Chairman's Report

First, our thanks to John Bolitho, our retiring chairman, for his tremendous work over the past two years leading the Society (as it re-established itself) into its current position. Your committee will continue to plan visits and events which will help to promote the Society in Bude and the surrounding area. Recently, we attended the Model Boat Exhibition over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend and received many favourable comments for our display. We hope this will become an annual event.
As a family we are frequent walkers on the canal towpath - particularly since the arrival of Tess, our labrador puppy, last Christmas - and are enjoying sightings of kingfishers, cormorants, herons, even an otter (twice), two new swans, and a deer. Visitors and residents of Bude are very lucky to have such a nature walk so close to the town - unique.
The Bude tub boat has arrived at the Helebridge Barge Workshop and we hope we will be asked to help the Museum committee to arrange the display and perhaps to provide attendants when it opens to visitors. Volunteers please ring Chris Jewell or me. I have written to our MP, Paul Tyler, regarding the sea-lock gates, requesting him to contact English Heritage and in reply, he wrote that Sir Jocelyn Stevens, Chairman of English Heritage confirmed “that the Ancient Monument Advisory Committee would be examining the grant application at its June meeting. There had been a delay due to the original proposal, especially the demolition of the north pier, which was far too radical and would have been detrimental to the historic integrity of the structure.” W S Atkins and North Cornwall District Council have submitted a revised scheme and new costings. Some of us have also been questioning the integrity of building a new Lifeboat station on the road side of the “historic” lock basin. However, English Heritage have reported that the proposed work would not prejudice the lock's future preservation or significantly compromise the integrity of that monument. Let's hope North Cornwall District Council have a more clearly defined idea of the planning position which would consider both the views of residents and others.

Stan Noakes

In order that members may get to know the committee members we hope to profile them all in subsequent issues of the Tub Boat.
To this end we start with our Chairman.

Although he was born in London, his family were originally barge builders from Kent. He spent most of his working life in transport and warehousing in the home counties, also incorporating river and canal transport and wharfage. In addition he has owned sailing boats in the past and is currently the owner of an outboard powered Orkney on the Tamar. Having holidayed in Bude over several years, and with early retirement looming, his wife and he decided to settle here in 1992. He had always been fascinated by the Bude Canal and so they were thrilled to be able to buy Laundry Cottage on Higher Wharf complete with two acres of canalside garden.With his interest in boating he and his wife joined the Bude Canal Society right away as they felt it was most important that the canal is maintained and restored to at least some of its former glory wherever possible.

To this end he intends to serve the Bude Canal Society to the best of his ability and very much looks forward to seeing the return of private boat activities on the barge canal, the opening of the Helebridge Barge Museum, and boats locking into Lower Wharf.

The Vice Chairman:

Audrey's mother was a Holsworthy woman who married a Londoner and Audrey was born in Dulwich but has enjoyed a lifelong association with this area and came to live here on retirement from teaching in 1987. Always a keen waterways enthusiast, she joined the Hertfordshire branch of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) in 1965 and has cruised the waterways network extensively. She was closely involved with the initiative in November 1989 to form an enclave of concerned local people to care for and protect the Bude Canal and this resulted in February 1990 in the formation of the original Bude Canal Society of which she became Honorary Secretary.

She held this post for the next six years relinquishing it only when the Society was about to be When in 1997 Bude Canal Society was reformed as we know it, Audrey became Vice Chairman.She is married to Lawrence who has edited the Newsletter (now the Tub Boat) since 1993 and is an ex officio member of the committee.dissolved and Bude Canal Trust created in its place to enable the purchase of the Bude aqueduct.

The Treasurer

Chris Jewell was born and bred in Bude to one of the well-known seafaring families from the late 19th century to the nineteen thirties (his great-uncle was a lookout on the Titanic). Chris was a police officer in Bude where he spent the last years before his retirement. He became the Hon. Treasurer of the original Bude Canal Society in 1994 and held the same position in the Social Section of the Bude Canal Trust and in the present BCS since 1997. The canal has featured in his life from a young lad walking on the frozen canal in the past harsh winters to more recently when its historical significance to the area's development became more apparent and, of course, the benefits it can bring should the Strategic Study come to fruition as a restoration project.

He is also a member of the IWA and is the Hon Secretary of the West Country branch, which covers the four counties; Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset.

