We can wade away, but don't paddle here.

Following the recent postponement of a proposed Autumn paddle on the Hampshire Avon for environmental reasons - the water levels were just too low, and although the EA had confirmed that Salmon spawning wouldn't take place until December and January, they had also expressed concerns that possible contact with gravel beds could damage potential nesting sites -  it would appear that such issues are not respected by all users of chalkstream rivers.

The closed season for salmon fishing on the River Itchen runs from the 3rd October to the 16th January (inclusive)*, but the thought that wading in the river during this period might also cause damage seems to have been pushed out of mind by anglers drawn by the lure of Grayling.

On the 31st October 2010 a member of a fly fishing website forum decided to "post some pictures from my day out on the Itchen today."  He continued by saying that "It was good to get out and and spend some quality time fishing even though the water was pretty cold while wading!", and noted that "wading is essential as the beat is tree lined on both banks."   The stretch of the river was identified as "a day ticket beat in Brambridge called "kanara Water" and was booked through Rodbox in Winchester. They also have some other beats available (some bank, some wading which are equally good.)".

The Rodbox website currently confirms that Grayling fishing continues on the Itchen - "We are now taking bookings for grayling fishing" - whilst the FishPal website notes that for the Kanara fishery "The configuration of the fishing lends itself to wading, which is attractive to many anglers."

Word of such practices has even reached Japan:

A fisherman in the River Itchen possibly impacting spawning redds.

Less impact than a canoe or kayak floating above the gravel?

 
The hypocrisy of such activity deserves to be recorded.  If you have legal access to any stretches of the River Itchen and a camera in your hand please notify the EA about potential breaches of SAFFA legislation. 

Don't forget that Barbel spawn from May to July (and that in their larval form/young fish remain in gravels for another month), and whilst they may be an alien species introduced to the Itchen by anglers, they also enjoy the full protection of the law from trampling feet: "any person who wilfully disturbs any spawn or spawning fish, or any bed, bank or shallow on which any spawn or spawning fish may be, shall be guilty of an offence."


*Similarly, the closed season for Sea Trout fishing season on the River Itchen is from the 1st November – 28th February (or the 29th February in Leap years), and the closed season for non-migratory trout fishing on the River Itchen :is from 1st October – 21st March.

PPP raises £15k for Macmillan Cancer Support

Congratulations to the participants and organisers of the Pedal Power Pace Triathlon, which took place on Sunday 24th July this year at Palmer Field, Winchester, Hampshire, raising nearly £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The course included a 2km section of the Itchen Navigation, putting the waterway to a use for which it is ideally suited: safe and enjoyable passage by the public using kayaks.

For further information and images please click here to visit the PPP website.

HWT says dogs OK to paddle in Itchen Navigation but public not allowed.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HWT) have claimed a U.K. first in establishing three 'dog dips' on the Itchen Navigation.

Designed to help protect wildlife from disturbance and banks from erosion, dog owners are being encouraged to only permit their pets to access the waters at the selected sites near Shawford and Allbrook.

The 'dog dip' (with special provision for smaller animals) located just upstream from Shawford.

 

It is to be hoped that dogs using these facilities will quickly learn to adapt their paddling technique and keep their silt-stirring paws off the river bed to avoid enraging fisheries interests.

However, whilst it is debatable whether just two locations along the 10.5 mile Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail will prove sufficient to make any significant impact (or if they might even encourage errant members of the great unwashed to sooth their overheated toes in the sparkling waters), it is clear that the HWT would not consider such dedicated canine access points as potential put-ins for environmentally considerate canoeing and kayaking.

 

In the Itchen Navigation FAQ web page of the HWT website, the response to the question "Can I boat on the Itchen Navigation?" is

 

"Canoeing is allowed at Riverside Park in Southampton. Boating is not allowed on any other part of the Itchen Navigation, unless prior permission is granted from the relevant landowners."

 

When questioned about the legal basis of this statement the following response was received:

 

"In 2005, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust sought a legal position in respect of the Itchen Navigation. With regards to boating on the Navigation, the following conclusions were made in the legal position statement:

 

There was never a public right of navigation on the Itchen Navigation (there was only ever a commercial use as a trade route, for which fees were paid). An 1802 Act of Parliament points to the fact that while smaller vessels (other than barges) could seek to use the Navigation with the consent of the proprietors and in compliance with the conditions as to licensing, operating and termination set out in the Act, there was not a public right of navigation for anyone and everyone."

