todays announcement brings us one step closer to realising this dream.</p> Sat, 7 Apr 2012 12:41:33 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3147 <div>A crowd of over 200 enthusiastic supporters and guests attended the official opening of the Wey &amp; Arun Canal Trusts new visitor centre, at Loxwood in West Sussex, on 1st April. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Mike Coleman, Chairman of West Sussex County Council, cut the red ribbon and saluted the exceptional work by all the volunteers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The new building is only the latest presence of the Trust at Loxwood, which forms the heart of the restoration. The first was a wooden ticket office in the car park, followed by what they called the black shed, a corrugated iron lean-to behind the nearby Onslow Arms pub.&nbsp;</div><div>But in the last decade, with 10,000 boat passengers a year and tens of thousands towpath walkers, this had become completely inadequate.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Trust then started thinking about a larger log cabin. However, a chance meeting with generous sponsors led to an even more ambitious ideas for a very green building. Designed by Fordingbridge, a specialist in environmentally sensitive buildings, the new centre uses sustainably sourced materials and exceptionally low energy requirements. &nbsp;The centre has been entirely financed by private fund-raising by Trust supporters.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking at the ceremony, Sally Schupke, the Trusts chairman, said she hoped Loxwood residents would be proud of the canal in their village. She remembers that one of the first jobs canal restorers had carried out in the area was to remove tons of glass from the canal bed behind the Onslow Arms, which had been used as a bottle dump.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The opening ceremony also honoured Tim Jolly, a Trust stalwart who died in 2010 at the age of 62. Tim used to spend most summer Sundays at Loxwood helping on the Trusts publicity stand and sharing his enthusiasm with visitors.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Sally Schupke also paid tribute to all volunteers who had been involved in the building, including project manager John Pryce and the Trusts conservation adviser, Ian Burton , who produced the landscaping design. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Canal Centre is now open every weekend until the Autumn. Further information is available on the website <a href="http://www.weyandarun.co.uk" classname="" target="" name="">www.weyandarun.co.uk</a>.</div> Wed, 4 Apr 2012 11:58:22 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3146 <p class="MsoNormal"><p class="MsoNormal">The Canal and River Trust began to take firmer shape in March, with the convening of the 35-member Council in Birmingham, and the confirmation of the transition trustees in permanent roles.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">In a surprise announcement, chairman Tony Hales said he would step down in April next year. However, no announcement was made about the BW directors, who were expected to continue in the same roles in the new Trust. &nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">Much of the focus of this inaugural meeting was in the members getting to know each other and understanding their role and powers. All council members are appointed for fixed four year terms. &nbsp;One of their key tasks was to confirm the 11 transition trustees in their roles for an initial three years.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Council will meet twice yearly, with the next meeting scheduled for September. &nbsp;All meeting minutes will be published online.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, on 29th February Parliament began scrutinising the draft order for turning British Waterways into the new Canal &amp; River Trust. The delays introduced by the extended negotiating over funding of the Trust means that Parliaments approval is unlikely to be forthcoming before early May. &nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">The path to the new Trust has not been smooth. In particular, several people have questioned the legitimacy of the process that has led to the Council convening at all. To try to answer these questions, BW gave a six-point summary of the issues of setting up the new Canal &amp; River Trust on its website, pointing out that Parliament had never attempted anything quite like this; there was no precedent to the process. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><div><br></div></p> Tue, 3 Apr 2012 09:47:13 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3138 <p class="MsoNormal">The Cotswold Canals Trust was said to be shocked and frustrated that although it came second in the recent British Gas Energyshare scheme to win funding for its Dudbridge Locks hydro plan, it was passed over in the final selection. The winning projects were ranked 3rd, 4th, 15th, 17th and 23rd in public votes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyone visiting the Energyshare website would have understood that the public vote effectively chose who got funded, said CCT chief executive Ken Burgin. The small print did indeed give Energshare the right to select the finalists, but we assumed this gave them the opportunity to reject non-viable schemes. &nbsp;Instead, they used this to pick who they fancied with scant regard for public support.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">If they wanted to do this, they should have done it before wasting everyones time and pointlessly raising everyones hopes. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:47:34 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3135 <p class="MsoNormal">The Historic Narrow Boat Owners Club has dropped the Owners part of its name. The club said that the requirement of members to actually own a historic boat was removed a few years ago, and the change reflects this. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now called HNBC, the club was founded in 1966 as the Narrow Boat Owners Club, at a time when nearly all traditional narrow boats were ex-working boats. At the time, nearly all leisure boats were small cruisers, and the needs of these original knights of the waterways were overlooked. Historic was added in 1989, since by then their numbers were being overtaken by the modern form of narrowboat. