Newbury narrowboat blaze was 'arson' say police

A fire on a narrowboat at New Mills, Newbury on the Kennet & Avon Canal 0n Saturday evening is being treated as arson by Thames Valley Police investigators.

Two appliances from Newbury Fire Station were called to the blaze shortly before 7pm on Saturday and soon had it under control. There was no one onboard at the time and police are now trying to trace the owner.

It is believed the fire was started deliberately after a window on the boat was smashed.

If you have any information about the fire contact the police on 101 (the police non-emergency number)

Top pie title goes to K&A Canalside pub

The Barge at Seend beat 26 other Wadworth pubs that entered the brewery's annual pie competition to win first place with Chef Paul Haynes' beef, stilton and stout creation.  

Paul Haynes, chef at The Barge Inn at Seend 

After the cook-off at Wadworth's new cookery school Paul said: "After coming runner up in last years competition it feels fantastic to have gone one better this year and been awarded the top spot. The pie has been a huge success in our pub and we have sold more than 200 in the last month. 

"I make it using home cooked steak tenderly stewed to give it a delicious tenderness with pieces of Stilton allowed to melt into the pie during cooking — it gives a nice creamy flavour with the subtle hit of the blue cheese. 

"We also used Corvus to make the gravy because of  its deep and rich flavours that perfectly complement the tasty meat and cheese flavour — we serve it with hand cut chips and a side of curly kale. It is a real heart-warming dish on our menu.”

George Stoneman, chef at The Crown, Devizes

Devizes canalside pub is runner-up

Second place went to another canalside pub — The Crown in Devizes. George Stoneman created his 'Jewel of the Crown Chicken & Fennel Filo Pie'. He said: "In the kitchen one day I was making a chicken soup and after adding the fennel to the recipe it occurred to me with a bit of adjusting the dish would taste really nice in a pie.

"With the addition of smoked bacon and the lightness of filo pastry the dish tastes great — and we had some excellent feedback from our customers over the past month."

Scott Ferguson, Wadworth's Food Development Manager was very happy happy with the turnout and said: “With 26 pubs entering this year it was one of the biggest we’ve run.

"Each pub had to create an innovative and unique recipe for a pie and have it on sale for a month before the cook-off to allow for customer feedback — and for a secret inspection by one of our judges... the short-list was then invited to the cook-off at our new Cookery School where the winner was decided."

Car driver dies in Devizes canal bridge plunge

The driver of a car died and his two passengers were injured when his Volvo S60 car crashed through Prison Bridge in Devizes and into the Kennet & Avon Canal at 11.45 on Thursday night.

Tributes beside the K&A Canal in Devizes for the driver from Wales who died in the canal on Thursday night: Picture by Bob Naylor©

Wiltshire firefighters recover the car from the Kennet & Avon Canal on Thursday night: Picture by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue©

The driver, who died at the scene of the accident, has been named as Stuart Hughes, 26, a shopfitter from Tredegar in South Wales. 

His passengers were rescued by police and ambulance staff and taken to hospital. 

Wiltshire Firefighters including a specialist water rescue team from Chippenham were soon on the scene and the car was pulled from the canal. 

Police are now investigating the cause of the accident and witnesses should contact PC Kevin Fry of the serious collision investigation team at Amesbury on 101.

Prison Bridge, Devizes: Picture by Bob Naylor©

K&A Canal will close this summer says national newspaper — it will not, says Waterway Manager

According to a story in a Sunday newspaper the Kennet & Avon Canal will be closed this summer and hire boat holidays for disabled people will have to be cancelled — and the story says that the River Kennet is now completely reliant on treated sewage for water supply in its upper reaches.

Writing in the Sunday Times, the paper's Environment Editor, Jonathan Leake quotes an unnamed Environment Agency source as warning that the current 'drought situation' will prompt a range of potential restrictions on activities such as angling and boating.  

