Issue No. 23

September 2015

2

CONTENTS

Branch Chairman’s Chat………………………………………..3

CRT for Kids……………………………………………………...5

Word Search……………………………………………………...6

Thorne Yacht Club Festival……………………………………..7

From the Archive……………………………...…...…………….8

Who finally put a Cuckoo into Keels and Cuckoos…...……..11

The Barnsley and Dearne and Dove…………..…………….14

Branch Officers………………………………………………….16

Keels and Cuckoos is published on behalf of the

South Yorkshire and the Dukeries Branch of the

Inland Waterways Association

by

M H Fielding, 1 Vicarage way, Arksey, Doncaster, DN5 0TG.

Printed by Colour Image, Loudwater

Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of

The Inland Waterways Association or of the South Yorkshire and the Dukeries Branch

Committee

The Inland Waterways Association: Registered Office

Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA

Website www.waterways.org.uk

Email iwa@waterways.org.uk

Founded in 1946, incorporated in 1958

The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distribution company

limited by guarantee (No. 62245)

Registered as a Charity (No. 212342)

3

BRANCH CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

You may wonder why, in the later days of July 2015, I am concerning my-

self with the spring of 2016.

The answer is that the IWA’s National Trail Boat Rally is coming to our

branch area, and the date is less than nine months away. Certainly the bulk

of the organisational work will fall on the shoulders of the Chesterfield Canal

Trust, the local body tasked with organising the event at Staveley on the

restored section of “our” Chesterfield Canal; but, as the local branch of the

IWA we can not let the CCT carry all the load, monopolise the enjoyment

and bask in all the glory. This is after all an IWA event, and we, the local

branch, need to pull our weight.

There are about four hundred of us, including you, in the branch area. For

many of you IWA is a cause to quietly support fro which IWA is grateful, but

for jus a few of you, a local rally of National significance will offer an oppor-

tunity to become involved, if only for a short while, in the great cause that is

the IWA. Obviously the great and the good will be attending, and at similar

events I found myself drinking tea with TV personalities, or opening doors

for minor Royals. It all happens, as they say.

So you may ask “what can I bring to the party? I am too old to dig, too shy

to give talks, and I don’t know that much about canals.

But the running of a waterway event opens many doors. Someone will need

to ensure that access for people with mobility problems is as easy as pos-

sible, so someone might liaise with local organisations to ensure a supply of

wheelchairs. The event will, hopefully, attract families with young children ,

should there be a crèche? If so who will staff it and ensure that safe activi-

ties are available should the weather prove unkind. Should the branch have

a sales stand, if so what should be on sale, and who will organise stocks ,

preferably on a sale or return basis? Would a guide to local attractions

prove popular.? If so it needs to be written. Should the branch commission

a video record of the event and if so is there a member with equipment and

skills to record and edit such a thing. Not one of the above tasks required a

great knowledge of our canals, but through your work or other hobbies you

may have skills that would enhance the enjoyment of the event for all.

The days of simply turning up at a canal, dropping in your canoe , dinghy or

4

plastic cabin cruiser are not “gone” because all are still eminently pleasura-

ble things to do. But in 2016 the public, and that includes all of us, expect

much more.

The National Trail boat rally needs to have “event” status, it needs to offer

“visitor experience” it must have a “WOW” factor.

As the original grey-beard cross dinosaur, I find some of these words a

little alien, but in truth I have simply used modern parlance to capture the

very same sentiments that some of us recall from, for example, the Strat-

ford in 1964 as we watched Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen

Mother cut the ribbon.

Any waterway event that attracts “the public” is hugely important. For some

our trail-boat rally may be their first encounter with an inland waterway. It

could be our chance to create a great “first impression” not only on the

adults, but also on the imagination of the children, for when we are all no

more, it is they that will be the custodians of our waterways.

So I ask again please think what you can bring to the event in the spring of

next year that will cement good memories in those young minds, for, truly,

it is there the future of our waterways lies.

I look forward to hearing from you by telephone, letter or e-mail.

