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May 2010

The Magazine of theWest Riding Branch

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Contents

Branch Chairman’s Notes .......................................................................3West Riding Branch AGM Minutes.......................................................4Income and Expenditure Account...........................................................6Who Wants To Go To Leeds On A Dark Friday Evening?.....................7Alien Invaders..........................................................................................8Private Trip Through Standedge Tunnel.................................................9Discussion & Forum for IWA Regions and Branches ..........................10West Riding Branch Stand....................................................................13Numbers Quiz .......................................................................................15Answers to Numbers Quiz.....................................................................16Leeds and Liverpool Canal Trans Pennine Award................................16‘A Warm Welcome!’.............................................................................17Advertising in ‘The Mile Post’..............................................................17The Mile Post.........................................................................................17Map showing location of meeting venue...............................................18Committee Members 2010/ 2011..........................................................19Programme of Events for 2010/11.........................................................20

IWA Headquarters .Registered OfficeThe Inland Waterways AssociationIsland HouseMoor RoadCHESHAMHP5 1WATelephone - 01494 783453 Web site www.waterways.org.ukNOTE: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarilythose of The Inland Waterways Association or of The West RidingBranch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our mem-bers and readers.

Front cover.Skipton during the Waterway Festival in May.

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Branch Chairman’s NotesBy the time you get this it will be spring. Hopefully we will all have beenable to take advantage of the fine weather to use the waterways forwalking, angling, cycling and boating.Our highlight so far was to complete the trip to Sheffield in Copperkins.We were prevented from doing this in 2007 by the floods. This time therewere no such difficulties and the trip from Acton Bridge via StandedgeTunnel to Sheffield Basin returning via the Trent to Nottingham wentwell. The tidal Trent was wonderful. We were lucky to have a fine,windless day for the trip.

The other event of course is the election. We now have a new govern-ment and some new local councillors.. This gives a wonderful opportuni-ty to write or email to your councillors and MP to congratulate them ontheir election, and mention waterways.

How about saying something along the lines of“Congratulations on being elected as the member for (insert name ofward or constituency). I would like to draw your attention to the plight ofthe waterways in this country, particularly the (nearest canal or river tothe area). Lack of funds for maintenance is causing deterioration in thefabric of our heritage. We are in danger of losing a great public asset forwalkers, anglers, cyclists and boaters. I hope you will do all you can tosupport this valuable resource.”

To find the contact details put your post code into the websitehttp://www.writetothem.com/ . This will provide you with a list of yourelected members.

The SOS campaign is still going on .

I hope to see you at our meetings. If you can’t get there because oftransport problems let me know. It may be possible to put you in touchwith someone who can offer a lift, at least from and to the station.

Elaine Scott

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INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATIONWEST RIDING BRANCH

AGM

Minutes of the 2010 AGM held at Centenary House, Leeds. Friday 12th

March

Present: 27 adults, 2 children

1. APOLOGIES: Richard Amende, Mike McHugh, Tony Martin, MikeTucknott.

2. MINUTES OF THE 2009 AGM held at Centenary House, Leeds onFriday 13th March, as published in May 09 Mile Post are accepted as atrue and correct record of the meeting.Proposed by Liz Pinder. Seconded by Ian Moore.Matters arising: Non

3. CHAIRMAN’S REPORTChairman Elaine Scott reported briefly on the Branch Seminar whichshe and 3 other branch committee members attended. Elaine modelledsome of the new corporate clothing and gave details how to purchase it.

4. TREASURER’S REPORTThe accounts were presented to the floor using a visual diagram on theoverhead screen.

5. OUSE/URE SECTIONProposal that West Riding Branch supports our Ouse/Ure section in itsaspiration to become a separate IWA Branch in the NE and YorkshireRegion.Proposed: Peter Scott. Seconded: Tony Martin. Proposal accepted.

6. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE

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Bob Laing, Liz Pinder and Peter Scott up for re election to be reappoint-ed until 2013.Proposed: Elaine Scott. Seconded: Ron Healey. Unanimously elected.

7. ELLIOTT AND JENNIFER MOSLEYThanks and the presentation of a painting were given to Elliott and Jen-nifer in recognition of the years they have served on West RidingBranch committee on the retirement of Elliott at this years AGM.

