1. TheTheTheThe Batchworth TelegraphBatchworth TelegraphBatchworth TelegraphBatchworth Telegraph
Newsletter of the Friends,Newsletter of the Friends,Newsletter of the Friends,Newsletter of the Friends, springspringspringspring 2020202010101010
Party time againParty time againParty time againParty time again
((((TheTheTheThe Festival’s back!)Festival’s back!)Festival’s back!)Festival’s back!)
Has it got to that time of year again already? It definitely has, and
all the team has done its upmost to make sure this year is better
than any year before. And what treats there are in store –
particularly with a double bill of flypasts, with the Hurricane and
Spitfire on Saturday followed by a 1930’s German bi-plane on
Sunday afternoon. As ever we’re looking to our friends to take an
active part over the weekend, and of course hoping for some sun!
Picture:Picture:Picture:Picture: Colvex on stageColvex on stageColvex on stageColvex on stage, new to the festival this, new to the festival this, new to the festival this, new to the festival this
year andyear andyear andyear and appearing Saturdayappearing Saturdayappearing Saturdayappearing Saturday eveningeveningeveningevening....
Inside:Inside:Inside:Inside:
Festival preview
Mike’s Musings
Say hello to Geoff!
Tom CravenTom CravenTom CravenTom Craven
Saturday Beer TentSaturday Beer TentSaturday Beer TentSaturday Beer Tent
19:4019:4019:4019:40----20202020:10, 20:50:10, 20:50:10, 20:50:10, 20:50----21:2021:2021:2021:20
Despite a recent wider foray
into heavier rock with his new
band “The Chapter”, Tom
returns acoustic for us with
two sets in the beer tent.
And there’s so much more thisAnd there’s so much more thisAnd there’s so much more thisAnd there’s so much more this
yearyearyearyear –––– including an extra stageincluding an extra stageincluding an extra stageincluding an extra stage
featuring poetry readings andfeaturing poetry readings andfeaturing poetry readings andfeaturing poetry readings and
otherotherotherother entertainment.entertainment.entertainment.entertainment.
Call 01923 77838201923 77838201923 77838201923 778382 for more details or visit www.rwt.org.ukwww.rwt.org.ukwww.rwt.org.ukwww.rwt.org.uk

2. Say hello to Geoff!Say hello to Geoff!Say hello to Geoff!Say hello to Geoff!
Trustee GeoffTrustee GeoffTrustee GeoffTrustee Geoff
Greenhough gives us theGreenhough gives us theGreenhough gives us theGreenhough gives us the
lowdown on how he’slowdown on how he’slowdown on how he’slowdown on how he’s
involved,involved,involved,involved, and that he likesand that he likesand that he likesand that he likes
the singer he shares athe singer he shares athe singer he shares athe singer he shares a
birthday with!birthday with!birthday with!birthday with!
Why did you become a TrustWhy did you become a TrustWhy did you become a TrustWhy did you become a Trustee?ee?ee?ee?
For a whole variety of reasons I have never involved myself in the
community where I have lived – until now. I think that RWT has
huge potential and combines my passion for history with the needs
of the present.
What will it help you do?What will it help you do?What will it help you do?What will it help you do?
Being a Trustee also allows me to understand how a small charity
operates and how I can work with people of many different
backgrounds. I like the boating world and all the people that make up
its diverse community.
How did you first get involved?How did you first get involved?How did you first get involved?How did you first get involved?
Before I came to live in Rickmansworth my wife and I came to the
Festival one year and I got to know a little about RWT. When we
actually moved to Ricky and the opportunity arose I became a
volunteer with the Learning at the Lock programme and enjoyed it
very much.
What’What’What’What’s in your life away from canals?s in your life away from canals?s in your life away from canals?s in your life away from canals?
I like to spend time with family and friends and I spend a fair amount
of time labouring in the garden. Music of all sorts appeals to me and
I am as happy attending a recital at the Wigmore Hall as being at a
pop concert in the O2 Centre.
An interest in the arts...An interest in the arts...An interest in the arts...An interest in the arts...
