WENDOVER ARM NEWS Newsletter of the Wendover Arm Trust Issue 2019/1 Price £1 where sold Spring 2019 Wendover Arm News, SpringFree to 2019 members 2 Wendover Arm News, Spring 2019 Your contacts on the Trust In this issue Chairman Chris Sargeant page [email protected] Editorial 4 Vice-Chairman Marion Birch Chairman’s Column 5 [email protected] Hon. Secretary John Rowe Wendover Walking 6 [email protected] Membership Update 7 Treasurer Clive Wilson Club 100 7 [email protected] Restoration Update 8 Restoration Director Roger Leishman WAT Shopfront 13 [email protected] WRG Family Camp 14 Assistant Restoration Director Silver Propeller Challenge 15 Tony Bardwell 2019 AGM 15 [email protected] Grand Draw 2018 16 Events Director vacant [email protected] Wendover Arm Talks 16 Funding Director vacant News from our Neighbours 16 [email protected] A Wendover Arm Time Line 17 Membership Secretary Katherine Deaney From the Archives 18 [email protected] Publicity and Fund-raising 20 Publications Director vacant Events update 21 Publicity Director Nigel Williams IWA events 21 [email protected] Another Grand Day Out 23 Sales Director Bob Wheal [email protected] ADVERTISERS Webmaster Clive Johnson [email protected] Airs House 23 General Members vacant Barton Petroleum 24 Cowroast Marine Engineering 14 Minutes Secretary The Half Moon PH 24 and IWA Nominee Jenny Brice [email protected] Mike Joseph Electrician 24 CRT Representative vacant P&S Marine 2 Wyvern Shipping 24 Cover Picture: ‘See Amidst the Winter Copy deadline for the next issue Snow, Restoration Works Shall Still On-go’ 19 May Picture by Tony Bardwell Wendover Arm News, Spring 2019 3 From the Editor Well, yes, it’s me again, thought you’d got that spring is here I’d urge you to take a rid of me hadn’t you? But, as there’s been walk along the towpath and have a look a stunning response to the advert for a at the progress of the restoration. Go new Editor (NIL) Council has prevailed on along during one of the Work Party me to do one more issue to keep you weeks (see p10 for dates) and see the informed of what’s going on to give it team at work, chat with them too and more time to find a volunteer. perhaps be enthused enough to volunteer your services. But, if you can’t manage There are ‘irons in the fire’ but if no one a date before the Restoration Open can be persuaded to come forward then Day then note that we are laying on a the thought is that the Trust will revert mini-bus from Little Tring to Drayton to the procedure followed during the Beuachamp so you don’t have to walk previous interregnum; that is to prepare the distance twice. Further in the future a short bulletin to let members know we are looking to get another Pumping what’s going on in the Trust, events and Station Open Day in mid-September but restoration progress and to continue this this is dependent on completion the until a new Editor takes up his or her works there. duties. We would put this onto the members-only section of the Trust’s From the days when we were at Drayton website and send hard copies only to Beauchamp when Little Tring seemed a those who have not given us an e-mail distant goal, with the restoration now address. We do need to appoint a new approaching Bridge 4 the sound of lapping Editor if for no other reason than we need water all the way along the cut is starting to keep faith with our advertisers who to seem possible within a reasonable give us the financial support to produce a time span – as long as we can solve professionally printed Newsletter. the problem of ‘The Tip’. Read the Restoration news and see the pictures Following the success of the 2017 and on pp8-12 to gauge the progress; 2018 ‘Grand Days Out’ we’ve booked we’ve got another aerial shot that one of Paul’s boats again for 30th April shows in pictures (easier than words!) and you’ll find details on p23. The trip what we are achieving. is for Trust members but as long as one of your party is a member then we’ll Finally, as Chris says in his Chairman’s welcome friends and family as it help us column, we’re also going to need a to demonstrate the joys of canal boating Membership Secretary. Katherine has (yes, even in the pouring rain!) and done an excellent job since taking over shows people what we are doing to from Barry Martin in 2008 and now restore and protect our environment. needs relief so she can attend to the rest of her (very busy) life. Although we’ve