K&A Canal closed at Caen Hill

The Caen Hill Flight on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Devizes is closed until further notice for emergency repairs to Caen Hill Bottom Lock (29).

For more information ring: 01380 722859

Lock 29 is called 'Youth Division Lock' in recognition of the restoration work done by young people who worked enthusiastically on the early restoration of the K&A. 

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BW Chairman responds to Canal Trust President's criticism of its financial record

The forthright views of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust President, David Bruce, expressed at a meeting in Devizes last Monday when he said: "British Waterway couldn't even organise a piss-up in a brewery",  struck a chord with canal supporters at the meeting — but not with British Waterways.

BW Chairman, Tony Hales

BW Chairman, Tony Hales has responded to KAcanalTIMES with the following letter which we reproduce here in full:

Dear KAcanalTIMES,

I was saddened by your report of a speech by David Bruce last week.  It left no doubt as to his strength of feeling, but many questions as to his intentions and motivation.

David and I have known each other on and off for a long time. I know he is passionate for the K&A, and the waterways, but so am I, and so are my fellow trustees and colleagues. The difference between us is that we are the ones responsible for the network and having to make all the difficult decisions. We see the sterling work that people in BW achieve day in and day out to keep our extraordinary 2,000-mile network available for everyone to use and we also see they work best where they have the enthusiasm and support of local people. I cannot for the life of me understand why someone in David’s position thinks that rubbishing all and sundry and being so incredibly negative is going to help the K&A or its relationship with the new charity.

I am not going to get into a public slanging match or claim that everything that BW has done has been right. No organisation, where many people make dozens of decisions every day can claim this. However overall BW has: expanded the network; consistently improved the quality of some extraordinary assets; grown its commercial income in both absolute and proportionate terms; and driven down its cost base. We have also championed an innovative solution in the creation of a charity, with a long term government contract that - subject to final terms being agreed - puts our waterways on a more consistent and sustainable basis, with governance more closely in the hands of local communities rather than one Westminster minister.

BW has not simply championed this move because it believes it to be right, but because it listened and responded to what users told us they want. Government is committed to the new charity, it has the support of the vast majority of people I meet on the waterways and it offers opportunities that will deliver a better network (including the K&A). So why not help shape it rather than shouting abuse from the side-lines? After all that is the whole idea of moving it from government control to a Council, trustees and waterway partnerships.

I am always keen to talk to anyone. I hope David will meet me again before completing the “robust response” he is reported to have promised to the latest Defra consultation.  He must of course express his own views but on the basis of as much understanding as possible and a workable vision for the future. I look forward to our discussion.

Tony Hales

Chairman British Waterways


Read: British Waterways couldn't even organise a piss-up in a brewery says canal trust president  

Comments:

Kirsten Elliott said...

Well, it's not offering a better K&A at the moment - canal closed at Caen Hill, the Widcombe flight leaking water at every pore, so that boats further up the canal are resting on the bottom. If the majority of people he meets on the towpath is in favour, he can't have met many people.

October 10, 2011 8:27 PM 

Allan Richards said...

Quite right for David Bruce to criticise BW's commercial performance.

Last year they should have made £33m net profit from joint ventures alone according to plan. For the fourth year in a row, BW recorded a loss on its joint ventures. Poring £9m of public money into its pub joint venture in a failed attempt to prevent it falling into administration is unforgivable. If that money had been spent on maintaining K&A instead......

It seems that Mr Hales wishes to meet me for the same reasons he wishes to meet David Bruce. Here is my response:
http://www.narrowboatworld.com/index.php/news-flash/3658-dear-mr-hales

October 11, 2011 9:37 AM 

Anonymous said...

Quote: "However overall BW has: expanded the network; consistently improved the quality of some extraordinary assets; grown its commercial income in both absolute and proportionate terms; and driven down its cost base."

Well, that all happened before TH & Robbing Evans got involved, ripped us all off & let the canal system fall into disrepair. And the beginning of the end started long before the credit crunch set in...

October 12, 2011 1:01 PM 

Obituary: Dorothy Lindley-Jones

Dorothy Linley-Jones who with her husband, Peter were very active in the campaign to save and then to restore the Kennet & Avon Canal died on Sunday 10 July 2011.

Dorothy’s Lindley-Jones in 2008 with her daughters Susan Barker, left and Jane Barr at the ceremony  to name a lock on the Caen Hill Flight in Devizes in memory of her husband, Peter. Picture by Bob Naylor© 

Like so many wives involved as Kennet & Avon Canal Trust volunteers, Dorothy was hugely supportive of her late husband Peter in his role as Trust fund raiser, author and campaigner. Using her skills as a short hand secretary, she took care of the administration of countless projects which Peter masterminded, notably the two Newbury Boat Fairs in the 1960's, the 'Adoption Scheme' with Terry Kemp  and the 'Buy a Bench Scheme' in the 1970's and early 1980's, and Peter's co-authorship of the K&AC Trust History book in the 1990's. 

