east yorkshire branch – january newsletter
DESCRIPTION
January 2012 Issue of the IWA East Yorkshire Branch NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
BRANCH NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2012
East Yorkshire Branch
The joys of winter cruising
2
2012
A Year of Change
New Year Greetings
I trust that all our readers had an enjoyable Christmas and are looking
forward to enjoying our waterways, with all the different interests they
satisfy, in the coming year. As we face this year of change I hope we will
see signs of new interest and appreciation from the general public of all our
waterways have to offer and that they will support the new charity.
Canal and River Trust
At the time of writing the government funding for the new waterways
charity has not been finalised. There is already a substantial backlog of
maintenance work needing to be carried out; any budget cut can only add to
this which may result in poor towpath maintenance which will be to the
detriment of those who enjoy the waterways for walking or cycling. I think
back to the hazardous towpaths of the 1970s.
The Market Weighton Canal
Your Branch has neglected this since the Market Weighton Canal Society
seemed to have disbanded though we did have a Friday evening walk from
the Humber to Newport some years ago. There are signs of a re-awakened
interest with hope for improvements in the Newport area. The Branch
committee is keen to be supportive of any developments.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Some special events
Thursday 19th
Jan 7.30pm Cottingham Civic Hall. National Trust EY
Yorkshire Waterways Museum and social history of inland waterways.
Skidby Mill 10.00am to 5.00pm daily
Canals in East Yorkshire, a display of photographs etc.
3
Beverley Beck Boating Association.
Back in 2003 the west end of the Beck had been transformed with new
housing developments on both banks, but the Beck itself was in a sorry state.
The local authority had raised £2.5 million in funding to restore it to its
former glory. It was to be dredged, piled, where the bank was badly eroded,
and have new paths with planting along the banks. Of more interest to us
was the refurbishment of the lock and new moorings in the boatyard.
Several boat owners were watching developments with interest and
some concerns. Although we welcomed improvements to our facilities we
soon realised that the people making the decisions were not boaters and
didn’t realise that this was an ancient waterway with long-standing
navigation rights.
It is very difficult to make a lone voice heard, and more importantly
listened to, so we decided to form an association of people with an interest
in the Beck as a Navigation and as a place for boats. This was the start of
Beverley Beck Boating Association. We are unusual as we do not own or
lease our moorings, but we do enjoy the full support of the boatyard owner,
who has generously provided us with two portable buildings, one we use as
a clubhouse and the other as a very well equipped workshop.
We feel that we were successful in our aims and are on most people’s
circulation list on matters relating to the Beck. One of our members
produces tidal predictions for the whole of the River Hull which have proved
to be uncannily accurate and are used by most local boaters. These can be
accessed on our website BBBA.org.uk Our main focus now is on the social
side of boating. We are a small group of approximately 50 members and try
to arrange at least one tidal cruise and several cruises up the river to North
Frodingham for games, food and refreshments. However we are organising
something special for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, so watch this space, or
better still be adventurous and come up to join our celebrations! You will be
guaranteed a warm welcome.
We are grateful to John Austin for this article. We expect to include an article on the
restoration of Beverley Beck in our April issue.
Please support the combined litter pick along Beverley Beck at 1.30pm on Sunday 27th
May (in time for the special Royal Jubilee event the following weekend).
4
A Year in the Life of New Horizons
The year started very early in boating terms because New Horizons had spent the
winter at Goole Boathouse and needed to get back to Melbourne in time for the
new season of work on the Pocklington Canal. The boat spends most winters at
Goole undertaking essential overhauls, repairs and maintenance so that when she
returns to her home waters she is able to fulfil her role as an important fundraiser
for PCAS and additionally to raise public interest and awareness of one of the
most beautiful waterways on the network.
Her stay at Goole had been prolonged a little by the severe winter which had
delayed some of the work; it was impossible, for example, to take her out of the
water for painting until the frozen waters of the marina had melted. Inevitably,
this unforeseen delay meant that it was touch and go whether she would be able
to get back to Melbourne in time for the official start of the season, which had
been scheduled to start on April 3rd. Just in time, however, New Horizons arrived
back at her home mooring and after a final flurry of activity by a small working
party to make sure she was as ready as she could be the season got underway on
time.
From then on through 2011 the boat was in frequent use with her usual Sunday
afternoon “trips round the lighthouse”, or in this case Melbourne Arm, to No 6
swing bridge and back! These trips are becoming increasingly popular for families
in the area, who make it part of a family day out with some making two or three
visits during the year. A highlight of this short trip for many children is the chance
to have a go at steering New Horizons (under close supervision, of course) and
some of them have become quite proficient, although the smaller ones still find it
difficult to see over the roof and rely on the PCAS steerer for keeping the boat in
the centre of the cut.