I have always had an interest in current affairs, cinema, theatre,
quality television and the arts. I have seen many different exhibitions
with my wife in London and elsewhere. The Barber Institute of Fine
Arts at Birmingham University is my favourite gallery.
What are your other hobbies and interests?What are your other hobbies and interests?What are your other hobbies and interests?What are your other hobbies and interests?
I was brought up in the Black Country and I am a long-suffering
supporter of my home team, West Bromwich Albion. Supporting the
Baggies keeps part of my roots alive and constantly reminds me not
to take things too seriously! I always check the football results of
teams that I know friends and former colleagues support and
empathise with their situation!
Article continues on the next page...Article continues on the next page...Article continues on the next page...Article continues on the next page...
99 Church Street,99 Church Street,99 Church Street,99 Church Street, Rickmansworth,Rickmansworth,Rickmansworth,Rickmansworth,
Hertfordshire, WD3 1JDHertfordshire, WD3 1JDHertfordshire, WD3 1JDHertfordshire, WD3 1JD
RWT is a Company Limited by
Guarantee
Company number 2674596.
Registered Charity No 1024322
CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS
Sovereign RIP
Mike’s Musings
Festival Preview
Strolls from the lock
Working on Roger
Our achievements
3
4
5
6
8
10
RWT TrusteesRWT TrusteesRWT TrusteesRWT Trustees
Chairman:
Brian Morgan
Derek Gray
Geoff Greenhough
Fabian Hiscock
John Jones
Peter Waters
RWT Executive TeamRWT Executive TeamRWT Executive TeamRWT Executive Team
Geoff Greenhough
Fabian Hiscock
Mike Coleman
Nicola Obee Brown
John Jones
Riccardo Russo
Treasurer:Treasurer:Treasurer:Treasurer:
John Jones
EducationEducationEducationEducation Programme LeaderProgramme LeaderProgramme LeaderProgramme Leader::::
Mike Coleman
FestivalFestivalFestivalFestival Director:Director:Director:Director:
David Montague
PublicityPublicityPublicityPublicity and BT editorand BT editorand BT editorand BT editor::::
Russell Carpenter
Russell.carpenter.01
@ntlworld.com
07725 737695

3. Sovereign RIPSovereign RIPSovereign RIPSovereign RIP
February was a very sad occasion for all our friends at Chiltern
Open Air Museum with the sad passing of Sovereign the Shire
horse.
Sovereign was seen and adored by many, when he proudly pulled
his cart as part of the Ricky Week parade; with the festival team
tagging alongside.
He kept his cool with the crowds, despite the fact the sweat was
pouring off him. Clive and Sue have very fond memories of
Sovereign both in his field at COAM or at one of many other
events he attended with owner Robert McKenzie.
Clive tells us, “By using Sovereign to open the Festival, we have
created an opening ceremony to be proud of.” Sue reminisces
how she went back to work on the Monday after the first festival
he attended, to hear a voice from along the corridor shouting,
“She’s the lady with the big ‘orse”.
“Everyone in the corridor between me and Jordan just turned and
stared at me; fame at last! Not quite what I intended though!”
Sovereign sadly did not get to really bond with his new friend
Harvey, who will be attending the festival for the first time this
year.
Harvey is a four year old Clydesdale who joined Sovereign shortly
before his death. However, due to Harvey’s lack of experience
and youth, this year we sadly are unable to participate in either
the carnival or have an opening ceremony parade for the festival.
Sovereign, we shall miss you. RIP.
Sovereign on show at the festival and on theSovereign on show at the festival and on theSovereign on show at the festival and on theSovereign on show at the festival and on the
carnival parade through the tcarnival parade through the tcarnival parade through the tcarnival parade through the town centreown centreown centreown centre
Say hello to Geoff (continued)Say hello to Geoff (continued)Say hello to Geoff (continued)Say hello to Geoff (continued)
What inspires you?What inspires you?What inspires you?What inspires you?
