"Steaming Up" - Issue 13 - Spring 2006

Words from the Chairman

Annual General Meeting at the Black Country Living Museum

Kildare

Kildare on the bank

It was back in early August when the first alert came about the condition of Kildare’s footing. We had just completed the trip to Worcester and the boats had been moored at Tardebigge ready for the IWA celebrations when water was seen above the floor. Nick Haynes had been visiting the boats and noticed a list. The first suspicion was a leak in the water tanks but after pumping these empty the problems persisted. It’s a long story but after the National the boat was docked at Dutton dry dock where Tim Leech carried out running repairs ably assisted by the crew.
Following a survey by Malcolm Braine it was decided to replace the footings (about 12” of the sides) and the bottom. Kildare was taken to Ian Kemp at Dadfords Wharf in March and she was lifted out on 8th May. Work started immediately and is progressing well. The job is in two parts, Ian Kemp is replacing the footings and bottom with FoP members assisting and also doing a lot of other work.

Kildare

Working Parties

Over the next few weeks there will be working parties most weekends and on some weekdays as we have to get up and running by the end of July ready for the run to Beale Park. Contact Bob Crompton for details of dates and if you have email facilities let him know so he can keep you up to date.

Cost

The cost of the steelwork will be around £12,500 and in addition there will be some expense for the refit. The main thrust of fund raising will be our Grand Draw and the sales tent at various events. However, if you can make a donation please send it to Simon as every pound helps.

Boating Programme 2006

This year owing to the work on Kildare we are running a restricted boating schedule. Even so the response for crewing places has been very slow. Places remain on most trips so please get out your diaries and get in touch with Richard and book your places.
The full listing of our programme for here.

Health and Safety

One of the major discussion points at all meetings is the issue of Health & Safety. We at FoP have lead the way in the Heritage Boat movement and others have looked to us for guidance. Before this years boating gets underway all crewmembers will be issued with a copy of our Crewing Manual. This is not the final edition as we see this as a working document that will evolve continuously.

This is an extract from our safety statement

‘It is the policy of the ‘Friends of President’ and The Black Country Living Museum to develop a health and safety culture throughout the membership. We are committed to the prevention of injuries to our members, to members of the public and to others who may be affected by our activities.

Crewmembers are to be encouraged to adopt an attitude of safety. All activities carried out should be assessed and the risk involved identified. Then the appropriate steps should then be taken to minimise the risk.‘

Please try to be aware of the potential dangers when on or near the boats. If in doubt don’t do it!

BCLM Lift Bridge

Following a couple of incidents that could have been very serious the following RULE must be adhered to:

The Lift Bridge must be operated by 2 crewmembers. The retaining chain must not be removed without a crewmember having a firm grip on the handle. The handle could be under tension from the weight of the deck or by overwinding down. Stop winding when the bridge deck is down – do not overwind! The museum is looking into ways of replacing the deck with lighter material, which should ease the bridge operation.

‘Steaming Up’

I have produced this edition of ‘Steaming Up’. Is there anyone who would like to take over this simple task? Please give me a call on 01799 523855. In the mean time please let me have anything you wish to be included in the next edition. David Powell, 1 Reddings Close, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4AZ.
Email: -

[ I thought about omitting the next two bits out the web edition of SU, but for the sack of completeness, was persuaded to retain the;- so thanks Dave - MGN ]

‘195’

I am sure you will all agree that the last 2 editions of ‘195 have been fantastic. Many thanks Keith and Malcolm who wish to remind you to keep sending your contributions for this year’s edition.

‘Website’

Malcolm has also produced what must be one of the best waterway websites. If you can have a look and keep sending him updates and information.

www.nb-president.org.uk

Grand Draw

With printed edition of ‘Steaming Up’ there were included 2 books of tickets for this years Grand Draw. For the past few years we have had a top prize of a weeks holiday with Middlewich Narrow Boats and we thank them for their generous support. This year the first prize has been donated by UK Boating Holidays and is a voucher valued at £600, which can be redeemed against any holiday with Alvechurch Boats or Viking Afloat. Please contact John Byham for copies of the draw tickets. We had £5,000 tickets printed so if we could sell them all we would be nearly half way to Kildare’s bottom!

AGM & Committee 2006

At the AGM on 22nd April the following members were elected to serve on your committee:

Chairman: David Powell
Secretary: Nick Haynes
Membership Secretary: Nick Haynes
Treasurer: Simon Nuttall
Chief Engineer: David Stott
Committee:
John Byham
Bob Crompton
Neil Ratcliffe
Keith Rogers
Richard Thomas
David Speer
Richard Prince

28 members attended the meeting and the museum staff who provided a buffet lunch and a cream tea looked us after very well. All the officers gave reports and as usual there was a lively discussion on plenty of topics. We finished the afternoon with a few pictures from the past and a showing of the IWA topics celebration DVD ‘The Heritage of The Inland Waterways in which both President and the museum are featured.