5
As many of you will know the Society also offers the exclusive use of New Horizon
to parties or groups who might like to take a longer trip and 2011 has seen the
boat being used by a variety of groups. These included such diverse organisations
as the Yorkshire Country Woman’s Association, the Royal Airforce Association, a
Camera Club and the Guides Association, to private parties celebrating a family
event - a significant birthday, an anniversary, a graduation and so on - or just as
an excuse to have a great day out on the canal.
PCAS was particularly happy to welcome the East Yorkshire IWA Branch in June for
a trip to Gardham Lock and mention must also go to British Waterways – soon to
be revitalised as the Canal & River Trust – who took the decision to use New
Horizons as a venue for one of their Management meetings. Organised by the BW
NE Waterways Manager, Jon Horsfall, the July visit was very successful with the
serious business of the meeting taking place through the morning while the boat
remained at its Melbourne moorings. After a welcome buffet lunch we enjoyed a
pleasant run down to Gardham Lock returning to Melbourne in the late afternoon.
It was an ideal opportunity for PCAS to show those from BW in Leeds what the
Pocklington Canal has to offer and I am sure they were suitably impressed and we
hope that some good may come out of such successful outings.
While speaking of the longer trips which are on offer - trips which can take three
hours or so to Gardham Lock or up to a full day if exploring the canal from
Melbourne to the start of the navigable section at East Cottingwith - it is worth
mentioning that for those who would like to explore the lower reaches of the
canal but are not members of an organised group, there is a solution. In the last
couple of years we tried an experiment where we organised Open Trips where
individuals can book to join one these longer cruises – normally a trip to Gardham
Lock. The experiment has been successful and in 2012 we will be running at least
four such trips during the season. Please have a look at the web site for booking
details.
6
Passenger numbers through 2011 – in total we carried 2022 people on New
Horizons – which has been similar to 2010, with many Sunday trips running to our
maximum capacity of 12 passengers, but it is pleasing to note that takings are
again up on previous years, due in large part to the hard work put in to operating
New Horizons by all the volunteers who give their time to make it all work.
However, we are always looking for more volunteers so if you feel that you can
help, either with New Horizons or indeed in any other way, please get in touch
with one of the PCAS committee members.
Another experiment we tried this year has been to provide facilities to gift aid any
donation and this has proved to be a great success and something that we will
continue in 2012.
After another very successful season which came to a close on 30th October, New
Horizons is once more “resting” at Goole Boathouse and when she leaves in March
she will be ready once more to provide an enjoyable experience for our visitors.
The first Sunday trips start on the first Sunday in April – April 1st. Hopefully we will
be able to welcome you to the Canal at least once during the year and if you
would like to have more details please visit our web site where there are lots of
details about the history and restoration of the canal, and also details of New
Horizons, including the Open Trips.
The web site can be found at:-
www.pocklingtoncanalsociety.org or alternatively get in touch with any of the
PCAS committee who would be delighted to give you more information.
We are grateful to Howard Anguish for this article.
7
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
The AGMs of the East Yorkshire Branch and the North East and Yorkshire
Region of the Inland Waterways Association will be held consecutively at
8.00pm on Friday, 16th
March 2012 at Cottingham Methodist Church Hall.
Agenda
i) Apologies for absence
ii) Approval of the Minutes of 2011 AGM
iii) Matters arising from the Minutes
iv) Chairman’s report
v) Secretary’s report
vi) Financial report
vii) Election of Committee members
viii) Any items requested beforehand by members
ix) Report on Region and National matters
Secretaries:-
Mrs Chris Stones Mr David Swabey
41 Keswick Gardens 18 Scottow Drive
Cottingham Great Ayton
Hull Middlesbrough
HU6 8TB TS9 6DR
Tel: 01482 875894 01642 722910
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Future meetings at Sneaton Castle
The meetings at Sneaton Castle in Whitby were an attempt to offer an
opportunity for members of the old Northumbria Branch to feel part of the
East Yorkshire Branch. Attendance has usually been about twenty but the
vast majority of those present had travelled up from Hull and were already
attending the monthly meetings at Cottingham. With the formation of the
North Yorkshire Branch it was felt that these meetings at Whitby should be
a combined meeting between the two branches or should cease to be held.
We do want to have contact with our members in the northern section of the
branch area but, with the apparent lack of interest, we wonder if there is a
demand for them.
We will be discussing with the North Yorkshire Branch as to the possibility
of having combined meetings with a sharing of the cost. We would like to
have comments from those who have attended and any members who would
be interested in starting to attend.
If there is sufficient interest the two branches will arrange a meeting on a
Saturday in May, possibly 12th or 26
th, but
it is up to you to let us know.