I have family and friends across
the UK and I have been
fortunate to travel to other parts
of the world. I am fascinated by
other cultures and my wife and I
are increasingly aware how
much we can learn from people
of other races and religions. I
have always been fascinated by
history – for over twenty years I
taught the subject and I am just
as excited by the discipline now
as when I first attended
university. I also like people
who make me laugh, the late
Dave Allen and tempestuous
Basil Fawlty particular heroes.
What else wouldWhat else wouldWhat else wouldWhat else would you do if youyou do if youyou do if youyou do if you
had a magic wand?had a magic wand?had a magic wand?had a magic wand?
I would like to have my first
novel published, and then write
another one.
What one thing about you mightWhat one thing about you mightWhat one thing about you mightWhat one thing about you might
surprise people?surprise people?surprise people?surprise people?
I am a big fan of Neil Diamond
(sorry, always have been! We
share the same birthday but not
the same year of birth!)
A note from the editor:A note from the editor:A note from the editor:A note from the editor:
Geoff said pick one from three
surprises he sent, and since
there’s space I decided to
include the others as well.
There seems no end to his
talents, so it’s a good job we’re
making good use of them!
More thingsMore thingsMore thingsMore things about Geoff thatabout Geoff thatabout Geoff thatabout Geoff that
might surprise people...might surprise people...might surprise people...might surprise people...
At my first school in Nottingham
I wrote, rehearsed and
performed a revue with a group
of students all in less than a
week – the show lasted the
best part of two hours. (I was
asked to do another one the
following year; they gave me
more time the second time
around!).
I also once umpired a cricket
match at the Kensington Oval in
Barbados.

4. Mike’s MusingsMike’s MusingsMike’s MusingsMike’s Musings
What is it like to be homeless?What is it like to be homeless?What is it like to be homeless?What is it like to be homeless?
The truth is I have no idea. I
spent one night sleeping out at
Vicarage Road for charity. We
slept under the stands and had
access to tea and coffee. The
YMCA organisers provided fruit,
cereal and cakes in the evening
and a croissant or pan
o’chocolat for breakfast.
We had security guards, a
couple of beefy chaps, to look
after us in the night. After the
cardboard box competition (to
see who could make the most
interesting temporary abode,
the very close replica of the Taj
Mahal won) we found a spot to
‘crash out’ for the night.
So, all in all it was not too harsh
an experience despite it being
cold and wet. There were some
young people there who are
truly homeless and it was
interesting talking with them.
Many get a bed at the YMCA
hostel but others have to find
the best spot they can and hope
it doesn’t get too cold.
If you frequent Watford late at
night, or even if it is infrequent,
you will doubtless have
witnessed some of these less
fortunate people. They all have a
story to tell and it is often very
interesting.
Most people picture dirty,
smelly and often intoxicated
people sleeping rough. There is
no denying this but one must try
and ask why.
Mental health problems account
for much of the problem and I
feel it is a sad state of affairs
when the ones we elect to
govern us feel that it is far
better to bail out the banks
because of their greed than to
truly tackle social issues such as
homelessness and mental
health.
The problem is that as soon as
we elect them they get their
snouts so far in the trough most
of them lose sight of what they
are there for. Alighting from
my soap box, I managed to raise
£65 for the cause and thank you
all who contributed.
I have my certificate which I will
keep at the Canal Centre should
you want to see it. The YMCA
does a fantastic job, not just for
the homeless but also for the
youth of our community.
Homelessness is not a huge
issue in our area but we do see
wayward youth and it is
becoming a problem and one
that is dear to our hearts at
RWT. The Involved project,
which works in conjunction with
the Prince’s Trust Team
Programme, is trying to tackle
this and is beginning to have
some success.
Our own, new, ‘Under the
Bridge’ programme has the
same aims and desires; to keep
teenagers of the street and help
point them in the right direction.
By working closely with
organisations, such as the
YMCA, we can direct young
people towards a more
structured and rewarding life.
Getting young people into the
programme should not prove
difficult.
It is what happens to them
afterwards that is important. A
few days or a week with us can
show that there is more to life
than getting into trouble or
being excluded from school.
Keeping them involved and out
of trouble is the real trick.
