foot lengths into knots and invites the children to undo them. The freight boats were either wind-propelled, pulled by When they don’t succeed, he steps in and with a couple of deft horses or pushed along by the boatmen themselves using flicks the ropes are straightened once more. long oars. On one side of the room the various traditional means of propulsion are shown, and on the other a collection of domestic artefacts gives a picture of life on board. The family lived below deck where they kept wooden trunks for linens, a wood-burning stove for cooking and heating, a moscheto to keep insects away from food, and countless small utensils for every day use. The barge was home, as well as the means for getting to know the outside world which floated by. In it, the bargeman passed through the basins and the buta, the flooding created artificially twice a week to compensate for the shallower parts of the navigation system. The museum shows us the whole history of the almost forgotten world of river and lagoon transport, from the squeri, where the flat-bottomed barges were constructed (only one squero still remains in Venice itself, and that was brought back into use by an enthusiastic American), to the art of navigating the inland waterways. Inside the Museum of River Navigation
See more information and a photo gallery on the Museum’s website at www.museonavigazione.eu
It is right and proper that the University of Padua has recognised Riccardo Cappellozza’s great achievement by awarding him an honorary degree, of which he is very proud. He is much more than a museum director; he is himself an important exhibit, a vital connection with the artefacts of a way of life which no longer exists.
All lit up for Christmas Once again our Illuminated Boats & Carols event on 12th December lit up the canalside and Museum and this year, thanks to the Boat Inn, we were also able to project a series of Christmas greetings and festive images onto the face of the Museum. Centre of attraction was the children of Stoke Bruerne C of E Primary School who sung carols on the Museum Green, accompanied by Lincoln Noel on the electric piano and led by Andrew Woodward of The Boat Inn. The popular annual event attracted large crowds and 10 decorated boats. Visitors were able to take an illuminated boat trip down to the tunnel and back to see all the decorated boats. Narrowboat Inchy complete with Rosie & Jim nativity scene won the Best Illuminated boat competition for the 4th year running. Tim & Roberta have promised not to enter next year to give someone else a chance of winning. Santa and one of his reindeer were on hand to delight the children, all the gift shops and the Museum were open, mulled wine was on offer and the aroma of hot chestnuts roasting on an open fire completed the Christmas atmosphere. The "Guess the Name of the Reindeer" Competition was won by Lily Rudd from Alderton and although not primarily a fund raiser, more a community event, we raised £140. A big thank you to all our volunteers. Photo: James Rudd (Lily’s Dad!)