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Editorial
Stan has resigned as Chairman of the Society after a spell in which much
good work has been done, especially several annual cream teas in the lovely
surrounds of Laundry Cottage. He has been a conscientious and hard-working
chairman and at the first meeting of the committee after the AGM we were
unable to find a permanent replacement. In consequence,
I chaired the first meeting and we agreed to take turns henceforth. This
is an unsatisfactory arrangement and we hope for something more permanent
before long. We could do with some younger blood on the committee.
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Talk
to Looe U3A
On Wednesday 8 January 2003 Chris Jewell travelled to East Looe to give
a talk and slide show presentation on the Bude Canal to the Looe U3A at
St Martin's Church hall.
The 80 or so members of the group were a very appreciative audience.
A new experience for Chris was the use of a radio microphone to aid his
talk. This was part of the technical equipment purchased from a £3000
grant to the U3A group from the Awards for All Lottery Fund. The other
equipment included a slide projector, hand held microphone, speakers,
and amplifier. Chris was heard to quip when adjusting the radio mike,
"Nearly famous"!
Bude
Canal Partnership
The Partnership met on 31 January 2003 for an update on funding processes
with the following results:
Intereg III
This is an interregional European Fund to which a bid had been put by
British Waterways on behalf of other European partners as well as for
projects in the UK. Part of the UK bid included schemes for canals in
Devon, one of which was the Bude Canal sections in West Devon. The initial
bid had to be re-worked and re-submitted and the result of that has been
that the Devon Projects are still not inter-regional enough. A final bid
based on the project themes has to be re-submitted by May 2003. The total
amount of this bid for the Devon sections of the Bude Canal is £40,000
which is not a major part of the overall scheme.
Summary of the Canal Project
Charlie David, Countryside Officer, NCDC reported that:
the project started in 1998; it has a wide partnership group; the cost
of the project will be £2.5 million expenditure; it willl create
40 indirect jobs and 8 to 10 direct jobs; it should be completed by 2006.
The major building works include: landscaping, provision of workshops
at Lower Wharf and Helebridge, lift bridge at Rodds Bridge, the renovation
of the canal to Helebridge basin and the provision of additional car parking
spaces.
Work continues on the Conservation Plan, Environmental Impact Study, land
ownership issues and maintenance costs.
Mr David added that the proposal for a lift bridge at Falcon bridge has
been dropped as, at £500,000 it is a significant part of the cost.
The Regional Development Agency and Objective One Fund did not consider
it to be good value as insufficient jobs would be created by its inclusion.
Cornwall County Council also expressed concerns about the traffic flows
over the bridge.
Additionally, the provision of workshops at Lower Wharf and Helebridge
is intended to bolster the extension of jobs within the project. The income
from the leases/rents would be used to implement an adequate maintenance
programme for the canal.
On the plus side the proposed reconnection of the canal to the canal basin
at Helebridge has the support of the both the Environment Agency and Cornwall
County Council and this part of the project is being progresssed in partnership.
The existing funding package for the estimated £2.5m is as follows:
£(thousands)
Heritage Lottery Fund 650
Objective 1 650
SW Regional Development Agency 1,000
Bude Stratton Town Council 100
Intereg III 40
North Cornwall District Council 20
Other local authorities 20
Other functions 20 Total 1,500
If all the work on funding, including planning consent, is completed satisfactorily,
then by June 2004 it will be known if the £2.5m funding bid has
been achieved and physical work could commence in 2005 and be completed
by the end of 2006.
It is interesting to note that within NCDC there is support for a separate
project, after completion of this one, to seek funds to install a lift
bridge at Falcon Bridge thus allowing navigation of the canal from the
sea lock to Helebridge basin, a distance of 2 miles.
This further aim is one that the Society would support should the NCDC
actively work towards its being achieved.
2nd Annual General Meeting 22 February 2003
The Chairman, Stan Noakes, welcomed members and invited guests to this
meeting and, announcing his retirement from the chairmanship, thanked
the members of the committee for their sterling work.
