Today saw volunteers complete the final work party at the winding hole. This was to install the environmental enhancements and coir bank protection around the waterline of the works. We also put the brushwood across the entrance to the fish refuge so that the small fish could get in and not be preyed upon by the larger ones. Special thanks to Gillian and Tom from the Rivers Trust and David from the EA.
In a few weeks time when the bank greens over and plants in the coir grow the site will look really good.
We visited Cogglesford Lock the other day and were surprised to see the state of the plant growth around the lock. Belated thanks to Mel Sowerby and Dave Collins for getting down to the lock and blitzing a clear up of the area. Some before and after shots are shown below.
Part of the Destination South Kyme project is the construction of a winding hole above the village. The recent successful LEADER bid saw the installation last year of two landing stages in South Kyme together with information boards about the history and significance of the navigation. However, it was always accepted that in order to encourage an increased number of visitor boats to the village, the Trust would have to provide the opportunity for them to turn. This is not to discourage boats from travelling to the current head of navigation at Cobblers Lock but to accept that, for some, the restricted air draft at Ferry Farm Bridge, or problems with weed, could mean a long reverse back to Taylors Lock. Fear of that prospect might well deter weekend visitors to the navigation.
Protracted discussion with the landowner and his solicitor had delayed the start of construction but, finally, a licence was agreed and signed, the Environmental Permit was in place and work started on site on May 28th. The design will incorporate fish refuge and spawning areas and the Trust is very grateful for help from the Environment Agency in the design and funding for these. Much appreciated financial assistance has also come from individual donors, the East Anglian Waterways Association and the IWA.
After all the delays, it was great to see Phil Wright on site with an impressive digger and to see preliminary excavation taking place. When that is completed, coir roll and matting will be installed by volunteers to provide the necessary environmental mitigation and enhancement.
Just to prove the justification of the works, if justification were needed, SNT volunteers on site on the second day of construction were somewhat surprised when a 50’ narrowboat appeared on the scene having come up from South Kyme. The crew were delighted to see the winding hole taking shape and decided to give it a try. With a bit of help from Phil Wright who obligingly dug out a foot or two more, he was able to turn and is therefore the first boater to enjoy the benefit of the construction. Naturally the Trust hopes he is the first of many and that the increased use of the navigation helps to make the case for further restoration into Sleaford.
The latest news on the May Day Bank Holiday Boat Gathering is that all boats are invited to meet at Bottom Lock on the Friday evening for a BBQ. We will then be sorting out for the trip up to South Kyme village on the Saturday morning.
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The Annual General Meeting of the Sleaford Navigation Trust will be held at Sleaford Town Council Offices, Navigation Yard, Sleaford, on Monday 13th May, 2019, starting at 7.30 p.m.
For more details please use the following link to go to the web page.
Sounds formal but it’s not, this is just our annual get together. We decided that after the great food that we had at the dinner last year we decided to return to the Carre Arms Hotel for this year’s celebration. Becky Franks will be co-ordinating the event so if you are intending to attend, please get in touch with her. You can phone on 01529 469523 or email thewindmillshop@hotmail.com .
Do come along for a meet up and chat, the food and beer is good as well.
I put out a request some time ago for old newsletters to add to the archive of the Trust. Normally I occasionally get some from members from all over the country, however, this time the source was much closer to home. I was clearing out some files recently and found three more newsletters dating from 1992 and 1993, just goes to show what turns up. If you happen to find any old newsletters when tidying up please don’t throw them out but have a quick check on the website to see if they are already online. I would be delighted to receive them and if you wanted them back promise to return them after scanning.
The final notice board was put into place at Chapel Hill yesterday which completed the installation part of Destination South Kyme. The next task will be to produce the artwork to go into the notice boards, hopefully this should be completed in the next few weeks.
