November 1996 Issue 304 £25M RECORD HERITAGE LOTTERY AWARD FOR KENNET AND AVON

t was announced last week that the largest ever Heritage Lottery Fund award, of £25 million, will fund a programme of heritage and environmental conservation and visitor improvement works designed to protect and secure the 87 mile for all waterway users. The grant will be used to pay for a six year programme of works including embankment stabilisation, water supply improvements and refurbishments. The balance of £4 million is being provided by a consortium of local authorities, The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, and others. Audrey Smith, IWA Chairman, said “We are particularly pleased that the Heritage Lottery Part of the at on the K&A Photograph:John Lawrence Fund has seen fit to invest such said, “Whilst the IWA have become increasingly a substantial sum securing the future of the K&A Canal. concerned at the recent reductions in Grant-in-Aid to From the IWA’s earliest days an enormous amount of British Waterways, the position of waterways such as the volunteer time and money has been committed to saving K&A Canal, which are only partly classified as ‘cruiseway’ the canal and seeing through its restoration.” The standard are even more perilous. The IWA feared that, application to the Heritage Lottery Fund included IWA’s without lottery or similar funding, insufficient investment written support. would be made to maintain the 161 buildings and Mrs Smith added, “We are heartened that the allocation structures of historical and architectural importance, in of lottery funds took into account that over £10 million has British Waterway’s ownership, along the canal corridor. been raised for the Kennet & Avon Canal to date by Such a lack of investment could eventually have resulted members of the K&A Canal Trust, the IWA and other in the closure of the canal.” Most of the money will be spent on engineering, with “WE NEED TO DO SOME SERIOUS nearly £10m devoted to strengthening and underpinning the earthen and clay embankments which carry large PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE” lengths of the canal. Nearly £8m will be spent on dredging, relining the canal sides and refurbishing locks. organisations and individuals.” The IWA was also one of “We need to do some serious preventative engineering, the first contributors to the recent appeal to finance the to make sure the canal survives another 200 years”, said back pumping for the 29 lock Caen Hill Flight near Simon Salem, marketing director of British Waterways. Devizes which came into use last August. The canal was fully re-opened to navigation by HM The The IWA also welcomed the news that the works on the Queen in August 1990 after 26 years of restoration work. canal will commence this winter and include repairs to the Devizes Flight. Neil Edwards, IWA’s Executive Director, IWA Press Release 31-10-96 and The Independent 1-11-96