Treasurer’s Report

I am pleased to be able to report that the Society’s finances continue to be stable. The current balances of the accounts are as follows:- Account No.1 £601.66 and Account No.2 (Educational Fund) £246.88.
We are still waiting to pay our pledge of £100 to NCDC as our contribution towards the cost of the Strategic Study on the Bude Canal which has just completed Phase II. As you know we hold the monies of the Social Section - Bude Canal Trust. The current balance is £809.54. Since the last “Tub Boat” the Trust have supplied details of the work they want to complete on the Aqueduct. After discussion your committee decided to opt for the replacement/renewal of the gates/stiles. The Trust accepted this but to-date the agreed work has not yet started.

Chris Jewell

Membership Report

We welcome the following new members who have joined since March.
   
Mr P J Brock, Reading, Berkshire
Mr A Hawkins, Quarry Close, Bude

Many thanks to Mr Brock for his generous donation, which has been credited to our Educational Fund.

Committee Changes

Following his recent election as an NCDC Councillor, John Bolitho has resigned from the committee and from the society. Although John continues to support moves to develop and enhance the Bude Canal, he wished to avoid any conflict of interest, which may have arisen in his role as a councillor and felt that in any case he would not have sufficient time to devote to the society. We wish to thank John again for the work, which he has put in as chairman over the last two years, and wish him well for the future. This, of course, reduces the committee size by another one and therefore reinforces our appeal for further committee members - there must be someone out there who would like to get more involved in the affairs of the society!

Mike Moore

The Chronology of the Tub Boat’s return to the Bude Canal

Mike Moore

“HOME AT LAST”

I arrived at Helebridge at 9 am on Wednesday 5 May, a quiet, still, overcast spring morning filled with expectation. There, mounted on a low loader, was the TUB BOAT, the last known example of its kind, waiting to be transported to the barge workshop just a tantalising 100 yards away beside the Bude Canal. Waiting with the tub boat was John Bolitho, town councillor and committee member, who had masterminded the return of the tub boat to Bude in February this year. Mr Biddlecombe of North Coast Commercials and three Town Council employees were joined later by Chris Trewin of Court Farm, Marhamchurch on his telescopic loader to lift and carry the tub boat to the workshop. The canvas strops were attached and the machine purred into action, effortlessly lifting its load off the low loader and manoeuvring itself with the suspended tub boat on to Helebridge Wharf. It then turned around and drove towards the workshop with its eager contingent in tow, ready to guide and steady the tub boat on its journey. At last they reached the doorway into the part of the workshop where the tub boat would rest until it is properly displayed for the public to see and understand. After the loader had been positioned the telescopic arm extended, and with the guidance of the helpers, the tub boat was slid into the interior of the workshop, suspended about 2ft off the floor. When the rear wheels were inside the top of the steps, the tub boat was lowered on to the floor of the building and the strops removed. The tub boat, now standing on its four iron wheels, was wheeled the last few feet inside to be clear of the doors. An appropriate end to its journey, almost as though to say “home at last”, for who knows, this tub boat was probably built, repaired and worked on in this very building over one hundred years ago.
For me, purely as a spectator, it was a privilege and pleasure to witness another chapter in the return of the last tub boat to its historic home. The Society hopes to be involved with the Bude Stratton Town Council, who own the Barge Workshop, in ensuring that the tub boat is appropriately displayed and accessible to the public.

Chris Jewell

Update on the NCDC Strategic Study

Following the period of public consultation in the spring, NCDC called a Special meeting of the Economic Development Committee at Camelford on 15 June 1999. This was to enable the consultants to present their report to the council who would be asked for approval for the next stage of the project.
Mr P Moss of W S Atkins outlined the work which had been undertaken by the consultants and explained the history of the Bude Canal and its important and unique features. He also described the recommendations included in “The Proposed Strategy” section of the report. He identified four key areas of concern arising from the consultation exercise, namely:-
the sea lock - although not actually part of the study Mr Moss was supportive of it being made available for use.
horse-drawn barge - concern regarding the “horse-drawn” element but experience elsewhere suggested that this maximised tourist interest and minimised maintenance.
cycling - need further discussion on shared usage on the barge section but much of the tub-boat canal was not suitable for cycling.
rewatering the aqueduct section - a range of responses had been received but report had left choice of how to proceed to the district council.
The committee was further advised that:-
it was important that a full partnership meeting would beheld shortly
possible undergrounding of electricity cables was beyond the brief for the study.
contractors would be able to dredge the canal without adversely affecting the clay lining.
the future Phase II study would take approximately 8-12 months
the financing of Phase II would be dependent upon the support of English Partnerships and the North Tamar LEADER Project.
Once Phase II was completed the council would need to prioritise the work it wished to proceed with and identify the stages.

