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Sou’Wester
September - December 2020 Issue 185 IWA South West and South Wales Region
www.waterways.org.uk/southwest
The Barbara McLellan at Bradford-on-Avon - 22nd October, 2011
Courtesy of Mike Potts, IWA Gloucestershire & Herefordshire branch member
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South West & South Wales Region Committee: Chairman: *Roger Francis Members: *Ray Alexander Hon. Secretary: *Andrew Strawson *Geoff Brown Sou’Wester Editor: *Joyce Potts *Geoff Harman Navigation Committee Baz Juniper Representative: *Steve Warwicker *Steve Peet *Tony Pugh
Avon & Wiltshire Branch Committee: Chairman: *Geoff Brown Member: *Steve Warwicker Hon. Secretary: *Tim Wheeldon Hon. Treasurer: *David Chalmers Events Officer: *Geoff Brown 100 Club Administrator & Publicity: *Vivienne Hook Salisbury Group: *Ron & Myra Glover Jon Van de Geer
Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Branch Committee: Chairman: *Steve Peet Members: Vacant Hon Secretary: Jackie Peet Acting Treasurer: Chris Handscombe
South Wales Branch Committee: Chairman: *Tony Pugh Members: Mike Synan Hon. Secretary: Vacant Chris JL Yewlett Treasurer: Henry Brown Minutes Secretary: Vacant Membership Officer: *Tony Pugh Publicity Officer: Vacant Volunteer Co-ordinator: Vacant
West Country Branch Committee: Chairman: *Ray Alexander Members: Julian Gibson Hon. Secretary: Vacant Chris Jewell Hon. Treasurer: Mike Aldridge Maurice Pinner Volunteer Co-ordinator: *Mike Slade
*Contact details for these appear inside the back cover.
South West and South Wales Region Committees
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Dear members and prospective members,
Welcome to the 185th Edition of “Sou’Wester”, in the middle of what has changed the world for ever, and left us in this household still isolated and with no end date.
When I was in command of ships in the eighties, each ship ran as a village community, with me maintaining that the most important person on the ship was the cook, for a daily good meal meant a contented crew. Running the crew, and overseeing the safe stowage and carriage of the cargo, was the job of the Mate, or if you were posh, the Chief Mate, and I found that on almost all occasions, we got on well together, so much so that when it came time for he or she to take a well earned leave break, worries started about whether the relief would shape up.
I remained totally unfazed about this, finding that the relief often turned out to be as good as the Mate that had just gone on leave, and the ship continued on her voyages.
This has happened in our Region in the last few weeks, when Ray Alexander decided to hang up his Region Secretary’s duties and return to the back benches. I have to admit that I quickly discovered that Ray knew more about the operation of the IWA than I can ever hope to learn in the period I have been Regional Chairman, and I have looked on him as a safe pair of hands.
At the recent quarterly meeting, held on Zoom, I was able to welcome Ray’s relief, and being one who goes on first impressions, found myself very happy that in appointing Andrew Strawson to the Region Committee, I could see that the ship is in safe hands. So welcome Andrew, and I look forward to the future.
Ray hasn’t quite gone back to being “just” Chairman of the West Country branch, he has been assisting as one of the members of the selection panel for the new Trustees, and that to me, sums up the high regard in which he is justifiably held in the Association.
Enjoy this edition of the magazine, and I urge you all to Stay Safe.
Roger Francis
Region Chairman
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Introducing Andrew Strawson - the new Region Hon. Secretary
by Andrew Strawson
I feel some trepidation taking over as the Region’s Hon Secretary; not quite knowing what I have let myself in for! However, I am looking forward to getting more involved in what IWA is up to in this area.
My wife and I moved to near Gloucester a year ago to be near our elder son and his family – two grandchildren aged 6 and 4. We had lived in Purley, South London all our married life, having been born and brought up in and around London. It has been a massive change but one well worth making to get away from the bustle of the big city.