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The club says it wants to draw in anybody who shares its aims, whether or not they actually own a narrowboat. The aims include the preservation and operation of traditional working boat, campaigning for waterways heritage, and training new people in the working practices of such boats, so that the skills are not lost. In particular the club wants to ensure that the waterways are properly navigable for all such full-length deep-drafted boats. Because wherever they can go, anyone can go!, is their mantra. &nbsp;</p> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:35:50 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3134 <p class="MsoNormal">The <b>Canal &amp; River Trust</b>, the new waterways charity due to become the guardian of the canals and rivers in England and Wales later this year, has appointed its first members to three of the new waterways partnerships.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The partnerships work with the local management teams to guide the development of canals and rivers in their areas.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <b>Manchester &amp; Pennines</b> partnership, chaired by Walter Menzies and with David Baldacchino as waterway manager, will consist of Tayo Adebowale, Ian Banks, Graham Birch, Dave Champness, Lynda Jubb, Keith Sexton, Nigel Stevens, Jon Stopp, Iain Taylor and Mark Turner.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <b>North Wales &amp; Borders</b> partnership, chaired by Jim Forrester and managed by Wendy Capelle, includes Belinda Davenport, Gillian Edwards, Bill Furniss, Chris Koral, Helen Paterson, Alan Platt, Jane Staley and Steve Stamp.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <b>South Wales &amp; Severn</b> partnership is chaired by Jack Hegarty, and managed by Nick Worthington. Members are Grant Addison, Julian Atkins, Jan van Der Elsen, Lois Frances, Alasdair Kirkpatrick, Clive Matthews, Robert Moreland, Robert Pearce and David Wheeler.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Further details of the appointments, and backgrounds of the new members, can be found on <a href="http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/news/3303/waterways-partnerships-announce-appointment-of-new-members">www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/news/3303/waterways-partnerships-announce-appointment-of-new-members</a></p> Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:06:56 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3133 <p class="MsoNormal">In an echo of the annual winter works stoppages, BW has started to put out maps showing lock closures and opening hours in areas with growing water shortages.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The maps can be found on the new <a href="http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/features/british-waterways-reservoir-watch">Reservoir Watch section</a> of the Waterscape web site.&nbsp; A national map showing where drought restrictions are biting will be supplemented by more detailed maps focusing on the areas in question. The restrictions include a series of overnight lock closures, restricted opening hours and an obligation on boaters to share locks where possible, to help eke out critical reservoir levels.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It has been the driest year on record in some parts of southern and central England, and the Environment Agency recently confirmed official drought conditions in the South East.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And yet, for waterways users, it still appears to be a localised problem. Currently, six areas have a critical water situation:&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><ul><li>The Kennet &amp; Avon, east of Devizes&nbsp;</li><li>The River Stort, north of London&nbsp;</li><li>The Grand Union on the Chiltern approaches to London&nbsp;</li><li>The Grand Unions Leicester Summit&nbsp;</li><li>The Grand Union summit between Braunston and Buckby (Norton Junction)&nbsp;</li><li>The South Oxford, south of Napton Junction&nbsp;</li></ul></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Northampton arm of the Grand Union (down to the River Nene) will also close from mid-April, opening only briefly on specific dates for boat festivals. This will protect the water supply on the more critical route from Buckby locks down as far as Milton Keynes. The Hillmorton and Calcutt locks drawing their water from the Braunston pound will also see restrictions.</p><p class="MsoNormal">BW staff will consider other special openings at certain peak times, such as bank holidays, the Crick Boat Show or boaters attending the Olympics or the Diamond Jubilee Pageant.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The maps clearly show a compartmentalised situation, with no restrictions planned in other areas.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">Vince Moran, operations director, is urging boaters to go to other areas of the country:&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">Only a small proportion of the network will be affected so if boaters dont need to be in the South East then what better opportunity to explore another hidden corner of the nationwide canal system?&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p> Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:40:24 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3131 <p class="MsoNormal">In a bid to end increasing punt wars in Cambridge, the Cam Conservators have said that from April 2012 only licensed punt operators can operate, from six official stations, and a river bailiff has been appointed to police the operations. The trade is estimated to be worth up to 6million a year. An estimated 40 punt touts were operating illegally in the city up to last year, and fights had been known to break out. &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The six official stations are at Granta Mill Pond, Trinity College, Jesus Green, Quayside, and on the east and west banks at Mill Pit. &nbsp;</p> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:34:16 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3129 <p class="MsoNormal">Maureen Shaw, one of the dwindling band of original boatwomen who grew up working the oil boats of Thomas Clayton and lived for many years in the lock cottage at Wardle Lock, Middlewich, died on 17th March, aged 78, after a long illness.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many regular boaters who passed through the lock, at the junction with the Shropshire Unions Middlewich arm, will remember Maureen, who was always ready with friendly advice and opinions, particularly for inexperienced boaters.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">She was the adopted daughter of the Jinks boating family, and became one of the last professional horse boaters before marrying married boatman Jack Shaw, and together they worked <i>Dace</i> for Fellows, Morton &amp; Clayton.