They were jointly awarded the John Gould  Award by British Waterways for services to the restoration of the Kennet & Avon. 

Following their move from Newbury to Hungerford, Dorothy was appointed secretary of the Trust's Hungerford branch and Peter became involved in the revamp of Crofton's cafe and shop.This involved him in designing and building the shelving and decorative panelling and Dorothy played a major part in stocking and staffing the new shop.

Their long term commitment to the canal and its restoration culminated in the purchase and fitting out of "Bumble Bee", a 30ft Springer narrow boat in which Dorothy supplied the creature comforts.

Aside from her canal activities, Dorothy was an accomplished organist, an active member of Devizes Conservative Ladies and the local Woman's Institute, and latterly together with Peter, joined the volunteer team staffing the National Trust's shop at Lacock.

Summing up Dorothy's contribution to the Trust, close friend Peter Jordan said " Dorothy was always there helping at the Trust's local events where and whenever she could. She was a real stalwart for which the Trust is truly grateful."

David Harris

Her funeral is at St Mary's Church, Great Bedwyn at 11.30 on Tuesday  19 July 2011 

MEP supports K&A Canal Trust stance on BW Charity plan

The British Waterways ‘top down’ approach to any problem is its biggest failing says South West of England MEP Ashley Fox. 

"You can’t have people in London micro-managing maintenance in Trowbridge", he said following a meeting with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust in Devizes: "We need to ensure that the new charity gives greater power to local people."

He expressed concern that the ‘New British Waterways Charity’ will continue the tradition of centralised control currently practised by British Waterways, bypassing an opportunity for greater community involvement in the management of Britain’s waterways which are a key part of our industrial heritage.

He paid tribute to the work done in the past by the Trust and commented: "The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust is a first rate example of what can happen when local organisations are given control. They have done wonders in linking National Lottery funding with volunteer, council and business groups and have, over the last decade, restored the canal to the wonder that it is today.

"Our waterways are part of our history and still used today by millions of people across the South West in a whole variety of ways, from fishing and boating, to walking and cycling. It is only right that those who use our canals should decide on their future.

Fox now plans to write to the Minister and urge that the excellent work by the Trust and its partners which has achieved so much be used as the model for improving our inland waterways into the future.

Centralised autocracy of BW must be replaced says Trust

The K&A Canal Trust has expressed serious concerns about the  short timescale for the intended implementation which it says: "Has not allowed the many important lessons learned from the pioneering work on the Kennet and Avon to be adequately reflected in the current proposals."

The Trust has endorsed the concept of giving waterway users and the communities that live alongside them greater involvement in how they are managed. "Unfortunately" they say, "the highly centralised management structures, largely reflecting the current worst features of BW, put forward in the consultation document are the opposite of these worthy principles.

"A new NWC requires a totally new organisational structure. It also needs a totally new management culture which replaces the centralised autocracy of BW by cooperation with partner organisations and respect for their views. The current negative perception of BW among many waterway users is not a good foundation for a new NWC."

Trusts taken for granted

The Trust response is critical of BW staff who are saying: "When we take over" in their dealings with local canal societies increasing concerns that the cooperation or extinction of current societies is being taken for granted. 

BW donations prediction 'optimistic'

The K&A Canal Trust, which has suffered disasterous fund raising efforts in the recent past, sent an email to its members earlier this year describing 2010 as a 'financial nightmare' for the Trust and described its funding raising as "an absolute washout". In its submission it says that the predicted level of donations to the NWC appears optimistic and:"Whereas the proposed level of the Government Funding Contract is significantly lower than that provided to BW in recent years lack of any reference within the Consultation Document to the future of the waterways should the finances fail to meet DEFRA expectations is of serious concern. There is no Plan B."

National Trust comparison — misleading

The K&A Canal Trust believes that the implied comparison with the National Trust can be misleading because the National Trust embraces properties with a viable financial legacy for on-going operation. In contrast, the NWC will inherit the legacy of an underfunded BW with a backlog of deferred maintenance. 

The Trust says

• The NWC must, in its Charitable Purposes, mention responsibility for protecting the heritage of the Waterways.
• The NWC must remain bound to provide public access to information, otherwise it will become a law unto itself. Keeping some aspect of the organisation publicly accountable matches its on-going stewardship of this strategic, public resource.

Lack of accountability

"The fundamental question of accountability of the new organisation deserves careful examination", says the report, "before this great national asset passes into the hands of a less accountable board of charitable trustees. The new organisation must be both transparent and open."

