AWCC

 The North-West Region of the AWCC celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, and are having A bit of a Do…

and you get garlic bread too…

A copy of the poster is available for download here

There are three different options for you to choose from:

Cruise to Bridge Barn in Woking and return: Woodham Junction to Bridge Barn on Good Friday 29-March with return to Woodham on Easter Monday 01-April.

 Cruise to Brookwood and Bridge Barn: As per item 1 to Bridge Barn with a cruise to Brookwood (Country Park – not using the Brookwood flight)on Easter Saturday (30-April) and return to Bridge Barn on Easter Sunday (31-March)

Cruise the full length of the canal: Read the rest of this entry »

The Chairman (Bryan Pollard) opened the Meeting by welcoming all including Bernie & Jen Budworth of N&BCYC.

1. Apologies from: Sheila Eastham (ACE), Harry Davies (Sale), Sandra Henstock (LCC), Derek Harrison (Furness Vale), Frank Rose (Sale), Ben Williams (WCC),

2. Minutesof the last meeting (November 2012) were accepted as circulated.

Matters Arising

3.1 Marple Wharf – John Suggitt is making a 3D model of the site to show the effects of the planned development. He hopes to bring it to the next Meeting.

3.2 Castlefields – restricted mooring. Now cleared of a number of live a board boats making room for visitors.

3.7 Theft from boats on the Bridgewater. No further problems reported at the recent FBCC meeting.

3.8 40^th Anniversary for the NW Region. The original plan for a Dinner Dance has been replaced by a

suggested informal gathering at WHCC on 1 June – See AOB

4. Proposed EU harmonisation of water craft licences. This seems to have died a death.

3. Secretary’s Report

• Stoppages – Check waterscape Web Site. http://www.waterscape.com/boating. Individuals can sign up to automatically receive notification of stoppages etc on specific waterways (not just every canal in the country).
• Barton Aqueduct. Closed for Annual Maintenance 10 March (4.30pm) to 23 March (12 noon).
• Northwich Developments. Work has now started to clear the site. The boat shed has gone and machinery is on site.
• AWCC National AGM at Stafford BC on 16 March. Club Reps attending who require lunch, please advise the National Secretary, Roland Dotchin.

4. Treasurer’s Report

Latest accounts circulated. Current funds £5270.10. 5 clubs still to pay their subs.

5. Quartermaster’s Report

Harry Davies is away on holiday. There remains a small amount of stock which can be made available if someone wishes to take it back to their own club for sale to members at a discount.

6. Chairman’s Report

• Frank Rose is retiring as Rep for Sale CC after many years service.
• T&M Breaches. Croxton re-opened on 27 November ahead of schedule. At Dutton there remains much to do but the access road is now in place.
• Marple Locks. A number of gates are being replaced at a cost of over £100K.
• AWCC handbook. 6 clubs have submitted orders.
• AWCC car/boat window stickers are available @ £1.50 from the Treasurer.
• Safety Booklets dealing with fires and CO2 are available.
• Robin Evans, CEO of C&RT is stepping down shortly
• AWCC National Rally 11 to 13 July. Looking for 3 ‘value’ prizes for a national lottery draw.
• Ian Crozier of PBBOA resigning as their Rep and giving up boating after 38 yearsChairman away from end of January to mid March and will miss the AGM

7. AWCC Handbook Updates

Please keep the Secretary advised of any updates/changes to Club Officers etc.

8. Any other business

• Beer & Folk Festival Crooke (L&L)2013. Specific date not yet confirmed.
• NCCC is celebrating its 70^th anniversary at a gathering on August bank Holiday.
• The Friends of Kennet have been approached by a film company to use it in a film about street gangs during WW1.
• 85 boats have so far booked in for the FBCC rally
• The RLRS AGM is on 25 March at BMBC in Runcorn at 1930.
• The BMBC dry dock is available to external boaters from June onwards
• BMBC boater’s complaint regarding lack of interest/support for him stranded by the T&M breaches and his solo passage via the MSC to Manchester. It turns out that there were 9 boats in a similar position and if it had been organised in the same manner as those going to Ellesmere Port it would have saved them all money. The complaint went through the full procedure and eventually he was offered £50 compensation by C&RT.
• There are still a number of boats stranded at Anderton by the breach.
• The entrance to the arm at Nantwich on the SUC is getting more silted.
• AWCC NW 40^th Anniversary Celebration. To mark 40 years of AWCC NW and that all but the first Meeting has been held at WHCC, a Get Together is being organised at WHCC on the evening of Saturday 1 June (end of Whit Week) and the weekend after the FBCC Rally. It will have a Northern theme with music provided by Graeme Bridge and resident DJ and a Lancashire Hotpot supper. Old friends and past regulars will be invited. There is plenty of room to moor. Cost will be about £8 per person. Please contact Roland Dotchin

9. Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 14^th March at WHCC at 8pm – AGM. The Chairman advised that all current Officers were willing to carry on if required. Any further nominations for the posts to be sent to the President, Roland Dotchin by24 February.A buffet will be provided on the night and all were asked to bring something. Geoff Hollies will provide the curry. Suggestions for a Guest speaker were requested. The Chairman advised that he would be away at the time of the AGM.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the Meeting.