The Secretary outlined the various events and fund-raising activities
undertaken by the Society in the past year. The Treasurer presented the
accounts for the year, explained the functions of the three accounts listed
below, and reported the committee's decision to increase subscriptions
by 25% from September 2003. This was accepted by the meeting.
The Vice-Chairman, Audrey Wheatley, made presentations to Stan Noakes
and Mike Moore, who stood down as a Trustee in July 2002.
After some questions and refreshments Charlie David gave a well-illustrated
talk on the Bude Canal Project and answered questions afterwards.
Members who would like a copy of the Minutes of the AGM should send a
SAE to the Editor at Tregea, Lower Upton, Bude, EX23 0LS.
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Treasurer's
Report
to AGM
1 Bank accounts balances:
Account 1 £1626.67
Account 2 Educational 673.13
Account 3 Project fund 1308.58
Total £3608.38
Account 1 is the day to day working account of the Society.
Account 2 is the Educational Fund, It is funded by all donations received
plus 10% of the profit of fundraising events.
Account 3 is the Project fund. It is funded by agreed surplus from Account
1, I R Gift Aid refunds, the donations collected in the Society's donation
bottle and account interest. Of the £1308.58, £1,000 has been
pledged to the Bude Canal Project. The balance of £308.58 may be
used to protect the future of the tub boat that is in the care of Bude
Stratton Town Council.
The Treasurer then reminded the members of the value of Gift Aid Declarations
and Standing Order mandates to the Society by the additional income and
a more efficient subscription renewal system.
2 Membership subscriptions
The Treasurer reported that after careful consideration the Trustees had
decided to increase all classes of annual subscription by 25%. Life membership
will remain at £120. The increases are effective from 1 September
03. The driving reason for the increase is the continuing rise in the
basic costs of running the Society.
To illustrate:
Income 2002
Subscriptions £816.00 (includes one life membership of £120)
Expenditure
Newsletter costs £532.46
Postage 57.00
AGM expenses 30.35
IWA subs/insce 197.74
Storage 120.00
Photocopying 116.66
Stationery 189.08
Total 1243.29
loss = 427.29
Members' subscriptions should be used to run the basic needs of the Society
and not to fund projects, which is what is practised but, as can be seen,
this approach results in a deficit of £427.29. In effect this amount
of the Society's income is being used to run the Society instead of being
used for projects for the canal's benefit.
Whilst the Trustees accept that rising costs year on year cannot be totally
met by subscriptions, to reach a break even point wouild require a £3.20
increase for all annual membership classes. However, there is a need to
reduce the deficit as shown above and endeavour to even out increases
over which the Society has no control; eg IWA Insce for 2003 is £66.64
more than 2002. The Society cannot operate without insurance cover for
public liability.
The new subs from 1.9.2003 will be:
Adult £10 an increase of £2
Over 60/UB40 5 " " £1
U18 5 " " £1
Family 15 " " £3
Corporate 20 " " £4
These increases will assist in the reduction of the 'deficit'. Additionally,
Gift Aid declarations will cause a greater refund from Inland Revenue
which will aid the "Project Fund"
Members who pay their subscriptions by standing order will receive a new
standing order mandate form to complete to allow their banks to credit
the Society with the new rate of subscription in September.
(These are included with this Newsletter.)
The Treasurer concluded with a plea that the membership would understand
the need for the increases and would continue to give their valuable support.
Any member who would like a copy of the accounts for 2002 should contact
the Hon Treasurer at 4A The Crescent, BUDE, EX23 8LE.
Treasurer's Report
for this quarter
The balances of the accounts as at 31.3.2003 are as follows:
Accoun t 1 £1011.52
Account 2 £ 343.61
Account 3 £1312.17
Total £2667.30
During the first quarter there has been additional expenditure in the
form of the increased insurance costs of £66.46 more than 2002;
the purchase of a replacement gazebo for use at events at a total cost
of £185; restocking of books etc £165; a total of £416,
all necessary activity. However, the Trustees have agreed to postpone
the transfer of any agreed surplus in Account 1 to Account 3, for the
time being.