 

Not withstanding the weight of historical argument for public navigation rights contained in the works of Douglas Caffyn,  it is noted that

• In 1992 Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Kenneth Carlisle, reported in a House of Commons written answer that “I am advised that the lichen [sic] navigation is in law a navigable waterway, but that the extent of rights of access and passage along it and its towpaths is not clear.”

• “Winchester College Boat Club is one of the oldest school boat clubs in the country, founded officially in 1867.  Most rowing takes place on the Itchen Navigation…” (a fact also noted on the HWT FAQ web page). 

• In 2008 Winchester City Council noted that “Itchen Navigation to the south of Winchester is still navigable from Wharf Mill to the site of St Catherine’s Lock”.

• The Winchester Peddle Paddle Pace (PPP) triathlon, in support of McMillan Cancer Support, will be held for the third time on 24th July 2011.  The course of the “paddle” element will be run on the Itchen Navigation for 2km at Palmer Field.
• The image used to illustrate the HWT website page on the “History of the Itchen Navigation” is captioned “Tunbridge in Winchester in the 1870s (Winchester City Council Museums). The Navigation is being used for boating and bathing, while children look on from the bridge.” This image is replicated on the HWT project leaflet and in the website Image Gallery.  The website Image Gallery also contains a second picture that shows recreational boating use of the Itchen Navigation.

It was put to the HWT that their statement that boating on the River Itchen requires the "permission" of the "relevant landowners" would suggest that ,whilst it is physically possible, it is simply "not allowed" by those vested interests.  Whilst intimidation may have achieved this position in recent years, it would be disappointing if the HWT continues to perpetuate such attitudes as legally enshrined and morally defensible.  No response was received.

Whilst there is no doubt that the HWT carry out an enormous amount of vital and valuable conservation and environmental work, they are not the legal navigation authority for the Itchen Navigation, and they are publically funded for the Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail Project which is intended, in their own words, to deliver a "living landscape...  providing many benefits for local people."

Use of environmental concerns on the Itchen

The principal objectors to canoeing and kayaking on the river Itchen and Itchen Navigation are fisheries interests, and a whole host of excuses are propounded in support of exclusive use of the waterway, often focusing on a pretence of environmental concern.  

One of the claims made by the young fishery employee who's threat's sparked this blog into life was that canoeists and kayakers directly disturb the shallow gravel redds in which a range of fish spawn, and cause siltation of the waterway.

Such arguments have little relation to reality as, even if failing to carefully enter the water, the amount of disturbance to muddy banks by paddlers would be wholly insignificant by comparison to the effects of a day's rain, let alone the impact of poor land management/agricultural practices.  Damage to the banks by dogs entering the water is a far greater area of real concern than harm by paddlers.

Agricultural access to the Itchen Navigation from private land.  The risk of erosion run-off was not created by paddlers.

Access to the waterway by dogs whilst being walked along the public footpath can also cause erosion and potential siltation (more on this in a separate post).

Once in the water, paddlers only require a minimal water level in order to avoid environmental harm.  The BCU has stated that "Identifying a safe level to avoid coming into contact with gravel spawning beds should take into account the draught of a canoe/kayak is typically up to 10cm. This suggests that allowing at least a 15-20cm depth of water should be adequate to pass over gravel beds with the minimum risk of grounding. Care should be exercised using a paddle in reduced depth conditions to avoid contact with a gravel river bed, and it is recommended to revert to a paddle if poling an open canoe."

Environment Agency report W266 clearly states that "canoeing is not harmful to fish populations", and notes that the true cause of fisheries antipathy to canoeing is the fear of diminishing the concept of exclusivity to the waterway with attendant financial loss.

The Itchen fisheries represent one of the staunchest remaining bastions of elitist self-interest in England, but whilst they will hypocritically raise the pretence of environmental concern in justification of maintaining their position, it is not an area in which the considerate paddler should feel at any disadvantage.

Slalom on the Itchen at Winchester

Winchester and District Canoe Club (WDCC) held their annual Division 4 novice open slalom competition today on the calm flatwater channel of the River Itchen alongside their clubhouse at the rear of River Park Leisure Centre.

Competitors of all ages take to the River Itchen to face the challenge of this paddlesport discipline.

Negotiating the gates in a slalom kayak on the River Itchen in Winchester.