Members made reference to the following issues:- possible conflict of uses along the canal and towpath re-establishing the former Falcon Swing Bridge the use of historic barge buildings the conduct and extent of the consultation exercise usage of the towpath by horses
the extent to which Phase II should include reference to commercial opportunities available in connection with the canal. Should the council wish to proceed with Phase II it would be necessary to engage a suitable consultant to prepare a technical brief for the bids.

Finally the committee resolved that:-
subject to the meeting of the Bude Canal Partnership the council proceed to Phase II funds be set aside for the preparation of a detailed technical brief in connection with Phase II. The meeting appeared to be very positive and supportive of the project whilst acknowledging that there were some concerns on certain issues. The Heritage Coast and Countryside Officer has issued a comprehensive report on the views submitted by various statutory organisations and individuals. This reveals much support and some of the concerns mentioned above. The most common objection appears to be the proposal for the introduction of a horse-drawn barge on the Bude - Helebridge section of the canal with many respondents suggesting a powered boat as a more satisfactory alternative. There is a counter argument from the consultants that a motor boat creates more wash and subsequently more damage to the banks. However other waterways experts believe that the wash is determined more by the profile of the boat than by the method of propulsion. The next meeting of the Bude Canal Partnership is scheduled for Friday 9 July to discuss the response to the report and develop a strategy to implement the council's decision to proceed with Phase II of the project.

Mike Moore

View from Virworthy

The onset of “summer” has brought many visitors along the towpath in spite of the continuing wet weather. Quite a few are still looking for the ‘Aqueduct’ when they arrive at the Wharf! A misnomer, I think. A five minute explanation to blank, quizzical looks and they go on their way. I'm sure I shall be remembered as “that strange old codger we met on our hols”! I must say the walk through the now leaf-decked trees and rich flora is delightful. The dragonflies and damsel flies are much in evidence now, as are the summer migrant birds - although they are difficult to see, they can be heard. I was pleased to see a pair of moorhens have returned to the Wharf. I only hope the foxes leave them alone. After the carpets of bluebells the hedgerows are now delicately coloured with red campion. Foxglove and wild gladioli will be next.
A great deal of border clearance work and grass cutting has been done recently to make the towpath walkable. Gerald Fry has had the assistance of volunteers from the Holsworthy employment agency. This has been a great help in keeping back some of the encroaching brambles, trees and giant weeds but there is still a lot to do and it keeps on growing!
The annual Strawberry Tea sponsored by Eileen and Ron Sillifant at Virworthy Mill on 5 June was favoured with good weather - the day before and the day after were wet. The attendance was good and the proceeds will go to F O R C E Cancer Research.

Geoff Lowe

Bude Canal Trust

We have received a request from Mr Geoff Mills, a Trustee of the Bude Canal Trust, seeking “conservation help” on the Bude Aqueduct section of the canal. Any member who feels able to help in any way should contact Gerald Fry, Conservation Officer, 18 Valley Road Bude (01288) 353273 for further details.

B D Stamp

Grand Western Canal Trust

As an agreed measure of support for the Grand Western Canal Trust the society has recently become an honorary member of Grand Western Canal Trust. It is hoped that Grand Western Canal Trust will also become an honorary member of our society.
The Grand Western Canal and the Bude Canal have various things in common - they both have connections with James Green, used Tub Boats and had inclined planes.
The Grand Western Canal Trust has a very active project on its Somerset section at Nynehead where a section of canal has been re-established and watered. Also important work on clearing and excavating the Nynehead lift site and clearance of trees on the adjacent aqueduct has been carried out. The boat lift site is of national importance being the only remains of the seven boat lifts constructed by James Green in the 1830's. Clearance work on the unusual aqueduct over the River Tone was completed in February this year, which resulted in some hard-earned publicity for the Grand Western Canal Trust.
If you wish to know more about the Grand Western Canal Trust, contact Tony Rymell, Maunsel Lock Cottage, Banklands, North Newton, Bridgwater. TA7 ODA telephone 01278 663160

Chris Jewell

Maunsell Lock and Cottage on the Bridgewater and Taunton Canal - the home of Tony Rymell, Chairman of the Great Western Canal Trust.

Can You Help Us?