I had had an interest in boats from an early age but never really imagined that I would actually have one. However, a few years before I retired, the interest turned into an actual decision to get one. First of all, my wife pointed out that I didn’t have any time while working full-time and that there weren’t any rivers or canals nearby! When I changed to part-time work, we decided to look for a narrowboat, and bought a 45’ early 90’s boat powered by a Lister SR2 in 2012. Initially, we moored at Willowtree Marina on the Paddington Arm but after a year or so moved to Pyrford Marina on the River Wey – both nice marinas but Pyrford was more convenient. Mooring at Pyrford for six years means that rivers are normal for us, including the Thames Tideway – although our boat is not fast or powerful enough to go below Brentford! We moved the boat to Port Meadow for the winter – the very wet winter and spring caused considerable anxiety – and are now moving on to Tewkesbury Marina on the River Avon. It is the first time we have encountered narrow locks so no doubt we will be glad to be back on a river again!
One of the first things I did was to join IWA. Wanting to get involved in some way, I volunteered at the IWA Canalway Cavalcade, held each May
News
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Day Bank Holiday weekend in Little Venice. I was asked to help on the Information Stands and, maybe unwisely (!), gave feedback after the event. Consequently, I was asked to run the stands the next year and then was put on the organising committee, ending up responsible for the Information Stands, being the point of contact for volunteers, maintaining the Event Management Plan (expanded from the original Event Safety Plan) and liaising with the Police and Fire Services. For a couple of years we took our boat to the event mooring within the Little Venice pool, with a grandstand view of all the boating activities. I still have a vivid memory of the 2018 event when we went from Weybridge to Brentford a few days beforehand in the cold and wind and rain. Almost no-one else was on the river (what a surprise!), even the lock keepers were notable by their absence. The weekend itself turned out to be the hottest May Day Bank Holiday weekend on record – quite a turn round.
The River Wey is owned by the National Trust (NT) – the only waterway in their portfolio (it is many years since they handed the South Stratford Canal back to British Waterways). It was natural to volunteer with the NT on the river working for one of the lengthsmen on practical tasks. There was also a Community Boat based in Guildford which took groups (such as care homes or day centres) for 2-hour trips on the river. I was talked into joining them and soon passed the skippers qualification meaning I was allowed to be in charge of up to twelve paying passengers! The training includes “man overboard” exercises which the trainers always arranged at the most inconvenient places. I have memories of steering the boat on two occasions in the illuminated procession, part of the River Wey Boat Festival. Not so difficult in the town centre with lights around but out a bit on a winding river and then losing sight of the preceding boat’s tail light is a different story!
Now we have moved, I volunteer with the maintenance team on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal – or did before all such activity stopped – so hope to continue to be involved in practical tasks on the waterways.
While we can’t take our boat everywhere in the region, I am hoping to visit the various waterways, seeing what IWA is doing to maintain and improve them and its fight for waterways to be properly appreciated as the fantastic assets they are.
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The Leominster Canal A Trip to The Leominster Locks
By Martin Hudson, Member of the Friends of The Leominster Canal
The lay-by near Stockton Cross is an ideal starting point for exploring the Leominster Canal for both devotees and beginners. Although there is little brickwork left, it serves as a good introduction to the canal. It also provides an addition to the better known destinations of nearby Berrington Hall and Croft Castle.
Start Point: Lay-by to the north of Stockton Cross (P). General post code HR6 0JD with reference SO 510 616.
Walk Grade: Moderate. Stiles, slopes, can be muddy & wet. Facilities in
Leominster. Duration: Allow an hour.
Walk a short distance back towards Leominster, take a right hand turn down a track. This is a Public Right of Way. On the left will be seen a stile. Before negotiating the stile, pause a moment and look around you. If you look through the hedge you will observe that you are standing in a raised position above the general ground level. In fact, you are standing on an embankment and the remains of a canal bridge. The lane existed before the canal. It is most probable that this lane was used by the canal builders.