1967 - 1996 READ ABOUT IT HERE FIRST November 1996

SOUTHAMPTON CANAL SOCIETY October Meeting Survey Complete Established 1967 A total of 35,000 photographs; 11,000 The objectives of the Society are to embers at the October record sheets; 100,000 miles travelled foster interest in and inland meeting were among the by boat, bicycle, car and on foot - waterways, to assist in their first in the country to know these are the measures of the BW preservation, restoration and that Gloucestershire County Council Architectural Heritage Survey of development, and to give practical is to finance a navigable culvert un- England and Wales which began in help on waterway projects. der the new Latton Bypass on the ., and that 1988 and is now complete. Chairman: the local District Councils are likely to The survey was jointly sponsored by Brian Evans, 19 Lansdowne Gardens, Romsey, join in with further finance. BW and English Heritage. It had the Hampshire, SO51 8FN. Tel: 01794 517115 This wonderful news was brought to twin aims of creating a database of Secretary: us by our speaker, Bruce Hall, Chair- BW’s historic estate and of Eric Lewis, 51 Friars Croft, Calmore, Hamp- recommending buildings for ‘listing’ shire, SO40 2SS. Tel: 01703 860384 man of the Cotswold Canals Trust, though he made us wait for it until because they are ‘of special Treasurer & Membership: architectural or historic interest’. As a Laura Sturrock, 27 Northlands Road, Romsey, almost the end of the evening. Hampshire, SO51 5RU. Tel 01794 517614 result of the survey a further 500 Starting at the Severn end of the waterway buildings and structures Committee: Stroudwater Canal, Bruce gave us a Martin Cripps have been listed - an indication of how Paul Herbert bit of history, politics and showed us poorly the canal heritage was on the Peter Oates the difficulties and restoration old lists. Not one of the survey’s David Townley-Jones changes as he worked his way recommendations was turned down by Newsletter Editor: towards the Thames. the Secretary of State for National Peter Oates, 27 Northlands Road, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 5RU. Tel: 01794 517614 We learned how to approach politi- Heritage - a ‘record’ according to cians, councillors, landowners, British English Heritage’s Listing Branch. MEETINGS Rail etc, saw slides of the world’s first Computerisation of the database is plastic bridge, restored lengthsman’s proceeding quickly, with over 7,000 1st Thursday each month at 7.45pm roundhouses, all shown with great en- records already on disk. Once the St John’s Ambulance Hall, thusiasm. Even restoration of the information is analysed it will have King’s Park Road, Southampton Sapperton Tunnel, with its roof falls many uses. Now that we have a and problems did not seem to complete overview we can say with dampen the spirits of our speaker. FORTHCOMING EVENTS confidence that ‘this length of canal is One day this Severn - Thames link historically valuable’ or that ‘this 7th November 1996 WILL be navigable throughout! aqueduct is unique’. Local planners Programme of Waterways Films, and grant-awarding authorities (which Ordnance Survey Cine Club We enjoyed a most informative and amusing talk, and with the good news include English Heritage and the 5th December 1996 at the end, all the ingredients were Heritage Lottery Fund) are taking us Annual Inter-Society Quiz and there to justify our full, further seriously. And that is good news for American Supper support. British Waterways. 2nd January 1997 Nigel Crowe, BW newways September 1996 Further Visits to French Waterways New Canals for Old Brian Evans with slides of This is the title of a talk to be given by Yesterday was a . . . the Briare, Canal du Berry, River Chris Davey of the Waterway Good Day for gondoliers, as the Cher, River Vilaine and la Venise Recovery Group to the Romsey and Venice regional council voted for a Verte District Society in Romsey Town Hall change in the “Waterways Code” to on Wednesday 15th January 1997 at permit gondoliers to serenade their 6th February 1997 8.00pm. All welcome. Non- Canalside Camera passengers at any time of the day. members £1.00 entrance fee. by Jon Sims Previously, gondoliers were allowed to sing only in the evening and at night. 6th March 1997 Best Canal Pub The new regulations also permit them Talk by Mrs Audrey Smith Last month we featured the first to travel down the canals three IWA Chairman British Waterways Canals Alive! abreast, rather than just two. 3rd April 1997 Pubs Awards. The Globe Inn at The Independent 11-10-96 BW Customer Relations Linslade on the Grand Union near Jim Kelly Leighton Buzzard has now won this Canal Society Library year’s national award. Strong canal Our librarian, Sue Lewis, is still Distributed by: theming, lots of facilities for children waiting for your visit, at any meeting, Hunt & Co, Chartered Accountants, and excellent staff were outstanding to borrow any of the many interesting 123/124 High Street, Southampton, features that helped the Globe to win. books on the waterways and related SO14 2AA. Tel: 01703 225255 BW newways September 1996 subjects.

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IWA WELCOMES UPGRADING FOR SHEFFIELD & TINSLEY CANAL - BUT CALLS FOR MORE

he IWA has welcomed the parties. A major National Campaign ways are funded through Grant-in-Aid announcement by Robert Festival, organised by the IWA, was but for certain ‘remainder’ waterways, Jones MP, Minister with re- held in Sheffield in 1991. central funding is refused and funds have to be provided by local authori- sponsibility for the waterways, that the IWA National Chairman, Audrey ties or by other benefactors. This ap- Sheffield and Tinsley Canal has been Smith, said “Whilst we are pleased plies, for example, to a large part of upgraded to a ‘cruising’ waterway from that the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal has the Birmingham Canal Navigations its previous ‘remainder’ classification. been reclassified, we are concerned and to the western end of the Leeds & However, the IWA has urged the about many other navigations which Liverpool Canal - it is as if the Govern- Government to amend the existing currently have a ‘remainder’ classifi- ment believes that residents of the outdated legislation which makes a cation. The reclassification of this West Midlands and Merseyside are distinction between different classifi- canal has only been made possible second class citizens and not deserv- cations of waterways thereby severely through a commitment of financial ing of support for their waterways.” restricting funding for the mainten- support by Sheffield City Council and ance of ‘remainder’ waterways. we understand that the Department of The IWA believes that the category of Work to improve the environment the Environment are unwilling to re- ‘remainder’ waterways as classified along the corridor of the canal has classify other waterways unless simi- under the should been undertaken over the last 15 lar financial commitments are made be abolished and all such waterways years by British Waterways, the local in respect of them. The present sys- reclassified as ‘cruising’ waterways. authority and IWA volunteer work tem is unfair! The majority of water- IWA Press Release, 28 Oct 1996