The Trust's complete 3,000 word response to the Defra consultation can be found on their Website at: New Era for the Waterways

Crofton locks on the K&A Canal now re-opened

Following investigation yesterday (Friday 24 June 2011) of Lock 59 at Crofton by British Waterways locks 55-60 have now been re-opened. Tweet

K&A navigion update: Locks 55-60 at Crofton are all closed

Because of the problem at Lock 59 British Waterways have now closed from Crofton Top Lock (55)  to lock 60 (above the waterpoint and winding hole at Crofton Pumping Station).


Work continues at Aldermaston Lock (95) so there could be some slight delays there.  Aldermaston Lift Bridge (28) is now re-opened but unfortunately Padworth Swing Bridge (27) is still out of action (closed) until further notice.

Police name man who's body was found in the K&A Canal at Newbury last week

The body of a man discovered in the Kennet & Avon Canal in Newbury last Wednesday afternoon (June 15, 2011) has been identified as Godfrey Smith, 82, of Over Wallop, near Andover, Hampshire.

Previous story: Second body found in the K&A Canal at Newbury

Second body found in the K&A Canal at Newbury

The body of a man in his 80s was recovered from the Kennet & Avon Canal near to Bone Mill Sluice in Newbury on Wednesday afternoon (15 June 2011).  The man, who has not yet been formally identified, is not believed by police to be from the local area.

This follows another incident only 11 days earlier when on on June 4th the body of an 80-year-old man from Thatcham was found in the canal nearby at  Mill Lane.

Police are not treating either death as suspicious. 

K&A Canal navigation warning: River Avon, Bath

The River Avon in Bath near Victoria Bridge. Picture by Bob Naylor©

Navigate with care on the River Avon in Bath between Victoria Suspension Bridge (201) and the bridge near the Sainsbury store (200) where work is being done in connection with the Crest Nicholson Western Riverside Development.

Follow information signs on the river bank.

K&A Canal Trust President slams Government's 'stupid' waterway charity plans

K&A Canal Trust President, David Bruce Picture by Bob Naylor ©

K&A Canal Trust President, David Bruce

Picture by Bob Naylor ©

By Bob Naylor

Plans to turn British Waterways into a charitable trust are 'stupid' says David Bruce who became President of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust following the recent resignation of former MP Michael Ancram.

Speaking at the Trust's AGM he called for a campaign to persuade the coalition government to reverse the policy in the way that they did over selling off the forests and the proposed changes to the National Health Service.

He said: "Government came up with a stupid idea to hand responsibility for Britain's Canals from the public accountability of British Waterways to Parliament and the electorate and it now proposes that it be run by a small group of new Trustees who will only be accountable to the Charity Commission and the jobsworths that tick the boxes at Companies House."

He described as 'extraordinary' the fact that of the eight new trustees, three of them are existing British Waterways directors. "Guess what", he said, "they are the Chairman, the Vice Chairman and another director who happens to head the Audit Committee.

"When you are trying to change the culture of a body that used to report to Parliament and you have still got the same culture of the British Waterways Board leading those eight trustees then I treat that with a great degree of scepticism. This is a 'shoo-in' … a done-deal and I hate a done deal.

"It has been bad enough, I think, for poor old British Waterways, and I don't normally feel sorry for them, trying to keep Britain's Waterways going with their piddly little amounts of money from Defra - it may be 40 or 50 million pounds a year — but its not enough."

David Bruce, who started the Bruce Trust charity 22 years ago so that people with disabilities and their families can enjoy a canal holiday, went on to question how a charity is going to be
able afford to maintain the locks and the infrastructure and to maintain the water levels if British Waterways with Defra cannot.

He said: "My experience of charities is that they are not bottomless pits of cash — and I think it is really worrying that the government is now seizing this opportunity to pass our much loved national treasure of waterways from BW to a charitable trust — this new National Waterways Trust or whatever absurd name the jobsworths come up with.

"Who knows, if enough canal enthusiasts throughout the UK make their views heard then perhaps the government might listen as it did with the Forestry Commission proposals and the NHS reforms, when the public revolted and the Government listened. We have got to appeal to the Government."

Forest sell-off: 'This is what people power looks like'

NHS reforms: amended plans are 'car crash'

Bruce Trust Website: http://www.brucetrust.org.uk/

Comments on all stories are always welcome however a comment on this story by 'anonymous' has been removed on legal advice.

Narrow escape for K&A Canal boating holidaymaker

A boater escaped with only minor injuries when a tree fell on him while he was operating a lock on the Widcombe Flight in Bath on the Kennet & Avon Canal at noon yesterday (Monday 13 June 2011).

Paramedics and Avon Fire and rescue were called to the scene where they found a 71-year-old man trapped under the tree.  

The trunk of what is described as a 'substantial' tree narrowly missed him and he was pinned down by outer branches of the tree. He was treated for back and rib injuries at the scene and then taken to Bath Royal United Hospital for further treatment.