Both Fabian and Geoff have
been working extremely hard on
this and this year we should see
the fruits of their endeavours.
We still need your help though,
and I know that many of you will
want to be involved in our new
project.
Best regards
MikeMikeMikeMike

5. We’re almostWe’re almostWe’re almostWe’re almost
there andthere andthere andthere and
ready to go!ready to go!ready to go!ready to go!
Preview byPreview byPreview byPreview by David MontagueDavid MontagueDavid MontagueDavid Montague
May 15May 15May 15May 15
and 16and 16and 16and 16
2010201020102010
Your Festival Team is again
nearing the end of a long year
of planning and preparation for
the 2010 Rickmansworth
Festival.
We seem to have received
more enquiries than I can
remember before and if the
Trade and Boat bookings are
anything to go by 2010 will be
bigger and better than ever.
This may be in part due to
unfortunate cancellation of
Tring Festival this year.
However I think we are getting
enquiries from many we have
not heard from before as the
reputation of the Festival has
spread thanks to the hard work
of RWT volunteers. We also
have had more enquiries than
ever from people who want to
perform over the weekend.
We must be turning down
about 3 – 4 enquiries a week at
the moment and Clive Fennell
has had his schedule full from
autumn last year.
So what is new this year?
We aim to make full use of the
new area near to BLYM that we
started to use last year as well
as the re-seeded areas that
were still recovering from the
building of the new Cafe last
year.
We have involved the
Rickmansworth Chamber of
commerce in the Festival and
they have obtained
sponsorship for a further
marquee which will showcase
the businesses and products of
local chamber members. We
also have a further
entertainment marquee which
will show case acoustic music
and poetry from the Rrrants
Poetry Collective.
After our disappointment with
the weather in 2009 Clive has
secured the Battle of Britain
Memorial flight Spitfire and
Hurricane for a fly past on the
Saturday – hopefully the
weather will be kinder – next
year we need to go for the hat
trick and get the Lancaster as
well! The aerial theme
continues with an aerobatic
display from a 1930’s replica
German Bucker Jungmann
biplane to close the Festival on
Sunday afternoon. This has
been generously sponsored by
the new Funeral Directors in
Rickmansworth, Bradley and
Jones. The Feathers has also
generously agreed to sponsor
the Children’s animal farm this
year after increasing
administrative costs caused by
newly enforced legislation
made it difficult for them to
attend.
After their previous visit to
Batchworth the historic steam
narrow boat President is
returning to grace the Festival
along with many other
traditional craft. Also of
significant note is the 10th
anniversary of the re-launch of
Roger which will be celebrated
on the first day of the Festival at
Batchworth. The Friends of
London Transport Museum are
again arranging a Heritage
Metropolitan line Train service
between Harrow on the Hill and
Amersham on the Sunday.
There will be the usual
connections to the Batchworth
Lock end of the Festival site by
vintage Route master buses.
So you can see the weekend is
one not to be missed. But why
not maximise what you get out
of the weekend by getting
involved with this successful
local community event? If you
are not yet involved or are
aware of others who have had a
great time at the Festival - get
them involved. We are always
looking for enthusiastic helpers
to take the event to the next
level!
DaveDaveDaveDave

6. Strolls from the LockStrolls from the LockStrolls from the LockStrolls from the Lock
NumberNumberNumberNumber 10101010
ToToToTo Cassiobury Park via CroCassiobury Park via CroCassiobury Park via CroCassiobury Park via Croxley Greenxley Greenxley Greenxley Green by Jillian Christensen
Time:Time:Time:Time: approximately
3 hrs
Distance:Distance:Distance:Distance: 7 miles
Coming out of the Lock Centre,
turn right, and go up the steps
to the road. Turn right, past an
old building, originally named
‘The Railway Inn’, used mainly
by canal workers. On the other
side of this is the River Chess,
and then builders’ merchants,
Travis Perkins. This was the
site of the first Rickmansworth
Railway Station. Continue into
Church Street; take first right
into Skidmore Way, left into
Waters Drive and right into
Norfolk Road. Walk along a
passage between #75 and #77
into Talbot Road. Turn right
here, and continue until the road
joins the High Street opposite
the ‘Coach and Horses’.
