Newsletter Issue 11 October 2014

Weird goings on at

Pipps Ford

Why do I get

all the

dirty jobs We have some terrific times

working on the River Gipping. The

camaraderie is great and the leg

pulling endless. It is great being a

volunteer, however sometimes

you are volunteered. This

happened to me a couple of weeks ago. A survey of the river

bed was required to complete our application to the EA for re-

instating the bywash at Pipps Ford. Our surveyor Dale came

with all the necessary kit and Spencer provided the waders as

their was a requirement to enter the river. Sitting around having

tea during the early morning brief numerous excuses were

made by those attending as to why they could not don the

waders. Believe it or not one said he could not swim, another

the waders were too small (size 11), a further feigned a bad

back and so it went on.

So it transpired Jo Muggins got the job off wading in the River

Gipping, Fortunately I managed to stay upright and not get wet

as had happened on an earlier outing in the lock at Baylham. I

must say it was easier getting in that clambering out on the river

bank. I wonder what is in store for me next week?

LES HOWARD

WEIRD GOINGS ON

Our intrepid digger Trevor Cutting was in real ‘Time Team’

mode a few weeks back. He decided to investigate a coping

stone at the edge of the causeway at Pipps Ford. There was

speculation it had just been dumped there when the causeway

was built around the 1980’s.

After much digging with spade and trowel a structure started to

reveal itself. The following week similar attention was paid to

the other side of the causeway where a further coping stone

was located. Excavation revealed a similar structure to the

other side. What had been discovered was parts of the original

weir that was installed in the 1790’s when the river was

canalised. Further digging found the brick floor of the weir. It is

anticipated that this historic find will be incorporated into the re

-instated by wash. Congratulations must go to Trevor for his

tenacity in discovering this important artefact.

Side and front wall of the old weir The brick floor still in good order

Pipps Ford takes shape

We are getting closer now to completing work at Pipps Ford.

Previous newsletters have highlighted the work the RGT

volunteers have undertaken. We are very appreciative of the

support and assistance we get from the owners of Pipps

Ford, Simon & Christine Greatrix and Graham Greatrix.

Having cooperative riparian owners makes our task so much

simpler and easier. The following pictures show the progress

being made at this location.

The prefabricated bridge for the bywash at Pipps Ford being loaded on the

Chairman’s trailer at Whitehouse Farm

Will it fit!

Spencer takes

a breather

Top left; Svelte Les lends a foot

Top right: Spencer with his new

toy

Bellow: The bridge on its founda-

tions

Summer flooding at

Pipps Ford

MARTIN BIRD OUR PROJECT LEADER

REPORTS ON PROGRESS

I can’t believe that the last time I wrote a report for the Newsletter we were clearing away the damage from the St Judes Day storm and we still had more stormy weather before us.

Although the Spring was pretty mild, we did have some flooding later on and more strong winds that badly affected the cricket bat willow trees at Pipps Ford.

The team were then fully employed for several work parties clearing away the debris from the area around the hut, cutting up some sizeable timber and carting a it away and stacking it safely.

This gave plenty of scope for some excellent bonfires. This work has continued with the clearing of a substantial root ball that had slipped into the river course itself

The work on the bridge construction at white House Farm went according to schedule, with the bridge substantially completed in time to be on display and attract a number of admirers at the Alde Valley Festival in April.

We then had the challenge of getting the bridge safely back to Pipps Ford….this was solved by our Chairman, Brian Annis volunteering his substantial trailer, and a great deal of nerve driving the bridge down the A12. Needless to say, thanks to the careful and robust design of Colin, the workmanship of Raymond and of the bricklayers who built the abutments, the bridge slipped (almost) perfectly into place.

We have now completed fixing the deck in position and are preparing the approaches for concreting and grading. Although there is still work to do around the abutments of the bridge, its full impact in the landscape can now be clearly seen.

Over the Summer we will be completing the work around the bridge approaches and pressing ahead with the details of the application for the bywash opening, so we can start with the earthmoving in the Autumn.

We are now casting the coping stones which will be placed on the abutment walls. 20 are required in total and to date we have cast 12.When all are cast and in position there will be some brickwork to complete and earth backfill to be put in place behind the coping stones

We continue to keep an overview of maintenance issues at Baylham, with grass cutting and debris clearance occurring from time to time. During the Summer we have carried out some footpath clearance downstream of Pipps Ford, where the footpath had again become over grown with nettles, brambles. And overhanging trees.

TOP MAN FROM CANAL &

RIVER TRUST

SPEAKS AT

OUR AGM

Our guest at the 2014 Annual General

Meeting was Nigel Crowe, Head of

Heritage of the Canal and River Trust

who travelled all the way from Braunston to address us and

show a wide range of interesting photographs

As head of heritage Nigel’s role is to lead the Canal & River

Trust’s team of regional heritage advisers in England and Wales

and was previously with British Waterways. He has over 25

years’ experience of working in the conservation, archaeology

and interpretation of historic buildings and places. He has

written numerous articles concerning heritage conservation and

is the author of the English Heritage Book of Canals.

He leads a team of heritage advisers that supports the work of

colleagues at the Canal & River Trust, which cares for the third

largest collection of listed buildings in the UK.

Understanding and appreciating the waterways heritage is

important for everyone employed by the Canal & River Trust

and they are constantly working to improve our knowledge and

expertise.

The strategic approach to caring for our historic estate is to treat

all heritage assets the same, whether they are legally

designated or not.

Heritage advisors are working at each of CRT’s eleven waterway

units, and their contractors and bank staff work to high standards

on the historic buildings and structures, often putting into

practice skills gained on our own waterway-based heritage

training courses.

Amongst the wide variety of assemblies in which they are

interested are various cottages, three museums, a heritage

boatyard, listed buildings included ‘pill-boxes ‘from the 1939-45

war. They aim to set high standards, employ good people and

encourage volunteers. To try to limit damage and support

restoration

A Heritage Strategy has been set up for 2014-2018 with the view

of setting up a ‘Museum without walls’

In conclusion Nigel emphasised the need of ‘working together’ in

preserving our Heritage

The wonder of words

If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled? Why is a person

who plays the piano called a pianist, but a person who drives a

race car is not called a racist?

If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are

the others here for?

If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, then

doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians

denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons

debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

EDITOR: LES HOWARD 406 Woodbridge Road Ipswich IP4 4EH

01473 712696 les.jan@hotmail.co.uk

The views that are expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily

RIVER GIPPING TRUST TALKS

During the current year our stalwart presenters Lewis Tyler, Spencer Greystrong, Gerry Crease and Charles Stride have given ten talks to a wide range of organisations. There are a further two talks planned in November and December. In addition Frances Hart has given talks all over East Anglia and has kindly donated the proceeds to the trust. Combined these talks have so far raised over £1000 for the RGT.

If you know of any organisation that would like to hear one of our illustrated talks please contact Lewis Tyler 03303 308531 or by email via our website — www.rivergippingtrust.org.uk

The two bridges at Pipps Ford