1 THE EASTERLING JOURNAL OF THE EAST ANGLIAN WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION VOLUME NINE, NUMBER SIXTEEN OCTOBER 2016 Edited by Alan H. Faulkner 43 Oaks Drive, Colchester, Essex CO3 3PS Phone 01206 767023 E-mail [email protected] A TRIP UP THE NORTH WALSHAM & DILHAM CANAL In the first week of May the Wayfarer Broads Cruise involving four boats was successful in voyaging up the canal, passing through Tonnage Bridge and reaching the junction with the East Ruston Branch. It was not an easy trip – indeed prior to this the last two crews who had ventured up the canal in larger boats had been thwarted by trees at Tonnage Bridge. Overhanging trees were still a problem with this latest cruise but they were able to sail the last stretch up to East Ruston Staithe which had been de-silted a couple of years ago. A head wind coupled with the opposing current and restriction to the channel made further progress up to Honing Lock too difficult by boat and was explored on foot. 2 Four boats, all 16ft Wayfarer class dinghies, were involved – Wuffa crewed by Mike & Helen Playle, Ullathorne (Charles & Clare Ferrar), Somewhen (Larissa Barker & Mary Mallard) and Josh (James Scott & Bob Tarn). The boats optimistically entered the canal with their masts and sails up but they were unable to dodge the trees. They did, however, manage to sail along the East Ruston branch. Top: Sailing up the canal and showing the difficulties of navigating through the trees. Bottom: Tied up on the East Ruston branch. (Pictures courtesy of Michael Playle.) 3 The Association has always attached considerable importance to trips like this on the lower section of the canal towards Honing Lock. This part of the waterway is subject to tidal influence giving a public right of navigation although some interests choose to try and ignore this – at one time even the Broads Authority tried to contest this right. Hence we believe boats do need to use the section if only to reinforce the legal position. This work was started by the late Michael Helliwell, a local solicitor, who had a major involvement campaigning for the right to use parts of the Broads network. In 1958 he got to within 75 yards of Honing Lock and his boat Manto went on to become a regular visitor. Ivan Cane, our archivist, keeps a record of all such trips made or attempted up to Honing Lock. Well done Wayfarer Broads Cruise for this enterprise and well done Michael Playle who made the arrangements. MIDDLE LEVEL COMMISSIONERS As members know following the note in our last issue, the Association has given its overall support to the proposed changes to the Commissioners powers. Mr Iain Smith, the commissioners’ Clerk & Chief Executive, has responded thanking us for this backing. One of our main concerns had been over the exact procedures to be selected in view of the fact that the powers to grant secondary legislation in respect of inland waterways under the Transport and Works Act 1992 are limited. This could delay approval of the powers being sought, limit their effectiveness, leave aspects for subsequent legal challenge and result in unnecessary and possibly unforeseen expense. Hence our suggestion that primary legislation – namely a private Act of Parliament – was likely to be the most effective, economical and timely way to implement the Commissioners proposals. Mr. Smith has responded saying that the Commissioners are legally required to proceed by a Transport & Works Order unless it is not possible to do so. However, it has now been found that some of the proposed provisions cannot be introduced by a TWAO and they will now be proceeding by way of a Private Bill. Another of our suggestions was that representatives of the navigation’s users should be appointed to the board. This is tricky as currently membership is set by the Middle Level Acts, the default position being set by the 1991 Land Drainage Act. However, it might be possible to secure such a representation through the District Councils who are entitled to appoint a certain number of members. We are grateful to our Secretary, David Mercer, for his work on this important project and will hope to see the whole matter through to a positive conclusion. 