No. 147 WINTER 2009 95 p

THE MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS & FRIENDS WORKING TO RESTORE THE COTSWOLD CANALS EGth Anninmry In 2W8 Book now for 2W9 I Our WWIWSImlud.:

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299 W~tur9~APn.A Fhl~" The 44 Black Jack Street, , is a member of Glos., GL7 2AA Phone 01285 643440 Fax: 01285 659149 [email protected] TRUST ADMINISTRATOR: Karen Grainger

Useful Cotswold Canals Trust: www.cotswoldcanals.com Websites: ENews Registration: www.cctmembers-newsletter.co.uk Volunteers: www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk

VICE PRESIDENTS: is published by the Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP Cotswold Canals Trust Chris Coburn MBE David Drew MP The magazine takes its name from the Dr David Fletcher CBE historic Severn sailing vessels Peter Gadsden Rt Hon. Sir Richard Needham COMPILATION, LAYOUT & PHOTOGRAPHS (unless credited) DEVELOPMENT ADVISER David Jowett 01453 755535 Neville Nelder ([email protected]) 11 Upper Leazes, , Glos., GL5 1LA

THE COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST IS A Design & print liaison: Sharon Kemmett REGISTERED CHARITY AND ITS AIMS ARE: of The Design Co-operative 01 453 751778 1 To promote for the benefit of the Printed by AST 02920 497901 community, the reopening of the Cotswold Canals. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES TO Peter Perry [email protected] 2. To promote the restoration of the TEL: 01376 346705 two waterways to give a balance FAX:01376 348550 between the needs of navigation, 137 Notley Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 1HF development, recreation, heritage, landscape conservation, wildlife PLEASE MENTION THE TROW WHEN and natural habitats. RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

3. To promote the use of all the towpath as The Thames & Severn Way. THE VIEWS & OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE TROW DO NOT NECESSARILY 4. To achieve restoration of the REPRESENT THOSE OF THE Cotswold Canals as a navigable COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST route from Saul Junction to the REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 269721 COPY DATE Publishes Reg Co: The Cotswold Canals Trust 5 JAN 1 Mar Registered in No. 1207787 5 APR 1 Jun Registered Office: Island House, Moor 5 JUL 1 Sep Road, Chesham, HP5 1NZ 5 OCT 1 Dec

Front Cover: - Lock, near Lechlade, after clearance (Ken Burgin) Chairman’s SOS 2010 Grant in aid to British Waterways, who are at the Saul end Chat of the , and the Environment by Liz Payne Agency, who are in charge of the River Thames at Inglesham, has been severely reduced for the next financial year. Underfunding will affect all users, and their safety, the condition of towpaths would deteriorate and influence the value of homes and property. It is vital that everyone who cares for our heritage defends our waterways system Greetings before it is too late.

First of all I would like to wish everyone a very Joyful The web site for more detail is: www.SOS2010.org.uk. Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2010 should be a very good year for the Trust when action on Phase 1A should really be getting under way, following on from the excellent Upper Mills Bridge Appeal work being done at Gough's Orchard. Just a few days after I wrote to members asking for financial support for this project, donations are already Prospective Candidates arriving at Black Jack Street. My thanks to those of you who have responded so quickly and generously. Next year will almost certainly include a general election, so now is the time for all of us to find out who are the The Appeal will remain open until the bridge is completed prospective candidates in our local area; then ensure that so there is time to support this very important project if they are all aware of the importance of the waterways, not you have not already done so. Donations should be sent just those under restoration but all that are part of the to Karen Grainger, 44 Black Jack Street, Cirencester, Glos. navigable network too. GL7 2AA.

After all, it would be a bitter blow to achieve our aims on If any readers of The Trow , who are not members of the the Cotswold Canals and then find the rest of the system Trust, are interested in supporting the reconstruction of had deteriorated to such an extent that the connection was Upper Mills Bridge please contact Karen for further affected. Perhaps that is a bit of an exaggeration but details. Tel: 01285 643440 or waterways funding is a major concern. E-mail: [email protected]

Upper Mills Bridge - where we are now Artist’s impression of where we want to be

4 A Donation from the Estate of Mrs Louise Dorethea de Launay by Jack Telling

The Trust has recently received a £50,000 donation from Mrs de Launay’s estate on condition that it is used as a contribution towards our £800,000 financial commitment to Phase 1A of the restoration and to the restoration of Griffin Mill Lock in particular.

