Aylsham Navigation

SEE THE MEETINGS PAGE FOR DETAILS OF MEETINGS COMING UP

OWN A COPY OF OUR VERY OWN DVD “A WHERRY FOR AYLSHAM” click here for details.

The vision is to raise the profile of our beautiful river, to identify and protect its history and wildlife in such a way that it remains available for the generations that follow to enjoy.

This community project plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the closure of the Aylsham Navigation. The waterway closed in August 1912 after heavy floods washed out the 5 locks between the current head of navigation on the River Bure (part of the Broads) at Coltishall and the town of Aylsham. The waterway had been in existence since 1779. The Act authorising its construction (George 111 c.37) received royal assent on 7th April 1773.

The waterway served the communities of Coltishall, Horstead, Hautbois, Buxton, Oxnead, Brampton, Burgh and Aylsham itself. Along its banks were a number of staithes (local term for dock or landing stage) and Mills. The locks at Coltishall, Buxton, Oxnead, Burgh and Aylsham were mostly designed to get around pre-existing Mill streams. The purpose of the waterway was mostly the transport of agricultural produce away from the area but return loads were varied from coal to state of the art (for the time) consumer goods. The tonnage rates varied depending on the commodity but broadly speaking was 1 shilling per ton for goods such as coal and building materials carried upstream and 1 shilling and 6 pence (old money) for agricultural produce downstream.

The Navigation utilised the River Bure for most of its 9.5 miles from Coltishall but  some canal cuts were put in place to facilitate ease of navigation. The final cut in to Aylsham itself was filled in during the 1970′s and the site of Aylsham Staithe is now a housing development (called The Staithe).

Bradshaw’s Canals and Navigable Rivers of England & Wales (1904) states that the Aylsham Navigation was suitable for maximum size vessels as under.
From Coltishall Lock to below Buxton Lamas Lock:
Length 54ft
Width 13ft 9in
Draught 3ft 6in
From Buxton Lamas Lock to Aylsham:
Length 54ft
Width 12ft 8in
Draught 3ft 6in
Headroom at Burgh Bridge 6ft 4in.

When the flood came on August 26th 1912 all of the locks and some of the bridges (including the one between Coltishall and Horstead) were washed out. The navigation was already in decline as the coming of the railways in the 1880′s had dramatically cut the trade. After the flood the Navigation was never re-opened. Trading wherries caught upstream were abandoned with the exception of the Zulu which was man-hauled around the obstructions to gain her freedom.

The waterway was formally abandoned in November 1928.

THE PROJECT

The Project plans to identify and record what remains of the history of the navigation and also the wildlife of this spectacular river. It also plans to hold a commemoration of the navigation in some form as close to 100 years from the date as possible. More details will be published here as they become known. We also plan to identify and describe walks that will enable others to responsibly (and with respect to land owners) enjoy the river, it’s history, scenery and wildlife.

The project consists of participating groups who will each be undertaking their own aspects of the work sometimes alone and sometimes in collaboration.

If you or a group you represent feel that you would like to get involved please let us know (see the useful links down the right hand side of the page).

 

Coltishall – August 26th

Regular visitors to this site will know that we have a commemoration of the Aylsham navigation on Coltishall Common on the afternoon of August 26th 2012 and we will soon be publishing some detailed plans of what’s happening. It will include the wherry Albion and possibly other historic boats, games, stalls, exhibitions, and much much more. There will be several ways of getting there and we have been offered the use of Roys overspill car park opposite the Bure Valley Railway Station in Wroxham (Hoveton to be accurate) from where we will be operating a shuttle service by historic old coach. You could also arrive by rail either from the Bittern Line or by way of the BVR and use the same bus transfer.

We will also be carrying a token cargo down the Navigation from Aylsham to meet with the Albion by canoe. A timetable will be issued and there will be an opportunity for you to attend along the river before coming on to Coltishall to cheer them on.

We still need a lot of people to assist with stalls and also as marshalls – if you or an organisation you represent would like to be involved please contact us. You might even like to have a stall. Contact stu.wilson100@btinternet.com

 

Aylsham Navigation and BNCT comes to Burgh-next-Aylsham

On Friday May 11th we will be attending Burgh Reading Room at one of the regular social evenings there to introduce people to the Navigation and the work of BNCT and to show our DVD which will also be on sale. People will also have the opportunity to join if they wish.