The road on the right is called
Town Wharf/Wharf Lane, and
refers to the days when there
was canal access to gas works,
near the present gas holders,
for coal delivery. Turn right
along High Street, passing a
house called ‘The Elms’ on the
right. This is where the author
George Eliot spent her
summers in the countryside,
away from London. There is a
statue of Joan of Arc directly in
front.
Cross the road at a mini
roundabout on the other side of
the railway bridge. Keep the
church on your right and a small
road on your left, to go onto
footpath #29. The path passes
the grounds of the Royal
Masonic School on the left, and
playing fields on the right, until it
reaches the banks of the River
Chess. Turn left to walk along
the river bank. Kingfishers and
Little Egrets live on this stretch
of the river.
After about ¼ mile, cross over
the river by the footbridge, and
continue to a T-junction of
paths. Go right (footpath #2). At
the open field, a little further on,
take the left hand path by the
hedge (footpath #7, which
becomes #5 then #7 again).
After 15 minutes, there are
some steps, and then the path
exits onto Croxley Common.
Barbara Woodhouse, of dog
training fame, lived near here.
Head left across the common
and a couple of roads in a ’10 to
12’ direction, towards a short
white fence on the right of the
large building (date 1770), until
you get to a small pond. Turn
left (Little Green Lane). There is
another pond on the right, at
Little Green (after 5 minutes).
Walk straight on here, where
the footpath sign is to
’Rousebarn Lane’.
At the end of the track, the path
continues past ‘Coachman’s
Cottage’ to a field. Turn right at
the field edge (Footpath # 3 and
4). In the next field, turn left
where indicated by discs on a
post, cross a stile into a small
wood, and then out into another
field. Turn right (Footpath # 3).
Dell Wood is on the immediate
right, bought by the Woodland
Trust in 1986. They have
coppiced the hazel, cutting it
back severely, with the re-
growth having many uses, for
example, hedge-laying.
Coppicing results in sunny open
areas, which encourages plants
and attracts birds and
butterflies. Dell Wood contains
many dells or hollows, where
flints and gravel were excavated
in the past.
These were often used in local
buildings. The footpath
passes through a hedge,
where there is a fine view of
Whippendell Woods ahead.
Cross straight over the next
road – Rousebarn Lane- and
up the hill in front (footpath
#31). Half way up this, and to
the left off the path, is another
flint quarry. At the brow of the
hill, the path enters West
Herts golf course (established
1890). Be careful of any balls
coming from the right. Just
inside the next wood is a
hollow tree of huge diameter,
very decayed but still alive.
The path emerges at the
Grand Union Canal, at Lock #
77, Ironbridge Lock.
There are engraved dates on a
stone by each set of gates,
one of 1896, and the other of
1858. These are dates of
repair or widening of the lock.
One set of gate beams is
metal, the other of oak. The
River Gade runs alongside the
canal on the opposite side to
the tow path, with a weir to
the left on the far side of the
bridge. It runs in and out of
the canal from here. This area,
Cassiobury Park, was granted
by Henry VIII after the
dissolution of the monasteries,
to a family who later became
the Earls of Essex. The 4th
Earl was paid £15000 for
giving permission for the canal
to be built through his land in
1796, and in addition the canal
was widened and landscaped
in this area. This can be seen
along the canal to the left of
the lock.

7. Strolls from the LockStrolls from the LockStrolls from the LockStrolls from the Lock (continued)(continued)(continued)(continued) The next bridge is new, built
on top of the old one (dated
1921) when the road was
widened. There are some nice
boats on the far side of this.
The Elizabeth (converted 1936)
has a mooring containing many
old painted metal signs, and
the ‘Elstree’, a converted
GUCC Co. boat (Grand Union
Canal Carrying Company,
extant from 1934-1948). A
short distance on is another,
but derelict, railway bridge.