Mrs de Launay (nee Ziegler) was an American citizen born in Juneau, Alaska in 1913. She was educated in Portland, Oregon and shortly before the war came to Europe on a freighter via the Panama Canal. She landed at Antwerp in the Netherlands and then found her way to where she started work at the American Embassy as a Clerk- Stenographer. Whilst there she handled coded secret messages between Churchill and Roosevelt, signed by In March this year Karen Grainger, Trust Administrator, Churchill as ‘Former Naval Person’. forwarded to me an e-mail from David Kee in which he explained that he had money to donate to charity and that In the 70s she married Jules de Launay, her boss in the the restoring of a canal lock would be appropriate. In Naval Research Department at the US Embassy, and April I arranged, with Ken Burgin, to meet David and his moved to Canterbury. Sadly he died in 1985 but Mrs de wife Jeanne at Pike Lock. We walked various stretches Launay remained in Canterbury and pursued her interest of the Stroudwater and Thames & Severn Canals, which in history and archaeology. She travelled extensively are included in the Phase 1A restoration, and looked at a both in the UK and abroad. There is no evidence that she number of locks. David and Jeanne felt that Griffin Mill visited the Cotswold Canals but she certainly visited Lock, which is in a quiet rural location between Stroud & Cirencester and the . She also developed an Brimscombe Port, would be a fitting memorial to Louise interest in canals (possibly as a result of her pre- war trip de Launay. through the Panama Canal!) but more probably through her friendship with David Kee and Jeanne Constable who The donation was agreed subject to a) it being restricted are canal enthusiasts. Mrs de Launay enjoyed several to the restoration of Griffin Mill Lock, b) the Agreement trips on hotel boats. with the Heritage Lottery Fund being signed and c) a cast iron plaque being fixed to a lock beam which includes the In 1996 Mrs de Launay had a small stroke and moved into words ‘restored with financial assistance from Mrs Louise a care home. Always a caring and generous person she Dorothea de Launay, an American who loved Britain’. gave her house to charity and in her will left the remainder of her estate to charity on the condition that I would like to thank, on behalf of the Trust, David and the exact beneficiaries would be determined by her Jeanne for so generously deciding to support the executors in gratitude for the help they had given her restoration of the Cotswold Canals and for supplying during her life. She died in May 2007. biographical notes on Louise who clearly lived life to the full. 5 From the Chief The Trust has been involved in discussions with BW for much of this year regarding the future of the Inglesham property. In Executive an ideal world, it would have been good to buy the whole property and efforts were made to see if the funding could be Ken Burgin found to do this. However, the Trust still has about £400k of Chief Executive, its £800k contribution towards Phase 1A to find so any attempt to buy Inglesham would require the whole amount to Cotswold Canals Trust come from one or more new sources without compromising our ability to raise the Phase 1A funds. In spite of one quite Inglesham Roundhouse promising avenue, this has not been possible but if you have a large amount of money you would like to donate to the As many of you know, the Roundhouse, converted Trust, we would love to hear from you....! warehouse, lock and bridge with quite a substantial amount of land at Ingelsham are owned by British Waterways (BW). To their credit, BW have recognised that the operational The property was bought when the previous owner decided land, which includes the lock, canal and towpath, are to sell about eight years ago at a time when BW had just critical to the success of the restoration project. It has finished, or were finishing, a number of high profile canal therefore been agreed that this will be transferred to the restoration projects and had the appetite to attempt the Trust, thus safeguarding the navigational and other restoration of the Cotswold Canals. interests of the restoration project.

The financial climate has changed radically since then and This leaves the rest of the property which comprises the BW, as an organisation relying heavily on public funding, has roundhouse and the converted warehouse with quite a lot found its funding under severe pressure. Last year saw BW of land. BW need to sell this to release much needed withdraw from the Cotswold Canals Project and the last funding for their own use. From the Trust's point of view, the phase of this withdrawal is the sorting out of the various second best to owning the property itself would be for the land holdings acquired by BW. new owner to be a waterways enthusiast.

6 The property at Inglesham is in a very attractive rural spot with the navigable Thames right outside. It is next to the point where most boats turn around having reached the practical limit of navigation for larger craft although we all hope they will will soon have the opportunity to press on up the canal.

So here it is, the big (and very rare) opportunity to buy one of the five iconic Thames & Severn Canal roundhouses - and perhaps the most photographed one at that. If you are interested, please make contact with:

Ian Daniels at Butler Sherborn, [email protected] 43-45 Castle Street, Cirencester, Glos, GL7 1QD Tel: 01285 883 743 Fax: 01285 644 672

They are acting as agents for BW and would love to hear from you!

Inglesham Work Party

A landmark working party took place at Inglesham Lock on 29th September when a team of volunteers cleared the lock of tree growth and vegetation. This was done so that prospective purchasers of the roundhouse would be able to more clearly see the lock and the canal which is due to be passed over to the Trust.

