BEDFORD & MILTON KEYNES October 2012 Volume 10 no 4

Transcription

1 BEDFORD & MILTON KEYNES October 2012 Volume 10 no 4 WATERWAY TRUST PATRON Sir Samuel Whitbread KCVO B&MK WELCOMES ON BOARD 1000 th MEMBER 1 James Sheehan, the B&MK s 1000 th member, with his wife Glenys, were formally welcomed into the fold by Trust chairman Graham Mabbutt during a Milton Keynes heritage open day. On probably the hottest Sunday of the year James and Glenys joined the throng for a programme of waterways talks covering the B&MK Waterway: Living Heritage waterways past and future, combined with the open day at the historic church of St Lawrence, Broughton. The couple were presented with tickets for an inaugural trip on board the Trust s community boat, which is scheduled for launching next year; a set of B&MK merchandise; and a special membership certificate. Graham Mabbutt, who made the presentation, said.. It is a great achievement to recruit the one thousandth member. It goes to show the level of interest that there is in the project. It s great to have James and Glenys join us along with a number of other new members. James and Glenys, who live in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, are keen walkers whose favourite haunts are Stanwick Lakes, Bedford Priory Marina and Stoke Bruerne. When not walking they occasionally join boating friends afloat. James runs a building services consulting engineering practice specialising in low energy air conditioning, ventilation, heating and electrical services to commercial, industrial and large residential buildings, incorporating renewable technologies where desirable and economically viable. Community Boat - on order? See page 6 MK Planning Application - renewed See page 7

2 View From The Chair Well July, August and September may have been holiday months but the work of the B&MK Trust continues apace! At the start of July along with a number of other B&MK members we attended the arrival of the preserved horse drawn narrowboat Ilkeston at Campbell Park. The boat was being towed by a motor boat from the Stoke Bruerne Museum. The welcoming party included the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr. Catriona Morris, with the local media and TV being in attendance. The B&MK Outdoor display was on show and attracted the attention of passers by. Our volunteer directors continue to have talks with our partners, businesses and influential people to raise the profile of the Waterway Project and in particular the Bedford Community Trip Boat, and to raise funds and opportunities for our project. We continue to receive good media coverage both locally and in the national waterway press. However we still need more volunteers to assist us with our display stands, and in fund raising, writing bids for grants etc. If you are interested in assisting us in this way then please do contact Claire Gathard at our Project Office. Graham Mabbutt Progress in Milton Keynes continues to be slow but steady. The MK Steering Group of the Consortium met and discussed the Strategic Land Allocation expansion area through which the waterway will flow, the Design Brief for the Grand Union to Willen Lake Link, how to proceed on the Broughton Brook Section, and the time extension of the existing MKP Planning Permission which I am pleased to say has been extended for another five years. We also had a meeting with a developer to discuss how we can work together to implement the route through part of the MK Section. Over in Bedford we had a very successful stand at the River Festival where we signed up a lot of volunteers for the Bedford Community Trip Boat. Many thanks to all our volunteer team who helped staff the stand over the weekend to make it such a success. The Boat Project is now moving at a fast pace. Initial designs for the boat have been drawn up, and by the time you read this the B&MK Trust Board could have accepted a tender for the construction. We are now calling in the donations and loans that have been promised to us. If you can make a donation, or offer us an interest free loan repayable over ten years, then Don Allison, our Treasurer and Boat Project Director will be very pleased to hear from you. During the Summer months the Trust takes a stand at various events throughout the area. We had stands at Crick, Stoke Bruerne, the Linslade Canal Festival, the Great Linford Eco Festival, which is a new event, Woodworks at the Marston Vale Forest Centre, plus of course the Waterways Heritage Talks and Barbeque at Broughton. Many thanks to all our members and volunteers who staffed these events and helped to raise the profile of the waterway. Our Walks Team continue to be active with the Ridgmont Ramble being held in September as part of the Ramblers Walking Festival. Our Talks Team also continue to be very active, and if you know of any organisation who would like a talk then John and Sally Gunning are the people to approach. B&MK News Published by the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. Editor...Geoff Wheeler Proof Readers...Don & Jill Allison Photo enhancement...keith Malone Distribution...Leigh Willows Printed by...murrays Comments or articles for inclusion in the next edition should be sent to editor@b-mkwaterway.co.uk 2