4 HERE AND THERE THE LOCKGATE: This was the title of the Great Ouse Restoration Society’s quarterly journal that began publication in 1961 and finished in 1978 when the river was restored to navigation up to Bedford. Recently we have been given a remarkable collection of The Lockgate from No 6 (January 1963) to November 1978. The first five are missing in 1961/2, two in 1969 (July & October) and one in October 1971. We are seeking a good home for them. At least three of the directors have bound copies of the complete journal and would be willing to help anyone who wanted to make good the missing numbers. Anyone interested, please contact the Editor (address on page 1). PROJECT HEREWARD: Under the auspices of the steering group a survey of the 40 Foot waterway between Welches Dam and Horseway locks was carried out in June by David Wootton Photography using a drone. Flying some 60-feet above the level of the waterway the drone produced a detailed picture of the waterway which will be of great help when the time comes to begin the restoration works. These involve clearance of the channel and dealing with the current leakage problem with a suitable water-proof membrane. On 6 July Welches Dam lock was re-inspected by our member Roy Sutton who has a long record of advising on restoration projects in East Anglia and in Welches Dam Lock in particular. Roy was accompanied by Professor Andrew Storrar and another four members of the Project Hereward team and a detailed report has been drawn up. ENVIRONMENT AGENCY NAVIGATIONS: In February the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust set up a joint working group to explore different options for running the 640 miles of EA-managed river navigations. Work to explore the basis for a possible transfer is continuing as both organisations believe the move has the potential to create a more integrated national inland waterway network and a sustainable future for the river navigations. BREXIT: With the changes in Government that have taken place as a result of the decision for the United Kingdom to leave the European Community our Secretary, David Mercer, wrote on 14 July to the Right Honourable Andrea Leadsom, Member of Parliament and Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to congratulate her on her appointment and urging her to progress the government’s stated policy to transfer the waterways currently controlled by the Environment Agency to the Canal & River Trust. David’s letter generated a formal thank you from the Minister on 22 July. RIVER CAM: After a successful meeting with Jed Ramsey from the Conservators of the River Cam the Great Ouse Branch of the Inland Waterways Association has agreed to undertake some practical volunteering work and initially this will be based at Baits Bite Lock in Cambridge. Work envisaged includes painting the mitre gates, the railings and the lock edges owned by the conservators but not the equipment owned by the Environment Agency. A general tidying up around the lock and litter picking along the towpath will also be included. The first session took place on the weekend of 9th & 10th July. 5 RIVER GIPPING: At the beginning of April the River Gipping Trust took delivery of a three-ton Thwaites dumper following a very generous donation from an anonymous source. It will allow the Trust to use it alongside its digger on the on-going work at Pipps Ford lock and at other sites work sites. The machine cost £7,500 with the dreaded VAT on top. RIVER BLYTH: Following the successful passage of a canoe down the river from Halesworth to Southwold that was reported in our last issue, Council decided at its meeting on 16 June to make a £100 donation via Gerald Burns to the New Reach Working Group’s restoration appeal. Gerald reports that the trip itself was not without incident; the section between Mells and Wenhaston sluice was completely choked with weed and several fallen trees which meant dragging the canoe across farmer’s fields and fending off cattle, including two large bulls. The channel below Blythburgh across the estuary is currently marked with withies but still is shallow at low water which meant judging tide and wind quite carefully. With over £1,650 raised so far the group has purchased a weed cutter, a rake and some hi-vis jackets and went on to hold its first clearance session when a mass of pond weed was removed. Meanwhile the long term plan is to commission a professional feasibility study for the dredging and restoration of the New Reach as a navigable waterway. WATER VOLES: It appears water voles are continuing to thrive in the Fens although their numbers are declining in other parts of the country. Evidence for this follows work by Cliff Carson the environmental officer for the Middle Level Commissioners who has found that the animals thrive in ditches that are maintained. This provides a stable habitat where the vegetation is more diverse and the water is deeper. A study was led by the Wildlife Trust and covered 307 ditch sections in Curf Fen and Ranson Moor between March and Chatteris. Over 80 kilometres of ditches on the Cambridgeshire Fens were covered on foot or by boat leading to the belief that the region is a nationally important stronghold for the voles.