Another young competitor swings back upstream against the gentle flow at the start of his descent.

Woodmill Canoe Shop provided a range of kayaks for anyone wishing to try out paddling on the day.

From initial first strokes along a safe shallow channel...

...potential future British Olympians race on the River Itchen.

"River Transport 1189-1600" - a right of navigation on the River Itchen Navigation

The start of 2011 saw the publication of a new doctoral thesis by historian and rivers access researcher the Rev'd Douglas Caffyn titled "River Transport 1189-1600", which clearly demonstrates that a historical right of river navigation exists on the River Itchen, and that this was the case even prior to the canalisation and new cuts made in creation of the Itchen Navigation.

Rev'd Caffyn's 2004 Master of Laws thesis was titled "The Right of Navigation on Non-tidal Rivers and the Common Law", and in examination of this subject he concluded that, despite misinterpretation of law since 1830, "In common law there is a public right of navigation on all non-tidal rivers which are naturally physically navigable by small boats and on those rivers which have been made physically navigable at public expense."[1]

To date, this position has not been successfully contested, and was reiterated in 2007 in the specific context of navigation rights on the Hampshire Avon., as reported by the BBC (online article and video of news report from South Today).

The new thesis provides details of historical evidence and indications that provide strong argument that the River Itchen was an acknowledged navigable river even prior to the several Navigation Acts. The thesis notes the probable transportation by barge of the stone used to build Winchester cathedral, Saxon use of (at least up to Bishopstoke) and improvements to the river, and subsequent historical accounts of the navigability of this "most famous and profitable river". [2]

In mind of his overarching thesis "that all the river which was usable would have been public whether used or not" [3], it is noted that Category A evidence of use has been found for the Itchen for a distance (from the tidal limit at Woodmill) of 16 miles i.e. as far as Winchester. Category B evidence of use extends the navigable use of the Itchen upstream by a further 10 miles upstream to New Arlesford (although, in the interests of accuracy, reasonable doubts about this historical reporting for the upper Itchen limit are duly noted).[4]

Rev'd Caffyn's works are now collected at the new Caffyn on Rivers website, where, in addition to his academic theses, you can also find a document on Public Rights of Navigation (PRoN) and the easily digested "Boats On Our Rivers - Again". All highly recommended reading for anyone who has ever been met with such phrases as 'you can't paddle here' or 'you'll be hauled out of the river'!

"Boats on our rivers again" provides an easily digestible summary of the arguments for a legal right of navigation on English Rivers, and a challenge to those who would dispute the fact.

 

[1] Caffyn, D. J. M., "The Right of Navigation on Non-tidal Rivers and the Common Law", 2004, p. 151. Note that this work is only applicable to waterways in England and Wales.

[2] Caffyn, D. J. M., "River Transport 1189 - 1600", 2010, p. 393-7

[3] From Douglas Caffyn by e-mail, 11 February 2011.

[4] Caffyn, D. J. M., "River Transport 1189 - 1600", 2010, p. 393-7.

Debunking some myths about canoeing and kayaking in Hampshire

In reading through the Test and Itchen Countyside Access Plan for 2008-2013 and the minutes of recent Hampshire Countryside Access Forum (HCAF) meetings for the previous post, a couple of recorded statements stood out as worthy of repetition. 

The first was was the 'fact' that "While there is access for canoes and other small craft along the coast and river estuaries in the south of the county, there are currently only about 3 miles of inland waterways that are publicly accessible in the whole of Hampshire. Virtually none of this is in the Test and Itchen area, although the Rivers Test and Itchen are among the few inland watercourses in the county that are navigable."[1]

The second quotation was from a member of the Test and Itchen Association who, when attempting to justify this organisation's refusal to even discuss navigation by canoeists and kayakers with the HCAF, stated that "Hampshire has much more boating access than many other counties."[2] 

It is, of course, true that Hampshire offers some fantastic opportunities for coastal and tidal paddling.  However, given that the subject under discussion was inland river navigation, and, working on the premise that this person was not so ignorant of the matter he was addressing that he would be unaware of the fundamental differences between the types of canoeing and kayaking carried out on a river and at sea (or that he had at least read and understood the gist of the first statement), this could at first be taken to be a little disingenuous.  It might alternatively be considered that the choice of words reflects more truth than was probably intended.

Just to put the record straight, the following provides some brief comparison notes on the availability of paddling in Hampshire's neighbouring counties.  As far as is possible, I have tried to use examples of rivers that have some features in common with the River Itchen Navigation.