David Dawson

SY&D Branch Chairman July 2015

Laughter Lines: It pays to advertise

At a dry cleaner’s...We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it

carefully by hand.

On a road sign….When this sign is under water, this road is impassable.

At a launderette...Automatic washing machines. Please remove all your

clothes when the lights go out.

In a church hall...Weight Watchers will meet at 7pm. Please use the large

double doors at the side entrance.

5

CRT FOR KIDS

“WHAT SHALL WE DO TODAY PACK”

This year Canal and River Trust have produced a very good activity

guide for youngsters. It includes a whole host of fun and affordable

ways to keep busy safely by your local canal or river with twenty differ-

ent activities.

Throughout there are places for activity stickers (provided) in different

sections of the book and some puzzles and games. The activity pages

tell you what you will need and what you can find. It also explains the

different kinds of clouds and what they are made of . Also there is a

page dedicated to what to feed and what not to feed to the birdlife

found on the waterways. The guide is available by contacting the Ca-

nal and River Trust via their website.

6

G A N D O V E R G U E S W

L N O K D O C Y E A K C E

A O T N O D Y O R C T J M

S T G N U T B R O O K E S

T G N N O U D T B X V Q P

O N I M D E S R O T C O D

N I R E F I G I L M O A P

B S R W V Y A D C A M K C

U N O A B E N T L E Y H D

R E T S N I M O E L E A V

Y K P B D N A L K N O M G

A U C A R L I S L E D P O

D J K V N O T S R E V L U

WORD SEARCH In the grid below are the names of sixteen derelict canals. They can

be written forwards, backwards, vertically, horizontally or diagonally.

The answers can be found at the foot of this page.

Glastonbury, Kensington, Croydon, Tavistock, Leominster,

Doctors, Torrington, Wem, Oakham, Nutbrook, Monkland

Bentley, Ulveston, Bude, Andover, Carlisle

ANSWERS

7

THORNE YACHT CLUB FESTIVAL

The Branch were again invited to partake in the annual Regatta host-

ed by Thorne Yacht Club and held at Stanilands Marina, Thorne on

the 15th and 16th of August. This year their nominated charity was

“The Coppice School, Hatfield”, who support children with severe

learning disabilities.

Attractions included a display from Yorkshire Air Ambulance, vintage

cars and motor cycles, a blacksmith, a demonstration using very old

diving equipment with a hand operated air pump, a young dancing

troupe and a street dance duo. TMCR (Thorne & Moorends Commu-

nity Radio supplied music and the PA system. Also featured was a

very light hearted dog show.

We took the branch gazebo along with artefacts and photos belong-

ing to the Branch Chairman David Dawson. He has collected many

items over the years in his association with the IWA. At first visitors

were few and far between but in the afternoon visitor numbers

picked up.

The weather held up for the majority of day although there was a rain

scare in mid afternoon. Pat Davies made some cakes and brought

some plants to sell which went down very well with several people

asking us to keep putting them aside for collection later.

All in all I feel we had quite a successful day, taking the opportunity to

publicise the IWA and its objectives as often as possible.

Many thanks to Thorne Yacht Club for their kind invitation to attend.

Malcolm Fielding

8

FROM THE ARCHIVE

The following article is taken from material found in the former head

office of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire navigation Company in

Sheffield, after nationalisation it became the DAIWE (Docks and Inland

Waterways Executive) North Eastern office.

Log of the “Cressy” Hurleston to Ellesmere and return 1947

August 19th.

Water coming down from upper level all night with the result that pound

was up to weir level by morning and we were able to draw in to the

quay wall. Getting under way in good time we travelled well through

Povey’s lock to Willymoor, HERON leading. Just beyond the tail of Wil-

lymoor lock, Heron grounded, the pound being very low. We therefore

waited in lock chamber, letting water through until the pound filled up.

We then continued to Quoisley Lock where a stop was made for lunch.