With regard to Account 2 this has funded the purchase of a set of new
display panels at a cost of £375 and will fund a new portable rigid
Society name sign when we can decide on a price. .
Overall, the finances of the Society are in a healthy state due to the
continued support of members and the commitment of my fellow trustees.
Thank you all.
Chris Jewell
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Virworthy
View
As they say, if March
comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb. It has certainly been true
this year. Three weeks without rain so far and still no sign of it. That
is a pity because I have put fertilizer on one paddock and it needs rain
now to make the grass grow. Although the weather has been fine the ground
temperature has only just started to rise to encourage the grass to grow.
The ponies have been turned out on parched ground and drool over the fence
at green pastures but until rain washes in the fertilizer they will just
have to look. The foxy season is upon us once again. Two ducks failed
to arrive for their breakfast the other day, no doubt a tasty meal for
some fox cubs.
We haven’t seen the heron of late. Perhaps he has fallen victim
to some nefarious predator or just moved on to pastures new. That is a
pity as he was a wonderful sight here at the Wharf. Another note of gloom,
only one resident swan is left at the lake. I used to look forward to
their over flight each morning but it is sad to see just one now.
On a more cheerful note, the peafowl are doing very well and give visiting
walkers a surprise when they see them all perched on the gate. One lady
pointed to a peacock and said “ Oh, what’s that?” -
she was from Kent!
The canal path is drying out nicely and will soon need cutting as will
the
over hanging brambles. There is a distinctive green hue to the trees and
bushes now that Spring is sprung, heralding another change to the landscape.
I have looked for, but haven’t seen any frogs-spawn yet. It’s
either too early or my eyesight is failing.
We are all ears now for the cuckoo. We did not hear a single one last
year, so we are hoping for more success this year. Geoff Lowe
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Boat
trip to Falmouth
Saturday 17 May 2003
Coach will leave Crescent Car Park, Bude at 9 am to Truro to pick up transport
to Malpas at about 10.45am to join the boat for the trip down the Fal
to Falmouth and visit the Maritime Museum and return by coach from Moor
bus station at 5.30pm. Members may elect to stay in Truro and be picked
up there for return or continue to Falmouth in the coach to shop as well
as visit the museum. Coach £6; boat fare £4 adults £2
children (under 14); entrance to museum, see booking form, which please
complete and return with payment to the Treasurer
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Bude
Canal Day 2003 27 July 2003, 2 pm to 6 pm
There have been some changes and improvements. First, it is on a Sunday
afternoon and secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it will include
a celebration of the genius of Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, Bude's forgotten
genius. This at the request of Bude Stratton Town Council who organized
a day in October last year. The celebrations will run concurrently with
activities in the Castle grounds, Lower Wharf area, and in the Parkhouse
Centre. It should be remembered that Gurney built his 'castle' on land
adjacent to the infant canal in 1830 when it and the harbour were developing.
It is hoped that the BSTC's events will include the working replica of
Trevithick's 1805 engine, and the Society is working on its own programme:
the 'Falcon Cup'' and 'BCHS Shield' will be contended for again . Efforts
are being made to increase the traditional music and include traditional
dancing. We have enlisted the 'Scrimshankers', who now live in the Bude
area and perform 19th century sea related songs and music dressed in period
costumes. They will be busking around the Lower Wharf area. (NB 'scrimshanker'
is a seafaring term for a malingerer) It is hoped to lock in some vessels
from two North Cornwall yacht clubs in the late afternoon subject to tide
and weather. This year we have the use of a 40' x 20' marquee kindly offered
by the local branch of the Institute of Management for presentation of
stalls and displays. The July edition of 'The Tub Boat' will have confirmation
of the programme.
The committee would appreciate any help on the stall, shaking collecting
buckets, or selling raffle tickets, etc.