He goes on to say: "The situation around the Kennet is certain to mean closure of the Kennet & Avon Canal to boating traffic, ruining holidays and damaging businesses that rely on boating traffic."

K&A Canal Trust President David Bruce

These alarming predictions are supported by the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust President,  David Bruce, who founded and is still active in running the Great Bedwyn based Bruce Trust that runs specially designed boats for disabled people and their families to take boating holidays — he told the paper: "The Trust's four boats, which provide holidays for 600 disabled people each year, may be forced to cancel all its bookings — this drought is a tragedy in the making." 

K&A Waterway Manager, Mark Stephens

The Kennet & Avon Canal Waterway Manager, Mark Stephens, responded by saying: "The implication of the article that the Kennet and Avon canal will definitely be closed for the summer is disappointing — and misleading." 

He explained that British Waterways has replaced pumps on the canal and done work so that 'off-the-shelf' replacement pumps can be brought into use in under 24-hours if the need arises.

However, Mark Stephens did sound a note of warning when he said: "The Kennet end of the canal will prove harder to maintain and is dependent on a groundwater supply that is at a very low level.  With everyone around the canal appreciating the importance of conserving water we fully intend to sustain the canal environment for the enjoyment of our visitors and to safeguard the important habitats that it supports."

Russell Fletcher a hire boat operator based at Lower Foxhangers and Chairman of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trade Association says that over the last few months their organisation has been monitoring and supporting BW in planning for any potential impact this year from water supply shortages. 

"The problem in a nutshell," he said, "is the overall low levels of aquifers that indirectly supply water for the K&A Canal."  

Russell is emphatic that the canal is very much open for business as usual, but  he calls on canal users to save water wherever possible by sharing locks and closing paddles after use.

The Trade Association also supports the use of volunteer lock keepers at Bath, Bradford on Avon and Crofton and they hope that there will be additional lock keepers at Seend, Semington and Kintbury if enough volunteers can be found.

He said that other waterways are already being affected by the drought — and  to reduce lock demand and conserve reservoir levels the South East Waterways are imposing 10am - 2pm and 10am - 3pm restrictions in some places including the Southern Oxford Canal and the Grand Union Canal.

Russell said: "Since Autumn 2011 BW has been working hard behind the scenes on the issue of low water supply both nationally and locally and identifying where the highest impacted areas are likely to be.

"The Winter maintenance programme along the K&A has included replacing pumps and lock gates as well as canal bank leak reduction work… and the Waterway Manager, Mark Stephens, managed to get an extra £250,000 for the K&A from a central BW fund this year."

A boat owner who moors his boat on the K&A on the Long Pound near Pewsey said, "We are no strangers to water problems on the K&A — we have suffered them for most of the 25 years I have kept a boat on the canal and BW must understand that boaters will always respond positively to realistic water conservation measures that will keep the canal open for private boaters and the many people who come to enjoy our canal as visiting boater owners or hirers. 

"Ask us to conserve water by sharing locks, accepting evening to dawn lock closures and we will be happy to cooperate — but BW have to keep us informed of the situation."

K&A Navigation Notes: 12 Monday March 2012

Pump outs

Pewsey Wharf pump out is still out of action — but rumours that the portable toilet emptying facilty is out of action are unfounded… well it was working yesterday.

Dundas Wharf and its water and toilet emptying facilities are out of action because of the unsafe state of the wharf building.

Tyle Mill Sanitry Station

The water point & pump out are now working but the portable toilet facility is still out of use. 

Canal width restriction and towpath closures

Tyle Mill Lock (99) to Sulhamstead Lock (100)

Monday 19 March 2012 - Saturday 31 March 2012

Bank Protection work and Towpath resurfacing work will take place that will restrict the width of the canal.  Approach with care and allow time for equipment to be moved allow boaters to pass.  

Enquiries to: 07710 175417

Bradford on Avon canal bridge (171)

Until Thursday 5 April 2012

Scaffold erected under the bridge reduces the navigational width. A traffic light system is in place to control boat movements. Boaters are should approach the area with caution and observe the traffic light .