Tree root damage to the lock chamber is extensive with most of the brick facing having fallen into the lock. The top gates are still in place but frail and one of the top paddle arches has collapsed completely and the other partly so. The working party revealed part of the overflow weir which, unusually, is fed by a separate culvert rather than the more usual culvert from the back of a top paddle arch.

Members are reminded that there is no public access to Inglesham Lock.

Opposite: The roundhouse by the junction This Page from top: Completely overgrown Lock gates revealed Taken from the bridge, the lock emerges Looking towards the bridge - roundhouse on right 7 8 Phase 1A 1A - Engineering Solutions

The HLF agreement, which was signed in the summer, Various of the engineering aspects of the project are in the requires that certain key parts of the canal be transferred process of being reviewed. It looks highly likely that many into the ownership of the Stroud Valleys Canal Company. of the alternative ideas suggested by the Trust for a number This process, which includes the rest of Brimscombe Port of locations are likely to replace those originally planned by and the western section of the Thames & Severn Canal, is BW. These should reduce any combination of risks, costs well under way and, once complete, should pave the way or longer term maintenance liabilities and in some cases for HLF money to start flowing into the project. should prove less controversial. Upper Mills Bridge is a prime example but others should follow in due course. Upper Mills Bridge is expected to be the first major construction work on the project now that 1A - The A46 Bridge in Stroud Council (SDC) is the lead partner. The Trust put a lot of effort The work on the long awaited A46 bridge in Stroud is into turning this former show stopper into a quick win and expected to start in January but it will be a while before the took it through to the planning application stage. The SDC road is diverted over the old bridge to allow the main Team have now put the project through a design/build construction phase of the new bridge. tender process and the cost is looking very close to the sort of figure we were expecting. There are still a few formalities This scheme is part funded by the project and part funded by to go through before work can start but the Trust has started County Council (GCC) as part of their fund raising for this important project and work is currently commitment to the project and road improvements in Stroud. expected to start in January. An exhibition about the project will take place on the afternoon and evening of 19th November at Stroud Subscription Rooms. 1A - Dredging Details can also be found at website: Even sooner than this, but subject to regulatory approvals, www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=18903 it is hoped that serious dredging work using a contractor will start on the Ryeford Pound before the end of the year. 1A - Gough’s Orchard Lock The removal of the colossal reed bank at Stonehouse will The four week WRG summer camp at Gough's Orchard be a major breakthrough as this obstruction has constricted represented tangible work on the ground. The towpath lock the water flow to the Eastington flight of locks to a trickle brick wall has been rebuilt to coping stone level and the off- this summer with the result that some pounds have side defective brickwork stripped down more or less ready become empty at times. It will also help the canal cope for rebuilding. See the pictures on pages 25 to 27. much better in times of flood. The plan is that this initial dredging will create a basic channel with CCT following up The upper part of the lock wall on the off-side was with its own kit to get it to full size and depth. We therefore particularly bad and was dismantled to its full depth in need lots of volunteers to get trained up in using the recently places revealing the presence of brick buttresses at the refurbished dredger, tug and the mud boats so that we can back spaced at roughly 11 feet intervals. It is into these return the canal to its full depth and width. buttresses that a series of timber ties from near the front of the wall disappear. These features and many more will be 1A - Manager of Volunteers described in an archaeological report that has to be written SDC have also recruited their new Manager of volunteers and submitted to the County Archaeologist as one of the and the successful candidate was Jon Pontefract who is planning conditions. Work will continue at Gough's Orchard the Team Leader for the Eisey Lock Project. Jon is doing with occasional weekend working parties and more a brilliant job at Eisey and we wish him well as he takes summer camps should see the completion of the main on his new role. He is expected to be in post in November. chamber walls and hopefully a start on the overflow weir. 9 Phase 1B Phase 2 - Eisey Lock