The Sprat and Winkle Way Council. The southern part of the contact Steve Lees on Romsey route will follow the surviving canal (01794) 515117, extension 5563 or Test Valley Borough Council is in the between the Timsbury Road Amanda Ford on Andover (01264) process of submitting a bid to the and Romsey. The cost of the project 343219. Millenium Commission for a has been estimated at £1.9 million. “pedestrian cycle path” between Comments on the proposed bid are Andover and Romsey. If the bid is Details of the project will be on invited from the public. All those successful, it will provide a link display at the following exhibitions received will be considered by the between the two principal towns in the where council officers will also be Council before a final decision is Borough and between several villages available: made. Your comments should be in the Test Valley. 75% of the sent, by 28 November 1996, to The Saturday 9 November at Lower Guildhall, Director of Planning, Test Valley Borough’s population live within 3 Andover: 1.30pm to 4.00pm. miles of the route. Borough Council, Council Offices, Tuesday 12 November at Timsbury Duttons Road, Romsey, Hampshire, The route incorporates existing Village Hall: 3.30pm to 7.00pm. SO51 8XG. highways and public rights of way. Thursday 14 November at Stockbridge The Millenium Commission’s decision Much of the route will run along the Town Hall: 3.30pm to 7.00pm. former “Sprat and Winkle” railway line will be announced early in the New which before that was the Andover Saturday 16 November at Romsey Town Year. If a bid is made and is Hall: 2.00pm to 5.00pm. and Redbridge Canal. Most of this line successful, work on the scheme would is owned by Hampshire County If you have any queries, you can commence in the summer of 1997. SOUTHAMPTON CANAL SOCIETY SALES STAND Enamel Society Members Badges 75p Waterway Jigsaws (192 pieces 10” x 13¾”) £3.50 Embossed Ball Point Pens 50p Notelets, with line drawings (by Brian Evans) of canal and Romsey scenes £1.00 GEOprojects Maps £3.00 Screen Printed Tee Shirts £6.50 £3.75 with Society logo across chest Kennet & Avon Canal £3.75 in Navy Blue - medium, large & extra large Grand (each) £3.75 in Red - medium Map 1 Birmingham - Fenny Stratford Embroidered Sweat Shirts £15.00 Map 2 Braunston - Kings Langley with Society logo on breast Map 3 Fenny Stratford - Thames in Navy Blue - large Map 4 Leicester Line - Soar - Erewash in Royal Blue - medium and large The Thames Map £3.75 London - City and Docklands Atlas £3.75 Cotton Shopper Bags £2.25 The Broads £3.75 with screen-printed Society logo each side Birmingham Canal Navigations £3.75 Colourful Tea Towels £2.50 £3.75 Decorated Mugs £2.25 Llangollen and Montgomery Canals £3.75 Decorated Trays (two sizes) £1.00 & £2.95

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CHAIRMAN’S VACANCES Part 2

rom Briare, Annegret and I except for the fact that the towpath is large canalside collection of canalia moved to a beautiful camp- popular with walkers and cyclists. Im- including two Berrichons (local site in the Forest of Tronçais, mediately on the end of the aqueduct barges), lock gates, kilometre posts, a few miles north of Montluçon. We is a lock and, hard to believe, this has documents, pictures etc. Leading light stayed 9 days there for it was an ex- recently been filled with rubble. at Magnette is M René Chambareau cellent centre from which to visit the Whilst realising that this would pre- and it is thanks to him and his friends Canal du Berry, sadly described as a vent frost damage I feel that that was and helpers that such a wonderful Canal abandoné, though for much of not the motive. museum exists. its length it is in better condition and deeper than most of our canals. We drove north again to find the junc- M Chambareau is a member of the Though roads have been built on the tion of Fontblisse where the three IWA and we were like a pair of excited canal bed in at least two places, and parts of the Canal du Berry come to- boys as we showed each other IWA we found one long dry section, the gether and from where all kilometre membership cards. He speaks lack of good lock gates seems to be posts are measured. Like many canal excellent English and, despite a busy the biggest physical problem. To add junctions it is well away from all roads, afternoon, devoted nearly three hours to this the canal has been handed a kilometre towpath walk to total to our visit. Imagine this poor man’s over to small local authorities, in short peace. A warm summer evening in frustration as he reads about English lengths and another big problem is the Central France with junction, lock, work parties and Waterway Recovery lack of will to restore or use. Many lock cottage and canal lined with tall Group in his copy of IWA Waterways, French canals seem to be going still poplars casting symmetrical while his own canal slowly falls apart. into decline, rather like the English reflections on the still water. All that Maybe one day WRG will be taking ones were 30 to 40 years ago. was missing were good lock gates and French ‘holidays’. a few boats. On our first visit we found a dry sec- If you are ever hurrying down the A71 - tion, caused by a quarrying company Next day we visited St Amand- E11 motorways towards the south of who have set up a crushing plant on or Montrond, a busy little town which France make sure to stop off for a beside the course, robbing several could be compared with Newbury. It while and see René Chambareau’s miles of the canal of water. had a deep stretch of canal with museum, you would certainly be made fishermen and a number of residents very welcome. Walking north along this section, we promenading on , shaded by found the Pont Canal de Tranchasse, huge conker trees. But why no Now that you have read the book (very a beautiful stone aqueduct which tripping boat? much abridged), come along to the strides with eight arches over the January meeting and see the slides. Highlight of our stay was a visit to the River Cher. Also without water in the Brian Evans canal channel, a forgotten monument, Canal du Berry Expo at Magnette, a Pedal Power Creates a Stir on British Canals Escargot is a boat that has been designed by Philip Thiel, It is now planned to build a full-size version of Escargot in a naval architect from Seattle, USA. A model of this the UK and to launch her in August 1997 at Windmill End. pedal-powered canal cruiser was displayed in the IWA WRG volunteers will be crewing her in relays during her marquee at this year’s National Waterways Festival at journey from Dudley via Birmingham, Warwick, Braunston Dudley. and Oxford to Henley. It is due to arrive there for the 1997 IWA Festival. The Thames is renowned for the variety of The boat has accommodation for two people in a plywood craft using it but the sight of two red T-shirted Wergies shell approximately 6ft pedalling silently along by 18ft 6in. Motive should cause a few spilt power is provided by two G&Ts. Seacycle units positioned on the rear Watch out for the Quiet deck. It is said that it will Revolution in 1997! The require little more effort artist’s impression was from the crew than if produced by Chichester they were cycling along Canal Society member the towpath. The Graham Butler. Further advantages to the information from UK environment are the lack Publicity Manager, Jon of noise, pollution and Sims on 01703 732868. exhaust while the crew is Based on articles in Waterways provided with healthy World Nov 1996 and Chichester exercise. CS Autumn Newsletter

