The Magazine of the North Cheshire Cruising Club

CELEBRATIONS FOR DECEMBER

WE WISH THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

1st Bernie Budworth …. JENNY WREN

7th Colin Buckland – JORIC

10th Pam Russell – PETRALEE

11th Carole Jones – AQUAHOLIC

17th Lynne Taylor – CAMPSIE LASS

23rd Christopher Potter – FLEUR D’EAU

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THESE MEMBERS

9th Mair & Christopher Potter – FLEUR D’EAU

18th Jan & Martin Tattersall – QUANTUM

17 January - Race Night

First race 7.30, Entrance £5

23 January : 8.15

Film Night

A Trip Thtough The Canadian Rockies

Health and Safety

The board have decided that all persons carrying out any work in, on

and around the club premises as well as for the club should comply

with the current ‘Health and Safety’ regulations. To this end the club

will provide all the mandatory equipment and clothing except

footwear. The correct footwear will still have to be worn, but it is felt

that as these are strictly personal items they will have to be purchased

by the respective individuals.

The Board

Commodore's Letter

I was so pleased that the Christmas Party went down well.

Thank you all so much for the help you gave me.

On Friday the 18th of December Barbara Palmer will be holding a

Christmas quiz.

The next event will be the Boxing Day cruise, weather permitting we

will sail from the arm at approximately 11am to Poynton and return to

soup and sandwiches in the Club house.

There are still places available for the New year's eve party.

On the 17th of January 2015 Sheila Barlow has her very popular Race

Night.

I hope to arrange a Frost Bite cruise prior to this.

On Friday 23rd of January 2015 Bryan Roberts has organised a

Film Show of the Canadian Rockies.

I hope you support as many Events as possible.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Edna and Eric

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Change of Details

If any members have changed their address or phone number

please could you let me know.

Pam Russell

Flower Arranging Courses,

Workshop and Flower Demonstration.

I would like to thank everyone who attended the Courses and Christmas

Workshop.

We had lots of fun, chatted, had tea and biscuits and managed to do some flower

arranging and there were some spectacular Christmas Wreaths created at the

Sunday Workshop.

The Flower Demonstration of Wednesday Evening was well attended, the aroma

of Mulled Wine and warm mince pies was very inviting.

The total amount raised for Club Funds was £637.71 (thankyou)

We are hoping to hold some further courses in the Spring. Five lesson fortnightly

on a Wednesday Evening. It`s very informal and you don`t need any flower

arranging experience to join in. It would be lovely to see more Club Members

attending to support the activities we are arranging.

Please contact me on 01663 765 731 if you would like further details.

Sheila Barlow.

Fund Raising Co-ordinator.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Please come along for lunch on Sundays, 12.00 – 1.30.

We’re happy to serve you with our finest pies, toasties, hot-pot, jacket

potatoes, soup etc.

The bar is also open 12.00 – 2.00

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

A TRIP THROUGH THE

CANADIAN ROCKIES

FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY, 2015.

8.15PM

PRESENTED BY BRYAN ROBERTS.

ASSISTED BY GRAHAM SPEECHLEY

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

If any one who receives a copy of Ditchcrawler either on club

night or by post would like a larger print copy (A4) please let

the editor know.

We hope to be able to supply these commencing with the

January 2015 edition.

.

Members can now pay their mooring fees or membership subscriptions

by online banking.

The club’s bank account details are shown below:-

Bank: Santander

Sort Code: 09-01-28

Account No: 66308303

Account Name: North Cheshire Cruising Club Ltd.

and supersedes any previous club bank details you may have used. If

you intend to use this facility then please double check you have copied

the above details correctly and not made any mistakes.

Please use your boat name as reference for moorings and initials &

surname for membership.

If you intend not to use online banking then payment by cheque is the

preferred method.

Garry Dockerty Chairman

x

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Can anyone requiring the use of the slipway during 2015 please liaise

with Brian Bowker. Many thanks

Attention All Moorers in the Club Arm

Please not that it is one of the conditions of mooring in the arm (which

everybody signs) that you must purchase your ‘Canal & River Trust’ licence

through the club. Failure to do this is in breach of your mooring conditions and

will put your mooring in jeopardy. The club as you are aware are given a 5%

commission on these licences and therefore are losing revenue. The board has

decided that as it is a condition of mooring in the arm, that, the amount of lost

revenue will be recouped from the offending moorers and a bill will be issued for

the relevant amount i.e. 5% of your licence fee.

NB This only applies to moorers in the arm who have not bought their licence

through the club.