Dorset.

The 20th largest English ceremonial county (by comparison to Hampshire as the 9th largest [3]), blessed with a coastline sufficient to make it the sailing center for the 2012 Olympics, but still able to find some waters for inland paddling, including, for example, the...

River Stour - a 15 mile canoe and kayak race is held annually between Sturminster Newton Mill and Bryanston School, usually in December for added 'cool' factor.  Outside of this event, details of paddling on the Stour can be found here, here and here.

A canoeist departs from the weir at Fiddleford on the River Stour during the 2008 Stour Descent.

A kayaker drops down the weir at Fiddleford during the 2008 River Stour Descent.

Gentle inland paddling in Dorset is also available on the River Frome and the River Piddle (Cecily Bridge to Cuckoo Pound and Cuckoo Pound to Wareham).

Wiltshire.

This is a landlocked county but, as the 14th largest in the country, it is also the most comparable in size of Hampshire's neighbours.  Wiltshire hosts the sources of the River Kennet and all of it's upper reach, as well as upper waters of the Hampshire (or Salisbury) Avon down to the county boundary near Downton (more on this river later), and its tributaries the Bourne, Ebble, Nadder and Wylye.

Wiltshire is perhaps most noted in paddling terms as being the starting point of the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race along the Kennet and Avon Canal, initially undertaken along a waterway expressly designed for economic navigation and which is now recognised as a purely recreational resource for canoeists, kayakers, boaters and fishermen alike.

The Devizes to Westminster starting line on the Kennet and Avon canal in Wiltshire - 125 miles of paddling to the finish line.

In a small corner in the north of the county The Thames looks remarkably similar to sections of the Itchen Navigation just downstream from Shawford.

Approaching a footbridge on the River Thames near Cricklade , which looks to me remarkably like the approach to Malm Bridge on the River Itchen Navigation.
[Image © Copyright Brian Robert Marshall and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence].

Berkshire.

Sitting on Hampshire's northern border, Berkshire is the 40th largest English county and is therefore much less than half the size of its southern neighbour, but it still manages to make space for gentle grade 1 Itchen-like waterways including...

The Kennet Navigation.  Created by a Parliamentary statute in the 18th century that has not been revoked to date (though the river was already used as a navigation prior to canalisation).  Watered in part by a chalkstream river (and part of an SSSI along it's route from Newbury down to Woolhampton).  A public footpath alongside.  Sounding familiar T&IA fisheries people?  Well here's where the difference appears: there at least 19 miles (plus additional riverine detours) available to paddlers and fishermen between Newbury and Reading.

Kayakers enjoy their right to paddle on the Kennet Navigation.

Hopefully, there is no need to mention that The Thames runs through or forms the northern boundary of Berkshire for around 25 miles from near Moulsford to Medmenham, and that it is a public navigation, although it might be worth noting such as the slalom competition held on it's tributary the Loddon.

Surrey.

The 35th largest English ceremonial county, under half the size of Hampshire. 

Paddlers are welcomed on the 20-mile Wey Navigations - canalised river navigations which are "managed and protected for its long-term preservation as a recreational asset"[3] by the National Trust.  Connected at one end to the River Arun (see below), and at the other end... don't mention The Thames again!

The River Mole also offers the opportunity for paddling, and whilst a short section is even listed on the Ordnance Survey's Explore website pages, the best guide I've seen is contained within Peter Knowles' "Pub Paddle's - The Best Short Canoe Trips in the South of England".

Kayakers on the River Mole in 2006.

[Copyright on this image is owned by Martyn Davies and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license].

West Sussex.

The 30th largest English county, just over half the size of Hampshire, and offering...

The western River Rother; approximately 12 miles of paddling from Midhurst to the confluence with the Arun west of Pulborough.  Roughly the distance the Itchen Navigation runs from Winchester to Southampton, but slightly more demanding.

Canoeing on the River Rother in West Sussex.  This disused lock looks remarkably similar to the one at Allbrook on the River Itchen Navigation.
[Copyright on this image is owned by Steven Wibberley and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license].

River Arun.  Ten miles of tidal touring followed by the additional opportunities for paddling further upstream.

Stopham Bridge on the River Arun, near to the confluence with the River Rother.