There is not much actual restoration taking place in Phase Meanwhile, work at Eisey Lock continues with Dig Deep 1B at the moment although a considerable amount of following a very successful summer camp. The off-side maintenance takes place based out of the Western Depot at main chamber wall brickwork is nearing full height and the Eastington. small CCT team working at Rucks Bridge have nearly finished that project and are working on a small partially The Trust has submitted an application for an Aggregate collapsed culvert under the towpath nearby. Levy Sustainability Fund Grant from Natural England to help purchase a section of land through which the restored Lots of Other Activity canal will need to run. Negotiations are going well at the moment and if successful, this project will not only secure There are a number of other projects going on within the route of the canal but also provide additional land to Phases 2 & 3 aimed at maintaining the towpath and create a substantial wetland habitat area on one side of it preventing deterioration of the canal related structures. and an area with public access on the other which will include part of the multi-user trail. As always, there is lots going on in the background including looking at the water supply for the eastern side of Phase 2 and Beyond the Themes & Severn Canal, landowner negotiations, ecological surveying and planning, seeking funds and Hanson have applied for planning permission to carry out finding more volunteers to continue and expand the work of gravel extraction at, and around, Alex Farm near Eisey. Whilst the Trust. the Trust has no particular problem with this, there are several aspects of the proposals which need to be discussed Although I am involved with some of this myself, much is and firmed up. These concern ensuring that the water carried out by dedicated volunteers, sometimes using feeders continue to supply the canal with water given that considerable skills and experience developed over many land levels will probably change, provisions for a new access year and sometimes almost unnoticed. The Trust is track to be raised on to a bridge should the canal become fortunate to be able to draw upon such people and it has navigable whist it is still needed and we are looking for some resulted in the Cotswold Canals Trust not being just the contribution towards the restoration of the canal itself. largest Canal Society but also one of the most capable.

Opposite: Photos by Ken Burgin, clockwise from top left: Rucks Bridge, a repaired culvert which had collapsed, instruction at the lock face and work in progress on the lock wall

10 11 News From The Museum being developed with the local community, the word by Hugh Conway-Jones ‘National’ will be dropped from the Museum’s title and, when finance allows, the exhibits will be developed to feature more of the nature of local waterways. After two years of low visitor numbers at the Waterways Museum in and talk of possible closure, the outlook is now brighter. Recognising that the Museum is Boat with a Pedigree needed to play a vital role in bringing visitors back into the docks, a range of local authority and community by David Jowett organisations have joined a steering group to provide advice and support to the Museum management. At the Founder member of the Trust, Tony Jones, has built a new same time, volunteers are being recruited to assist with work punt in readyness for volunteer work in Phase 1A of the day-to-day running of the museum to help keep the restoration. He is indebted to Trust member Des operating costs low. Volunteers may now be seen working Fforde who gave up his garage for several weeks. at the Museum reception, in the administration office and providing site services, and more are in line for training. His first boat for the Trust was constructed from marine ply back in 1985 and this, (CCT No.6) is his fifth (the These initiatives, aided by the opening of the nearby number 5 belongs to the dredger!) designer outlet centre, are bringing more people into the Museum than in recent years and are making it possible Although it makes a great working platform, the boat will to keep the Museum open seven days a week even during take an outboard, which explains the gap in the the quieter winter period. Recognising the partnership signwriting seen here on the transom.

12 13 Driver Wanted ! tent. I have been to many festivals of all sorts, but this A TRIP TO THE IWA NATIONAL SHOW was the first time that I have found a menu of real ales taking up a double sided A4 sheet. Needless to say that to by Steve Parker keep up the good name of the trust we all had a ‘small glass of lemonade’.

Saturday, and the show was underway, still in that breeze, Whilst reading the E News electronic newsletter I came and for the next three days the stand was staffed, items sold, across a request for a someone to drive the Landrover, and new members signed up. A lot of interest was show in towing the Trailer to Ratcliffe on Soar for the IWA National the restoration progress, and the future of the canal. Show. As I was thinking of going anyway it seemed like a good idea to offer to drive. Some days later after Sunday came with some of us thinking that maybe we checking my Driving Licence, and a short trip to had had one to many lemonades the previous night. It Eastington, all was agreed. turned out that on Saturday night a new boat had arrived with a leopard-style shell. This meant that we were safe Friday 28th August came and, after picking up my to return to the bar again that night. weekend transport, I spent a couple of hours on the road and arrived on the show site which was dominated by the Monday for me was largely a day off as I was driving back cooling towers of the power station. A team assembled to after we had taken down the stand. This did allow me to set up our stand in a ‘slight breeze’ that lasted all watch the Morris Dancers, and as photos will prove, get weekend. Later that evening after putting up my own tent dragged in to have a dance. We ‘broke camp’ still with I met the rest of the team (lead by the editor) in the beer that breeze, and all left to find our ways home.

14 For me this was my first time at the national show, and the first time out with our roadshow. Having offered to drive, and finding myself busy all weekend, would I do it again? Well, let me think. A weekend camping, talking a lot, selling sometimes, and the odd beer in good company. The answer, YES.

Next year is Beale Park. near Reading, a shorter drive if anyone else wants to have a great weekend.