It is a good venue. A visit to Whitby is always enjoyable but it is not
reasonable to rely so heavily on members from Hull travelling up to Whitby
for half a dozen members from further north.
They have been good social occasions, it is good to meet old friends and
share views but we do need support.
If you are interested please contact Tony Martin on 07588 236597 or
Barry Robins on 01482 658254
If we go ahead we will include details in the next Branch newsletters.
9
Waterways Conference
The Waterways Partnership (East Riding and North Yorkshire) held a conference at
Bishop Burton College in November.
The Partnership has been formed as part of the Rural Development Programme
for England which is funded by money from the European LEADER project. Details
can be found at www.ruralprogrammeseastyorkshire.co.uk/leader/funded-
projects/waterways-partnership
Members are from the National Bodies such as British Waterways, Natural
England, The Environment Agency, IWA as well local Canal Societies, Wildlife
Trusts, and many other waterways- connected groups. Their task is to identify
local waterway projects and eventually apply for funding to enable them to be
carried out. It could be of great benefit to Waterway Groups requiring funding, to
visit the website and become a part of the Partnership if they have not already
done so.
10
Your local branch attended and staged a small display pictured above.
IWA Thwaite Mills Boat Gathering 2012
Saturday 30 June- Sunday 1 July
As part of the 5th Leeds Annual Waterfront Festival the West Riding Branch
of the IWA are hosting a Boat Gathering on the Aire and Calder Navigation
at Thwaite Mills Watermill Museum, Stourton, 2 miles south of Leeds city
centre. Boats can arrive Friday 29 June and stay till 3 July for a small charge.
Saturday and Sunday sees fun, free festival events all along the regenerated
waterfront through Leeds - including at cool venues such as Granary Wharf
and Clarence Dock – with live
music, food and drink, dance,
arts and crafts, as well as ‘on
the water’ activities including
walk-on-water balls, canoe
sessions, heritage boats and
boat trips. The Festival also
incorporates the Leeds Dragon
Boat Spectacle, where teams in
fancy dress and colourful 40ft
boats compete to raise money for local charities. There’s something for
everyone to enjoy! Plans are well in hand for a variety of events and stands
at the Gathering site to compliment those elsewhere. There’s a vintage bus
to connect venues, childrens’ activities, craft and produce stalls, and usually
a classic car rally. Canal Societies and restoration groups
are invited to have a publicity stand at Thwaite Mills.
Further details and boat-booking forms from
11
Marian Stearman
March 1932 – October 2011
An appreciation by Mary Bielby
Marian was born at Eston and brought up in Middlesbrough. She met and
married Fred while working at ICI and they moved to Norton where Pat and
David were born.
Their first canal holiday was in 1968. Over the years of hiring boats they
became hooked on canals and bought and fitted out their own shell. Fred
and Marion joined IWA in 1970 and became founders of the Northumbria
Branch where Marian served as Branch Secretary for 30 years. She was
both efficient and supportive and for her many years’ service she was
awarded the Bird Medal by IWA. She was one of those who fought and
won the battle to have a lock incorporated in the Tees Barrage thus keeping
the river navigable from Yarm to the North Sea.
Marian was a Christian and was a founder member of the Boaters Christian
Fellowship (BCF) and was active in many BCF events throughout the canal
network. Many people were helped and encouraged by her faith and her
practical expression of it.
Through her talks and slideshows on waterways themes many will have
come to appreciate the heritage and leisure opportunities offered by our
canals.
Thank you Marian for all you did, for the friendships you forged and the
lives you touched.
12
BRANCH PROGRAMME Winter/Spring 2012
Venue (unless Cottingham Methodist Church Hall, Hallgate, Cottingham HU16 4BD
stated otherwise) 8.00-10.00 pm. Use entrance down side of church.
Friday ‘The History, Role and Functions of Trinity House,
20th January London’ by Howard Anguish
Friday ‘RNLI (The Oddball Station)
17th February by David Steenvoorden
Friday Branch and Region AGM followed by ‘Residential Boat
16th March Owners Association’ by Roger Yorke
Friday ‘Lincolnshire Waterways’
20th April by John Lowther
Friday ‘Beverley Barge Boatowners Association’
18th May by Iain Campbell
Sunday Litter Pick along Beverley Beck
27th May Meet at Foresters Arms at 1.30pm
Friday Our evening out enjoying the light nights
15th June Details in the April Newsletter
July Our full day out. Details later.
For more information about the Inland Waterways Association use the
website www.waterways.org.uk or contact Barry Robins on 01482 658254
or 07885941983. For more information on the above meetings contact
Roger Bromley on 01482 845099. The Branch email address is
This newsletter is edited and produced by Barry Robins, 90 Carr Lane,
Willerby, Hull HU10 6JU
Note: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of
the Association and should not be construed as such unless so stated.