The towpath is closed during the works and there is a diversion.

For further information call 01380 722859.

Devizes London Road Bridge (138) to Coate Road Bridge (136)

Until 23 Mar 2012

The towpath closed while bank protection and towpath resurfacing work is done. This will close the towpath and restrict available canal width. Boaters should approach with care and allow time for equipment to be moved if necessary.

Enquiries: 01380 722859

Canal stoppages

Hungerford Marsh Lock (73)

Stoppage extended until Friday 23 March 2012

During lock gate replacement excavation of the downstream cill area revealed significant structural defects to the lock approach walls.  The walls require underpinning as the foundations have been washed away and this work must be done immediately because engineers are extremely concerned about the long term stability of the structure. 

Lock 72 and 74 have also been padlocked to maintain water levels and to safeguard personal safety on the lock stoppage.

For further information call: 01923 201120

Bath Flight between Sydney Wharf Bridge (188) and Dolmeads Bridge (194)

Stoppage for repair work to locks

Advice to boaters

Tyle Mill Swing Bridge(23)

To relieve local traffic congestion and  in the interests of 'getting on with the neighbours' boaters are asked not to open Tyle Mill Swing Bridge between 8am and 9am Monday to Friday.

Caen Hill opening hours

Until 29 Mar 2012

Last entrance to flight is at 1pm to clear by 4pm.

Enquiries: 01380 722859)

Hungerford Town Bridge (84)

Construction work on a new footbridge crossing the canal beside the road bridge is taking place.  Proceed with caution. Mooring is restricted along Hungerford Wharf.

Enquiries: 01380 722859

Tyle Mill Lock to Sulhamstead Lock — canal width restricted

Monday 19 March 2012 - Saturday 31 March 2012

Lock 99 Tyle Mill to Lock 100 Sulhamstead

Bank Protection work and Towpath resurfacing work will take place that will restrict the width of the canal.  Approach with care and allow time for equipment to be moved allow boaters to pass.  

Enquiries to: 07710 175417

Call for Kennet & Avon Waterways Partnership members

The transition trustees for the Canal & River Trust, which is expected to take over the running of canals and some rivers in England and Wales at some time this year, have appointed a former a canal trust administrator, now a local government council member, to chair the Kennet & Avon Waterways Partnership and they are looking for members to join her to form a group to run the canal.

The call is for members to work with Fleur de Rhe Philipe and  waterway manager, Mark Stephens, to develop what they describe as: "an overarching vision for the Trust’s waterways within the Kennet & Avon area and develop strategies and plans to encourage more people to use and get involved with the waterway".

The shopping list of interests and expertise needed include:

• boating
• walking
• angling
• cycling
• fundraising & volunteering
• finance & commerce
• planning & regeneration
• environment and heritage
• engineering & asset management
• community engagement

...and people with experience of wider partnership working with local government, commercial and charitable sectors.  

"Initially", they say, "we are particularly looking for experience of the waterway societies, waterway-based business and local authorities" and they go on to say: "We are looking for candidates who are locally-based, team players, credible, knowledgeable and willing to take a lead in one or more of the relevant areas of expertise.  The duty of all Members of the Partnerships will be to act in the best interests of their waterway rather than to represent any particular interests or causes."

The positions are voluntary with expenses paid and will involve approximately 2-4 days a month.

If you would like to have an informal discussion to discuss this opportunity email: mark.stephens@britishwaterways.co.uk

To see the role profile go to: http://tinyurl.com/775p9v8

For an application form go to: http://tinyurl.com/8xq6qus

Solar boost for Semington dry dock

Solar panels will provide the power for Semington dry dock on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge where owners, Liz and Ian Williamson, are expanding the range of services.