The meeting was preceded by a short presentation by our 2 youngestmembers Ellen and Ailsa Sayles and by the Region AGM.The meeting was followed by member’s slides.

Ellen and Ailsa giving their presentation before the start of the AGM.They told us all about their holiday on the ‘Shroppie’.

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Capitation 940.24 0.00 1,552.60 0.00Donations 407.34 385.00 345.00 784.99Social meetings& workingparties

0.00 228.68 0.00 345.00

Events and Fund-Raising activities

0.00 0.00 333.91 65.99

Magazine 40.00 1,143.40 120.00 1,150.40Trading 302.35 155.00 84.64 57.00Lotteries &raffles

67.50 0.00 95.50 0.00

Bank interest &charges

28.22 0.00 79.99 0.00

Officers’expenses

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Other 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00TOTAL 1,785.65 1,912.08 2,611.64 2,403.38

Surplus/(deficit)For the year

-126.43 208.26

Income Expenditure Income Expenditure2009 2008

Balance at 31st December £2,399.67 £2,526.10

Notes

Capitation – the monies we receive from IWA to fund the magazine.

-some of the monies payable for 2007 were received in 2008 hence the big year on year variation with 2009

Donations Expenditure- main donations to Skipton Waterway Festival,

Fundraising – was all booked to trading in 2009

William Jowitt Treasurer

Income and Expenditure Account

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WHO WANTS TO GO TO LEEDS ON ADARK FRIDAY EVENING?

It was with reluctance that I agreed to accompany my husband whowished to attend the IWA Regional A.G.M. in Leeds on the 12th March.As we live near Hull, a round trip of over 100 miles was not my idealchoice for a Friday evening.

How glad I am that I went. From the start of the evening with thepresentation by two young children who were obviously delighted toshow us pictures of their canal holiday, through a lively regional A.G.M.,followed by the West Riding Brach A.G.M. which was followed by slidesfrom members who had been asked to limit their presentation time toaround 5 minutes. This meant that everything moved at a lively pace, wesaw several sets of slides, both old and new and to round off a mostenjoyable evening, we were offered excellent homemade cakes andbiscuits with tea and coffee also available.

May I congratulate all those who worked so hard providing the refresh-ments and making the evening so interesting.

Maureen BromleyWife of East Yorkshire Branch and newly elected Regional Member.

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Elliott Mosley receiv-ing a painting from thebranch at this yearsAGM. This was in rec-ognition and apprecia-tion of the many yearsservice given to thebranch by Elliott andhis wife Jennifer. (Seepage 5.)

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ALIEN INVADERSThe threat of Alien plant invasion has suddenly become a reality for thewaterways in this area. It is reported that Hydrocotyle ranunculoides otherwiseknow as Floating Pennywort has been found in the River Don the Calder andHebble Navigation and the Aire and Calder Navigation. This aquatic plant wasbrought into this country in the 1980’s from North America as a plant fortropical aquaria and garden ponds. By 1991 it appeared in the wild and hasfound its way into our rivers, lakes and canals mainly due to people dumpingunwanted plants.

It roots in slow moving water and if left unchecked forms thick mats coveringthe water thus starving the waterways of sunlight and oxygen. This plant canchoke drainage systems and will crowd out native plant life. Boating andangling interests are also affected. Because it forms such a thick blanket cover-ing it starves the waterways of sunlight and oxygen which in turn means that thesurvival of fish and aquatic insects is threatened.

As this plant can grow up to 20cm (8 inches) per day and can regenerate fromthe tiniest fragment its control is very difficult and costly to control. Currentlyit costs BW in this region more than £50.000 per year and £350,000 nationallymoney that could be spent elsewhere on the system.

Jonathan Harts-Woods, BW Environment Manager said “Floating Pennywortdemands ongoing monitoring and intensive control mainly because of its alarm-ing growth rate.”

Floating Pennywort isn’t the only plant which is putting a strain on outwaterways system. Other highly invasive plants include Japanese Knotweed,Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed the latter two being virtually impos-sible to eradicate. Containment is essential for these two plants with FloatingPennywort being removed and sprayed wherever it is found before it spreadsfurther and becomes beyond control.Pictures of these plants can be found on the Internet and in your local library.

