anglian cutting no. 130 spring 2015
DESCRIPTION
Newsletter No. 130 of the Ipswich Branch of The Inland Waterways Association published in Spring 2015TRANSCRIPT
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ANGLIAN
CUTTINGS
Ipswich Branch Newsletter
Spring 2015 No.130
The IWA may not agree with the opinions expressed in this publication. They are, however, published as
a matter of interest to our members and readers. Nothing printed can be construed as policy or an official announcement unless stated.
The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in this publication.
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IWA IPSWICH BRANCH
YOUR COMMITTEE
Chairman -
Rod Mansel
07951 682048
Secretary -
Phil. Dowrick
07841 015218
Treasurer -
Spencer Greystrong
07597 862793
Treasurer Elect -
Carole Green
Membership -
Dale Green
07850 960635
River Gipping Trust -
Gerry Crease
07747 840982
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Following the guidelines laid down
in the IWA Branch By-Laws, the
new committee members met in
April and agreed the appointment of
officers as listed alongside.
On behalf of all the branch members
I would like to take this opportunity
of thanking all the new committee
members for coming forward and
agreeing to take up their posts and to
wish them all success for the future.
There are still a number of vacant
positions and the committee would
welcome any volunteers and offers of
help to fill them. These are Minute
Secretary, Social Secretary, Broads
Forum Representative, and also a
Newsletter / Anglian Cuttings
EDITOR’S
PONDERINGS
Editor. If you think that you can
help in any of these areas please
contact the Chairman or Secretary.
We should also take this opportunity of
thanking our retired Chairman, Chard
Wadley, and all the retired committee
members for their many years of input
and support for the Branch and the
IWA as a whole. They have offered
ongoing support to the new committee,
as required, and will be active around
the area and the waterways.
And finally, may I thank all those
many contributors who have helped fill
the pages of our newsletter. Please
keep them coming for the future editor.
Charles Stride
It is with great pleasure that we are able to confirm that at the Branch
AGM, held on Friday 13th February, (which was a lucky day for us!),
members came forward for the new committee, enabling the Branch to
continue.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
I look forward to working with all of you to help the Ipswich Branch continue
to benefit the region’s waterways in the future. If you have any comments or
suggestions please get in touch with me. Rod Mansel
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1.0 Introduction
This year the Trust has focused its
restoration activities on further works
at Pipps Ford, seeking to restore the
functionality of the lock by re-
creating the silted up bywash. We
have also been involved in towpath
maintenance, tree removal, and
investigative works associated with
flooding along the River Gipping
Way
2.0 Construction Projects Pipps Ford
2.1 Bridge Installation
The oak footbridge that we
constructed last financial year was
installed in the late spring of 2014.
The frame had been built off site,
and thanks to its robust design and
workmanship, fitted perfectly onto
the abutments, to everyone’s great
relief. The bridge deck was then
installed and work is nearly
complete on grading the access areas
and landscaping around the
abutments
2.2 Bywash Restoration
Progress with the bywash excavation
has not proceeded to the timetable
we had originally proposed, as, after
an initial review of our plans, the
Environment Agency requested we
employ a consultant to draw up a
detailed proposal. The Consultant
first reported in July and was asked
for clarification of flood risk issues
which were resolved in September
2014.
Our re-submission then gave rise to
further helpful comments and much
discussion with the Environment
Agency, including two site visits.
This has resulted in the line of the
proposed by wash being extended
upstream with the by wash being
The River Gipping Trust AGM was held on the 23rd of April and the latest
update from Martin Bird on the ongoing restoration is as follows:
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WORKING PARTY DATES Working Parties are held by the River Gipping Trust from 0900 to
1700 every Wednesday and on the second Saturday of each month.
For further information and to confirm dates contact
Martin Bird
Tel: 01394 380765 Email: [email protected]
Please note the change to SECOND Saturday of each Month.
made a permanent water course. The
entry point has been moved to avoid
disruption to environmentally
valuable gravel beds in the main river
course and will provide a less acute
angle of entry, reducing the danger of
erosion to the bywash banks. We
have also included widening the
lateral ditch in our proposals and
joining this will be joined in to the
bywash to provide a refuge area for
wildlife during flood events.
While this process has been a little
frustrating, the end result will
provide an improved and permanent
water course which will comply with
the Water Quality Framework
Directive and improve the
environmental value of the area.
Our final proposals are with the
Environment Agency at present, and
subject to approval, we should see a
start on the ground later this summer.
Martin Bird
Uncovering The Past at
Pipps Ford
Preparatory work on the bywash
revealed the original weir. The in-
tention is to restore this historic
structure by incorporating it into the design of the bywash. The centre section
was removed in the 80’s when a culvert was installed to create a causeway.
(Reproduced with permission of the River Gipping Trust)
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Restoring and conserving the River Stour Navigation
FLATFORD LOCK In the last edition of Anglian Cuttings we reported on Flatford Lock and
the installation of new gates. On a bright Spring day Griff Rhys Jones,
freshly back from his travels on ‘Slow Train(s) Through Africa’, came by
an even slower mode of transport to officially open the new gates.
The event was attended by the Environment Agency and a wide range of local
Dignitaries including your new Chairman, Rod Mansel and his wife Sarah.
SUMMER EVENTS
For details of this summer events on the Stour
go to their website
http://www.riverstourtrust.org/news-events
or contact them on 01787 313199
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DATES
for your
DIARY
FUTURE EVENTS
The Committee will be considering possible future events and details will be
advised in due course and will be posted on the website. If members have any
suggestions or are happy to assist in the arrangements please contact the
Secretary.
1st
2nd
Waterway Recovery Group is looking to raise £120,000 over the next 2 years to buy new
vans for transporting their equipment and volunteers throughout England and Wales.
WRG's red vans cost around £35,000 each. We are raising an appeal to help raise additional
funds towards the purchase of 2 new vans in 2015, with future plans to purchase the remain-
ing two vehicles in 2016. The sale of the 4 vans will generate around £20,000.
WRG's vans are vital in aiding the work of WRG in canal restoration.
How can you help? Please go to their website
https://www.waterways.org.uk/wrg/fundraising/wrg_van_appeal/the_plan
To DONATE
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USEFUL WEBSITES
IWA Head Office - http://www.waterways.org.uk
Waterway Recovery Group - http://www.wrg.org.uk
River Gipping Trust - http://rivergippingtrust.org.uk
River Stour Trust - http://www.riverstourtrust.org
East Anglian Waterways Association –http://www.eawa.co.uk
River Waveney Trust -http://groupspaces.com/RiverWaveneyTrust pages/our-
aims
IWA Peterborough Branch - https://www.waterways.org.uk/peterborough
IWA Great Ouse Branch - https://www.waterways.org.uk/greatouse
The Broads Society - http://www.broads-society.org.uk
The Australian Canal Society - http://www.auscanal.org.au/
The Canal & River Trust - http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
EA - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee.
Registered Office; Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire. HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk
Registered in England No. 612245. Registered as a Charity No. 212342