Liz and Ian Williamson at Semington bottom lock: Picture by Bob Naylor©

Solar panels on the roof of the old dry dock

Liz and Ian bought the site at Semington Lock  a year ago after the death of Harry Bell. They have installed 15kw of solar panels on the roof of the existing 14ft wide by 70ft dry dock and they say the site is ideally situated on a south facing slope so they expect the panels to supply all the electical needs for the dock.

The work to build an additional covered dry dock alongside the existing dock, adding a wet dock with slipway, and building a workshop for the maintenance and repair of GRP trailer boats began two weeks ago with the stoppage on this section of the canal

Ian said: "We have been very pleased at the number of bookings in our first season since re-opening the business and feel there is ample scope for increasing the capacity of the facilities here. We aim to offer everything a boat owner needs – from simple dry dock space for DIY blacking, to a full painting and repair service.”

Work in progress on the new dry dock

For more information: Phone: 01380 870654 

email: info@semingtondock.co.uk

or go to: www.semingtondock.co.uk

London Olympic trading deal for boat-based businesses

British Waterways is offering floating businesses from across the country the chance to go to London to trade during the Olympic summer on waterways on the doorstep of the Olympic Park.

BW national boat trading manager, Phil Spencer, said: “We hope to help floating businesses create a ‘market’ on the canals in London and encourage towpath visitors to discover what’s on offer afloat.”

London Mayor, Boris Johnson has designated The Regent’s Canal towpath an official Olympic walking and cycling route and he recently confirmed that Victoria Park will be one of the official Live Sites which will have live coverage of events on big screens as well as news, information and community events during summer 2012 from 27^th July – 12^th August.

Traders who want take up the offers can apply for mooring berths with discounts on offer for consecutive weeks and long stay bookings.

For more information email:  OlyMoorings@britishwaterways.co.uk 

or phone: 0207 985 7315

British Waterways' statement about its Olympic Mooring strategy

"Last year British Waterways took the decision to create a mooring zone within central London to help manage boat traffic, ensure trading boats can operate safely and efficiently, and support security during next summer’s Olympic Games period. 

"This means that boaters can pre-book a guaranteed berth for set week/s at a time to ensure they are at the heart of the city in what is set to be an amazing summer of sport, culture and excitement. 

"British Waterways is working closely with local boaters to minimise disruption during the period."

K&A Canal boaters pitch for CART Council places

Two active Kennet & Avon Canal boaters have thrown their hats in the ring and are standing for election for boaters' seats on the Canal & River Trust Council.

Both Rob Dean and Steve Rudd will be well known to many boaters on the K&A and both  are standing for election to represent the interests of all boating users of the waterways. 

Rob Dean who has led a small group of members of the Newbury Branch of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust to run the Newbury Waterways Festival in recent years says that he is standing independently rather than as a representative of any organisation so that he can represent the interests of all boaters.

Steve Rudd is never afraid to speak out for interests of boaters — whether it be at a canal user's forum or a public meeting about red diesel. He is active with the Bruce Trust — the Kennet & Avon Canal based charity that operates specially designed and purpose built boats that make it possible for disabled people and their families to have a boating holiday.

The Canal & River Trust Council will have 35 members with four of them elected by 'boat-licence holding' canal users. All BW boat licence holders will be receiving ballot papers in the next few days.

Election statements

Rob Dean

Rob Dean: Picture by Bob Naylor©

Our waterways are principally for boats and boaters. It’s great to see the many other users but the experience they come for is only possible because of the boats. 

To thrive, the waterways must be navigable and affordable to boaters. The dedicated and hard working individuals who restored the waterways over the last half century were mostly boaters. Today’s boaters have a responsibility to keep the waterways alive.

The CRT is both an opportunity and a threat. Well run, it could avoid the stifling bureaucracy and costs of a government-owned body. And boaters could have more influence in how it is run. But there must be change.  It won’t work as BW rebadged and the limited funding available must go into front line services, not expensive management.  A charity must be run more cheaply than BW was.