Weather fine and warm. Thence we travelled well through the good

pound to Marbury. Here we drove two cygnets into the lock chamber

ahead of us and these had to be hauled out struggling. We were much

relieved to hear that the weeds in the pound through Wrenbury to Bad-

diley Top had been cut since we came up. We were therefore able to

travel slowly but without much difficulty to Wrenbury drawbridge. On

trying to lift the bridge we found that the winch had now quite come

adrift and instead of lifting the bridge it merely wound itself in the air.

Lashed it down with spare lines. Owing to removal of stores ’Cressy’

just failed to clear bridge platform this time and it removed a long shav-

ing off the edge of our port side cant rail. Stopped for tea beyond the

bridge, also to fit a temporary belt to replace broken one on HERON’S

circulating pump. Then continued slowly but without difficulty to hear

(rear, ed) of Baddiley Top Lock where we moored for the night. Hit sub-

merged object (tree-trunk?) about 100 yds above lock but no damage

done.

9

August 20th

Lock Keeper came up to see us through Baddiley Top Lock where

we had had such trouble coming up. Going full ahead with a good

flush from the top paddles we sailed out without any difficulty. Trav-

elled easily through Baddiley middle and bottom locks, but found the

weed bad and uncut between the bottom lock and Swanley top lock.

We managed to drive through it, but HERON’S propeller fouled badly

so we passed and took her in tow as far as the lock. When we came

to Swanley lower lock we found the pound below (which extends to

Hurleston top lock) was 1ft. below weir level. We therefore stopped in

the lock chamber for lunch while we drew water down. When we

judged that the pound had made up sufficiently we dropped paddles

and proceeded. We dragged bottom at one point below the lock, so

we had judged things pretty closely. Weed was bad in places, but we

managed to drive through it without manual assistance and so

reached Jurleston (Hurleston; ed) top lock. Locked down without inci-

dent, but when we reached the bottom lock we saw that the main line

was at least 4” down and anticipated some trouble getting over the

mud bar below. My wife, Livock and Christopher Grundy took a long

line over the bridge to the main line tow path. Came out of the lock

‘full steam’ but nevertheless fetched up on the mud bar and it took

considerable effort on the part of the bow-haulers to pull her over.

HERON came over with little difficulty. We then proceeded down the

main line to moor for the night in Nantwich Basin.

CONCLUSIONS

This trip showed that to restore the Welsh Canal section to reasona-

ble navigable order would involve comparatively little work. If the

pounds were kept at weir level there would be a reasonable draft ex-

cept in certain short sections, where scouring has occurred. For the

pleasure cruiser the canal is one of the most beautiful inland cruising

grounds in Britain, but its present condition deters many local owners

10

from attempting to navigate it. Even now however, a cruiser drawing

not more than 2ft. And not exceeding 7ft. Beam should experience

no difficulty in spring when water levels are higher and the weed not

grown up. A 7ft beam cruiser should nor jam in the locks because

this `maximum beam occurs only at one point on the hull. ‘Cressy’s’

trouble in this respect was due to the fact that with a narrow boat,

maximum beam extends over a considerable length and depth of hull.

‘Cressy’s’ maximum beam is slightly under 7ft since she was built to

work the Welsh Canal. It would not be possible for a narrow boat of

Fellows Morton or Grand Union type to pass Grindley Brook locks in

their present state as the maximum beam of these boats may be as

much as 7ft 2ins.

L.T.C.ROLT.

A long but very interesting article showing the determination of the

early waterway enthusiast’s to keep the waterways alive for future

generations. I have reproduced this article as per Rolt’s log with edi-

torial corrections indicated (…..ed), thus trying to keep to the authors

original text.

Cressy with Tom Rolt on board.

IWA co founder Tom Rolt.

11

WHO FINALLY PUT A “CUCKOO” INTO KEELS AND

CUCKOOS?