Pam Russell

Jen and I would like to thank all who have supported Ditchcrawaler over the past

year. It would be impossible to produce the magazine without input from

members and whilst we have regular supporters it would be good to open it up to

more members. Any contribution will be greatfully received a write up on a cruise

you have made. Details of a good pub you have found, a helpful chandlers, a

recipe indeed anything that you feel may be of interest or will amuse our

members. Also please let us have any significant dates, Birthdays or Anniversaries

that you would like to be included in the Celebrations section.

In conclusion we wish all members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New

Year

Jen & Bernie Budworth

Edna was presented with her chain of office and Commodore’s burgee

our Chairman Garry Dockerty at the Christmas party.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Edna’s first event the Christmas Party was very successful as shown by the pictures below:

BRIAN WINNING WHISKY 1

CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Fun was had at the children’s Christmas party on Saturday and all the children would like to

thank everyone who help make the party successful and to Father Christmas for visiting them

arriving on his boat giving Rudolf and the rest of the reindeers a day of during this busy time

of year for them.

Archive Corner December 2014 The Marple Lock Flight (continued)

Within the last three ‘Ditchcrawler’ issues, I have highlighted the route of the temporary railway

employed during the building of the Lock Flight, also the canal features one may see within the

Lower part of the Lock Flight. This month’s concluding article begins at the Lock 9 and

continues up to Lock 16 the Summit Lock.

Photograph No 42 (above left)

Alongside Lock 9 is one of the Lock Keepers Houses now converted in order to offer a private

residence which sits particularly well with its surroundings. Note the mullion windows. Sadly the

Lock Keepers House located lower down the flight at Lock 6 was demolished in 1962.

Photograph No 43 (above right)

A pleasing blend of elegance and utility, Oldknow’s Warehouse above Lock 9 remains occupied

to this day, having reverted to commercial use.

Photograph No 44 (above)

As stated in my first article in this sequence, the reason for the elongated coping stone

arrangement at the tail of Lock 10 was very probably to accommodate the crossing of the

temporary railway which became operational during the construction of the Lock Flight.

Photograph No 45 (above)

On the off side of the canal, post war housing development is ‘shoehorned’ into a narrow strip of

land between Locks 10, 11 & 12 and St Martins Road.

Photograph No 46 (above)

In stark contrast to Photograph 45, on the towpath side of the canal at lock 10, Hollins House

emerges on the crest of the hill with open parkland in between.

Photograph 47 Marple’s one time Photograph 48 Posset Bridge. The Lower

‘Industrial Hub’ viewed in December 2014 Limekiln Branch Canal was accessed via

with Lock 12 in the distance the left hand (East) arch.

The pound between Locks 11 & 12 veers away from St Martins Road, no doubt in order to

accommodate the requirements of the pound between Locks 12 & 13 (Photograph 47 above

left) viewed here from Stockport Road. The main feature which dominates this pound is the

Posset Bridge (Photogrtaph 48 above right) permitting the road linking Marple with New Mills

to cross the canal below Lock 13. Though the double arch arrangement survives to this day,

only the West Arch (Bridge 30) is functional, permitting access to and from Lock 13. Originally

the East Arch (Bridge 31) offered Access to the Lower Limekiln Branch Canal, long since in-

filled. During the

late nineteenth century, this would be a busy stretch of canal. Apart from through traffic there

would be boats emerging from the Lower Limekiln Branch loaded with finished Lime no doubt

bound for Manchester, boats using the Hollins Mill Branch (Photograph 49 below left) to

supply coal and remove finished goods, also the operational Black Wharf complete with jib

crane (Photograph 50 below right) offering the means of transferring goods to and from the

road to the canal. No doubt both the Limekilns and the Hollins Mill boiler would be fired

continually, hence operate night and day. In short, this pound could be described as Marple’s

‘Industrial Hub’. One suspects that there would have been frequent ‘near misses’ between the

different craft plying this pound, perhaps resulting in the exchange of ‘industrial language’

between rival boat crews!

Photograph 49 The different coloured Photograph 50 Black Wharf has now been

coping stones depict the point where occupied by commercial development. The

the Hollins Mill Branch left the canal footbridge offers pedestrians a safe crossing

Photograph 51 (above)

The site of the in-filled Lower Limekiln Branch Canal is viewed here from Posset Bridge. The

line of the Canal ran parallel with Strines Road which is headed away from the bend at the left

hand side of the photograph.