Photos: Looking towards Endale Farm Moors Bridge footings, now covered up
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Climbing the stile and descending the awkward slope, you will see the canal bed more clearly. In winter this gathers water and gives a good impression of what the operational canal would have been like.
We join the canal near the end of what is known as a summit-level. The other end of the summit is near Brimfield where 2 locks were built taking the canal down into the Teme valley. The foot path is technically on the towpath side of the bed. Although the tow path is difficult to negotiate by comparison with 20 years ago, the fields offer a convenient alternative until a stile is encountered.
This map, based on the Bryant’s map of 1835 shows a water course feeding the canal and also shows 3 locks with Coal Wharfs marked near Leominster town.
As you walk along the canal, you will soon encounter a gradient. To drop 18 feet or so, 3 l o c k s w e r e
constructed in order to bring the canal to the correct level for Leominster. These require huge volumes of water and a feeder brook was constructed in order to supply water by diverting a local brook and a sophisticated control system was developed including weirs and sluices. The feeder was quickly filled in after the canal was closed.
The canal was engineered by Thomas Dadford Junior; a specialist in complex low budget canals. He was in demand to attend other projects and consequently spent little time controlling the canal contractors working on The Leominster. Ultimately fired by the Leominster Canal Company Committee (LCCC) in 1795, his chosen route is the one we see today.
The canal was supposed to link Stourport on Severn with Kington. The reasons behind decisions that saw the canal constructed between Mamble and Leominster are still debated to this day. Cont on page 8/...
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…/cont from page 7
The LCCC knew that there were problems beyond their capability to resolve, therefore, they asked pre-eminent engineer, John Rennie to consult. His model report exists to this day and referring to the Leominster Locks: “The second lock is well built but many bricks are bad; it has no waste weir. The banks of both these ponds must be strengthened and trimmed. The third lock is good, but has no waste weir and the ground is not favourable for one, it will therefore cost more money than the rest”. (1795)
Pause as you approach the slope. You can detect the lock stages which are in excess of 70 feet long falling towards Leominster.
This picture was taken before the lock cottage had been demolished. The cottage was in use into the 1960’s complete with connecting foot paths and a well sunk in to the canal bed, before being condemned as unsuitable for human habitation by the local authorities. Such was the vogue of the time.
Abandonment, use as a store and then collapse soon followed. Of the locks, nothing but a faint trace persists now. Debris was abundant in 1999, but all evidence has been buried or pilfered in the intervening years.
At the foot of the locks, the canal continued towards Leominster. Turning around, you will see how far the canal dropped. This was the first of the 18 six-foot locks the bargees had to tackle to get back to Marlbrook terminus near Mamble.
Clearly marked on the map are the wharves. In winter time, the coal dust is evident to this day in the fields adjoining the wharf. See photo on page 9. The cottage at the terminus still boasts the name “Wharf House”.
Machine Cottage was built to weigh coal for the gas works in the 1830’s. Sadly, the weighing machine and cottage are only memories now.
The photo of Machine Cottage, on page 9, was taken in the 1960s. A listed building, this was built long before the canal.
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Photos: Machine Cottage, Hay Lane Coal dust in the field by Wharf House
The building contrasts sharply with the opulent Wharf House at Mamble which was purpose built.
Whilst the construction of this stretch of canal was relatively straight forward, the tunnel known as Putnal Field Tunnel, through soft ground near Orleton proved vexing due to collapses, floods, running sand and lack of management and money.
Exhausted by the adverse events in constructing the Putnal Tunnel, the LCCC ran the canal towards the roadside outside Leominster with the Wharf House almost acting as a buffer or full-stop. The canal would not be extended as originally conceived and its Leominster terminus remained an inconvenient mile from the town centre until final closure in 1858.
However, the effect of having a canal at Leominster was dramatic. Brick making multiplied, a brief surge in iron founding was begun and a gas works providing both private and street lighting were to follow. In this respect, the canal can be regarded as a success. At least it helped Leominster keep warm at a cheaper rate until the railways arrived and ended the LCCC dream.