planned another Restoration Open Day in July, now 4 Wendover Arm News, Spring 2019 Chairman’s column Spring is always an inspiring season – new thoughts, new ideas and new challenges plus rebirth of all that grows after the winter. Our volunteers have made excellent progress through the winter and are now past Whitehouses and heading speedily towards bridge 4 – thank you all and well done! The Wendover Arm is looking very smart after the autumn reed cutting when over part of the old underbed pipe from 40 tons of vegetation were removed from bridge 4 towards Tringford pumping the canal to allow water from the source station to determine its condition and to flow freely once more. Without this whether it should be capped, filled to necessary removal, the vegetation prevent collapse, left as a possible land gradually blocks the waterway causing drain or just abandoned. Decisions will potential flooding and starves the supply be made in conjunction with CRT once of water to the summit level, its raison results are to hand. d’être. Our thanks to CRT and their contractor for a job well done. As you will see elsewhere in this newsletter we have a full season of events coming up In earlier issues you will recall we outlined and look forward to seeing you on these some thoughts towards how to deal with occasions. the tip infill at Little Tring or possibly to by-pass it. I would like to emphasise our We need help in filling two key positions preference is firmly to stick to restoring the i.e. Membership Secretary and Newsletter original line of the canal i.e. through the Editor – both roles can be done at home tip with the by-pass option only as a last and just require basic computer knowledge resort if that is not possible. In order to and a few hours per week – please do resolve the issue we have commissioned get in touch if you think you can help or a detailed study into the tip’s contents for more information – contact details to find out exactly what is in there and below. therefore how it can be dealt with. Thank you Chris Sargeant Sampling is starting in March with results of lab analysis a few weeks later. We are Able to do either of the roles above? Then grateful to a long term supporter of the contact me by email on: trust who is kindly funding this exercise. [email protected] Whilst in investigative mood we are also Or phone 07547 181857, leave a message having a camera survey carried out on and I’ll get back to you Wendover Arm News, Spring 2019 5 WENDOVER – WALKING FOR WELL-BEING Most people are aware that a brisk walk reservoir car park at Wilstone Green, can help build stamina, burn excess calories walking round Wilstone reservoir, up to and make your heart healthier. But did you the canal and back again. know that the potential benefits stretch Feel like some refreshment after your well beyond that? The Mental Health exertions? Then we’d encourage you to charity, Mind, states that: stop off at: One in four people in Britain experience The Half Moon pub (link 2 below.) This mental health problems each year, but is in the centre of Wilstone village on spending time outdoors can reduce the Tring Road and is open daily from midday. risk of depression by 30%. PE Mead & Sons Farm Shop (Mon-Sat It makes sense when you think about it. 0830-1700, Sun 0930-1630) and the All those expressions about ‘blowing the Puddingstone Distillery (Fri-Sat 0930- cobwebs away’ start to ring true. So why 1700) are in Wilstone Green, just a short not take the opportunity of this early distance from the reservoir car park (links spring weather to give your well-being a 3 and 4 below). boost and get down to the canal to see the latest progress with the restoration. These are all supporters of Wendover Arm Trust’s work, so we’re keen to help We’ve included a link below (1) to a walk them too. around the reservoirs from the Royal Geographical Society’s Discovering Britain If you are starting the walk from Startops series where you will find a map and a End, then don’t forget Bluebells Tea very comprehensive Rooms and The Anglers Retreat pub both adjacent the car park. work on the Enjoy your visit! Arm. The walk around all four reservoirs . .and finally, the Trust is preparing its is almost six-miles long which may be too own booklet of walks featuring the Arm much for some, but you can shorten it that should be available around the end quite considerably by parking in the of the year.