Tub Boat
I am pleased to report that the Bude Stratton Town Council (BSTC) have
had a meeting with Mr Tony Condor, Curator of the National Waterways Museum
at Gloucester. Mr Condor has seen the tub boat which is on loan to BSTC
from International Sailing Craft Association (ISCA). Whilst the tub boat
is in reasonable condition considering its age it should be kept in a
better controlled environment. He confirmed that the tub boat is of national
importance and as a last resort to secure its future his museum would
seek to acquire it. However, the real solution is for the tub boat to
remain in the Bude area where its context can be realistically appreciated.
With that in mind Mr Condor has formulated 3 options for the future of
the tub boat which are being considered by BSTC and NCDC as they have
an impact on the Bude Canal Project. Mr Condor has agreed to assist BSTC
with any negotiations with ISCA and with funding applications.
The Society is very encouraged by these positive moves and will support
BSTC with proposals that secure the future of the tub boat at Bude where
it belongs.
Chris Jewell
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LINKS
WITH BUDEHAVEN SCHOOL
A useful meeting took place on 5th March, with three Trustees and staff
from the History Department of Budehaven School.
The purpose was to explore how we could help the school to interest pupils
in the history of the Canal, and spread the message of its conservation
and study to the younger generation. The school on their part, were keen
to collect information to help replace their substantial archive on the
Canal and its history, which was lost in the disastrous fire which destroyed
a large part of the school in 1998.
The teachers outlined a project they are planning with pupils aged 12/13
later this term, and we discussed ways in which we might be able to help.
We have been able to offer several items such as maps, photographs, etc.,
which the school have borrowed for copying, and we look forward to expanding
on this as the collaboration develops, and further meetings will be held.
The occasion also gave us the opportunity to have a look round the newly
rebuilt school, and we were very impressed with the facilities we saw,
and the sense of space .
We will be reporting further as the project develops.
Anne Longley
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Odds
and Sods
Historic note from
"a complete account of canals executed in England with considerations
of those projected" by J Phillips, published in 1792:
"Extract from
an Act of Parliament, paffed in 1774, for making a navigable Cut or Canal
from the Port or Harbour of Bude, in the Hundred of Stratton, in the County
of Cornwall, to the River Tamar, in the parifh of Calftoke, near the Town
of Launcefton, in the faid county.
The act nominates
thirty truftees for completing the canal, by the following courfe: From
the port or harbour of Bude, in the parifh of Marfham Church, in the county
of Cornwall, through the feveral parifhes of Marfham Church, Pounds-toke,
Flyke, St. Mary Whiteftone, Launcells, Bridgerule, North Tamerton, Boyton,
Werrington, North Petherwin, Tremain, Eglefkerry, St Thomas, St Mary Magdalen,
St. Petherwin,
Trewain Laneaft, Alternon Lawanick, North Hill, Linkintrom, Stoke Clemfland,
and Calftock, in the faid county of Cornwall."
(I am unable to find
any logic in J Phillips' use of 'f' or 's' so I will revert to modern
usage from now on. Ed.) It continues with limits for the size of the canal:
"The land to be used for the canal, not to exceed sixty-three feet
in width, towing-paths included, except for making a dock or basin; nor
to be of greater depth than thirty-nine inches from the present level
or surface of the ground; and in such places where it shall be judged
necesary for boats and other vessels" (written 'veffels) "to
turn, lie in, or pass each other, or where any engine or crane may be
erected, not above twenty poles in breadth."
It stipulates charges as follows: "No wharfage to be paid for goods
or merchandise that shall not lie longer on the the wharfs than twenty-four
hours; and no more than two-pence per ton be taken for wharfage of coals,
stone, sand or bricks, nor more than three-pence per week per ton for
the wharfage of any other goods and merchandise." It lays down conditions
for raising the money to make the cut or canal, and the canal-duty for
all other sorts of cargo. "Commisioners may increase or lessen the
tolls.....The company of proprietors restrained from leasing the canal
or tolls, or from being concerned in any vessels carrying goods for hire,
under the penalty of fifty pounds. Names of owners to be put on the boats;
and masters or owners to be answerable for damages. Penalties of five
pounds to be levied for wilfully opening swivel or draw-bridges to interrupt
travellers; and a penalty of five pounds for every instrument to destroy
fish. If the company do not finish the canal in ten years, or discontinue
it for five years, the owners may have their lands again, if they choose
to purchase them.