Opposite: Leopard or Cheetah? - No, it’s a narrowboat! (Photo: Steve Parker)

This Page from top - (by David Jowett)

View from the boats The view from the Soar - two miles up-river CCT Sales Stand all in the shadow of the Ratcliffe on Trent cooling towers

15 16 17 Why Not Remember the Legacy Guide

Cotswold Canals in Leaving a legacy to the Cotswold Canals Trust is an ideal Your Will way of passing on the maximum benefits of your estate as it will be entirely free from inheritance tax. You can by Jack Telling make a bequest either:

The full restoration of the Cotswold Canals cannot be (a) as a specific sum or item of value such as jewellry or taken for granted. For over 35 years the Cotswold Canals shares, or Trust has fought for the restoration and the recent start to the full restoration of the canal, led by Stroud District (b) as the residue of your estate i.e. what is left after all Council, between The Ocean, Stonehouse and your specific bequests have been made and debts, tax Brimscombe Port is a major step forward. and costs accounted for.

The coming years will also be full of opportunities to link If you would like to leave something to the Cotswold Stonehouse with Saul Junction and Brimscombe to Canals Trust simply ask your solicitor to include your Inglesham and we must be in a position to respond with bequest in your will. significant matched funding. It is also very important that we continue to restore structures along the Thames and If you have already made a will it can be amended, Severn Canal between Brimscombe Port and Inglesham. without having to make a new one, by means of a Codicil. What we can achieve will depend heavily on voluntary This can be done through your solicitor or by completing gifts and legacies from our supporters. a simple form which can be obtained from the Trust Office. Contact details are: Tel: 01285 643440 E-mail: [email protected] .

Bequests should be made payable to Cotswold Canals Trust (Reg.Charity No. 269721)

As a charity we rely on voluntary contributions to provide funds for the restoration of the Cotswold Canals. By including us in your will you can have the satisfaction of securing these Canals for the enjoyment of future generations.

Missing Keys

Since early June the Sales Trailer keys have been missing from the board at the Eastington Western Depot.

Perhaps someone has inadvertently slipped them into their pocket. It is a set of 3 keys on a green and white rope keyring. If you are this person could you please return them to the compound - Thank-you. 18 Thanks to Our Donors

Mr RS Prosser & Miss ADJ Lloyd Jack & Pam Telling Mrs Margaret Bishop Southern Canals Association CCT ‘Eastern End’ Thames Heritage Trust Award Mr PS & Mrs VJ Evetts Waitrose Ltd Touch of Glass (Gloucester) Ltd Braunston Marina Ltd In memory of John Pengelly J Colville (on behalf of the Australian Canal Society) Queen Emmas Dyke Social Club JR & SA Brooks Charitable Trust In memory of Robert Anthony Hutchings A bequest from the estate of Michael Goodchap in memory of his son Dave who was a CCT volunteer before his death in 1998.

Club 100 Administered by John Carter The latest draw was held at the Western Branch meeting on Monday 5th October 2009. The result is:

1st £121 Mr I McNaught-Davis Oaksey, Glos

2nd £61 Mrs P M Stevenson East Hendred, Oxon

3rd £31 Mrs V Roseblade , Glos

19 Dredger Kit Refurb The wide, 60 tonne mud barge west of Ryeford has been pumped out (thanks go to the Fire Brigade) and the main by Alan Jones hopper and side buoyancy tanks cleaned out of remaining small rocks, silt and water. The buoyancy tank access The refurbishment of the dredging plant is now around hatches have been replated. The hopper base now 80% complete. The dredger has been fitted with its new requires a few steel strengthening channels welding in and buoyancy tanks with integral hydraulic stabilising feet, a infilling with foam where original timbers are missing (most rotatable clamshell grab at the digging end and otherwise exist), then the whole base will be further covered with 2” has been generally cleaned up, repainted inside and out tanalised planking, screwed down to the cross steels. The and some new parts fitted. An exchange engine starter exterior hull and deck still require scouring and painting (all motor has been fitted, along with new batteries. help gratefully accepted with this work, which should not take long). This barge is also then ready for duty. The Bantam tug has been cleaned out and repainted, its side winches overhauled and pusher steels and timbers A second barge (currently located just west of the Ryeford renewed. Its engine starter motor has also been fully double lock) will be similarly refurbished before long, so overhauled and a new battery fitted. A check on propeller do offer your help (weekends) if available. Our plans are size confirmed that the existing one (19” diameter) to relaunch the dredger and tug in the pound above Pike appears to be sized correctly (pull in the water was lock before the end of October to enable operator training considered to be less than desirable). Once relaunched, to be undertaken before Christmas, using dredger, tug the engine pulling power will be checked. The engine is and narrow barge. a Lister HA3 (air cooled) of 36hp rating driving through a 2.2:1 reduction gearbox. Hull thickness has been checked Serious dredging with this plant in the Stonehouse section and is good. The narrow, 72 foot long mud barge has had should begin in the New Year. We have a few names of its hopper/deck junction replated/welded, and the hull has volunteers interested in working this plant, who will be had a full external (above tilted water line) scouring and contacted soon. Anyone else wishing to get involved on a repainting. The end buoyancy compartments have been regular basis, please contact me, Alan Jones, on Stroud cleaned and painted white for some storage of kit 752396 or John Jordan on 01452-725206 (both available required during dredging work. evenings only).

