Limited availability for Kayaking Is Not A Crime merchandise

Whilst this blog has no association with Canoe Wales, it supports the sentiment that Kayaking Is Not A Crime.  Volunteers supporting CW (which stands up for it's recreational members' paddling rights, unlike the British Canoe Union/Canoe England) are providing a limited opportunity to once more buy Kayaking Is Not A Crime merchandise. You only have until 28th February 2012 to place an order, so click on the link and spend to stand up for our rights...

The Test & Itchen Association

In the February 2011 post on this blog about discussions within the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum (HCAF) to improve navigation by paddlers it was noted that

"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."

The previously reported 2010 decision of the Test & Itchen Association (T&IA) to refuse to even discuss access and navigation of these rivers seems to have completely halted HCAF progress with this issue.  Subsequent minutes of HCAF meetings and the 2011 AGM, not to mention the 2011 Annual Report, completely neglect the subject.  It appears that there is no longer even a HCAF Access to Water and Active Sports representative position. 

As an organisation, the T&IA would outwardly appear to have successfully stiffled any opportunity for developing a mutually acceptable wider public use of the waterways it regards as the exclusive preserve of the privileged.*  As organisations are made up of individuals, the following provides an introduction to the men who like to say 'no' to canoeing and kayaking on the River Itchen.

Internet references and listings of the Directors of the T&IA are freely accessible (although care needs to be taken as directors of this secretive 65 year old Private Limited company come and go, but often appear to remain on the scene).  As of todays date, the CompanyCheck and bizzy websites concur that the following people are Directors of the T&IA.

Mr Clayton Mark Brendish, CBE

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 05/12/2004.
Interest: Owner of the Kimsbridge Estate on the River Test.
Other: Age - 64. Former director Admiral plc, BT, etc., current director Anite, SThree PLC, etc.

The Kimsbridge Estate office is the registered address of the Test & Itchen Association.

"A great sporting estate should be a retreat where you can indulge your profound passion unhindered."  Unless you're an English or Welsh paddler.

Mr John Giles Selby Coode-Adams, OBE DL

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 31/12/2010.(1)
Interest: Director of The Houghton Club (more on this club later).
Resident: Feeringbury Manor, Colchester.
Other:  Age - 73. City background - former Lehman Brothers banker. High Sheriff of Essex in 2000.  In 2009 Country Life listed him as number 15 of the 100 most powerful people in the countryside.

Dr Richard Malcolm Crabtree

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 30/04/2000.
Interest: Managing Director of Waitrose's Leckford Estate with 11 miles of bank on the River Test. 
Other:  Age - 63. Vice Chairman, trustee and director of the Wessex Chalk Stream & Rivers Trust (WCS&RT), which just happens to be registered at the Kimbridge Estate office. With regard to the Leckbridge Estate, John Lewis 'partners' (employees) are eligible for a substantial discount on fishing prices on the Estate; I wonder what would happen if one of them asked to paddle on the Test...

Mr Jonathan Humphrey Durrant

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 08/05/2011. (2)
Interest: Director Timsbury Fishery on the River Test.
Other: Age - 48.  Associate of Cooper's Country, "a team of individuals uniquely committed to promoting an informed understanding and enjoyment of"... hmm.

Mr Neil Freeman

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 08/05/2011. (3)
Interest: Owns long term lease on fishing at the Broadlands Estate.
Other: Age - 52. Chairman at River Test Salmon Group, trustee at National Angling Museum, Consultant Editor at Classic Angling Magazine, owner of Angling Auctions. The owners of the Broadlands Estate, Lord and Lady Brabourne, have been closely associated with the British Royal Family.

The River Test in the Broadlands Estate. © Copyright Peter Facey and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Mr Jim Gillo Glasspool

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 30/11/2008. (4)
Interest: Director of Timsbury Fishery on the River Test, etc., etc.
Other: Age - 78. No mention of angling objection to paddlers, either in Hampshire or at a national level, is complete without reference to Jim Glasspool.  His Angling Trust Board profile skims the surface, but his long-standing involvement with the ACA remains as noteworthy as his directorship of the WCS&RT was inevitable.  For future reference, note his earlier career connections with Shell.

Mr Norman MacLean

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 29/09/2006.
Interest: Emeritus Professor at Southampton University Centre for Biological Sciences; writes on the historical shaping of the environment by vested fisheries interests.
Other: Age - 79.

Mr Robert David Miles

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 05/12/2004.
Interest: Solictor who lives close to a tributary of the River Test.
Other: Age - 64.

Even tributaries of the River Test are jealously guarded from access by the public.

Mr Christopher Gwyn Saunders-Davis

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 21/05/1991.
Interest: Trout farmer.
Other: Age - 66. The trout farms of which he is a director extend well beyond the Test and Itchen catchment; the Padworth trout farm site sits on an arm of the non-canalised River Kennet that also fails to welcome paddlers.

Padworth Trout Farm is a trade name of Test Valley Trout.  Fortunately, the public footpath that runs alongside this location provides access and egress to the water, somewhat like on sections of the Itchen, but not notably on the Test.

Mr Michael Ernest Winter

Appointment as Director of the T&IA: 08/05/2011. (5)
Interest: ?  New boy on the T&IA block, more research needed.
Other: Age - 70.

The first conclusion about those people running an organisation that has refused to even discuss paddling on the Test and Itchen is that, in the majority of cases, their financial interests appear to centre on the Test.  Perhaps they see public navigation rights on the Itchen as being the thin end of a wedge to the Test.

Financial self-interest would no doubt be disregarded as a primary motive for such a position, although they admit that they are concerned about perceived financial harm to fisheries on the whole, but the fact remains that those who deny the public access to their natural heritage are making money from their objection by selling exclusivity.

Finally, if you're wondering why I've listed ages, it's just to show that the T&IA directors who object to paddling on the Test and Itchen have an average age of 65.9 years.  I was surprised to find that this is not much lower than another group of individuals who have a far more insidious influence on paddling on Hampshire's inland waterways.

*I thought long and hard about this note in a post describing the objection of vested fisheries interests to paddlers, but, in the interests of balance, praise is due to such as the owners of the Kimbridge Estate for their support of Casting for Recovery or the Leckford Estate's support for Fishing for Forces.

(1) Companies in the UK states date of appointment as director as 10/02/2011.
(2) Companies in the UK states date of appointment as director as 19/05/2011.
(3) Companies in the UK states date of appointment as director as 06/06/2011.
(4) Companies in the UK states date of appointment as director as 28/12/2008, and also notes the ending of his appointment as Secretary of the T&IA on 26/05/2010.
(5) Companies in the UK states date of appointment as director as 06/06/2011.

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.