21 years ago. January 1992

The impending Certificate of compliance and the proposed Transport and General Works Bill and AWCC’s objection to the latter were reported on. The NW Region had contributed over £1K (one third of the total) to the Fighting Fund challenging the imposition by BW of mooring fees on End of Garden/Farm Moorings. BW was insisting that the company responsible for the breach at Blackburn on the L&L start the repair work immediately. BW offered to crane boats around the breach at their expense from the end of March. The NW Winter Social was to be held at NCCC in mid March.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING AGM – Thursday 14^th March 2013 at 8pm at Watch House Cruising Club, Stretford, Manchester

(and Thursday 9^th May 2013)

 AWCC North West Region

Minutes of General Meeting 13^th September 2012

The Chairman (Bryan Pollard) opened the Meeting by welcoming all

1. Apologies from: Eddie Revell & Nick Culliford (WMBC), Bernie Budworth (NBCYC), Sandra Henstock (LCC), Jayne Crane (ABCC), Sheila Eastham (ACE), Ben Williams (WCC)

2. Minutesof the last meeting (May 2012) were accepted as circulated.

Matter Arising

(12/5/2) Presentation by Mrs Postill, article in paper, Civic Voice, ‘Protect your Place’ case study research project – plenty of publicity. Derwent Valley had become World Heritage? – ongoing.

(12/5/4.1) Plank Lane – no information to date.

(12/5/6) No ‘fire sale’ as Harry not here tonight.

(12/5/7.1) C&RT launch – relatively low key Manchester was attended, could have been planned better.

(12/5/7.9) Northwich Festival,well attended, good event, (see Chairman’s Report).

(12/5/10.13) Dee Branch – no reply.

(12/5/10.16) Vale Royal – no action.

(12/5/11.1) Burnley Canal Festival, lot of effort, poor advertising? Around 40 boats, very good.

(12/5/11.5) Runcorn, £2.5K funding, rings were in at Brindley and being used.

3. Secretary’s Report

• Stoppages – Check waterscape Web Site. http://www.waterscape.com/boating. Individuals can sign up to automatically receive notification of stoppages etc on specific waterways (not just everyone in the country).

• There has been an almost weekly set of problems on the Huddersfield Narrow and Rochdale Canals and more recently on the Peak Forest compared to say the SUC and T&M. Is this a growing cause for concern? The Members agreed that most flights need work, there are problems on Huddersfield and it seemed to take longer to install and remove scaffold than do the actual work. Rochdale canal leaking into an adjacent works yard.

• Minutes via Email. Pleased to report that ALL clubs now receive them via email.

• ALERT distributed electronically. Again all clubs now receive it this way. Individual members can also access ALERT themselves via the AWCC website. Have Members received copies via there club distribution network?

• Handbook Update. Please, if there are changes to your club’s details, let me know.

• Jack Carr, Wheelton B.C. You may recall that Jack had to retire as AWCC Rep for the club a few years ago following a serious car smash. Speaking to their Club Secretary I am pleased to report that he is ‘as fit as a flea’.

• Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge. I attended a Meeting in Northwich on 30 July on behalf of the Region. As reported in ALERT, the swing bridge near Frodsham will be left in the closed to navigation position for the duration of the works which are due to start in June 2013 and last about 11 months. However there will be a gap of 4 metres wide and 2.2 metres above normal river levels which will allow canal boats to pass through. When completed there will also be an Elsan disposal unit (something we have been pushing for over many years). I have suggested that as the official Visitor Mooring is also the water (and Elsan Disposal) site, that the Visitor Mooring be moved to just upstream of the bridge to avoid conflict of interest.

• Mersey Motor Boat Club. I spoke to the Secretary and asked if they could find a volunteer to attend as a Rep for what is the biggest club in the region. Unfortunately that has proved difficult for them. If anyone has personal contacts with members of MMBC and could encourage them to volunteer, that would be great.

• Bridgewater Canal Co Rule Book. The Region was consulted on what is a sensible set of rules and guidance.

• Complaint from Sale CC to BCC. re actions of a group aboard a day boat from Bridgewater Hire Boat Co. Sale CC have reported the actions of what appeared to be 12 adults all drunk who caused great concern when they drove the boat into the bridge at Astley then careered at speed down the canal causing other craft to take evasive action. There has been no response from Mike Webb to date.