20 Stop Press for Christmas The Cotswold Canals book was published earlier this year and would make an ideal gift £5.95 including P&P

Some members will be aware that we were not planning make a dash to issue the cards for this year. These are to issue new Christmas Cards this year, so our apologies now available at the Heritage Centre or by mail order at go out to them for a last minute change of plan. £3.95 per pack of 10 including P&P.

Paul Joyce (above right) has painted the subjects for the All profits from the sale of the cards will be used to further cards over several years now and he arrived at the AGM restoration of the Cotswold Canals. on 24th October with a new painting (above) of Chalford for future use. After some discussion it was decided to See more of Paul’s work at www.pauljoyce.me.uk

BY 10 DECEMBER, Please send your order to Linda Amery, 13 Bowbridge Lock, Stroud, Glos, GL5 2JZ. Please detail the items you require, your name and address and a cheque payable to CCT (Trading) Ltd

Saul Charters Gloucester Quays Shopping Centre by Mal Brown Beat the traffic queues and full car parks and cruise to the Charters have gone really well this year. So far 51 Quays in Gloucester Docks. This all-day trip is the charters have taken place, raising £2950 for the shopaholics treat! Cruise for a couple of hours aboard restoration. For details or to book, phone 07960 821642 Perseverance from Saul Junction to Gloucester Docks and speak to the Charter Manager. The main types of through the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside, charter are as follows. enjoying the wildlife along the way. Spend three hours doing some retail therapy and perhaps having a bite to eat Pub Lunch before returning to Saul Junction. Our most popular charter. Cruise from Saul Junction to the Tudor Arms , a delightful inn at Shepherd's Patch, near Slimbridge, about an hour down the canal. We'll book your By The Hour table and take your food order before you leave Saul. We Hire Perseverance by the hour. Bring a picnic if you wish. will then phone your order to the inn when you leave and it This charter is ideal for children's birthday parties, or just will be ready when you arrive. After your meal return to Saul to while away an hour or two enjoying the peace and aboard Perseverance . about three and a half hours in all. tranquility of the canal. 21 Membership Now 5,526 ! Data Protection - Membership records are held on a Membership Secretary, Des Pinnock computer - if you would like a copy of your own, please send me a request with a stamped addressed envelope.