A little further on, the far side
of the canal is the site of
Croxley Paper Mill, built in
1830 by John Dickinson.
Dickinson had invented a new
process of making paper in a
continuous, instead of an
individual sheet. The canal is
very wide here, and its
entrance to the mill site can
still be seen, with a branch line
running parallel to the main
line for some distance.
The towpath was built on the
west side to allay his fear of
poachers. To pay for this, an
additional penny per ton of
cargo was charged for boats
going through this section of
canal. It probably helped that
the Earl was on the board of the
canal company at the time.
A later Earl of Essex was
responsible for the Metropolitan
Line railway terminating a mile
outside Watford, as he refused
to allow a tunnel to be built
under the park. There was even
a station built in the town centre
in the expectation of the line
continuing further. Winston
Churchill and the future King
Edward 7th were both guests at
Cassiobury House at the start of
the 20th century. The parkland
was sold in 1909, and the land
is still subject to restrictive
covenants made at that time.
The house and the land
occupied by the golf course
were put up for sale in 1922.
The house, unsold, was
demolished in 1927, the grand
staircase ending up at the
Metropolitan Museum in New
York. Sadly, the ornate
castellated park gates were
demolished as late as 1967.
Turn right onto the tow path, to
follow it back to the lock centre.
This will take about 75 minutes.
Note the grooves in the iron
posts on the corners of the
bridges, where the tow ropes
from horse drawn boats have
cut into them. The next lock is
Cassio Bridge (#78) which has a
lovely old lock cottage. After
this, a large railway viaduct
carries the Metropolitan Line
across the canal, on the other
side of which is the Bridgewater
Basin boat marina.
The next lock is Common
Moor (#79). A stone has
‘1867’ engraved on it. The
River Gade can be seen on the
far side of the canal, and will
enter the canal below the next
lock, Lot Mead. A mile post
‘Braunston 74 miles’ is on the
other side of the bridge below
Lot Mead, which carries the
Ebury Way. There is also a
lock distance marker - the first
boat to reach this had the
benefit of entering the lock
first. As it can take up to 20
minutes to get through a lock,
the time saved could be vital.
From this point, the tow path
passes numerous house boats
on both sides of the canal.
The lock centre is reached in
about 20 minutes.

8. Working on the RogeWorking on the RogeWorking on the RogeWorking on the Rogerrrr
You'll have noticed that the
Roger has been away from her
moorings for a month or so.
He's been up to Jem Bates's
dry dock at Bulbourne since
before Easter, for three weeks'
essential work on the hull, and
to take the chance for a
touching up of the paintwork.
Tony Margetts and I, with Jim
Cooke on the Saturday, went up
on 20/22 March, and the boat
was docked on the Monday 22.
And then a lot of work followed!
• All the caulking was checked
and renewed – including in
the bottom planks!
• The stem post was repaired
at the bottom.
• The counter was examined
and repaired, with the guard
irons all taken off (and put
back).
• The fore-end flashes (also
known as the top bend)
were repaired.
• Some rot in the cabin back-
panel was repaired.
• A lot of joints were sealed.
The gunwales and decks
were cleaned off and treated
with preservers.
• And all the gloss paint has
been re-done (another coat
at least is required, but
that's easy).
Perhaps the biggest job was a
DIY one: we lifted all the
shutts (the false bottom) to get
at the bottom planks, and
cleaned the whole lot, inch by
inch, and preserved it. This
involved removing the false
deck at the back end of the
hold, lifting all the ballast (in
quarter-ton length of railway
track, for those who
A real saga – but we've done
it, and now we know what has
to be done in the future, and
can plan for it. The next
docking will be in October
2012, and the one after that in
March 2015 - we know already
the jobs that have to be done,
and timber has been set aside
for 2012.
Continued on the next page...Continued on the next page...Continued on the next page...Continued on the next page...

9. .
Fabian gets to grips withFabian gets to grips withFabian gets to grips withFabian gets to grips with rererere----painting!painting!painting!painting!