Photograph 52 Locks 14 & 15 Photograph 53 Locks 15 & 16

Taken as an entity, Locks 13 to 16 photographed above, which assume a gradient of 1 in 16.5,

appear to be the steepest conventional (non-staircase) lock sequence in the country. To this

day motorised narrow boats whilst out for pleasure, headed in opposite directions find passing

within the intervening pounds somewhat tedious, consequently one cannot fail to have the

utmost respect for the horse drawn boat crews replicating this manoeuvre with full length fully

loaded work boats. Moreover in 1834, due to the additional traffic generated following the

opening of the Macclesfield Canal and the Cromford & High Peak Railway, Fly boats were

permitted to navigate the Lock Flight throughout the night!

In its heyday, the area between the head of the Lower Limekiln Branch Canal and what is now

the ‘Forces Club’ must have been a ‘hive of activity’, (see 1872 Site Plan below). Apart from the

traffic using the rail sidings in the transfer of lime from the kilns to the L.L. Branch Canal, the

layout of the buildings and associated rail sidings suggest the capability to store Lime prior to

transfer to road vehicles. In addition to these facilities, the site housed a Mineral Mill and a coal

shaft. Above the Lime Kilns at the canal summit level there were two limestone unloading docks

and James Jinks’s boat repair yard complete with Dry Dock. This whole complex became

something of an ‘Industrial Enclave’ and would most likely employ a sizeable number of staff.

The ongoing need for labour both here and at nearby Hollins Mill is likely to have been

responsible for the high density nineteenth century housing erected on the western fringes of

Locks 13 to 16 inclusive.

Lock 12

Hollins Mill Branch

Black Wharf

Bridge 30 Bridge 31

Stockport Road Oldknow Road

Lock 13

Strines Road

Lock 14 Lower Limekiln Branch Building 1

Lock-side

Lock 15 Building 2

Bridge 32 Building 3

Lock 16 Old Coal shaft

Dry Dock Limekilns Building 4

Mineral Mill

Macclesfield Canal

KEY

Bridge 1 Canal

Railway

Road

Building

Plan of the Upper section of the Marple Lock Flight circa 1872

(N.B. this is not drawn to scale whilst for clarity, Limekiln Lane is omitted in its entirety)

Photograph 54 (top left) The Limekilns viewed from below, note the discoloured grass

Photograph 55 (top right) The view from above the Limekilns, again note the discoloured

grass

Photograph 56 (bottom left)

This view shows two of the original buildings shown on the above 1872 Site Plan (Building 2

just left of centre, Building 3 to the right) which in the meantime have undergone conversion to

residential use. The discoloured grass heads in the direction of the Building 2 just left of centre.

Photograph 57 (bottom right)

To this day a pair of concrete rail support blocks are located just short of the wall of Building 2

which suggests that the discoloured grass coincides with the original route of the railway siding

linking the Limekilns to this building.

The content of the four articles covering this subject has been limited by my time and resources,

hence I suspect that I have merely ‘scratched the surface’. May I say that if you have enjoyed

reading each of them half as much as I have writing them, this has been a worthwhile exercise..

John Suggitt, ‘Evenlode’

Waterways Hardship Fund set up to help needy boaters

December 8, 2014

A new Waterways Hardship Fund has been set up to help boat

dwellers who due to health or social problems find themselves unable

to cope through the cold weather.

The CRT estimates that some 7,000 boats on its waters are currently

used as homes with a small, but apparently growing, proportion of

their owners suffering from physical or mental health problems,

alcohol or drug addiction, or other difficulties which make them more

likely to come to the attention of enforcement officers for breaches of

licensing rules. These cases are often complex and benefit from

support from relevant organisations such as councils, social services

and other agencies.

As part of a range of initiatives to better help boaters in difficulty

C&RT signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Workplace

Matters (WM) back in June. Workplace Matters is an ecumenical

charity which takes Christian values into the workplace.

Operating mainly in the South East, the Waterways Chaplaincy, part

of WM, offers help regardless of faith or gender to those in need.

With colder weather starting to take grip WM has launched a

Waterways Hardship fund for boaters. So if you’ve been given a

winter fuel allowance that you would like to use to help boaters who

find themselves facing hardship this winter, there’s a quick and easy

way to do it. Just visit the dedicated JustGiving webpage to help those

in need.

Mince pies

Cooking time Prep:45 mins Cook:15 mins

Servings Serves 16

Ingredients

1 large jar mincemeat (about 600g)

2 satsumas, segmented

1 apple, finely chopped

zest 1 lemon

little icing sugar, for dusting

For the pastry

375g plain flour

260g unsalted butter, softened

125g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

1 large egg, plus 1 beaten egg for glazing

Method

Place the flour and butter in a bowl and rub together to a crumb consistency. Add the sugar and the egg,

and mix together. Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and fold until the pastry comes together, be careful

not to over mix. Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for 10 mins.