A warm welcome to all the new members listed here - a Jennifer Waite, STROUD, Glos special thanks both to our volunteers who staff the stalls at Derek Miles, Brimscombe, STROUD, Glos outside events and those new members who joined at them. Martin & Iris Jefferies, CIRENCESTER, Glos Crick Boat Show and Gloucester Docks Tall Ships (thanks Michael Hursey, SWINDON, Wilts Susie!) were especially good for new members. Thanks also Ivor Thomas, Churchdown, GLOUCESTER to Mike & Pat who attend several local shows with our Sales Jim Robison, , , Glos stock and recruit many new members in the process. Richard Tyler, DROITWICH SPA, Worcs Andrew Innes, Rodborough, STROUD, Glos Our thanks also to those existing members who have Chris Osman, Eastington, STONEHOUSE, Glos voluntarily increased their annual subscription from the Stephen Morris, STROUD, Glos older £10/£8 to the newer £15/£10 Family/Adult Michael, Valerie & Sam Adlam, STROUD, Glos respectively. We did increase our rates very reluctantly as Steven Bulcock, STROUD, Glos postal charges were continually increasing. Members John Glibbery, , STROUD, Glos joining since the previous edition of The Trow passed its Norman Thomas, GLOUCESTER, Copy date are: Michael & Maryann Bracken, LECHLADE, Glos Mark Burgess, GLOUCESTER, Samantha Kuhn, THORNBURY, Sth Glos Julian LLoyd, Matson, GLOUCESTER Ivy Rowles, Brimscombe, STROUD, Glos Malcolm Brown, THAME, Oxon Jenny Lindop, Whiteshill, STROUD, Glos John White, STROUD, Glos Sarah Bishop, , Glos John MacDonald, Tamworth, John Shipp, BERKELEY, Glos Rev K.C. Fleming, STROUD, Glos Peter Watts, STROUD, Glos Lee Allen, STROUD, Glos Paul Selby, GUILDFORD, Surrey Ron & Mary Wilkins, BERKELEY, Glos John C. Nesfield-Cookson, STROUD, Glos Janet Davis, Whiteshill, STROUD, Glos Nick Freeman, CIRENCESTER, Glos Martin Dowdeswell, STROUD, Glos David & Gill Mansfield, STROUD, Glos Andy Cunningham, Freshwater East, Pembroke Paul Chadwick, STROUD, Glos Kevin Brew, CARDIFF, Steve & Sharon Kilyon, King's Stanley, STONEHOUSE, Glos Julian Chard, Downend, Colin & Mary Burford, Minchinhampton, STROUD, Glos Janet Palmer, OKEHAMPTON, Devon David Ginn, , STROUD, Glos Mr R.H. Edwards, STONEHOUSE, Glos James & Susan Barrett, REDDITCH, Worcs Sally Whitman & David Bailey, STROUD, Glos Martyn Ross, WESTBURY-ON-SEVERN, Glos Mrs I. Bartlett, CIRENCESTER, Glos Peter Roberts, STONEHOUSE, Glos Ian Hughes, MOLD, Flintshire Paul Coates, Coates, CIRENCESTER, Glos Paul & Susan Turlington, SOUTHAM, Warks Darren Munn, CHELTENHAM, Glos Fiona Keith-Lucas & Pete Lovett, CHARLBURY, Oxon David Watson, WESTBURY-ON-SEVERN, Glos Mandy & Steve Morley, MILTON KEYNES, Mr C.J. Handscombe, NEWNHAM, Glos John Morin, CREWE, Cheshire Paul Harrowsmith, MIDDLESBROUGH, Piper Boats, STOKE-ON-TRENT, Staffs Dr D.B. Shirt, BANBURY, Oxon Ian S. Black, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxon Jon Finch, STROUD, Glos Jo Gilbertson, WARE, Herts Jennifer Brown, FROME, Somerset Claire & Russell White, ROSS-ON-WYE, Herefordshire 22 Jacky Robertson, STONEHOUSE, Glos Roadshow Review Andrew & Thelma Newman, COVENTRY, by Mike Slade John, Ute, Anna, Jay Christopher, WOTTON-U-E, Glos Clive & Diana Murrie, MALMESBURY, Wilts Allan Taylor & Ann Martin, Oldbury-on-Severn, BRISTOL The CCT roadshow has been very successful in 2009. Max Comfort, STROUD, Glos Having focused more on local events and concentrated Ruth Dike, CIRENCESTER, Glos on giving information we have gained 165 new members Alan Marshall, DURSLEY, Glos through the the events we have attended. Paul Holmes, STROUD, Glos Anthony Lloyd, CHELTENHAM, Glos Our spring time appearances included a very successful Ivor Jones & Pauline Dorland, Poulton, CIRENCESTER, Glos Tall Ships weekend held in Gloucester Docks in an Malcolm Elliott, STROUD, Glos undercover secure shop location - thanks to our stalwart Jonathan Nicholls, Thrupp, STROUD, Glos volunteer Susie Baylis for making this happen. Again we Herbert & Elizabeth Brumwell, STROUD, Glos recruited an excellent numbers of new members, thanks Mrs E. Blackah, TETBURY, Glos to the efforts of our volunteers. We erected display Marian Owen, DURSLEY, Glos banners along the safety rails at the dockside, and Nicola Round, Hawkesbury Upton, BADMINTON, Glos engaged an untold number of vistors giving the latest Brian & June Hennell, STONEHOUSE, Glos information and restoration latest. Stuart Crighton, DURSLEY, Glos Andrew Baskerville, WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE, Glos Regular appearances every month at Stroud Farmers Amanda Rogerson, BLAKENEY, Glos Market have been a success with more memberships Teresa Warren, Enmore, BRIDGWATER, Somerset from the area. At Stroud Show, we were fortunate to Sandra Powell, Charlton Kings, CHELTENHAM, Glos have Rick and Jo with canal horse Gypsy Queen. This Richard Woudberg, BATH, certainly drew the crowds to our pitch with large numbers David Frow & Helen Brown, CREWE, Cheshire of vistors listening to Rick and Jo in their traditional attire Richard Apperley, STONEHOUSE, Glos while they demonstrated tacking up Gypsy Queen ready Jenny James, Bradley Stoke, BRISTOL for work. Chris & Val Sage, PONTYPRIDD, David & Jean Kee, LONDON, An astonishing autumn fete for the roadshow was in Raymond & Marjorie Freemantle, Bisley, STROUD, Glos Selsey Village , the first such event there for 25 years Alison Coles & Ben Spencer, STROUD, Glos attracting over 800 vistors and for us 10 new members. John Blythe, Charlton Kings, CHELTENHAM, Glos Keith Wright, STROUD, Glos It is anticipated for 2010 and beyond that we will need a Chris & Laura Catlow, STROUD, Glos revised style for the roadshow together with an urgent Peter & Gill Wimperis, STROUD, Glos revamp of our equipment. Irene S. Bunce, STROUD, Glos Lynne Palmer, DURSLEY, Glos This year, we were fortunate to find a number of Tristen & Kelly Lusty, STROUD, Glos volunteers for our new set-up team, a role which requires Martynn & David Pritchard, CHELTENHAM, Glos a small amount of time before and after each events As Nicholas & Anne Marks, LANGPORT, Somerset always the roadshow needs more volunteers for us to John Chillingworth, CHESTERFIELD, Derbyshire perfect our presentation at more national and local Peter & Julia Howlett, Aintree, LIVERPOOL venues. Elizabeth & Paul Hart, Nailsworth, STROUD, Glos Jeremy Mayes, Wide Open, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE So please let us have your support at the shows, set-up Richard & Christine Hall, BRISTOL teams or our regular sales and promotional roles. 23 Save The Towpath! Before Words & Photos by Steve Pickover