3 Whatever floats your boat Bespoke legal services shaped around you Hewitsons is a leading regional law firm advising individuals, businesses and charities. We have extensive experience in everyday matters like wills, HR, property and contracts, and also specialist areas like charities, clean tech, rural business, joint ventures, planning, construction and wealth management. We are especially proud of our work for conservation charities like the Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Greensand Trust and of course Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. Our experience, commercial awareness and clear thinking, means you ll have the very best advice. Call mail@hewitsons.com Visit Cambridge Milton Keynes Northampton The B&MK Waterway Consortium The Trust is one of 9 organisations that make up the Consortium responsible for taking the waterway project forward: Bedford Borough Council Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust Canal and River Trust Central Bedfordshire Council Environment Agency Marston Vale Trust Milton Keynes Council Milton Keynes Parks Trust Milton Keynes Partnership The Consortium meets twice a year and works through two steering groups which cover the Milton Keynes and Central Bedfordshire/Bedford sections of the route. Come to Our Annual Partnership Conference This is a reminder that the third Annual Partnership Conference of the B&MK Waterway Trust is being held on Friday 2 nd November from 2pm. until 5pm. The conference this year is in Milton Keynes at the Berrill Lecture Theatre, The Open University, Walton Hall. It is the Trust s policy to hold the conference in different geographical areas along the planned waterway route each year, the first being held in Central Beds, the second in Bedford, so this year it s Milton Keynes turn to host the event. We are delighted that our guest speakers will be: The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr. Catriona Morris, with a speech of welcome to MK, Nick Fenwick, Assistant Director Planning, Milton Keynes Council, Drew Marchant who will turn the Spotlight on Progress made along the route, Jim Stirling, Former Technical Director of the Canal & River Trust, responsible for the Falkirk Wheel, talking about Iconic Structures (and we need one for Brogborough Hill!) Richard Rutter, Head of Enterprise South, Canal & River Trust talking about the first 150 days of the Canal & River Trust and Don Allison, Project Manager of the Bedford Community Trip Boat Project with an update on the Boat project. There will also be an opportunity to put questions to the panel of speakers, before the Chairman of the Trust Graham Mabbutt invites you all to mix and mingle with the Trust Directors, Consortium Members and the Speakers in the downstairs café over tea, coffee and biscuits. The event is free of charge to all members, supporters and partners although we are actively looking for sponsors! If you missed last year s conference this year s is unmissable, there is another hugely successful year to report on. Do come and join us for another compelling conference, places are limited to the first 120 delegates. Bookings are coming in fast so make sure that you reserve your place now through our Projects Office. Claire.Gathard@canalrivertrust.org.uk (mornings) 3

4 Latest Route Map Since the project began, the route of the B&MK has been constantly evolving as obstacles have been circumvented and opportunities exploited. In response to a request from a reader we are publishing the latest route showing alternatives still being considered.

5 Our Boat By the time you read this we could have placed the order to build our boat, which we expect to have delivered to Bedford in February in time to take passengers for trips at Easter. Whilst our naval architect has been busy doing the detail design of the boat, people have been checking that the spec group got the design right. Everything has been queried from the window design, the length, the galley layout etc, all have been checked and the value for money validated too. I am pleased to say all the thought and preparation paid off because in the end little has changed. The architect suggested that wheel chairs could come on at the stern, which would allow more standing and viewing space at the bow, which everyone approves of. The boat will accommodate passengers to admire the views, about 50 for a party and for a proper sit down meal such as a wedding reception, although shortage of funds means some features such as the galley/bar will have to wait until we have raised more money. We have been fortunate that several companies have been very generous in the current economic climate and given us valuable components free of charge or at substantial discounts. We will have a Barrus shire 70HP engine at half price; an Axiom propeller free and the corrosion/ rust inhibiting primer has been supplied free by Owatrol Oil UK ltd. Other companies that have contributed are Leesan, Hempel paints, Brian Ward control panels, and Worcester Marine windows. I would like to thank Chris Taylor for his suggestion for the eventual layout of the galley & bar, and Steve Braund & Bill Joyce for their commitment over the last 16 months to ensure we have a practical boat that we could afford, that will make a huge impact on the revenue for the Trust over the next 20 years. Don Allison will be contacting all those that have offered a loan or donation for the boat, as we need the money before the end of this year for stage payments. With the design complete, we will ensure the boat is actually built to the spec; hopefully on time and on budget. Now our attention is focussed on making a success of the business. The Enterprise company has been established and will have been registered for VAT by the time this is published. We have had 79 people volunteer to help run the boat. We still need more particularly on the administrative side. We are looking for someone who is good on detail to manage our compliance and safety records, someone to organise serving tea & coffee etc on the boat, someone to manage the crew schedule and someone to manage bookings. We would like to have a dedicated website if we can find a webmaster to design and run it. We are also still looking for a Doctor, a qualified First Aid Trainer, marketing and sales manager(s), Trip coordinators and fundraisers. Training will be provided for all volunteers, and Bill Joyce will be contacting people in October & November. You will see below that we are offering an introductory discount to members who want to book a party on the boat next summer. We have taken several bookings and are now offering further discounts for Mondays to Thursdays inclusive, and outside the summer months of June to August inclusive. We need the help of members with boats that could be brought to Bedford at some time between now and February. Please contact me if you could do this. Lastly we still haven t decided on a name for our boat or a colour scheme, so expect to hear about these soon. Roger Crews HAVE A BOAT PARTY SAVE YOUR DATE TODAY! BOOK YOUR PARTY NOW! Whether it is your birthday, special anniversary or just an excuse for a get together, Bedford Community Boat is the venue which will get everyone talking! EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT Your opportunity to get in early and save your special date, to help us get the boat on the water and to grab a discount! Book now and pay just 350 for a 3.5 hour cruise on a summer weekend or only 260 for a summer weekday. 6