The Society needs help on two projects:
1    Help with manning our trade/PR stall at events in August; maximum period two hours.
2    The Society has storage space available at Neetside, Bude but are struggling to obtain quality lockable filing cabinets and/or storage cupboard.
If you can help with either of these requests please make contact with: Audrey Wheatley (01288) 354736 or Chris Jewell (01288) 352298

RNLI Model Boat Weekend 175 Years Anniversary
on 2 & 3 May 1999

On Monday 3 May the Society had its display and stall on the Barkhouse Green Bude as part of the RNLI's model boat display. Unusually for a Bank Holiday the weather was warm, sunny, with a light breeze and a large number of holidaymakers and local people showed interest in the canal's history and the current strategic study at our stall as well as radio-controlled models ranging from super fast racing boats to elegant sailing boats on the canal.
In the nearby Parkhouse Centre the tremendous display of the famous “Matchstick Fleet” was laid out in the Ivor Potter hall. 200 exact scale models of ships and aircraft of the navies of Britain, USA, France and Russia had been made from matchsticks and the thin wood of matchboxes by Philip Warren of Dorset starting in 1946. The display included various parts of ships illustrating their construction details. Other models, some with working parts, were displayed around the perimeter and on the stage were many model lifeboats made by 6yr olds from Bude Infant School.
All in all an excellent day, well organized by Stu Bell and his helpers. Later in the evening we met Mr Warren and talked at length with him about his hobby.

Betty Moore

Forthcoming Events

The next event is the Cream Tea at Laundry Cottage, Higher Wharf, Bude on Sunday 11 July starting at 2.30 p.m.
The society stall will be at the Bude Carnival in the Castle Grounds on the afternoon of Saturday 21 August complete with sales items, displays and a raffle.
The society will also have a stall on the Barkhouse Green on Saturday/Sunday 28/29 August for the RNLI Lifeboat Day event.
We are planning a walk along sections of the Rolle Canal near Torrington, which will probably take place in late October this year. We have already conducted one exploratory visit which has revealed that restoration work has been undertaken on a bridge which had previously been buried underground. A further visit will be made before arrangements for the walk are finalised. See the Autumn Newsletter for details

Betty Moore

Exeter Ship Canal Cruise

The West Country Branch of the IWA have planned a cruise on the Exeter Canal on Saturday 25 September 1999. The object is to raise public awareness of this valuable asset within the City of Exeter as a means of encouraging its use and thereby ensure it is cared for and maintained.
Parking is easier at Countess Wear bridges whence you can catch a bus at 10.30am. The boat leaves Exeter Basin at 11am and returns to Countess Wear at about 5pm. Lunch stop at Double Locks Hotel or bring a picnic. Tea stop at Turf Lock before returning to Countess Wear bridges.
Cost of boat trip: adults £7.50; child under 14, £5.
For further info and booking contact: Bob Dukes (01202) 694830 or at 50 Westway Broadstone, Dorset BH18 9LS. Cheques payable to “West Country Branch, IWA.”

Chris Jewell

Dates for your Diary

Sunday        Cream Tea at Laundry Cottage, Upper Wharf,
11 July 1999        Bude at 2.30 p.m. Cost £2.50 each

Saturday        Bude Carnival - society stall
21 August 1999    in the Castle Grounds from 2.00 p.m.

Saturday/Sunday    RNLI Lifeboat Day - society stall
28/29 August 1999    on the Barkhouse Green

Saturday        Gala Maritime Day at The Parkhouse Centre,
6 November 1999    Bude including evening presentation

The Tub Boat arriving at the Barge Workshop, Helebridge on 5 May 1999

Copy for the next edition of the Tub Boat should be addressed to:
The Editor, Tregea, Lower Upton, BUDE, EX23 0LS
to reach him by 8 September 1999.

Committee Members

Chairman: Stan Noakes

Vice Chairman: Audrey Wheatley

Secretary: Bryan Dudley Stamp

Treasurer: Chris Jewell

Membership Secretary: Mike Moore mike@bude-canal.freeserve.co.uk

Events Secretary: Betty Moore

Other committee members:

Geoff Lowe, Yvonne Lowe

Tub Boat Editor: Lawrence Wheatley

The views expressed by the contributors of this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Bude Canal Society which does not accept responsibility for them.

Published by BUDE CANAL SOCIETY.

Enquiries to the Hon Secretary Bryan Dudley Stamp,  01288 352808

E-Mail mike@bude-canal.freeserve.co.uk