Please see the poster relating to this event. Burgh Bure Navigation Poster[1]

Hope to see you there.

Burgh Lock as it looked in 1927

 

Trees at Oxnead 2

Please also see the previous news item.

This is a difficult situation for us as the landowner has not, as far as can be ascertained, committed any offence and, indeed, may over time be improving the site and will also be returning it to some state more in keeping with its origins. However it cannot be denied that the visual landscape has been ravaged and this has, understandably, upset a lot of people. Given the beauty of the spot we would have much preferred the trees to remain if at all possible but we now have to face the reality of their loss and move forward to ensure that what replaces them restores the visual landscape to its original beauty or as near to as can be best achieved. Land owners and riparian rights holders have rights but they also have responsabilities. We hope that any future plans anywhere along the river will be discussed with us and local user groups before any similar wholesale destruction in future.

UPDATE (10/04)

There is a Forestry Commission licence to fell 50 poplars at this location. The licence is conditional on replanting with indiginous species and hedgerows. The removal of poplar trees from the banks of rivers is, apparently, a national policy promoted by Natural England.

The scale of the destruction is fully illustrated here courtesy of Jim Pannell.

 

Trees at Oxnead

We are aware that a number of beautiful riverside trees have been felled at Oxnead and have received complaints about it. We are making enquiries in to this attack on the landscape and will publish more information when it is to hand. On the face of it this is unacceptable but there may be good reasons for it that we are currently unaware of and must keep an open mind until the facts are known.

The loss of these trees has changed the nature of the Oxnead stretch of the river and not for the better but it has happened and we need to understand why. We also need to ensure, as far as possible, that there are no more trees felled immediately alongside the river unless there is good reason. It would be helpful to establish what plans, if any, exist to re-plant this stretch although no matter what efforts are made it will take many years to replace the maturity level of the trees now gone. We regret that we had no prior knowledge of this operation as we would have made strong representations had we been told in advance although we are not saying that Landowners need to consult us on every decision – we do think this one should have come with prior warning. This represents a challenge to us for the future. We must hope that some kind of  restitution is made by, at the very least, re-planting in the same location.

Chairman of of the BNCT, Stuart Wilson, said “we cannot condemn outright until the full facts are known although on the face of it this is an attack on a much enjoyed beautiful place however we will keep an open mind whilst making our enquiries”.

Since writing the above we have received some advice from a local resident with a keen interest in and a working knowledge of the environment; it is worth reading as it reinforces the view that we need to establish the facts before condemning the action outright.

“Felling of Poplar trees can appear to be fairly drastic, but they have reached the end of their natural period – many of them have already been blown over in recent years (a sure sign).  I suspect that the felling is part of a conservation scheme. These usually include a replanting programme, so this is probably creative work rather than vandalism. The scale of poplar trees is really out of proportion to the local scene, we have become used to them but if they are to be replaced with native species that must be applauded.

So I think we must be careful not to jump to early conclusions. We may be seeing the replacement of an industrial crop from the 1970′s with something more in keeping with the landscape.”

UPDATE (9th April) : We understand that this area was indeed planted as a cash crop but the trees had been allowed to go on beyond their normal felling date and that some were becoming unstable and therefore a danger in a high wind. They will be replaced by a mixture of indiginous trees and hedgerow. This does impact negatively on the visual landscape – there’s no getting away from that but as it’s happened it is gratifying to know that there are plans to re-plant in a way that will produce a new and hopefully equally beautiful, if different, view.

Please let us know what you think by clicking more (below the images) and filling in the comment card.

This was the beauty of the Oxnead stretch

 

The Aylsham Navigation on film and you can own a copy

A new DVD set has been produced by John Parker, an independant film maker and Trust supporter for the Bure Navigation Conservation Trust as part of the Aylsham Navigation’s centenary events. It has been wonderfully filmed, edited and narrated and comes in two parts. The first tells the story of the wherries to Aylsham and contains some interesting local material filmed on and around the river in Brampton and Oxnead. The Aylsham Navigation served our communities from 1797 until 1912 when it was closed by a massive flood.