So back to Hampshire, and a river the man from the T&IA didn't want to mention; the Hampshire Avon.  For many decades it has been a river jealously guarded against encroachment by paddlers, and anyone else who wasn't a fee-paying rod, by a collection of land owners and fisheries, but in the last few years there has been both a cogently argued and de facto rebuttal of claimed limitations of navigation.  For details of canoeing and kayaking on the Hampshire Avon everything you need to know is on this excellent blog.

If you add in such as the 7 miles of paddling on the Lymington River between Brockenhurst and Lymington in the New Forest, the 'officially painted picture of "3 miles of inland waterways that are publicly accessible" in Hampshire might not be as bad as it initially sounds when you start looking at the reality of what's happening on the water. 

The failure to officially recognise this situation might at first glance appear to lend support to those who claim navigation on rivers can be 'barred' on the grounds of riparian land ownership (which pertains more to the separate although related issue of access to rivers). 

However, new legislation is probably not the best way forward for paddlers. The weight behind claims that extant law is already on the side of canoeists and kayakers is testified by the failure to bring any prosecutions on the grounds of 'illegal navigation', and the best way to re-assert these rights may therefore be to simply get out and paddle more waterways.

[1] http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/countryside/access/test-itchen.pdf p.22
[2] http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/hcaf/jul-2010.pdf p.9  
[3] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-riverwey_godalmingnavigations_dapdunewharf/w-riverwey-history.htm

Thanks to UKRGB and the contributors to the River Guides - a valuable resource for paddlers in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Welcome to 21st Century Hampshire

"I truely treate that men may note and see

What blessings Navigable Rivers bee

And how that thousands are debarr'd those blessings

By few mens avaritious hard oppressings".

When the self-styled "Water Poet" John Taylor wrote these lines in the seventeenth century he may not have imagined how relevant they would remain some 400 hundred years later, or at least as they are with regard to the River Itchen Navigation.  Whilst growing numbers of the paddling public are increasingly questioning the promulgated orthodoxy of a private right to restrict navigation on English and Welsh rivers, this Hampshire waterway remains a bastion of attempts to defend the vested interests of an elite minority over the legitimate aspirations of the wider population.

This blog will return to recent work that reaffirms the historical rights of navigation on the Itchen (and which disputes the legality of attempts to restrict such) at a future date.  In the interim, what is being done today to promote canoeing and kayaking on the River Itchen Navigation in 21st Century Hampshire?

Hampshire County Council have a statutory requirement to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP), and have therefore addressed this in a county-wide Countryside Access Plan (CAP) for 2008-13.  In addition to the CAP County Overview document, there are seven regional CAPs.

A considerable length of the Itchen falls into CAP areas other than the Test and Itchen Plan - the fact that only two areas do not contain sections of the Itchen underlines its central importance as a Hampshire waterway -  and, as is the case with the CAP County Overview, the words "canoe" or "canoeing" do not appear in any of these, except in the context of coastal and tidal waters for the Solent.  

Five of the seven Hampshire CAPs contain sections of the River Itchen within their defined boundaries.

However, the Test and Itchen CAP 2008-2013 contains a section titled "Issue 7 - There is a demand for more access to, along and on the waterways of the area; landowners and managers are concerned about how this would affect conservation and fishing" and within this section it is stated that there is

"an unmet demand for access to the Rivers Test and Itchen by canoe and other manually-propelled craft. While there is access for canoes and other small craft along the coast and river estuaries in the south of the county, there are currently only about 3 miles of inland waterways that are publicly accessible in the whole of Hampshire. Virtually none of this is in the Test and Itchen area, although the Rivers Test and Itchen are among the few inland watercourses in the county that are navigable." [1]

That's three miles* in the ninth largest county in England.  Why?  It's simple.  Look again at the wording of "Issue 7", and it tells you who is doing the objecting, and then presents both an increasingly used and somewhat hypocrital excuse on the grounds of 'conservation', and the truth of the matter...  It all comes down to money, and the view that, if you have enough of it, you can own other peoples rights. 

*At least officially, the reality is somewhat different - see the following post.

A view from the banks of the River Itchen Navigation in 2009.

The specific subjects of paddling, fishing and environmental conservation will be returned to at a later date.  For now, we'll stick with recent efforts to come to a position of mutual respect.

The Hampshire Countryside Access Forum (HCAF) has been established along national guidelines  - "legally, the group is the statutory Local Access Forum which each county council, unitary council and national park authority must establish and support" - to represent the diverse interests of all interests in this arena, and to seek grounds for mutual compromise.