Please don’t let this happen, report any sightings to British Waterways orthe Environment Agency immediately.

Malcolm FieldingSecretary SY&D branch

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Private Trip Through Standedge Tunnel.

Only the second private through trip of Standedge Tunnel has beenbooked for Saturday 19th June 2010. The boat carries 20 people eachway at a cost of £8.50 ( normally £10.50) and takes between 2 and 2.5hrs.The return trip is Marsden - Diggle - Marsden. Throughout the journeythere is a commentary.I have filled the outbound trip and am offering places at the same pricefor the return trip. There are some others interested in some of the placesso I will have to offer on a first come first served basis.It is intended that the boat will leave Diggle at around 13.00hrs arrivingMarsden between 15.00 hrs. and 16.00hrs.The outbound group have booked a meal at the Diggle Hotel at 12.00hrs.Anybody is welcome to join us. The cost of this is £11 for two people.I have arranged for parking at the Diggle end at the Hotel. Return toDiggle for cars etc.is by own means. However we can talk through ways.Anybody with a blue card can park at Tunnel End in the Centre. Othersnearer Marsden.For those going it is advised that you bring warm clothing, regardless ofthe weather outside. In parts of the tunnel it can be wet if you choose totravel in the open part of the boat. You might also want to bring a flask.There is a toilet on board.

If you are interested in this trip please contact :-

Ray Helm 01484 307441 29 Red Lane Meltham Holmfirth HD9 5LJ

The entrance toStandedge Tunnelat Marsden.

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Discussion & Forum for IWA Regionsand Branches

Arranged by IWA Promotions and Communications CommitteeSaturday 6 February 2010 - Summary of the Day

25 of the 35 branches were represented by a total of about 80 BranchOfficers and other members. The presentations were all entertaining andmade useful points. Discussion workshops, and lunch, gave time tocompare notes with people in other branches who we might not usuallymeet, and exchange ideas on resolving some of the issues facing us as anorganisation.

It was obvious at allthe sessions that weare not the onlybranch which is not-doing all the things itwould be good-to-do;branches have differ-ent strengths andweaknesses and eventhe most successfulbranches are notgood at everything.Some branches excelat campaigning buthave no social pro-

gramme , some are good at watching over planning applications, but donot campaign or have meetings for members. The main point is to keepgoing and recognise what else can be done.

There is help available for failing branches – PrommCom is available toassist where it can, but they do need to know where they are needed; wedo have to ask.

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Overall the membership, nationally, is reasonably constant, withoutsignificant change from 18,000 over the whole of the last 30 years, withour new members just about balancing those who leave. Of course, ifevery member could get one new member from friends, family, workcolleagues and acquaintances, then we could double our membership: itis those direct approaches that best trigger those who are just waiting-to-be-asked to join! We need to be following-up those who do not renewtheir subscriptions to find out why they are leaving; in particular, givingup regular use of a boat may be inevitable with advancing age, but

support for theWaterways cancontinue, if wecan make theIWA interestingand relevant toour full range ofsupporters.

The importanceof welcomingnew membersand encouragingthem to take partwas emphasised,and this is best

with a personal contact; by phone, or email we can find out why someonehas joined and what they can offer in the way of help. Action-groups forspecific projects were suggested, with a groups of, say, 6 or 7 people withthe appropriate skills; and there is a beginning a middle, and moreimportantly an end to the involvement required, and it’s not necessarilysitting on a committee.

With the General Election looming we need to lobby all the three main-party candidates to show the number of people interested in waterwaysfor all the activities. A delegate from Ireland said that they have cross-party and cross-border consensus to Ireland’s waterway and their fund-ing. It would be good to get that message across in England and Wales.

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We looked at our new IWA website, which should be in operation bynow. It is proposed to use electronic communication as much as possibleand it will be possible to register on-line to receive the headquartersbulletin and other relevant communications. This hopefully will keepeveryone better informed of what is going on whilst reducing the amountof trees used.