The section of canal between St Mary’s Lock and Beales Lock, near Brimscombe, normally has flow of water from East to West, which eventually discharges into the adjacent River Frome via a spill-weir. Due to excessive reed growth, the water had been unable to flow, and had overtopped the towpath, cutting a channel through into the river. This gave concern that in times of heavy rainfall During and flooding, a section of towpath could be lost into the river - and with it a gas main lurking just beneath towpath. Whilst the site is just outside the Phase 1A project length, this is a job that couldn’t wait!

Neville Nelder and I contacted Jaci Harris, Gloucester County Council Rights of Way Officer, and met her on site. She agreed to carry out work to form a shallow channel, and to commit funds for annually maintaining the channel.

We agreed a price with Suttons of Thrupp, who came up with the idea of pushing the reed growth across to the far After side of the canal. The scheme also allowed hardcore to build up sunken areas of towpath. A volunteer work party initially cleared away excessive vegetation to access the towpath.

A channel just over two metres wide and about 100mm deep was created through what had been dense reeds and bullrushes to provide a clear passage for the water to flow. The method avoided taking any material off site and the consequent contamination and Landfill Tax issues.

Obviously, when we fully restore the section, this material will then have to be disposed of. As this was an untried methodology, we were uncertain of the stability of the moved material, but the results are good, with a stable ‘mounded area’ towards the off-side and no danger of it migrating back across. Since the work was completed in August, there is now a clear flowing channel, complete with fish, waterfowl and insect life, in place of a solid reed bed. The environmental, amenity and floodwater relief benefits are good and we can now evaluate an interesting new method of short term clearance. 24 WRG’s Four Weeks at Gough’s Orchard Lock Photos by Ken Burgin

In a work camp this summer, groups of volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group spent an unprecedented four weeks working at Gough’s Orchard Lock.

Here’s a photographic record of the visit together with a 1 glimpse of the way things used to be.

1 There’s a mixed set of volunteers at a Waterway Recovery Group workcamp, so the team briefings are thorough 31 July

2 Cutting back into the lock wall 3 August

3 Gough’s Orchard Lock from an old postcard kindly donated by Chris Daniels of ‘Waterways World’. The canal is disued but not yet infilled above the lock. The photograph was probably taken between 1950 and 1960. 2

3

25 WRG at Gough’s Orchard Lock

4 Busy at the top end of the lock 18 August

5 Making great progress on the towpath-side wall 21 August

6 The progress made can be seen clearly in this photo taken from the off-side 21 August

7 The same team taken from the off-side near the bridge looking towards Brimscombe 21 August

4 All photos by Ken Burgin

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27 Siddington Words & Photos by Tony Robinson

The canal east of the summit has a total of only 16 locks from Coates to Inglesham but four of them were spectacularly clustered together at Siddington, just south of Cirencester. They had become seriously overgrown but were cleared in the 1990s and then received regular attention.

Recently, The Gang of Four, led by John Maxted, found time off from their regular maintenance duties to clear the middle two locks of vegetation again. The top lock is intact but incorporated into a private garden whilst the bottom lock of the flight was built over.

The view from Upper Siddington bridge must rate as one of the best on the whole canal. The locks require some remedial work but stand proudly as a testimony to the skill of the engineers over 200 years ago. 1

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1 The view from the bridge looking down the flight

2 View from lock 30 looking under Siddington Bridge into top lock 29 (John Maxted)

3 View from below lock 31

4 Lock 31

5 From below Lock 31 looking up the flight 4

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29 Get some space in your life;

Gloucester 89 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester GL4 6PQ (opposite Cunys and Staples)