This canal, according to the best information I have been able to procure
is not finished; because the chief commodity of traffic would be coals
from Wales; on which account, though coals are very much wanted on the
whole length of the canal, the subscribers are fearful of undertaking
it."
J Phillips, transcribed by Lawrence Wheatley
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For
Sale
The following items
are available for sale to members:
Books £ plus p&p £
Bude Canal 'Past & Present' 5.50 1.00
Buide's Maritime Heritge 6.99 1.00
Walking Bude Canal 3.99 0.50
Westcountry men 3.75 1.00
Goldsworthy Gurney 0.99 0.50
James Green - Canal Builder 12.95 1.50
Britain's Waterways 12.95 1.50 (New) Stratton Past & Preseent (New)
6.50 1.50
Westcountry Waterways Heritage 2.00 0.50
Mugs of three designs
with BCHS name thereon:
Blue trim with 'Ketch' design )
" " " 'Sea lock' design ) 3.99
" " " " " " in colour )
Not suitable for delivery by post. Delivery to members in EX23 & EX22
free of charge
Canal Map
Computer re-drawn copy of the first of the eight sections of the 1904
Canal map made at the time of the sale of the canal to the then Stratton
& Bude Urban District Council. The original set of 8 is the property
of the Bude Stratton Town Council and may be viewed on application to
the Town Clerk at the Castle Bude EX23 8LG
The first section covers the area from the Breakwater to just before Rodds
Bridge. Each map is accompanied by a copy of the Surveyor's explanatory
notes and is for sale as follows: (the plain map is A3 size)
Plain map & Notes £2.50
Mounted map & Notes £5.85
Laminated map & Notes £8.40
Framed map & notes £18.90
Not suitable for delivery by post but as above, members living in EX23
& 22 can have them foc.
Orders for any of above items to C Jewell, 4A the Crescent, Bude, EX23
8LE, with cheques made payable to Bude Canal & Harbour Society to
cover cost & p&p (where appropriate). Allow 28 days for delivery.
Membership Report
We welcome the following new member who has joined since December:
Mr A Porter, Laundry Cottage, Bude
Mike Moore
Erratum:
On page 2 of The Tub Boat No 22 the item "Old Cornwall Society visit"
was incorrect. The title should have read "Cornish Gorsedd Visit"
and line 1 should have read "On 12th October the Conference of the
Cornish Gorsedd visited Bude...' Apologies to both. Ed.
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Forthcoming Events 2003
Saturday 12 April Visit to RN Weather Station, Meet at Culdrose at 11am.
Afterwards lunch at
Ship Inn Porthleven.
Sat/Sun 4/5 May Model Boat Weekend
Saturday 17 " Boat trip from Truro/Malpas to Falmouth to
visit the new National Maritime Museum
Coach booked to leave Crescent car park
at 9.00am.
Saturday 14 June Visit to Eden Project (to be confirmed)
" 27 July Bude Canal Day/GurneyDay
" 2 August Visit to the Grand Western Canal at Tiverton
" 16 " Bude Carnival Day
_______________________________________________________
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 18 June 2003.
_______________________________________________________
Trustees:
Chairman Vacant
Vice Chairman Audrey Wheatley
Secretary Bryan Dudley Stamp
Treasurer Chris Jewell
Events Secretary Betty Moore
The Tub Boat Editor Lawrence Wheatley
Other members Jill White
Anne Longley
Membership Secretary
Mike Moore
_______________________________________________________
The views expressed by the contributors to this newsletter
are not necessarily those of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society
which does not accept responsibility for them
_______________________________________________________
Published by BUDE CANAL & HARBOUR SOCIETY
Enquiries to the Hon Secretary Tel 01288 352 808
Ebbingford Manor, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8LN
Contact
the Society
Registered Charity
Number 1086646
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