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">Maureen recalled that she found the FMC boats, with their extremely varied cargoes and arduous clothing-up very hard in comparison with the Thomas Clayton boats single cargoes and covered holds. After her husbands national service he worked for British Waterways on the arduous old spoon dredgers, and they settled in to their Middlewich lockside home, Jack dying in 1995.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Maureen never learned to read or write, but in later years she gave talks around the country about her memories, and her mind remained sharp to the end.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">She moved out of the cottage about a year ago as her health worsened, and British Waterways put the cottage up for sale. Ironically it sold at auction just two days before she died. One user of the internet CanalWorld forum remarked: I just hope the new owners love the place just as much as Maureen did, otherwise she may well have something to say about it.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><a href="http://reader.waterwaysworld.com/reader.cgi?issue=2002-04&amp;page=87-89">Click here</a> to read Maureens memories as related to Robert Davies for the April 2002 issue of Waterways World (free to subscribers). &nbsp;</i></p> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:31:33 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3126 <div>A redesign was unveiled on 17th March of the massive Sainsburys-centred retail development that had threatened to block the Lapal Canal restoration at its junction with the Worcester &amp; Birmingham canal at Selly Oak. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The new plans include a commitment to recreate the first furlong of the old Lapal Canal through the 32-acre development, along with an extended waterfront area around the junction, a footbridge over the canal, and a properly constructed winding hole.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This new Lapal Link section should stretch for around 330 yards, crossing Harborne Lane and taking the canal through to Selly Oak Park, where restoration can continue later.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The development will include a new vibrant waterfront square designed to attract visitors to a variety of bars, cafs and restaurants and two new hotels by the canal.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The unveiled artists impressions convey the look of a smaller version of Birminghams Brindleyplace. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The plans have now been submitted to Birmingham City Council. Should planning approval be granted, work could start on cleaning up the currently derelict site as early as next year, with construction commencing in 2014.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div> Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:03:38 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3124 <div>Another significant stretch of the Buckingham Canal is close to being put back into water says the Buckingham Canal Society.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Around 550 yards of the canal at Bourton Meadow will be restored to navigable status as a demonstration to the local community of the benefits the restoration will bring in terms of environment, leisure, green infrastructure and flood mitigation.</div><div><br></div><div>Volunteers have repaired a spill-weir, cleared the bed and kept it strimmed. &nbsp;An ecological habitat survey has been carried out which highlights significant possibilities for habitat enhancement including using planted coir rolls for soft edging and developing existing hedgerows. The survey was funded by a 1,000 grant from Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundations London Luton Airport Fund</div><div><br></div><div>The work is partly the fruit of a new partnership agreement with Aylesbury Vale District Council, while Bucks County Council recently awarded the society a further 2,000 from the Community Leaders Fund towards the restoration at Bourton Meadow.</div><div><br></div><div>The society is now preparing a planning application for the re-watering of the stretch, and says it would welcome advice and support from other canal societies who have experience of such applications. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"As this is likely to be the first of many such applications we are determined to prepare a well-thought out application that puts the application into its long-term context", said Athina Beckett, chairman of the society.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>We want councillors to be fully informed about matters that are unfamiliar to them such as canal lining materials. &nbsp;If other canal restoration organisations have experience of similar applications we would love to hear from them."&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The estimates to re-profile, line and landscape the section are expect to cost around 80,000. It is expected that a considerable part of this work will be undertaken by volunteers and grant applications are being prepared to meet the balance.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div> Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:06:15 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3119 <div>British Waterways is disposing of 40 redundant working boats from around the network. The boats include dredgers, tugs, weedcutters and general hoppers, many of them in poor condition or even sunk and most would require a considerable amount of work just to get floating or through a boat safety certificate. &nbsp;It is possible some could end up as scrap. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Three of the boats for sale are 20ft tugs in the Bird class Plover, Bittern and Heron. &nbsp;All three of these tugs are fitted with Lister HR 2 engines and Blackstone gearboxes, and at least two of the tugs have boat safety certificates valid until 2013.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>A list of the boats and terms can be seen on Waterscape, at <a href="http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/news/3300/sale-of-craft-to-societies-and-trusts" classname="" target="" name="">http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/news/3300/sale-of-craft-to-societies-and-trusts</a>&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Before any public auction takes place, BW wants to see if the boats might find a free good home amongst waterways societies, restoration groups or museums. Expressions of interest should be emailed to Michael Carrington (<a href="mailto:mick.carrington@britishwaterways.co.uk" classname="" target="" name="">mick.carrington@britishwaterways.co.uk</a>) by April 6th 2012.