The charity will succeed best if its focus is local.  Local boaters, boat clubs and existing canal societies know their waterways better than any national head office possibly can.  Head Office should be slim and concentrate on support to local teams who have as much say in the running of their waterway as possible.

About me

• I am a boat owner based on the Kennet & Avon. 
• I spend a lot of time boating and really enjoy the waterways lifestyle.  
• I work on my own boat and travel as far as each summer has allowed.  
• I still have much of the system to explore.
• I have spent 34 years with the Diplomatic Service and now have more time to spend boating and supporting the waterways movement. 
• I am qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant so I understand the numbers.  
• I have spent the last 5 years as a Board Director so I have a very clear idea of how the CRT can be run without expensive Directors.
• I understand how a charity works because I am ‘hands-on’ active with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.  I manage the annual Newbury Waterways Festival and am currently focused on helping to set up a Trust Trip Boat operation in Newbury.
• I am standing independently rather than a representative of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust or any other organisation.

I will

• Devote my time and energy to representing all boaters whether they have shiny new boats or rather scruffy ones like mine.  Whether they live aboard or only manage a week or two each year.
• Ensure I listen to fellow boaters and faithfully represent their views.
• Play an active role on the CRT Council both in formal meetings and outside.  I will hold the Trustees to account for their use of the charities funds, for their stewardship of the waterways, and for their attention to needs of boaters who are the core of the waterways.

I think I can do this well and I ask for your vote please.

Steve Rudd

Steve Rudd: Picture by Bob Naylor©

My introduction to the canals was as a student in Birmingham (1968-1972) where, with a group of friends, we would hire a boat on the Shropshire Union Canal at weekends. Thereafter, with my family we enjoyed many canal and river holidays.

In 1990 I joined the Bruce Trust as a volunteer engineer and for 15 years provided engineering support to its fleet of boats and supported my wife, Danese, who was the Trust Administrator. 

For a similar period I (with others) helped organise and run the residential weekend training courses for the Bruce Trust to train the able-bodied helpers that will bring their groups of disabled people on holiday each year. In total I have been a volunteer for Bruce Trust for 21 years.

For the last five years I have also been a part owner in a narrowboat on the K&A (currently on the Oxford Canal).

Since the Heritage Lottery improvement works on the K&A I have observed the gradual decline in the quality of the canal, with equipment inoperable and unrepaired for years on end and the disappointing level of regular maintenance undertaken by BW.

 Last summer we enjoyed a week on the Canal du Nivernais in France, and what a joy it was to be on a truly well maintained and cherished waterway. This is what we must aim to achieve with the Canal & River Trust and not simply replicate the gradual decline of standards under BW.

 If elected I will do my utmost to ensure that the focus of the Canal & River Trust will be the maintenance and improvement of the waterways.

K&A Canal Stoppage update

Bath Flight: Sydney Wharf Bridge (188) to Dolmeads Bridge(194) 

Monday 5 March 2012 - Friday 30 March 2012

Stoppage extended to allow dam to be erected for additional repairs

Hungerford Marsh Lock (73)

Monday 16 January 2012 - Friday 17 February 2012

The start of the work at Hungerford was delayed because of access problems — the canal has been found to be in a worse condition than expected and the stoppage has been extended.

It is not known if or when the postponed open day planned at Hungerford will take place.

Bruce Trust panto fundraiser

The Bruce Trust — the Kennet & Avon Canal based charity that operates specially designed and purpose built boats for use by disabled people — will benefit from a special performance of the Kintbury pantomime Peter Pan next month.

Following last year's successful event for the charity the St Mary's Drama Group are to stage another benefit evening in Kintbury Coronation Hall on Wednesday 15 February 2012.

The bar opens at 7.10pm and curtains go up at 7.30pm

Tickets are £7.50 (which includes a glass of wine or soft dring on arrival)

For more information contact Rebecca Bruce 

Tel: 01264 356451

Email: rebecca@brucetrust.org.uk

Bruce Trust Fact File

The Bruce Trust was formed in 1988 by Louise and David Bruce after they sold their chain of Firkin Pubs in London. 