In all it was a very good day with many ideas thrown about and goodpoints made. Now we are all charged with trying to put some of them intopractice. Meeting various trustees and committee members was good – itgives us easier contact when we have difficulties – none of us are on ourown.

Elaine Scott - West Riding Branch Chairman

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West Riding Branch Stand.

May Bank Holiday weekend, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of May, was the SkiptonWaterway Festival. This is now in its 9th year and like every other yearbefore, the branch stand was on site for the full three days. We alwaysenjoy Skipton as it is such a local event for us, with lots of old friendsvisiting the stand. The festival was well attended although the weathercould have been kinder. It was windy and cold for much of the weekendand we did have rain on one day.

There was a plenty ofentertainment on offerand lots of stalls to lookround. The theme forthis year’s festival wasthe 1940s. There werelots of people in theclothes of the time andsome imaginative dis-plays on many of theboats. One boat had itsroof covered in models of babies and was called ‘1946 Baby Boom’.Another had a large gun and a gunner on its roof. Music from the fortieswas provided by the excellent Madeline Brown.

Our aim this year was to publiciseSave Our System 2010, the cam-paign which is fighting the water-way funding cuts. We spoke tomany people about the cuts anddistributed lots of leaflets with de-tails of how to help in the fight.

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I’d like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to everyonefrom the branch that came to the festival and gave their time to man thestand.

If you would like more information or to join the campaign go towww.SOS2010.org.uk.

Another way of helping to support our waterways is to sign the onlinepetition at http:/petitions.number10.gov.uk/protectourcanals

Your waterways need your support – NOW.

The branch stand will be attending various waterways events this yearincluding York Dragonboat Racing !0th July Leeds Waterfront Festival 17th July Dewsbury Waterway Festival 24th JulyAnd of course the IWA National Festival at Beale Park on 28th, 29th and30th August.We hope to see you at one of them.

At Skipton there was the chance to get close to various birds of prey onthe Corio Raptor Care and Rehabilitation stand. Here children are gentlystroking a little owl

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026 L of the A

13 40 D and N of the G F26 Letters of the Alphabet

1 7 W of the W 14 80 D around the W

2 9 P in the S S 15 4 H of the A

3 12 S of the Z 16 8 F in a M

4 18 H on a G C 17 24 B B in a P

5 90 D in a R A 18 2 G of V (P and V)

6 7 S on a F P P 19 7 D S

7 3 B M (S H T R) 20 7 B for S B

8 24 H in a D 21 9 R in the G of C

9 3 F for O K C 22 3 M (A, P and A)

10 13 S on the A F 23 9 L of a C

11 5 T in I R 24 10 G B H on a W

12 11 P in a F T 25 1 F O the C N

Numbers QuizAnswers page 16

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0 26 Letters of the Alphabet 13 40 Days and Nights of the Great Flood1 7 Wonders of the World 14 80 Days around the World2 9 Planets in the Solar System 15 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse3 12 Signs of the Zodiac 16 8 Furlongs in a Mile4 18 Holes on a Golf Course 17 24 Blackbirds Baked in a Pie5 90 Degrees in a Right Angle 18 2 Gentlemen of Verona (Proteus and Valentine)6 7 Sides on a Fifty Pence Piece 19 7 Deadly Sins7 3 Blind Mice (See How They Run) 20 7 Brides for Seven Brothers8 24 Hours in a Day 21 9 Rooms in the Game of Cluedo9 3 Fiddlers for Old King Cole 22 3 Musketeers (Athos, Porthos and Aramis)10 13 Stripes on the American Flag 23 9 Lives of a Cat11 5 Thunderbirds in International Rescue 2410 Green Bottles Hanging on a Wall12 11 Players in a Football Team 25 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Answer to Numbers Quiz

Leeds and Liverpool CanalTrans Pennine Award

An up to date version of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Trans PennineAward plaque is now available to boaters who travel between the Eldo-nian Village, Liverpool and Office Lock, Leeds [or vice versa] during acalendar year.

The plaque is sponsored by IWA North Lancs & Cumbria branch andBritish Waterways. Since its inception in 1998 over 100 plaques havebeen issued.