At the foot of the Leominster Locks, you have a choice of re-tracing your steps or walking to the main A49 road by means of the footpath towards Endale Farm and then back along the verge.
Information: Gerry Calderbank’s book Leominster and its Waterways and the many articles by David Slater. OS Maps such as Landranger 149 or Explorer 203 are very useful when visiting.
Also, try www.theleominstercanal.co.uk Photos: colour - M Hudson archive; Black and white - Hereford Public Library.
Map on page 7 courtesy of Gerry Calderbank
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STOP PRESS: Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canal Trust - Trips on the 12-seater open vessel Edith-Elizabeth at Goytre Wharf have restarted.
Cotswold Canals Connected – Phase 1B Restoration By Ray Alexander
IWA congratulates the Cotswold Canals Trust and its partners on the substantial progress that is being made in providing a new canal channel through the A38 roundabout at Whitminster. The works comprise two new bridges being built under the roundabout and creating a new canal channel which is on a slightly more southerly route to the original course of the Stroudwater Navigation, which was destroyed in the A38/M5 road building programme of the late 1960s. Completion of these works will facilitate the restored canal reaching its next destination to the east, the M5, which it will pass under adjacent to the existing River Frome channel.
This work is being funded by a £4m grant from Highways England Designated Funds and is an important element in the restoration of the canal from Walk Bridge to The Ocean, for which a further £9m bid to the NLHF (National Lottery Heritage Fund) is due to be decided at the end of September.
The A38 roundabout works in progress in July this year. Photo: Courtesy of Cotswold Canals Trust
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CUSHION SUSSED? STEADY HEAD? BUT WHICH WAY DO YOU THRUST?
By Roger Francis
Avid readers of this series of articles, may have been somewhat confused by the question posed in the closing comment in the last instalment, “Why did the ship turn on its own?”
The smart answer would be, because they do! However, that does not explain why, to an inquisitive soul.
In flat calm conditions, and in deep water the only real influence left to make a ship do its own thing, is the propeller, or to give it the more appropriate name, the “screw”, as that is what it is. Each propeller acts like its namesake and actually screws the ship or boat along, with the water being the material that it screws through. In doing this screwing, high and low pressure areas are set up around each blade, and this causes a tendency to introduce a sideways force, known as transverse thrust.
Transverse thrust is an important element in ship, or boat handling, and is used in many ways.
When I took over a ship as captain, and one I had not handled before, on the first departure from a port, and after saying goodbye to the pilot, I used to put the ship into an astern movement, to see if the ship had left hand or right hand thrust effect. Nearly all ships, and indeed boats, have right handed propellers, and with a right handed thrust, when I was doing my astern trial, I expected the stern to swing to port, and the bow to swing to starboard, and if it did, I was a happy ship handler.
There was one ship in the fleet however, that was left handed, so one had to remember the fact and allow for it. Having said that, I was about to pick up a pilot on my way to Caen, on that ship, and I was making a lee for the pilot to board safely. I did an astern engine movement, and the ship swung the wrong way!
Transverse thrust only really comes into effect when moving slowly, and
Cont on page 12/...
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…/cont from page 11
when underway at speed, it is almost negligible, but it does mean that if you make use of the normal thrust from the screw, as described in the previous article, you can expect a ship or boat to turn on its own.
In the next article in this short series, I shall be moving on to utilising all these techniques, to demonstrate how you can perhaps, improve your boat handling, but do not expect to learn how to do it like a rally driver, because all good ship or boat handling, is done at as slow a speed as practical, thus making use of the famous old maxim, “the slower you go, the less paper-work is involved when it all goes wrong”.