And hereAnd hereAnd hereAnd here’’’’s a lovs a lovs a lovs a lovely watercolour of Roger!ely watercolour of Roger!ely watercolour of Roger!ely watercolour of Roger!
That shows you the extra
thought and preparation that
has to go into looking after a
historic boat like the Roger!
But that's the headline stuff –
we need to do much more of
the small, routine jobs as well,
and that's a major lesson in
itself.
I was very grateful for new
volunteers who came most
days and did some really
heavy work – we'll see more
of them, I hope, and get to
know them.
But members can still be
involved in looking after and
using the Roger – speak to
me, or Paul Rusack, or Mike,
about helping keep this unique
boat in good shape.
STOP PRESSSTOP PRESSSTOP PRESSSTOP PRESS
I will be taking Roger to show
at the Historic Boat gathering
at Braunston at the end of
June. I'll be setting off on 22
June, be on show (and
parading) over the weekend
25/26, and coming back by
Weds 30 June.
It'll be a lot of hard boating,
and I hope that people will be
able to come along and enjoy
some of it. One day at a time
would be fine – no need to
come for the whole lot!
I hope we can have some
young people too, but if you'd
like to come, give me a call or
e-mail –
fabian.hiscock1@ukonline.co.u
k.
Fabian HiscockFabian HiscockFabian HiscockFabian Hiscock

10. Our achievementsOur achievementsOur achievementsOur achievements
As the new summer opens,
we should reflect on last year,
and what we actually
contributed to our community –
because it really was quite a
lot. And it gives us the basis
for going forward into the next
year, too. Our achievements
are, of course, due to several
things – but the main one is
the work of our volunteers
(including Trustees, who tend
to get forgotten as Volunteers).
• We continued the success
of Learning at the Lock.
Under Mike Coleman's lead,
35 school and similar groups
took advantage of this
unique opportunity, which is
quite captivating for the
children who take part in it.
The number of volunteers
increased slightly, and we
provided first aid training for
another 8 volunteers as well.
• We began to develop a
programme (“Under the
Bridge”) for older children
and young people. We’ve
received some funding from
the Three Rivers Youth
Council, and are also
engaged with Youth
Connexions Herts going
forward. And we’ve become
an active member of the
National Community Boats
Association, supporting their
bid for a leadership
programme for young
people in 2010. Developing
Under the Bridge is a key
objective for this year and
next.
• The Festival reaches new
levels of interest, with RWT
volunteers directed by David
Montague playing a key
organising role in this well
established and really
important local event.
Last year it also returned
nearly £10,000 to the other
work of the Trust, and with
attendance steadily
increasing we provided a
great deal of pleasure to
around 20,000 people.
• We were able to provide
more at Batchworth than for
a number of years. We gave
Pride of Batchworth a long-
overdue refit, converting it
from battery power to a
small diesel engine which
reduces running costs and
makes it more readily
available. This was rewarded
with greatly increased use,
both at weekends and for
“charters”, which in turn
enhances our presence and
generates increased revenue
– but much more
importantly, it gives many
more people the chance to
enjoy the local waterways.
Our volunteer crews allowed
us to carry well over 1000
people, all of whom gained
both understanding and
pleasure. The Little Union
Canal was also better used,
and needs to advance
further this year. And the
Canal Centre got a make-
over, and is now able to
present us in a positive and
encouraging way.
• We also became full
members of the National
Community Boats
Association, which has given
us a new insight into other
similar groups operating
nearby: and we worked hard
to become accredited as a
Training Centre for the
NCBA as well, with two
trainers for the Certificate of
Community Boat
Management.
• The Roger needed attention,
but was taken to be shown at
Brentford and Slough, for the
first time – both successful,
and with lots of lessons for
us – but allowing hundreds
more people to see and
appreciate this wonderful
piece of our, and their,
heritage.
• We set up the Friends, an
aspiration for years. But the
flow of joiners has been
disappointing: it needs to b
strong to support the Trust!
• We were able to update the
management of the Trust in
important ways, especially
with a new Safety
Management System. The
Telegraph had a new editor
and we set up an Executive
sub-committee, which has
made us much more flexible
and responsive to the needs
of our small charity.