Passage of the new Liverpool Link is not required to qualify. Copies ofthe relevant section of the boat log and/or relevant photographic evidencewill be accepted as proof of passage.

Entries should be sent to:

David M Smith; Brewery Wharf; Dark Lane;Whittle-le-Woods; Chorley; Lancashire; PR6 8AEalong with a cheque / postal order / or stamps to the value of £3.

Queries can be sent to david@familysmith.co.uk

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‘A Warm Welcome!’

The West Riding Branch extends a warm welcome to members who havejoined us since the last Mile Post. We look forward to meeting you at oneof our monthly meetings or to hearing from you.

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Advertising in ‘The Mile Post’.

If your organization would like to advertise in a future edition of ‘TheMile Post’ please contact Bob or Tricia Laing on 01274 581800 or e-mailboblaing@blueyonder.co.uk

A full page advertisement is £40 and a half page is £20. Over 500copies of the magazine are posted to IWA West Riding Branch membersand are also distributed at various waterway events throughout the year.

*****************The Mile Post.

Is there anyone out there who could help the branch by writing some-thing for inclusion in the Milepost. Have you been on an interestingboating trip? Tell us about it.. Is there something waterways related youfeel strongly about? Write us a letter about it.. Any amusing stories? Tellus all! E-mail us at boblaing@blueyonder.co.uk , hand it to one of us, orpost it to any committee member before the end of August. We lookforward to hearing from you.

We would like to give a big thank-you to all the people who havealready sent us articles for inclusion in the Mile Post. You have madeour job much easier and our magazine more interesting.

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Map showing location of meeting venueCentenary House, North Street, Leeds LS2 8AY

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ChairmanElaine Scott3 Moorbank DriveSheffield S10 5THHome 0114 230 1870

SecretaryIan Moore2 Eric Street,BramleyLeeds. LS13 1ETMobile 07989 112581E-mail westriding@waterways.org.uk

TreasurerWilliam JowittOak Lodge1 Oakridge CourtBingley BD16 4 TAHome 01274 567950

Membership SecretaryChris Pinder152 High StreetYeadonLeeds LS19 7ABHome 01132 509371

Minutes SecretaryLiz Pinder152 High StreetYeadonLeeds LS19 7ABHome 01132 509371

Mile Post EditorBob Laing25 Bankfield RoadShipley BD18 4AJHome 01274 581800E-mail boblaing@blueyonder.co.uk

Mile Post EditorTricia Laing25 Bankfield RoadShipley BD18 4AJHome 01274 581800

Committee memberRegional ChairmanPeter Scott3 Moorbank DriveSheffield S10 5THHome 0114 230 1870

Non Committee Posts

Meeting Co-ordinatorsKatie & Alastair SaylesHome 0113 393 4517E-mail: kandal@btinternet.com

Telephone contactAlistair FurnissHome 0113 253 9401

Northern Rivers Officer(Tyne, Wear & Tees).John Reeve10 Perth GroveStockton-on-TeesCleveland TS18 5BFHome 01642 580350

Committee Members 2010 / 2011

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Programme of Events for 2010/11.All meetings take place at 8.00pm on the second Friday

of the month, in the top floor Social Club,Centenary House, North Street, Leeds, LS2 8AY.

10th September 10 The Basingstoke Canal -an update.

8th October 10 Canals of the 60’s by John Greenaway

12th November 10 National Chairman Clive Henderson.

10th December 10 Christmas Social and Members’ slides.

14th January 11 "Canal Engineering and the Great Egg Race" by Geoff Auty

11th February 11 Chinese Canals by Liam D’Arcy Brown

11th March 11 AGM

8th April 11 RSPB at Fairburn Ings Nature Reserveby Richard Amende

Talks arranged by Alastair and Katy Sayles, 32 Pymont Drive,Woodlesford, Leeds LS26 8WA. Tel 0113 393 4517

Email: kandal@btinternet.com

All the meetings organised by the West Riding Branch are open andeveryone is invited. Any member of the general public is allowed to attendand members are invited to bring friends.

The Inland Waterways Association campaigns for the Conservation, Use,Maintenance, Restoration and Development of the Inland Waterways,which are part of our heritage, and are there for the benefit of everyone.