Photo caption: "despite distractions, concentration should be maintained at all times" . Courtesy of Roger Francis
Navigation Committee Update Steve Warwicker, NavCom Chairman
Navcom continues to be active using Zoom and email communications. Key issues in the last meeting were the introduction of Sarah O’Grady as interim CEO as Neil Edwards has retired this summer but is still working in a limited capacity on Insurance matters and back up to Sarah as she picks up the role.
Policy Update
Various policies are reviewed and renewed each time which is led by Sue O’Hare. One aspect noted was that CRT (Canal and River Trust) are currently reviewing their facilities so IWA will be sending our policy to them. A particular aspect is CRT are looking at whether all facilities need to be in buildings as a large expenditure is need to cope with vandalism across the network. We will be monitoring the outcome closely. One aspect is the inclusion for the need for electrical recharging points to at least get the concept in the future thinking. It is unlikely that there will be many fast charging points due to the infrastructure needs.
Heritage aspects
There is a need for regions and branches to have one or more people
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interested in heritage to take an interest and act as a focus to ensure any heritage at risk is highlighted as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. This does not need to be an onerous task. We need people in the South West to respond.
Future propulsion/Sustainable boating sub Group
This was now focusing on two strands, technical engagement and tracking and stakeholder engagement. The future propulsion systems are seen as electric however the energy sources (not internal combustion engines) will be either batteries or fuel cells or combinations of both. Clearly over time (and it will be lengthy) we all need to move away from diesel to more environmentally friendly approaches. In the interim we all need to consider how we can reduce pollution by running engines at idle, less charging of batteries and other innovation’s such as solar etc to help the environment. We now have an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) representative on this subgroup.
Waterways Watch
Alison Smedley reported that there was a flurry of responses following the announcement in Waterways, but not much since then as there is nothing about it on the website until the new website is launched.
Commercial Use (Freight)
A discussion took place on getting some more emphasis on the importance of inland waterways on Freight usage. The discussion high-lighted this really should be repositioned as Commercial Usage. If any member has an interest in this aspect then we can put you in touch with John Pomfret who leads this group. It is planned now to be a regular agenda item.
SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH WALES REGION / BRANCH APPOINTMENTS
Heritage Champions
As indicated in the Navcom report on page 12, we would welcome anyone with an interest in helping to preserve waterways heritage.
If you would like more information, please contact Steve Warwicker. His contact details may be found on page 23.
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SWANSEA CANAL SOCIETY –
QAVS, COVID AND BEYOND “Regenerating the Swansea Canal as a community asset for
active recreation and as a heritage visitor destination.” By Andy Ellis, Swansea Canal Society
As for our fellow canals and indeed the whole of the UK and the world, we have been severely restricted by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, to date none of our volunteers have suffered directly but our thoughts and best wishes are with those less fortunate than ourselves.
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
The most fantastic news is that the Swansea Canal Society (SCS) has been honoured with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The Award, created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. The Society is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
None of the activities of the Society would be possible without close collaboration with Glandŵr Cymru (GC) – the CRT in Wales - that owns the canal. GC gives permission to work on the canal, helps to design and supervise projects, provides much of the materials used in restoration and offers continuing expert advice and support.
Gordon Walker, chairman of the SCS, says: “I am delighted that our group's work to bring the Swansea Canal back to life for the community through its heritage, wildlife and navigation has been recognised. I’d like to pay tribute to the hard work and commitment of the Society's volunteers, our friends from Whitethorns and everyone else who contributes so much time and effort to the canal. He adds that none of this would be possible without the wonderful support of GC.”
Richard Parry, chief executive of GC adds “The SCS is a fantastic group of volunteers whose love for, and commitment to the Canal, and its role in the local community shines through in everything they do. They also make it tremendous fun – and by giving their time and energy they are
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making a vital difference to the health and well-being of everyone who uses the canal today. This prestigious recognition is well-deserved and GC sends huge congratulations to every-one in the Society.”
COVID-19: Baby Steps As Lock Down is Eased
Starting at the end of June, we have been taking baby steps to return to work. Risk assessments, plenty of signage, social distancing, regular hand washing and barriers ensure that volunteers and the public stay safe. Very sensibly, we have started with just a few volunteers undertaking discreet, relatively small tasks.