Rescue helicopter in trials with Avon Fire and Rescue

A helicopters could be used to get firefighters quickly to the scene of canal and river rescues, traffic accidents and building collapses if trials by Avon Fire and Rescue Service are successful.

A series simulated rescues are taking place with a crew of four firefighters and rescue equipment being flown to the scene of ten simulated emergencies across the Avon area. Once on scene the firefighters will be able to use specialist equipment to begin a rescue or give first aid.

Helicopters are used extensively in other European countries but if the scheme is adopted by Avon they will be the first fire and rescue service in the UK to use one.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service Chief Fire Office Kevin Pearson believes helicopters could give long term efficiencies and improved casualty care: “Fire and rescue is the only emergency service not to use helicopters," he said, "and fifteen years ago we couldn’t have contemplated an idea like this, but advances in technology mean that rescue equipment is now lighter and more powerful and I believe we can now fit enough onto a helicopter to provide an effective response".

A Eurocopter EC145 is being provided with a crew and fuel free of charge for the five-day trial.  

Spectacular launch of new boat at Honeystreet Wharf

Arriving by road at Honeystreet: Picture by Bob Naylor©

It was in 1933 with the final demise of the business of Robbins, Lane & Pinniger that the Kennet Barge, Unity, made her last delivery and returned to Honeystreet where she was built — and left to rot on her moorings.

     Although the sawmill and other businesses continued on the site it was the end of an era of canal-related activity at Honeystreet Wharf — until Moonraker Canalboats who operate their hireboat fleet from Builder's Wharf nearby launched a new wide-beam boat there last week.

Through the trees to the canal: Picture by Bob Naylor©

A Robbins, Lane & Pinniger built Kennet Barge at Honeystreet

When Robbins, Lane & Pinniger built their boats on the site they were built beside the wharf and then launched sideways into the canal. 

This new boat, however, started life in the midlands and was transported by road, then craned over the wharf buildings, through the trees that have taken over the wharf, and into the canal.

For more information about Moonraker Canalboats go to their website at: www.moonboats.co.uk

or phone 07973 876981

There is a feature by Di Harris about the rise and fall of trade at Honeysteet in the KAcanalTIMES 'Lost Wharves' series online at: Honeystreet Wharf feature

Dog owner in court after OAP's terrier is killed in canal towpath attack

An attack on an OAP's Cairn Terrier last year on the towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal that led to its death landed the owner of a boxer/mastiff cross dog in court last week.

David Maxwell, who lived at Burbage Wharf at the time of the offence admitted being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control in a public place and also to obstructing a policewoman in the execution of her duty when he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court.

The offences cost him £1,770:

• £400 for the dangerous dog offence
• £15 court surcharge
• £100 for obstructing the police 
• £1,000 compensation to the dog owner
• £170 towards the vet’s bill and the burial of the dog 

The attack took place near Brimslade lock on the Wootton Rivers Flight on the K&A Canal when Pam Connolly,76, of Wootton Rivers was walking her dog, Daisy in July last year.

William Maxwell was cycling along the towpath with his dog, Luka, on a lead and it attacked Mrs Connolly's dog biting it in the stomach and causing severe injuries. The dog was taken to a vet in Pewsey where it underwent a three-hour operation — but it died two days later.

Second Devizes canalside robbery

The canal near Park Road Bridge in Devizes, scene of the latest canalside attack

Less than three weeks after an attack that left a 35-year-old man injured when he was robbed on the towpath beside the Kennet & Avon Canal between London Road Bridge and Devizes Wharf a 92-year-old woman was attacked and robbed at Park Road Bridge on the same stretch of the canal. 

The woman, who is profoundly deaf, was walking near Quakers Walk shortly before mid-day on Sunday when a thief snatched her handbag containing a small amount of money. 

Police Inspector, Ron Peach said: "She was not physically hurt — but she was badly shaken by the incident. This was a despicable, cowardly attack on a vulnerable and defenceless victim and we need to catch this man and bring him to justice as quickly as possible."

The attacker is described as a tall, thin man wearing a fawn-coloured hooded top with the hood up and drawn tight.

Anyone with information about either incident should contact the police on: 0845 4087000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where information can be left anonymously.

See: Man robbed and injured in Devizes canalside attack

Thatcham thieves target fishing tackle

Fishing tackle was stolen from garden sheds in Colthrop Lane, Thatcham in the early hours of this morning (Thursday 2 June).  

Last week local publican, Neil Denton, was attacked and tied up and left in a ditch by thieves who stole £5,000 worth of specialist carp fishing tackle when he arrived at Muddy Lane, Thatcham to fish at 5am on Friday. 

See: Savage attack on Thatcham angler