• Liverpool Link. The Chester & District Branch of IWA have been lobbying C&RT to increase the number of boats allowed per day to access the Liverpool Link. We have offered our support as it does restrict Club Cruises. (Reminder that you must book or you will not be allowed down)

• A boater’s complaint via AWCC. A complaint was sent via AWCC regarding the way 2 member boats of a NW club where moored overnight on a mooring/water point. The matter was passed to the club which provided a response clearing the members which was then passed onto the complainer. To my mind AWCC does not control its member clubs and such complaints are the responsibility of the individual club to deal with as they see fit. In such cases AWCC can only act as a conduit.

• Crooke Boat & Folk Festival 21-23 September 2012. – There is no entry charge, just turn up with or without a boat. Venue Crooke village. There will be many professional musicians and artistes providing entertainment. All in aid of local charities. For further information contact Malcolm (Crooke CC).

• Manchester Castlefields. On a recent personal cruise to Castlefields in August I noticed a number of boats left unattended in the basin by the fitness centre and an ex barge live a board with the owner driving off to work each day. Mike Webb is proposing for the whole of Castlefield basin 72 hour mooring with no return within 14 days.

• T&M near Preston Brook. I reported to C&RT the spread of pennywort (?) weed about 2-3 miles south of the tunnel, the partly loose boat moored on the offside outside the north end of the tunnel and the 4 apparently unlicensed boats near Bridge 211 which have been there for some years. CRT are in the process of instructing contractors to spray the weed from Bridge 199 to Preston Brook tunnel. Work should start late September.

4. Treasurer’s Report

Latest accounts circulated. Treasurer reported one club already paid subs for next year. More income from quartermaster sales, but paid fees to National, so currently showing a deficit. Current funds £4437.60.

5. Quartermaster’s Report

None

It was suggested to have a ‘fire sale’ at the November meeting to clear stock.

6. Chairman’s Report

• Sad to report that Barbara Rose, wife of our Frank Rose recently passed away. Frank and Barbara have been long serving members of the Sale Club, and gave many years of service to the Club, and the AWCC. I’m sure the Regional members would join me in offering our condolences at this sad time. Roland and I attended the funeral on behalf of AWCC. Many Sale CC members attended.
• Nantwich BCYC – New rep Bernie Budworth, unfortunately not here tonight.
• AWCC National Secretary, Roland Dotchin has now taken up this position, so he doesn’t get bored. All wish him well in this challenging role.
• Northwich Festival – June 2012, Good event, well attended with around 120 boats. Last event before the site is redeveloped next year. Broken Cross Boat Club was involved in the organisation of the event.
• Nick has, as ever, been working very hard behind the scenes contacting regional clubs to update the mailing list of representatives and club secretaries, a considerable piece of work. The result is that all Clubs are receiving minutes via e-mail thus saving considerable postage costs. After a short discussion the meeting agreed to have one group of club representatives and club secretaries.
• ALERT, Summer Autumn edition now published (16 pages). Again excellent work from Graeme Bridge as Editor. All NW clubs are accepting Alert by electronic means, saving considerable printing and postage costs. As a Region we are leading the country.
• Bramble Cutting – Volunteer Project, I wrote an article for ALERT on Bramble Cutting on the history of the site and update of progress made. This year we have built steps received 4 new picnic tables, made by Shrewsbury Prison from old lock gates, delivered them to site using CRT workboat and concreted them all in. CRT have provided all the materials and BCBC have provided 328 hours of volunteer labour. A win – win project.
• Campaigning, Nick has asked the question if there are any suitable causes that AWCC should be campaigning for locally? After a discussion at the meeting of possible causes, it was agreed that Runcorn Locks was the most appropriate. Graeme was asked to provide an outline of what our objectives should be.
• Maureen Shaw Appeal, I read in this month’s Waterways World that an appeal has been launched by IWA’s Chester Branch to provide an interpretation panel at Wardle lock telling Maureen’s story. Donations can be made by cheque with the reverse side marked ‘Maureen Shaw Appeal’ to Peter Bolt, 4 Poplar Farm Close, Saughall Massie, Wirral CH46 5NZ. At the meeting it was agreed that AWCC NW would donate £50 to the appeal

7. BW Customer Forums

The next meetings should be in October, not aware of any dates yet?

North West Lynton Childs & Malcolm Holbrook

Manchester & Pennine Bryan Pollard & Peter Killan

North Wales & Border Nick Culliford

Questions submitted locally, copy Nick in to collate larger issues.