No canoe and kayak hire so far this season but the safety equipment needs
to be cleaned.
All-in-all, positive news in these troubled times. First the QAVS and then a tentative return to work. We must all now hope that lock down can continue to be eased and there is no second wave.
Then, and only then, we will be able to be presented with the award by HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Mrs Louise Fleet, JP and return to full, weekly work parties.
Stay safe everyone! Photos: Courtesy of Andy Ellis
Gordon and Gareth get set to pull out weed, first aid box and hand cleanser at the ready.
Gill takes to the water to clear rubbish from the off bank.
Masked and Ready to Go
Disinfecting the Buoyancy Aids
There's always time for a break and a chat, but sadly no cake!
Collecting Rubbish
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IWA South Wales Branch Tony Pugh, Branch Chairman
The South Wales Branch Committee has held impromptu email meetings but no AGM alas. The Welsh restrictions are being lifted and I can now visit grandchildren, but very little else. To our South Wales Members, would you like to attend a virtual meeting on ZOOM?
Contact me on [email protected] with your views and let’s see if we can have an online meeting.
The Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Trust’s (MBACT) Electric Community Boat is being maintained but will probably not run for the remainder of the Year due to the regulations in Wales and the Goytre Wharf café is now closed indefinitely. There is a MBACT Meeting on 11th August, check their website for up to date information.
The Fourteen Locks Canal Centre is closed and the employees with the exception of the Manager Kate have been reluctantly made redundant. The café is open 10am to 5pm Thursday to Sunday, a serving hatch has just gone in. The Centre will in future be run by volunteers.
Taylor Wimpey (TW) housing development on the Mon & Brec Canal at Sebastopol: Pontrhydyrun Bridge No.46 has been replaced by Bevans Bridge which has been numbered 1368, causing some confusion. See photo alongside.
They also wish to tunnel under the canal to install drains at depth of only 1.5m where CRT recommend 3.5m. TW are trying to pressure Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC) to accept a higher risk to the canal due to a failure to properly programme their works and are now trying to minimise their construction costs. TCBC own the canal but CRT owns the water.
Branch Reports
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Swansea Canal Society is delighted to have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Volunteering. In due course when conditions permit there will be an award ceremony and next year two members of the society will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. The Canoe hire has been suspended until it is safe to restart. Some members of the Society have been enabling access to the canoes for all ability levels. Following the complete Covid related work party shutdown some members of the Society have recently restarted work strictly within both the National and the CRT safeguarding guidelines. The Neath Canal was badly affected by flooding in February. The Tonna workshop area was under 15 inches of water then and again but not so badly back in May. When it is safe to do so work parties will take place to do the clearing up. In the meanwhile the Workshop has been drying out. It is the Aberdulais aqueduct that is the cause for concern. More damage was caused when it was overwhelmed in February. A news item on ITW Wales can be seen at https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2020-07-02/forgotten-village-flooded-by-storm-dennis-begins-community-clear-up-with-help-of-michael-sheen
The photo shows Tonna in the back ground; the railway bridge at the top of the picture; the aqueduct covered in debris and can barely be seen; with the flooded feed water weir for the Tennant Canal in the bottom of the picture
The Trust has been active in raising awareness of the
importance of this structure and its historical significance. It is a vital link in the proposed Swansea Bay Inland Waterway. The aim is to restore it for its 200th birthday in 2024. We, at local, regional and national levels should be able to help when the scope of the work has been defined.
For up to date information on the local South Wales Canal Society’s activities:
The Fourteen Locks Canal Centre http://fourteenlocks.mbact.org.uk/
Cont on page 18/...