All these successes – some
small, some much larger – allow
us to get make a real
contribution to the community –
which is what we're here to do.
Of course there are still lots of
things we have to do, and some
of them will take some time.
But everyone associated with
the Trust, whether as a
volunteer, member of staff,
Trustee or Friend, has
contributed to it, and should
share the feeling of a job well
done.
For which - thank you! And also
– please continue – we haven't
yet achieved all that we could.

11. Everyclick.comEveryclick.comEveryclick.comEveryclick.com
Every RWT member (and their
friends and relations) can
contribute to Trust finances by
using the internet as usual!
Your “internet search” is done
by a Search Engine (e.g.
Yahoo, Google). They make
their money by charging
companies whose website is
found by browsers through
their search.
Everyclick.com provides a
search engine with a
difference, and remits half of
what they take to charities.
Users of Everyclick.com can
select particular charities to
benefit from their clicking, and
we've arranged for RWT to be
one of them: the more you
click, the more we make.
Only three of us are doing it
much so far (another 4 are
doing it a little), but we've
already raised nearly £4 in
three months. If there were 30
of us, that would be £40 –
heading to be over £100 in the
year. And if there were 300...
So please, everyone, go to
http://www.everyclick.com/rick
mansworth-waterways-trust-
limited/ct22131), and join in.
You have to sign up to make
your contribution to us (as
opposed to the other charities
in the scheme), but you can
also make that page your
home page which opens every
time you want to search. And
you can make all sorts of other
donations (including Gift Aid)
through the site as well.
So here's a challenge: I've
raised £2.63 so far. Anyone
who's raised more than me at
the end of the year will win a
prize of – er, well, huge
significance. So please
everyone – go to
everyclick.com and get clicking
for RWT!
The Friends of RWTThe Friends of RWTThe Friends of RWTThe Friends of RWT
We set up the Friends just a year ago, and asked as many of our
existing and former volunteers and helpers as we knew if they
would like to help us further by joining the Friends.
About 50 people have done so to date, and we're very grateful to
you all. A list of the names of our Friends (which may not be fully
complete – if I've missed you off, I'll correct it next time!) is
below.
But as you see, we still have plenty of space for many more
Friends! Please do join us – apart from the contribution you all
make with your Subs, you can make an important contribution as
members of the Trust, and also help us identify and manage our
volunteers.
We had a social evening in January (rather badly affected by the
snow and ice on the ground at the time, but good for those who
were able to turn up), and we'll be doing some more at intervals
during the year.
So please, feel free to join the Friends of RWT – if you need the
form, please contact Peter Sloper, the Membership Sec, through
the Canal Centre - just pick up a form from there! Many of the
friends pay by Standing Order, which is very helpful, and Peter
will shortly be asking our “annual subs” to renew. We look
forward to seeing everyone during the summer!
The Friends of RWT now include:
Mr Anderson Mr Keene
Mrs Bassett Dr & Mrs Montague
Mr & Mrs Berry Mr & Mrs Morgan
Mr Bruce Mrs Obee-Brown
Mr Buchanan Mr Rowe
Mr Canderton Mr Russo
Mr Carpenter Mr Shaw
Mr Cooper Mrs Stokes
Mr & Mrs Cooke Mr Sutton
Mr & Mrs Denham Mr Waterman
Mr & Mrs Fairbairn Mr Waterman
Mr & Mrs Ford Mr Waters
Mr & Mrs Gallet Ms Williams
Mr & Mrs Greenhough Mr & Mrs Woods
Mr & Mrs Hall Mr & Mrs Whittaker
Mr & Mrs Hillier
Mr & Mrs Hiscock
Mr Hughes
Mr Kavanagh-Brown
Mrs Kinglake

12. The Batchworth TelegraphThe Batchworth TelegraphThe Batchworth TelegraphThe Batchworth Telegraph
Thanks forThanks forThanks forThanks for reading andreading andreading andreading and
see you again in thesee you again in thesee you again in thesee you again in the
autumnautumnautumnautumn!!!!