1) The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) published in October its new handbook for Waterway Restoration. Partially financed by the Department of the Environment, the book covers virtually every aspect on the planning and project side of waterway restoration. It is destined to become the reference bible for interested organisations. A companion handbook on the practical side follows early in the new year.

2) The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust is to benefit by a further £5,000 grant from the IWA. This is to fund purchase of a parcel of land owned by Railtrack at Lichfield adjacent to the canal and includes one of the canal embankments. IWA has already awarded the Trust a £2,000 grant towards rebuilding a lock. The aims of Lichfield and Hatherton Trust were publicised by Chris Coburn in his epic "Cut to Caernarfon" voyage in August 1998. At the same time his visit drew public attention to the Sankey Canal and Upper Mersey Basin.

3) In his address to IWA’s AGM in September, chairperson Richard Drake commented on British Waterways proposed membership scheme and its associated charitable trust. Voicing general approval of the Government’s wish to promote the waterways, Richard encouraged IWA members to respond to BW’s questionnaire. He suggested members should show support for the charitable trust. IWA however, is jealous of BW’s mooted membership scheme, fearing an exodus of IWA members to BW. Richard emphasised that IWA provided an essential function as an independent watchdog representing the interests of canal users; the re-organised BW is still to remain under Government control.

4) BW are moving ahead with their plans to measure up existing fixed canal structures. Dimensions for depth, width and headroom are being recorded. A reference book will appear in due course, documenting the information. BW chief executive, David Fletcher, has also written to IWA about its proposed association with the already existing Waterways Trust which has had recent success in saving the three waterway museums from closure; also in setting up the National Waterway Archive and in providing electronic access for the public. It is also vigorously active in fund raising of restoration projects, specifically the Forth and Clyde, and Rochdale Canals. The Trust is able to do this by being an independent private body, responsible to the Charity Commissioners. David Fletcher sees alliance with the Waterways Trust as critical in achieving the new Government obligations on BW for improved management and conservation involving the public, and to facilitate public enjoyment of waterway amenities. He is determined to attain these goals in partnership with the general public and at the same with IWA. The Waterways Trust has made provision for close alliance with BW by leaving seats open on its board of directors. Six of its directors may eventually be appointed from BW or other organisations which share similar objectives.

5) Next year’s National Waterways Festival is at Waltham Abbey in the Lee Valley Park from 25th. to 28th. August. IWA seeks volunteers to join the organising committee; further information can be obtained from Ian Gall on 0870 240 2438.

6) Three well known IWA members have been elected to the board of the Mersey Basin Trust. They are Audrey Smith, former national chairperson; Steve Connolly, IWA Manchester Branch Committee member; and Jack Staziker, former secretary of IWA North Lancashire and Cumbria Branch.

7) The 1999 Mersey Basin Kingfisher Award has gone to the organising committee of the National Waterways Festival at Salford Quays. Martin Grundy, David Smith and Andy Crossley receive special mention. Martin was chairperson of the event; he also led a flotilla of boats across the Mersey tideway and provided commentary on the working boat procession at the Festival. David headed the team responsible for berthing of boats at the festival. Andy arranged and supervised the convoys of boats on the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Weaver.

8) The IWAAC is actively reviewing its Restoration Priorities Report. It has written to all restorers asking for input. IWAAC’s objective remains unchanged in seeking to provide an independent and authoritative report for the benefit of funding sources and restoration groups. IWA has already made a detailed submission to IWAAC. IWA’s stance is to welcome the original report but show reservation about the apparent listing of projects according to priority. Lower priority schemes may have difficulty in securing stage funding in the short term for small parts of their overall scheme. Schemes rated as more than ten years off in particular may suffer. IWA suggests that the words "Restoration Priorities" should be deleted in favour of "Restoration Progress"; and that a single summary table should be printed in preference to three separate tables for "Short", "Medium" and "Long Term" schemes. More appropriate ways of sorting into order would be according to region or project size. It may be advantageous to sub-divide large schemes into smaller components. IWA parochially suggests that reference be made to the funding chapter in its own Technical Restoration Handbook. Wording should be altered to remove the implication that waterway projects are in competition with one another for funding; the broader aspect should be brought out that waterway projects are competing for money with restoration projects in other spheres. A re-issue of the Report should be up-dated on the progress of projects and their funding.