The answer is our friends, The Chesterfield Canal Trust. Following several

years of very low profile activity, a small team of Chesterfield Canal Trust

members put the finishing touches to “Dawn Rose” the first true cuckoo (the

colloquial name for the Chesterfield Canal working boats) and launched her

into Shireoaks Basin. The boat has been built under the supervision of Da-

vid Bownes, a Worksop resident and retired woodworking expert with a

clear memory of the last original Cuckoos. Using only hand tools, appropri-

ate to the era, the boat is truly handmade.

All Chesterfield Canal boats were horse drawn no motorised boat ever trad-

ed on the waterway. Dawn Rose is therefore dependent upon either a horse,

a motorised tug, or human muscle to get her from A to B.

Thus it was on June 6th 2015 at the Worksop Water Day, organised by Ca-

nal & River Trust , that Dawn Rose visited Worksop for the very first time.

She was the star attraction, moored to the towpath outside “The Lock Keep-

er” on the Shireoaks side of Worksop. As yet she was officially nameless.

This was corrected when Sybil Fielding, chair of Nottinghamshire County

Council and Shireoaks resident, performed the naming ceremony. This emu-

lated those performed in “the old days”, during which, a celebratory pint of

beer was split between the boat builder, the boat owner and the waterway

itself. Ms Fielding had earlier spent some time discussing inland waterways

with SY&D branch members and complimented them on the colourful and

interesting display of waterway artefacts on the IWA stand in the main mar-

quee.

One feature, unique to Cuckoo narrowboats was their ability, on suitable

waters for the crew to rig up a mast and sail. Mother Nature, obviously

aware of this, did send quite strong winds on June 6th, but these were prem-

ature as the mast and sail were not quite ready for use, and the restricted

channel just west of Worksop would have taxed even Sir Francis Chichester

or Ellen MacArthur DBE!

CCT plan in 2016 and onward to use the Trust owned, ex BW maintenance

boat, Python, as the motive power to move Dawn Rose from event to event.

It is hoped that at some stage Dawn Rose will follow in the wake of her pre-

decessors and attempt the trip to Boston, using sail as and when appropri-

12

ate. As I write this the mast is completed and the sail has been

raised. A modern sailing rig is frequently made of stainless steel

which, in this case, is totally inappropriate for Dawn Rose. With

this in mind branch committee member, Helen Dawson, ap-

proached “Hunters Yard” in Ludham, Norfolk for help, and was, in

return for a nominal donation to Hunters Trusts funds, presented

with six (believed to have been made between the wars) well

worn wooden pulley blocks, similar in appearance to those used on

Cuckoos and to be used when Dawn Rose is rigged for display.

If you would like to see this unique vessel for yourselves it is

planned that she will be in Retford, for Heritage day, on Septem-

ber 12. She will be easy to find along the towpath between Carol-

gate Bridge and Retford Town Lock or in other words canal side

just outside the ASDA supermarket. There are lots of easy access

Council owned carparks, and on Heritage Day Retford is worth a

visit to see the churches, museum, King’s Park vintage vehicles,

model railways and much more.

The operation and maintenance of Dawn Rose will be funded by

the “Friends of Dawn Rose” and will not draw on the CCT’s central

funds which still needed to continue the restoration of the western

section between Staveley and Kiverton Park. Membership of The

Friends is open to everyone at a minimum subscription of £10.00

per annum. The web address to join online dawnrose@chesterfield

-canal-trust.org , or call me at home on 01777 704224 for an ap-

plication form by post.

David Dawson

Chairman SY&D. IWA . July 23rd 2015

Laughter Lines

In A Swansea department store….Bargain Basement upstairs,

On a church notice board...Will those who have relatives buried in

graves in the churchyard please keep them in order.

13

The crowds gather for the naming ceremony.

The crowd watching the naming ceremony.

14

THE BARNSLEY, DEARNE AND DOVE

We now we have the Ribble Link and plans are well underway for

the Bedford, Milton Keynes Link. The link between the cathedrals of

Lincoln, Peterborough and Ely is planned and a length is already

completed. There Is talk of extending the Ashby to link with the

Trent and Mersey, closer to home the Rother Link is on the drawing

board. At a recent meeting of the Restoration Committee, in a letter

from an IWA member the idea of linking the Ancholme to the

Fossdyke was raised. That’s just a few of the novel ideas flourishing

in this revival era.