Scoop the mincemeat into a bowl and add the satsumas, apple and zest.

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick. Using a round cutter (about 10cm),

cut out 16 bases and place them into muffin trays. Put 11⁄2 tbsp mincemeat mixture into each. Brush the

edge of each pie with a little beaten egg. Re-roll out the pastry to cut 7cm lids and press them on top to

seal. Glaze with the rest of the egg, sprinkle with caster sugar, then make a small cut in the tops.

Bake mince pies for 15-20 mins until golden brown. Leave to cool before releasing them from the muffin

trays and dusting with icing sugar. Serve.

NCCC Board of Directors 2014 / 2015

The Board

Chairman Garry Dockerty 01663 767810 chairman@nccc.uk.net

Company Secretary Pam Suggitt 0161 427 9906 secretary@nccc.uk.net

Finance Director Bill Jewsbury 07812 368887 finance@nccc.uk.net

Bar Director John Fenton 0161 998 0391 bar@nccc.uk.net

Land & Water Space Director

Eric Roberts 01457 855929 landandwater@nccc.uk.net

Membership Services Director

Pam Russell 0161 998 0391 membershipdir@nccc.uk.net

Premises Director Brian Bowker 01663 763595 premises@nccc.uk.net

Director without Portfolio Geoff Lamb 0161 483 7943 dwp@nccc.uk.net

Commodore

Edna Roberts 01457 855929 commodore@nccc.uk.net

Company Officials

Archivist John Suggitt 0161 427 9906 archivist@nccc.uk.net

Assn of Waterways Cruising Clubs Rep

John Suggitt 0161 427 9906 awcc@nccc.uk.net

Ditchcrawler Editor Bernie Budworth 01925 764377 dc@nccc.uk.net

Food Safety Officer Janet Tattersall 01457 861085 Foodsafety@nccc.uk.net

Fundraising Co-ordinator Sheila Barlow 01663 765731 fundraising@nccc.uk.net

Health & Safety Officer George Griffin 0161 355 6830 health@nccc.uk.net

Kitchen Supervisor Pam Russell 0161 998 0391 kitchen@nccc.uk.net

Licensing Agent Jen Budworth 01925 764377 licenses@nccc.uk.net

Membership Secretary Pam Suggitt 0161 427 9906 membership@nccc.uk.net

Moorings Officer Bob Barlow 01663 765731 moorings@nccc.uk.net

Quartermaster Vacant

Web Master Garry Dockerty 01663 767810 postmaster@nccc.uk.net

Wharf Supdt. Brian Bowker 01663 763595 wharf@nccc.uk.net

All Club members have a

lovely Christmas and all our good wishes for 2015

Edna & Eric Roberts

To all our friends at NCCC from

Jan & Martin Tattersall: Our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year – Happy Cruising

in 2015

Seasons Greetings and a trouble free cruising in 2015:

Brian & Hazel Bowker

To all fellow Ditchcralwers

Have a very Merry Christmas followed by some good sailing in

the New Year. From John & Pamela (Suggitt)

Wishing all friends and members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and

good cruising for 2015 – Ruth & Mike Sellars

Wishing all members a Happy Christmas. May the sun shine

in 2015 – Noel & Pat Christopher – “Columbus”

To all our fellows boaters and

members of the NCCC. Hope

you all have a happy Christmas

and prosperous New Year –

The Crew of Shropshire Lass

Seasons greeting to

everyone at NCCC . Best wishes and happy boating

for 2015 – Bernie & Jen Budworth

All our friends at NCCC, caravaners and boaters, best wihes for Christmas and the

New Year – Babs & Bryan Roberts

All members of the boat club have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year – Shirley &

Geoff Taylor

All members of the NCCC. We would like to wish everyone in

the club a very merry Xmas and a happy New Year – Tim and Sara Taylor “Foxy Lady”

All members of the NCCC

Christmas blessings and a Happy New Year. Peaceful boating in 2015 – Chris and Mair Potter

Merry Christmas and a Happy

New Year'' to all our fellow club

members. We won't be around for

much of December as we have an

appointment with the King in Las

Vegas for some matrimonial stuff.

See you all soon – Bill & Jill

“Taylor Maid”

All members and friends . May 2015 be a Happy Joyfull Year for everyone –

Jim Lomas and Ian