In September 2005 the HCAF was provided with a presentation [2] by the British Canoe Union (BCU) which advised that, at that time,

• there was 700-800 BCU members in Hampshire (and 90 BCU approved coaches), 8 BCU approved centres and 9 clubs;
• that the Calshot and Woodmill activity centres were respectively teaching 6-7000 and 9000 canoeists per year; 
• despite the potential for river navigation on the Avon, Itchen, Itchen Navigation, Loddon catchment waterways, and the Test, canoeists were restricted to a short section of the Basingstoke Canal or had to leave the county to go freshwater paddling.

The economic benefits of canoeing to a host area were also described.

In April 2009 the BCU provided a further presentation outlining the health and social inclusion benefits of canoeing and kayaking.  A representative from the Environment Agency added that they had a responsibility to look at the issue of rivers in the context of promoting public access.

On this occasion the Test and Itchen Association (T&IA) also made a presentation, and showed its true colours when their representative stated that it "would strongly resist unrestricted navigation due to... A potentially significant impact on income from fishing".  In following discussion the HCAF asked "what access would be acceptable for the Test and Itchen Association."  The response was that "very little access would be encouraged because...  It would cause a loss to fishery income".[3]

Perhaps it's a bit too modern, but "Just Say No" would make a good motto for the Test and Itchen Association.  A view of the Itchen navigation in August 2009, shortly after the Association stated their views on public access along a waterway that was created by Parliamentary statute expressly for navigation.

Following that meeting a sub-group of the HCAF was established to look at whether the Forum should report on 'Access on Water', and in July 2009 it duly concluded that such a role was appropriate, noting "Negotiations to establish what access might be considered should take place between relevant parties. It is suggested that initially this should be between the BCU and The Test and Itchen Association, with an independent chair. Other parties (e.g. Environment Agency, Natural England, Wildlife Trust, Outdoor Swimming Society and riparian landowners) should be informed of the negotiations." [4] 

Without dragging through the minutiae, the sub-group continued to meet throughout the remainder of 2009, and in February 2010 they had an "audience" with Executive Director Tom Davies representing the T&IA.[5]  He agreed to take the findings of the meeting to the T&IA board  meeting to be held on 18th March.[6]  By April it was reported that the T&IA was forming it's own sub-committee to look at the issue, and HCAF had requested at least an indication of its willingness to discuss water access further.[7]

By July 2010 HCAF had had their answer from the Test and Itchen Association.  In what is understood to be a tersely worded letter, the Association stated that "due to reasons ‘Forum members will by now be only too aware of’ the Association is not in a position to enter into such negotiations." [8]

With the door slammed firmly shut in their faces, the HCAF could only register its "disappointment" at this "regrettable" stance, and conclude that "access on the Test and Itchen should not be pursued at this time."[9]

However, it was also mentioned that day "that there was still a need to address what advice could be given to canoeists."    Watch this space...



[1] http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/countryside/access/test-itchen.pdf p.22
[2] www.countrysideaccessforum.hants.org.uk/.../060905minutes.doc p.4-5
[3] www.countrysideaccessforum.hants.org.uk/.../2009-21apr-minutes.doc p.2
[4] www.hants.gov.uk/rh/hcaf/access-to-water.pdf p.2
[5] Details of the meeting at http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/hcaf/apr-2010.pdf p.5-6
[6] http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/hcaf/feb-2010.pdf p.25
[7] http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/hcaf/apr-2010.pdf p.16
[8] http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/hcaf/jul-2010.pdf p.8
[9] http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/hcaf/jul-2010.pdf p.9   

Winchester PPP Triathlon - paddling the Itchen Navigation for the benefit of others

If you want to go canoeing and kayaking on the River Itchen Navigation it would normally mean that you're up for a gentle paddle, some walks for portages around obstructions on private land,  and that you're probably prepared to put up with some intimidation or (allegedly) potential physical abuse from others less willing to share our natural heritage and historical rights.

For those more disposed to the enjoyment of an uncontested sprint along the publicly accessible waterway (combined with a run and a ride), there's Pedal, Power, Pace - A Triathlon with a Difference.

Now in it's third year, The Macmillan Cancer Support Winchester Triathlon is scheduled for the 24th July 2011.  The 2010 event raised over £10,000 for the charity, with 250 competitors cheered on by over 300 supporters.  This year the organiser's are hoping to double the number of participants.