They were keen to plough some of the proceeds into a project that would benefit the community and they had become intrigued by the possibility of offering self-catering holidays to disabled, disadvantaged or elderly people cruising on the Kennet & Avon Canal. 

After much research they initially put their own money into the project — and over the years they have received many generous donations to the Trust enabling the fleet to be increased to four specially-designed, purpose-built, wide-beam canal boats.

The extra width of the boats gives plenty of space for wheelchair users to manoeuvre and the boats have special built-in facilities, including hydraulic lifts, wide-access boarding ramps, low-level bunks, heating and specially fitted showers and toilets. 

Rebecca, Hannah and Diana have been designed so that wheelchair users can steer the boat using the tiller and both Hannah and Rachel have been fitted with a remote steering device that enables people with less upper body mobility to steer from their wheelchair using a joystick.

The Bruce Trust has made it possible for more than 13,000 disabled, disadvantaged or elderly people — and their carers, friends or family — to enjoy participative canal-cruising holidays on the boats. As one family explained: 

“With increasing age and disability my father Harry’s days of enjoying canal holidays seemed to be over. But last week, there he was rising up on the lift to take the tiller once again and having a wonderful holiday with four generations of his family”. 

The holiday makers are helped on their way by the dedication of more than 90 voluntary helpers who make sure that the Trust can operate in the best and most economical fashion. 

Some volunteers also crew day trips — this year more than 400 people from day centres or residential homes for the elderly were able to enjoy a day of peaceful cruising on the canal. 

Paralympic trip for Bruce Trust boat

The Trust are now busy making plans for the trip and they have already visited the site with British Waterways staff to ensure that it  is suitable for wheelchair access.

They will take their 10 berth boat, Diana, to the games and they will moor on the Hertford Union  canal near to the Olympic Park from Wednesday 29 August until Sunday 9 September.

Latest Kennet & Avon Canal stoppage updates

For full list of Kennet & Avon Canal stoppages and updates click on 'STOPPAGES and NAVIGATION NOTES' above...

K&A Canal Semington stoppage — update

The stoppage at the Buckley's lock(15) to Barratt's Lock(16) pound at Semington has been put back for a week and this section of the canal will now be closed from Monday 30th January with completion expected on 9th March 2012. 

This stoppage, along with the others on this stretch for the canal between Semington Swing-bridge(161) and Whaddon Bridge (163) will be lifted for the weekend of 11&12 February. 

The seven week — now six week — stoppage at Semington is not only for work on the private dry-dock but also to allow British Waterways to inspect the lock chamber walls at Buckleys Lock (15) which is adjacent to the lock cottage that has suffered problems with its cellar flooding. Repairs and maintenance to the lock gates will also be done during the stoppage.

Fire Service safety advice for K&A Canal boaters

 

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service's boat safety advisor will be out and about on the Kennet & Avon Canal from next week to offer free safety advice and smoke detectors to boaters.

The fire service say that canal boat safety is a priority for them given the amount of waterway that run through the Wiltshire area.  Fire safety campaigns have been run along the K&A Canal for the past two summers but  his is the first time that visits have been carried out in the winter.

Rob Buckland will be visiting boat dwellers and users along the canal between 31 January and 7 February to give advice on issues such as smoke alarms, cooking, fuel storage, flares, life jackets and general water safety.

Rob said: “At this time of the year families living aboard their boats will be storing more fuel so the risk of fire is increased. I’ll be giving advice on fuel storage as well as general safety guidance.

"We have seen a significant drop in accidental boat fires over the past couple of years, but there was an incident at New Year which showed that the risks are always there.”

Rob will also install smoke detectors free of charge where necessary. 

To get  boat safety advice or to request a visit call Rob on 07734 483880

Email: rob.buckland@wiltsfire.gov.uk