Many of theses links will be built, a few may be a “flight of fancy”

with no real prospects of ever materialising. But what of a currently

closed, but previously existing “link”. I refer, of course, to the two

waterways in the in the title of this item. Will the B,D&D ever reo-

pen?

Certainly there is a restoration society with completed surveys but

the capital cost of the restoration based on one completed survey

was quarter of a billion pounds. That may be an eye watering

amount of money, but in the national budget it is probably less that

the cost of the paper used by HMRC—possibly.

Having spent some time looking at what are in essence, two water-

ways, the picture is confused. Of the Barnsley Canal, quite a lot

remains, of the Dearne and Dove Canal, very little remains. The

Barnsley is very little worse to the untrained eye (mine) than the

Huddersfield Narrow or the Rochdale was when restoration of these

waterways was first mooted.

Is there an argument to split the restoration campaign? If the seem-

ingly easier restoration of the Barnsley were to be completed would

that then precipitate a renewed campaign to open the Dearne and

Dove? This could be seen as two campaigns, one short term , to

relink the Barnsley with the national waterway system. This would

15

be likely, in view of the density of the local population to be im-

mediately busy, with scope for several marinas and given local

engineering traditions the establishment of boat building and

repair yards. The second, a long term project to build a “new”

Dearne and Dove as lots of the original line seems to be be-

yond reclamation, using the River Dearne itself.

Whilst this may fly in the face of local restorationists or preser-

vationists, at least an alternative route ought to be considered ,

especially as the proposed HS2 may well be built before work

on the Dearne and Dove begins thus making strict adherence to

the original route totally impossible.

I write this in the hope of sparking some interest, without which

these two once great |waterways will fade further from the folk

memory to be lost for ever, no longer even warranting “route of

old canal” on future OS maps.

It is my belief hat generations of Yorkshire folk, yet to born will

think the better of us if we come together with new ideas for this

water route. By leaving these local canals to moulder; by simply

looking the other way, history will place us into the same cate-

gory as those who demolished the Euston Arch, or sanctioned

the infilling of the canal basins of Oxford and Banbury; to make

car parks. Not a happy epitaph for today’s IWA members to

contemplate.

Please let me know what you think. Contact details can be

found on the back page.

David Dawson

SY&D IWA Chairman

July 2015

16

BRANCH OFFICERS

CHAIRMAN

David Dawson Tel 01777 704224

21 Smeath Lane email dawsondavida@yahoo.com

Clarborough Mobile 07501 803918

Retford

DN22 9JU

VICE CHAIRMAN AND PLANNING OFFICER

Colin Crofts Tel 01302 841619

Staddlestones email cjcrofts@btinternet.com

South Bramwith

Doncaster

DN7 5SY

TREASURER

Pat Davies Tel 01709 206856

55 Rockcliff Road email patdav54@gmail.com

Rawmarsh

Rotherham

S62 6LX

SECRETARY AND KEELS AND CUCKOOS EDITOR

Malcolm Fielding Tel 01302 873127

1 Vicarage Way email roc3brn9ros1ark4@aim.com

Arksey

Doncaster

DN5 0TG

MEMBERSHIP OFFICER

John Shaw Tel 0114 258 2535

72 Norton Lees Crescent

Sheffield

S8 8SR

PUBLICITY OFFICER

Dave Scott Tel 0114 237 5327

17 Bowshaw Road email acp2004naburn@hotmail.com

Batemoor Mobile 07900 275327

Sheffield

S8 8EY

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Mavis Paul Tel 0114 268 927

116 Sandygate Road email mavis.brian_paul@btinternet.com

Sheffield Mobile 07725 464611

S10 5RZ

Helen Dawson as David Dawson

Mary Crofts as Colin Crofts