Importantly, this event is open to families who'd like to have a go for a great cause, so whilst there will be some serious competition, there's plenty of opportunity to simply take part for no better reason than enjoying your natural environment with your loved ones whilst helping others.

The upstream paddling course is a 2km section of the Itchen Navigation, and easy to use sit-on-top kayaks, paddles and buoyancy aids are provided by the organisers, so, if you've got a pair of trainers and a bike, it's game on!

Paddlers on the River Itchen during the 2010 Winchester PPP Triathlon.  Follow the build up to this year's event on the PPP Facebook page by clicking here. 
[Image by kind permission of the organisers].

Canoeing and kayaking on the River Itchen Navigation starts here...

This blog was registered over a year ago, but has finally been given an unintentionally early kick start by an encounter described below, which is taken with permission from the author on the Song Of The Paddle forum.

"A walk with 4 interesting conversations

It was a lovely day yesterday and I was out walking along a public footpath along the Itchen Navigation, I with my open boat and another friend with a kayak.

Three times during the walk we were questioned about it.

The first time was by a river keeper from the local fishing club, who said it would be illegal to paddle . When I mentioned the Navigation acts, he denied the acts were still valid and wouldn't apply to the river sections even if they were, and complained we'd be creating environmental mayhem if we paddled by destroying the banks and silting the river. He then threatened to have us hauled out the water if we were found paddling and that we'd get nowhere along the river. Sadly I did not record the conversation, it would have been useful later on, conspiracy to assault?. The Environment Agency employee who overheard this remarked to my friend that as far as he was concerned we'd be doing less damage than the dogs people let loose and which went in the river (there are dog dips set along the path) and that canoeing has very little impact.

The second was by the owner of a house we were passing, who very civilly spoke to us, letting us know that bit of the navigation was part of his property and we could not paddle, and that the navigation acts were no longer valid owing to a court ruling case in the seventies taken by the Test and Itchen Association, on account of the poor behaviour of a group of canoeists. I said if that were the case, and it did take precedence in law over the acts and ruled out a right of Navigation, then I'd let other paddlers know about it. He couldn't remember details, but he thought that it had been taken by the Test and Itchen Association, and it had been in the local papers.

He also said that the value in his property and the income from the fishing rights in his property fishing (only two rods) was modest but necessary to him, and would be adversely affected by a right of navigation (as has happened in Scotland, allegedly, anyone have any figures for this?). This was a fair enough argument to raise.

He was a great example of how to deal with a potentially contentious issue - polite, civilised and firm in his viewpoint, with good points made to back it up without arguing. A great contrast to the earlier encounter.

A bit later on we came across a police constable coming the other way who wanted a word with us, as concerns had been raised. He might have had to walk some distance to reach us, we were going pretty slowly with all the carrying and conversation we'd had on the way. At least he was aware it was a civil matter,wasn't going to stop us and just asked for our contact details and went on his way. I should have mentioned the threats we 'd received, but I had no evidence . A waste of police time and taxpayers money that he was called out in my opinion, I will try and find out why they thought they should be involved.

We then went home."

There is off-road parking for three vehicles at the single passsage bridge over the Itchen on Kiln Lane.  This is a popular location for walkers of the Itchen Way footpath to park, and care should be taken when portaging past Kingfisher Lodge from Downs Bridge and crossing the road.

"It was an interesting walk through a lovely if somewhat muddy countryside. Didn't see a single fish or angler except on the way back to pick up the car, there were some at the southern water station. Lots of other walkers, many with dogs., but a pig of path to carry an open boat along . Probably won't do it again (be easier to walk it with a kayak, assuming you can take the abuse).

I've not found any reference to the case yet, and I have access to some quite good resources. If I do find it or anyone knows anything about it let me know.

I did look up the price of property and fishing rights - can see why landowners and fisheries wish to keep it exclusive (Type fishing rights for sale into your favourite search page. You'll be surprised). Doesn't excuse threatening behaviour by their employees or members, or preventing people exercising lawful rights of passage where these exist."

Congratulations to the Bishopstoke Fishery employee, who no doubt thought he had been suitably intimidating and authoritative (he did have a couple of young ladies in the background to impress), but failed to recognise that we were carrying our boats to avoid trespass, and who has now generated further debate on the right to canoe and kayak the River Itchen Navigation.