6 Events Calendar 2012/13 Date Weds 3 Oct Fri 2 Nov Weds 28 Nov Fri 4 Jan 2013 Wed 6 Feb 2013 Mon 6 May 2013 Thurs 16 May 2013 Sat-Mon May 2013 Event Projects Group at Box End Park from 6pm. 3rd Annual Partnership Conference at the Open University with the latest progress on the route from B&MK Waterway Consortium plus a special presentation on Iconic Waterway Structures and the Falkirk Wheel from Jim Stirling of the Canal & River Trust. Projects Group at Box End Park from 6pm. Members New Year Social in Bedford - bring a bottle and food to share. Members & Local Community Update & Social over drinks and nibbles with informal Q&A. 7-9pm at The Broughton Hotel MK10 9 AA. MK Marina Open Day. Visit the Trust displays and watch or join in the many activities on and around the water at this Bank Holiday event. Information Evening incorporating B&MK AGM with guest speakers and refreshments to follow. Crick Boat Show. Come and help on the B&MK stand or drop by and say hello at the biggest canal show of the year. Come and join in on walks, hear our talks or visit the Trust stand at the above festivals and activities. Un-shaded events are open to all, events shaded yellow are for Trust members see our website at: to join us and support the waterway. Milton Keynes Local Access Forum Are you interested in preserving and enhancing public rights of way in Milton Keynes Borough? The Milton Keynes Local Access Forum is a statutory body charged with protecting and enhancing pubic rights of way. They meet every couple of months to discuss various public rights of way issues. The Waterway Parks along the planned route of the B&MK will provide a myriad of public access routes and links set within a variable and diverse environment; bringing healthy opportunities for communities to enjoy nature on the water and on the land, as well as establishing environments for biodiversity. If you are interested please contact Graham Mabbutt via the B&MK Project Office. MK Waterway Park Planning Permission Renewed Planning permission for the Milton Keynes Waterway Park has been renewed by Milton Keynes Partnership for a further five years. Milton Keynes Partnership still controls planning permission for the Eastern Expansion Area of Milton Keynes. This is a key part of the project. Commenting on this Graham Mabbutt said We are delighted that MK Partnership has renewed the planning permission for a further five years and we are actively working on the planning conditions that have to be met within that time in order to start construction of the Milton Keynes section of the waterway. It s All Change Following the Government s Cabinet reshuffle, the B&MK Waterway Trust have reshuffled some of the jobs of the Trustee/Directors. Hilary Goldsmith steps down from being Chair of the Projects Group and becomes Chair of the Communications Group, replacing Neil Hayes who has retired as a director trustee. Prof. Marilyn Leask becomes Chair of the Projects Group. Commenting on the changes, Chairman Graham Mabbutt said With these changes we are ensuring that the Trust has a very strong leadership team to continue to take the Waterway and the Community Boat Project forward. 7

7 Weekly and Short Break Holiday Hire 4-8 berth self drive Luxury Narrow Boats Excellent Boats on a Beautiful Canal Cruise through the waterside parks of Milton Keynes Our base at Linslade is within weekend reach of the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne or the Chiltern Hills and Aylesbury. Choice of exciting one or two week cruises including the River Thames. Also Waterside Cottage (sleeps up to 11) set in the boatyard grounds The Wyvern Shipping Co Ltd Rothschild Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7 2TF Tel: Fax: James@canalholidays.co.uk So how long is a piece of string? It s amazing what B&MK Directors will do to fill their spare time on a hot summer s day. Here Don Allison takes a trip on Chris Thompson s boat to measure the river Great Ouse at Kempston. Don says that they were measuring the width just below a small island to make sure they can turn a 72ft boat. This will be the highest point on the river that our Community Trip Boat will be able to turn until there is work done on the river below Kempston footbridge. (Or maybe they were just enjoying messing about on the river. ed.) B&MK WATERWAY NEWS is published by the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, a non profit-making company limited by guarantee (No ). Registered office 30 St John Street Newport Pagnell MK16 8HJ and a Registered Charity (No ). Contact us at:enquiries@b-mkwaterway.co.uk or: Tel (mornings) 8