</div><div><br></div><div>These are not craft for the dilettante. BW warns: Any organisation will need to take over ownership of the vessel and should note that some of the craft are regarded as life expired by BW for routine waterway maintenance works. Consequently, maintenance of these craft can run into several thousands of pounds each year.</div> Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:21:45 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3116 <div>Three new trustees have been appointed to the board of the Canal &amp; River Trust as it nears official approval. The new appointees, all volunteers, bring specialist knowledge in finance, asset management and property investment to the charity, which will immediately become the third largest owner of listed buildings in the UK and one of the top 20 charities by income.</div><div><br></div><div>The first, Marisa Cassoni, is currently the finance director of the John Lewis Partnership, as well as sitting on a number of committees and boards, including the philanthropic Peabody Trust.</div><div><br></div><div>Manish Chande is a senior partner of Mountgrange, the private commercial investor and developer, and was previously on the board of Land Securities plc. From 2003 until last year he was a Commissioner of English Heritage, and in 2007 because a trustee of the London Clinic.</div><div><br></div><div>Steve Shine OBE has been chief operating officer of Thames Water since 2007, but is about to leave to take on new challenges. He started his career as an electrician, working through the electrical industry to become MD of London Electricity Contracting and a board member of London Electricity (later EDF).</div><div><br></div><div>Tony Hales, chairman of the Canal &amp; River Trust, said The new trustees bring a huge amount of expertise and knowledge, particularly in areas which will be key to our future success.</div><div><br></div><div>The new appointments need to be ratified at the first meeting of the Trusts council on 28th March, for an initial three year term. &nbsp; The roles are unpaid (except for expenses).</div><div>&nbsp;</div> Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:21:11 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3111 <div>A former legal adviser to the IWA caused a stir when he pointed out that the newly elected Council of the Canal &amp; River Trust would have no legal powers.</div><div><br></div><div>John Burrell, a former solicitor and holder of the IWAs Cyril Styring award for his legal advice to the association, said he had studied the Articles of Association carefully. "The statement on Waterscape that The Council will have the power to appoint or dismiss the Trustees is wrong", he argued. "There are only two members of the Canal &amp; River Trust British Waterways Board and the Secretary of State (DEFRA).</div><div><br></div><div>"The Articles of Association contain no references to a council or trustee. The persons or organisations elected or appointed to the council will only become members of the Company if they apply for membership of the Company, and the Directors approve their membership. It is only such persons or organisations that have so become members of the Company that will be able to take part in resolutions of members to appoint or dismiss Directors."</div><div><br></div><div>John Dowell, the main transition trustee, gave us this statement:</div><div><br></div><div>"The Trust was deliberately set up using temporary Articles, because the public Consultation had not closed nor had the funding deal been agreed. An advisory committee, set up by Defra, identified the eight initial trustees. The Trust had to start somewhere!</div><div><br></div><div>"The Articles will be revised before the waterways are transferred, including provision for the Council to take on the role of appointing/dismissing Trustees (including the existing ones). Far from the government getting the waterways off its books we will be outside old regime of grant cuts and variable objectives and with Government paying known sums for 15 years.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"I know of Mr Burrells legal background. May I invite him to think of volunteering to help CRT?"</div> Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:01:51 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=3096 <h2><span style=" font-weight: normal;">On 9th March the new Canal &amp; River Trust announced five more 'chairs' of the waterways partnerships that will manage the regions when the Trust takes over. &nbsp;</span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal">The new chairs are:</p> <p class="MsoListBullet"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->North East: Mark Penny, previously a director of Yorkshire Water and last years president of the Institute of Water.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoListBullet"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Central Shires: Charlotte Atkins, former MP for Staffordshire Moorlands.</p> <p class="MsoListBullet"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->East Midlands: Danny Brennan of Brennan Interim, a management services company.</p> <p class="MsoListBullet"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->London: Brian Fender, a former chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council.</p> <p class="MsoListBullet"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->South East: John Best, formerly chief executive of Milton Keynes Council.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The new chairs will themselves shortly begin recruiting members for their respective waterways partnerships. Each partnership should include a selection of interests, including boaters, waterway users and local businesses and the community, as well as heritage and environmental specialists and people with experience in fundraising and volunteering.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lynne Berry, CRT trustee and member of the Transition Appointments Committee, which selected the chairs, said: As each will play an integral role, assisting with the management of 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales, its imperative that along with a passion for our waterways, they possess business leadership skills and be experienced influencers and negotiators.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The new chairs will also sit on the Trusts national council, and are expected to bring experience in a number of important areas including regeneration and planning, partnership building and community engagement and water management and operations, as well as an understanding of how local and national government works.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal">Only the All-Wales Waterways Partnership role now remains to be filled. </p> Fri, 9 Mar 2012 11:39:20 GMT