Page 4 November 1996 IWA Criticises Squeeze Water situation on Boaters Better rainfall and reduced demand for lockages have both helped to keep The IWA issued a deeply critical nearly all canal summits open. However, supplies to the summit of response to the news that BW licence the south Oxford Canal have been exhausted and the canal has had to close fees are to rise by 25% above the at Marston Doles and Claydon Flight. The situation on the was level of inflation over the next three critical but the crisis seems to have passed. Reservoir holdings at 11 October years. IWA National Chairman, Mrs as a percentage of capacity were: Audrey Smith, said “Most boat owners Crinan 13% can ill afford any increase in licence Leeds & Liverpool Canal 41% fees on top of additional expense Macclesfield group 33% brought about by the Boat Safety Caldon group 9% Scheme”. Birmingham Canal Navigations 52% Leicester Line 21% This criticism follows BW’s Oxford Canal 11% BW newways October 1996 announcement that 1997 licence fees are to rise by 10.2% from 1st January and a further 10% plus inflation for Meet Santa Claus Boat Trips 1998 and 1999. The IWA believes The Society is organising these enjoyable Christmas trips that these increases are a direct result again this year. The trip will cost £4.00 for adults and children and the latter of a Government directive that boat will receive a suitable personalised present and everybody will be offered owners must be squeezed for more festive hospitality. Egremont will leave Chichester everyday cash in an attempt to replace cuts in from Saturday 30 November to Tuesday 24 December at 10.30, 12.00, 13.30 Government funding for the and 15.00. The maximum number of passengers is 12, irrespective of age. waterways. Trips by advanced booking only so Santa has the right presents in his The IWA has already expressed sack! Bookings: Vic Nicholls on 01243 605631 or write to 7 Orpen Place, concern at the mounting backlog of Selsey, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 0EN. maintenance waiting to be tackled by BW and the Caley gets £2.8m which could result in serious accidents At the end of September Michael Forsyth, Secretary of State for Scotland, and/or waterway closures unless new announced the award of £2.8 million extra government funding for urgent funding is found quickly. Audrey stabilisation work on the at Fort Augustus and for Smith spoke of these worries at the preliminary work at Banavie this winter. IWA’s AGM on 28th September. Many members were determined to A further £16 million is needed over the next three years to complete the lobby MPs and Ministers over the repairs necessary for continued use of the canal. coming weeks and months. BW newways October 1996 Mrs Smith said “If IWA members has received news of these massive licence increases before the meeting, I believe it would have been difficult to restrain feelings. However, I do believe that our members are perceptive enough to realise that the cause of this outrageous licence increase is Government mismanagement rather than BW greed.” News of the licence increases has been tempered by the welcome announcement that BW and the EA are to permit boaters licensed with either navigation authority up to 15 days usage per annum of the other’s navigations without further charge. The ability for BW licence holders to use the Thames will benefit boaters attending the National at Henley in August 1997. IWA Press Release 2 Oct 1996

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