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…/cont from page 17
The Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust http://www.mbact.org.uk
The Neath & Tennant Canals Trust http://www.neath-tennant-canals.org.uk/
The Swansea Canal Society http://www.swanseacanalsociety.com
The Cardiff Bay Harbour Authority http://www.cardiffharbour.com Swansea Marina http://www.swanseamarina.org.uk/
Photos: Bevans Bridge by Phil Hughes; The aqueduct by Peter Rickets
IWA Gloucestershire &
Herefordshire Branch Steve Peet, Branch Chairman
Due to the virus there have been no outdoor activities. Our local waterway has been closed with no staff to man bridges or locks until very recently.
However, local waterways have now become very busy with local and visiting boats and more people than ever on the water with SUP’s (Stand up Paddle boards) and canoes, as well as walkers and cyclists using the tow paths.
The A38 roundabout canal crossing on the Cotswold Canals is progressing in the meantime – you will have already read the separate article on page 10 from Ray Alexander, thank you.
As a branch we see no possibility of village hall meetings in the near future, but Jackie, Chris and I are keeping in touch.
The Saul Canal Festival has now been postponed to 9th – 11th July, 2021.
If any branch members wish to get in touch for a chat/socially distanced coffee please do so. We would love to hear from you.
Head Office will of course be informing members of future meeting/AGM
dates once we are able to plan them again.
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IWA Avon & Wiltshire Branch Geoff Brown, Branch Chairman
Not a lot to report due to lockdown. I am still not planning a social program for next winter. As well as the problem of groups of people, many of whom are elderly and possibly vulnerable, I will have to look at whether anywhere is willing to take a group of people on their premises. I would welcome comments from anyone who feels they are in a vulnerable group. Of course, any future action will have to be guided by official advice.
Many of you will have seen reports in both the local and national news of the crowds of visitors descending on my village of Saltford. It seems that having removed the live-aboards who were trashing the river bank, we now have visitors doing the same. From the beginning of June, Mead Lane now has “No Parking” cones and frequent visits by our local Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s). There are problems of a similar nature on several sections of the River Avon.
Of concern is the viability of waterside pubs. I was worried about the
Locksbrook Inn, on Weston Lock cut, which was boarded up, but it
reopened on 4th July, along with many other premises. I can only assume
that the boards were a precaution due to the building being unoccupied.
Avon and Wilts 100 Club Draw Vivienne Hook
Three members of the committee met on Zoom to hold the Summer Draw 2020 and the winners for the Branch 100 Club were:
1st Prize: Mr Lewis £23.13 2nd Prize: Mr Ware £13.88 3rd Prize: Mr Gibney £9.25
Monies raised in 2020 will be given to The Balmoral Project in Bristol Docks. For details about the 100 Club contact Vivienne Hook on 01179 771373 or
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IWA West Country Branch
Ray Alexander, Branch Chairman
Volunteer Work Parties Our regular
volunteer work parties at Bridgwater,
Taunton and Langport were suspended in
March due to the coronavirus pandemic and
they have only recently recommenced, in
heavily modified form. A risk assessment has
been produced and discussed with Head Office; the government guidelines
are being met by restricting the number of people attending, ensuring that
no vulnerable people take part and complying with the social distancing
rules. In addition, participants have been asked to bring their own bottles
of water, advised that there are no toilet facilities and informed that they
must not share gloves or tools. The approach to the volunteer work parties
will be revised as the lockdown is progressively eased in the future.
Bridgwater Docks Spring Tides in March overtopped the Barge Lock
stop planks with the result that saline water entered the Docks. This was
notified to CRT. It seems that this may be the first occasion that
overtopping has occurred since 2002/3, when the Barge Lock gates were
forced open and it just goes to show the fragility of the infrastructure at
the Docks.
We have been informed that the lease of the Docks to CRT has been
extended indefinitely, with either party being able to give three months’
notice of its termination. This is a sensible move as it has been clear for
some time that the dilapidation works required were not going to be
completed by the end of July, even before the current coronavirus
situation. The dilapidation works required to the Boaters’ Washroom
facilities commenced towards the end of March, were then suspended
under the lockdown rules but have just recently restarted.