The second disc shows the river from Horstead to Aylsham as it is today; again local scenes can be found. It really is a televisual feast.

Copies can be ordered from Stuart Wilson ( stu.wilson100@btinternet.com ) at a price of £7.99 each (+ £1.00 p&p although we will deliver free locally). Any donations to the trust can also be made by following this link.

 

Important Meeting and you are invited

 

Millgate Aylsham

There will be a meeting of the Aylsham Navigation Project / BNCT at 7:30pm on March 27th at Burgh Reading Room. You are cordially invited to attend this meeting and the agenda appears below. BNCT needs to have certain  policies in place in order to apply for grants. Drafts of these policies have been prepared and they can be found below on this page. They will be discussed and hopefully approved at this meeting. If you have any substantial objections can you please let me know as soon as possible otherwise if adopted at the meeting they can be subsequently amended at the next AGM. ( stu.wilson100@btinternet.com )

 
AGENDA
 
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of the previous meeting
3. Matters arising
4. Chairmans remarks
5. Financial report including agreement to initial membership fee
6. Policy adoption
    a) Safeguarding Children    
    b) Health & Safety
    c) Equal Ops / Diversity
    d) Data Protection
7. Organisational Structure – proposal to be made on the night.
8. Reports -: ALHS (book and associated), Coltishall Event, Publicity, WI Embroidery, Footpaths and Film by John Parker
9. AOB – it’s a full agenda so please notify AOB in advance.
10. Date and location of next meeting 
 
You may also be interested to know that we have an article in the currently available edition of Waterways World.
 
Donations can now be made payable to the Bure Navigation Conservation Trust (or BNCT if you prefer) can be sent to 11 Church Close, Horstead, Nr Norwich, Norfolk NR12 7ET. Alternatively you may prefer to use the BACS transfer system and our account details are Sort code 08 92 99 Account Number 65531640.
 
Finally we will need help with the event in Coltishall on August 26th so if you are available to give a few hours please let us know as soon as possible. We also need entertainers for the event - do you know anyone who might be prepared to help us out ?
 

New LOGO

We are proud to introduce the new logo for the Bure Navigation Conservation Trust which has been designed by Jack Hodson a GCSE pupil at Aylsham High. There was a great deal of interest and a number of really top class entries – judging was very difficult but in the end we settled for this. Congratulations Jack.

 

Charity formed and legal : we are open for business

The Bure Navigation Conservation Trust is now legally formed and in business.
As a new charity we are reliant on the funds we can raise. We know times are hard but, if you can and you support what we’re doing, please give something. At this stage we can only accept cheques, postal orders or good old fashioned cash although we would prefer that not to be posted.
 
Donations made payable to the Bure Navigation Conservation Trust can be sent to 11 Church Close, Horstead, Nr Norwich, Norfolk NR12 7ET. Alternatively you may prefer to use the BACS transfer system and our account details are Sort code 08 92 99 Account Number 65531640.
The Bure Navigation Conservation Trust has been established to undertake preservation and conservation (not restoration) work on the former Bure Navigation between Coltishall and Aylsham. This link will take you to a You Tube film which demonstrates something of the rivers beauty here.
 
The Trust is also established to encourage responsible access and use by members of the public. It also has a longer term aim of establishing a riverside walk along the entire length of the navigation.

The river at Oxnead (as it was) captured by and copyright of Chris GODDARD

 
 

MAKE August 26th A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

August 26th 2012 is the 100th anniversary of closure to the day. It is the Sunday of the bank holiday weekend and we plan a very special extravaganza event incorporating the wherry Albion and much much more from Coltishall to Aylsham. More details will be published soon but keep the day free for a really exciting time. If you would like to get involved or are skilled in the entertaining arts please let us know. Contact stu.wilson100@btinternet.com

How it once was

 

The anniversary year / it’s good to talk

2012 is the anniversary year of the navigations closure and we are planning a variety of events including exhibitions, gala event, book launch film and photographic shows. For more information contact stu.wilson100@btinternet.com

We can also provide speakers to your organisation on the history, geography, flora and fauna of the Bure Navigation – please apply to the above email address for more information. There is no charge but a donation to our new charity which has just launched, the Bure Navigation Conservation Trust, would be appreciated.