8. Any other business

• Wigan flight, concerns as to the excessive time of scaffolding was left around locks.
• Roland commented on request to nominate ‘Young Sailor of the Year’ by RYA, apparently we have Compstall Sailing Club in the region?
• Bugsworth Basin, pollution in upper basin, fish in distress. How is CRT dealing with poor water quality, chemicals washing off farmland?
• Marple Locks, closed in August, breach in side pond near upper locks, damage occurring to locks due to low water levels. It was reported that Crayfish are apparently attacking the infrastructure.
• Liverpool Link, Lock 10 to Eldonian village. Concern as to the amount of rubbish left in the canal even though it is still officially a ‘remainder waterway’
• 40^th anniversary of ASHTAC, 1000 volunteers, IWA organising events at Portland Basin this weekend, and a work party on Lower Peak Forest.13-14^th October. Peter to circulate details.
• Are Clubs affected by dwindling membership? Is this across the board? Short discussion revealed this is not always the case with all clubs, but there are very few younger members?
• Towpath at Uppermill, Oldham council are funding contractors who are travelling long distances, this results in reduced working hours on site which is surely a waste of resources.
• Increased impact of reeds on the T&M, Prestion Brook to Middlewich which narrow the channel in a number of places. Roland had been given pictures. Action from C&RT required.
• Leeds & Liverpool Canal – towpath gates being left unlocked and open, problems with motor cycles. Deep Lock and Dene Lock duplicates are dilapidated, gates are now in bad condition and leaking, if they fail then there would be disastrous loss of the whole pound. Wigan Pier -, timbers are rotting, no incentive to maintain, local paper taking up the cause.
• Lynton explained handout on green energy, 12V/240V system, only one in country. It was agreed to invite the company for a 20 minute max presentation at the November meeting..
• Kennet, launch successful, it has visited Burscough, Preston, Liverpool, Wigan and Burnley and Hyndburn this weekend. Donations are doing well, now involved in education for schools etc.
• Bridgewater Canal , there has been an increase in the theft of diesel and batteries. also incidents of outboard motors and a fire at Lymm,
• The 2013 Federation Rally will be held at Worsley CC on May 24^th-27^th, theme will be ‘Wild West’, it will cost £20 per boat.
• During the refurbishment at Worsley a toilet pan has been installed for the Elsan, this is not suitable, not clean due to splashing. C&RT seem to be removing hoses from elsans and fitting push taps which provide very little water and makes it difficult to rinse cassettes.
• Problems at Wrenbury Lift Bridge (key), but difficult to operate due to Perspex cover over controls and having to keep buttons pressed – H&S issue, especially if single handed. When asked if Plank Lane was same, it is not, however there is a problem reported that if a wide bean boat is using the pump out it blocks navigation and holding up bridge operation, does it need to be moved?
• Roland reported on progress at National. He is now National Secretary, this has freed up the person who was doing two jobs. New National Membership Secretary (Erica Martin, Midlands Sec) and new Development Officer Terence Aris, dealing with marketing and development (quartermaster).
• AWCC Handbooks, what is the preferred format? Some liked loose leaf, others all in one, other implications, cost, number and intervals of change. Roland to raise at NEC.
• Treasurer was thanked for preparing last year’s accounts.
• Next year it will be 40 years since AWCC began meeting at WHCC. Attendees were asked to think how we can celebrate this event.

9. Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 8^th November at WHCC at 8pm

21 years ago. July & September 1991

Matters under discussion were the breach at Blackburn, the new BW Bill of Powers meeting much resistance, the disagreements between the NW Region and the AWCC NEC, the new NABO organisation, the new Certificate of Compliance, the cost of the ‘boat lift’ (by road) to the 1992 Preston Guild would be £80 each way, the re-opening of Weston Point Dock, the issuing by BW of 23 summonses to boaters who moor against private land, the provision of £1500 by the NEC to support the fight against the court case, a moratorium offered by BW to illegal houseboat dwellers, BW were seeking to significantly increase lease charges to clubs (Wheelton CC by 3 fold). Finally a plea to clubs to report changes to club officers etc so that the Handbook could be kept up to date.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 8^th November 2012 At 8pm at Watch House Cruising Club, Stretford, Manchester

(and Thursday 10^th January 2013)

 Kennet will be at  Burscough Heritage Week and will be open to the public on 23rd and 24th June at her relaunch.

Kennet is owned by the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society and has a permanent mooring at Greenberfield Top Lock, in Lancashire close to the border with Yorkshire and is on the National Register of Historic Vessels.  The boat is a river class, cargo carrying Leeds &Liverpool Canal Short Boat which was built for Canal Transport Limited in 1947 by Yarwoods of Northwich.

The Kennet Project’s purpose is to create an Interactive Museum using the Heritage Short Boat Kennet to travel the 127 miles of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, taking heritage and learning to local communities in the same way as the cargoes of old enabled industry to develop these communities.  The Project is being managed by a Working Group under the guidance of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society.

For more information:

Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society

Burscough Heritage Week

Friends of the Kennet