A letter was sent from CRT to the boat owners on 13th March giving them
notice that in the absence of a new “owner” of the Docks they will need to
make preparations to remove their boats from the Docks. Boat owners
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were also told that their mooring agreements would continue to be
extended, but on a short term basis. This prompted a letter from ourselves
to Somerset County Council and the subject being raised at the regular
meeting between the Navigation Committee and CRT, although with little
progress being made.
Langport River Project Somerset Landscaping has recently installed
more elements of the new infrastructure at Langport, including the fishing
platforms, bins, benches and interpretation boards. All these had been put
on hold because of the lockdown. Reinstalling the four pontoons (three at
Langport and one at Muchelney) for what remains of the 2020 season has
now taken place, which is good news.
The Town Council has been able to find the funds required (c. £4,000) for
installing a cofferdam at the slipway to enable the repairs to the lower
section of the slipway to be carried out whilst the River Parrett is at its
summer level. The contractor appointed for this work has applied to the
Environment Agency for a variation to and extension of the FRAP (Flood
Risk Activity Permit), which has now been granted
Furthermore, tenders for the work required to rebuild and improve the
half-mile riverside path from Langport to Huish Bridge have been
received and evaluated and in addition, a grant totalling £55,000 has been
awarded to Langport Town Council, following its application for a grant of
£60,000 towards a new Car Park & Amenity Area at Huish Bridge,
adjacent to the slipway.
The aim is to complete all these works in September/October.
Due to the current Covid-19 government guidelines, there are no forth-coming or branch programme of events, meetings etc. If/when this changes, you will be contacted by Myra Glover, Steve Peet or Head Office with details of any events or meetings.
Forthcoming Events
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Avon & Wilts Branch
Rivers Avon & Severn: Tidal navigation that is the responsibility of the Bristol Haven Conservancy, downstream of the second Severn crossing Avon Navigation: Hanham to Avonmouth, including River Avon &
Bristol Docks Kennet & Avon Canal: Hanham Lock to Froxfield Bridge North Wilts Canal Somersetshire Coal Canal Wilts & Berks Canal: Kennet & Avon Canal to County Boundary 1m West of Shrivenham
Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Branch
Coombe Hill Canal Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Leominster Canal Lydney Canal River Severn: from Mythe Bridge, Tewkesbury to a point on the tidal navigation which is the seaward extent of responsibility of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees, downstream of the Second Severn Crossing Stroudwater Navigation Thames & Severn Canal River Wye: Hay-on-Wye to Severn Estuary
South Wales Branch
Brecon & Abergavenny Canal Glamorganshire and Aberdare Canals Monmouthshire Canal Neath & Tennant Canals Swansea Canal River Usk River Wye - Hay-on-Wye to source
West Country Branch
Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Bude Canal Cann Quarry Canal Chard Canal Dorset & Somerset Canal Exeter Ship Canal Grand Western Canal Liskeard & Looe Canal Par Canal River Parrett Somerset Navigations Stover Canal Tavistock Canal River Tone Torrington (Lord Rolle’s) Canal Westport Canal
Waterways in the IWA South West and South Wales Region
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Contacts Ray Alexander [email protected]
Geoff Brown
David Chalmers [email protected]
Roger Francis
Myra Glover
01722 710322
Ron Glover [email protected]
Geoff Harman
01179 623812 [email protected]
Vivienne Hook [email protected]
Steve Peet [email protected] Joyce Potts
Tony Pugh [email protected]
Mike Slade [email protected]
Andrew Strawson
Steve Warwicker
Tim Wheeldon
01225 723890
Next Issue of Sou’Wester The next issue of Sou’Wester is due out in January, 2021
Please send all copy to the Editor at [email protected] by
Tuesday, 1st December, 2020
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of IWA.
The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1WA. Tel. 01494 783453
Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a Charity no 212343.
www.waterways.org.uk
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