This month’s blog theme is Midsomer Murders so if you want to know whodunnit… read on.
It’s no mystery what the South East Waterway’s volunteers have been up to in the last month. Come with me to scrutinise the evidence…
The first suspects in 2015 were IWA Northampton. I always enjoy my days out with this group, and 6th January was no exception. Lock 17 (where the Northampton Arm meets the River Nene) was the focus again. Two years ago, this junction was overgrown, tired and unloved, with a dense wooded area used for unsociable activities. Now it is tidy with its lock painted, and the wooded area thinned out and litter picked. There seems to be layer after layer of litter rising to the surface! It will be interesting to see what grows in here now the light can get in.
Despite a couple of heavy downpours, the volunteers lit a small fire to burn some of the thinned vegetation, strimmed back a patch of encroaching bramble, and made great headway in scraping the block paving of grass near the new flats.
Check out these before & after pictures of the block paving (courtesy of Paul Simpson)….
Blisworth Canal Partnership have been keeping their adopted areas out of trouble this month. With a new year tidy up and regular walks along their beautiful stretch of canal and adjacent spinney, they can keep tabs on any suspicious changes.
After 21/2 years of investigating the South East Waterway, I really should know the 200 miles of it rather well. So it was with great delight that I have now discovered the canal as it passes through Rugby. Thanks to the local knowledge of Lead Volunteer Graham Newman, John and I are now enlightened! What a beautiful stretch of canal – from iron bridges similar in style to that at Braunston Turn and exquisite brick bridges, to numerous aqueducts and the colourfully-lit Newbold Tunnel. We also noted many areas where a group of volunteers would make a big difference… watch this space…!
Whilst they’ve not been on CRT land this month, Buckingham Canal Society have not been idle. With 2 successful task parties, and with the added assistance of culprits from a local company, they have installed 4 new benches in the nature reserve on the Ouse Valley Way. Great job, they’ll be a welcome rest for many.
On the 2nd Saturday of the month, the committed group of Aylesbury Arm Towpath Taskforce regulars turned out in force, despite it being a very wet morning. The task plotted was litter picking… The festive season had seen no reduction in the amount of rubbish that seems to find its way down to the canal here. Many bags were collected, as well as the group helping to dismantle & remove 2 abandoned tents! Task Leader Gary Timberlake, had the penance of safely disposing of several discarded needles too. Most CRT staff and Lead Volunteers are trained to dispose of needles safely, so if you find one, please leave it in situ and report it.
Detective G. Newman was on the case at the Stoke Bruerne task day, reporting:
“We had a great day at Stoke Bruerne today – had a good tidy up around and behind the museum. We also managed a bit of work on the woodland walk.
“Whilst working we were able to find the culprit who chopped the Laurels down – he was frogmarched to the Stocks to receive due punishment – didn’t get his name but have attached a photo for you.”
Mr Blagrove MBE doesn’t look very repentant to me!
Congratulations to 3 volunteers of Whilton & Buckby Locks Association (everyone’s favourite acronym – the WiBLA’s!) as they passed their CAATS (Competency Assessment And Training Scheme) in the use of strimmers and hedge cutters.
Here is Geoff Woodward’s amusing statement of events:
“’Maid Miriam’ recently met up with three of WBLA’s ‘Merry Men’ at the Nature Reserve to test their skills with the new hedge trimmer, which the Association has purchased from its own funds. Forget green tights and pointy hats, our Merry Men turned up suitably ‘suited and booted’ etc., and they each convinced Miriam that they could be safely let loose on the Buckby flight, when the need arises.
“One of these gents was also assessed for using a strimmer and again passed with flying colours. Some hours prior to his assessment, he had become a Grandad for the first time and was rushing away to meet the new prospective volunteer. Working on the basis that knowledge can be absorbed at an early age, Grandad was aiming to use the strimmer instruction book for bedtime reading! Yawn!!”
And here are the Merry Men:
2015 is a special year for Wendover Arm Trust as they celebrate their 25th anniversary – what a super achievement! They have re-lined the canal from Drayton Beauchamp all the way back to Bridge 4a, and have one of the two new pedestrian bridges already in place. Why not help them celebrate by attending one of their fascinating Open Days – 7th June & 9th September. Or, if you have some time to give, join them on a task day as they prepare to re-water another section soon!
I think everyone was pleasantly surprised at the success of the Stoppage Open Days at the peaceful village of Braunston over the last weekend in January.
Here’s CRT’s Campaigns Manager Claire Risino’s testimony:
“A good weekend had by all – the sun shone, the cold chilled and photos were snapped of people having a great time in Braunston!
“So, a quick overview – 875 visitors over the weekend (405 on Saturday and 470 on Sunday), lots of dogs, £400 in donations, 15 friends signed up. The crayfish was a great attraction as always and the tours of the lock were excellent tours!”
Neil Owen (South East Waterway Manager) would like to say “Many thanks to everyone that attended and please pass on my thanks to your teams and volunteer groups alike for all your support, as they say, we couldn’t have done it without you!”
For a selection of photos from the Sunday, please browse Kathryn Dodington’s photos here.
What’s that coming over the hill (out of the canal?)? They may look suspicious, but it’s just IWA Northampton, out for a second stint this month. This time with a staggering amount of trolleys fished out of the canal! Great Grappling, Guys!
Did you know that CRT has linked up with Trolleywise to help return, recycle and reuse abandoned trolleys? Visit the Trolleywise website to download the app to report stray trolleys near you.
The last Sunday of every month is the turn of the Hawkesbury Towpath Taskforce gang who now have their Welcome Station open for business and help man it during their monthly task parties. They also went over the canal to take a look at the car park behind the pump house. An area in which a hedge is to be planted had not been strimmed, so they set about clearing this area in preparation. A small team making a big difference – well done guys!
Can you help us solve the one about the Volunteer Lock Keepers? You may have seen interviews on TV or heard them on the radio about this year’s campaign to recruit some more.
If not, here are the particulars… We are looking for more Volunteer Lock Keepers for the 9 sites in the South East Waterway. These are Napton, Hillmorton, Buckby, Braunston, Foxton, Watford, Stoke Bruerne, Soulbury 3 Locks and Marsworth. If you, or someone you know, are interested, applications are being taken until 28th February HERE.
Another suspect this month, is new Volunteer Leader, Wayne Moore. Wayne has taken over from me (Miriam) and will be leading the practical task days as part of his 4-month secondment. With 14 years of experience of working on the canals, it’s beyond reasonable doubt that he will be an asset to the Volunteering Team. If he is released from the dungeons that is…
“So who is the culprit?” I hear you all cry. Well, I shall be charging you all with intent to improve the canal for the benefit of many.
Until next month, stay safe.
South East Waterway Volunteering Blog 