Towpath Talk June 2025 issue **FREE TO READ**

Thewisteriaon TopLock Cottage isin fullbloomandthenewdefibrillator,funded by thelocalCRTvolunteers, is fixed totheCRT shed as hireboat PipingPlover completestheAtherstone Flight,CoventryCanal.

Volunteersto compilehuge canal surveythanksto lotterycash

AVOLUNTEER-LEDheritage survey of 2000milesof canal network in Englandand Wales hasstarted this year –thefirst in more than three decades.

The work,whichwill take four yearstocomplete, willcreatea vast digital database whichwill

detailthehistory ofthenetwork anditsassociated structures. Thisis beingmadepossible thankstofunds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Organisedbythe Canal& RiverTrust,the work started intheNorth West withthe

Guard against fuel theft

River Canal Rescue is urging boat owners to put a lock on their fuel caps following numerous cases of stolen fuel on the waterways

Managing director Stephanie Horton warned: “Fuel siphoning from tanks is sadly becoming a much more common issue, and it’s nationwide

We can’t tell if the thieves are getting to boats via the towpath or on the water, but to deter them, boaters should put a separate lock on their fuel cap”

127-mile-long Leeds&Liverpool Canal. Ateamof25volunteers hasstarted the survey between Wigan, Leighand Liverpool. It willthen be rolledoutacross thetrust’snetwork of canalsthat span England andWales.

Bill Froggatt,heritage

adviseratCanal &RiverTrust, explained:“Thirty yearsafter thefirstsurveywas completed, ourcharity hassecured the fundingtobeable to go out and update andadd to those original records.Using the supportofour wonderful volunteersand embracing modernmobile technology,it will be aproject that celebrates this wonderfullegacy from ourindustrial past andhelps preserve itforthe future.”

•Continuedonpage2

New bridge over the Monty

Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, is to construct a new road bridge over the Montgomery Canal as part of its restoration Carreghofa Lane Bridge construction is approved for a four-mile canal section. Replacing the causeway with the new bridge is an important step in returning boats to the centuries-old canal The work, due to being in April, is expected to take nine months and vegetation has been cleared in advance

PHOTO:GRAHAMNUTTALL

Historic bridge given new lease of life

THE £160,000 restoration ofahistoriccanal bridge is due to endthismonth.

Theworktofinish Bridge 91Aat the entrance to BraunstonMarinaonthe Grand Union Canalhas been made possible thanks to alegacyfromlatewaterways supporter and localresidentPeter Andrews.Thebridge will be renamedPeter’s Bridge and anumber plaque,reading ‘91A,Peter’s Bridge’, will be fitted, providingalasting tribute.

Once complete, it will again be possible for people to walk and cycleoverit.

LinnyBeaumont, regional directoratthe Canal&River Trust, said:“It’s fantastic to see this projectprogressing,which will help to protectthe historiccharacter of thebridge while alsomakingitbetterfor those usingthe towpathoverit.

“It’sbeenagreat experience for our volunteerstostand in the footsteps ofthose that built the bridge morethan200 years ago, uncovering the historicbrickwork and painstakinglyrepairingitbyhand.

“Wecan’twaittoseethefinaltransformation whichwillprovide afitting, andlasting,tribute to Mr Andrews and his very generousgift.”

The workswillinvolve repairingand,where necessary,replacinghistoricbrickwork on the northern face of Bridge 91A.Thebridge deck,whichcarries theGrand UnionCanal towpathoverthe marina entrance,willalsobe cleanedand anew resin-bondedsurfacelaid down.Works areexpectedtobecompleted by mid-June,intime for the annual Braunston Historic Boat Rallywhich attracts colourful boatsfromaround the country.

The project hasbeengiven ahelpinghand by the charity’slocal volunteerswho have carried outpreliminaryworks to carefullyremove render,revealingthe brickworkunderneath for the first time in decades and enabling repairstotakeplace.Thevolunteershave also removedloose mortar and crumbling bricks from the southern side of the bridge and carriedout repairswithreclaimedbricks and traditional limemortar. Theywillsoonbe back outonsitecleaningand repaintingthe bridge’s metalparapets

To findout moreabout the work of the Canal& RiverTrust,including howyou can support through volunteeringordonating, go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Stroudwater Canalrestoration makes TV debut

VIEWERScan watcha featureonthe Stroudwater Canalrestorationproject on BBCCountryfile.Thehourlongepisodeaired on BBC1 on Sunday,April 13 butis available on iPlayer.

Thespecial episode highlightedthe remarkable progress of the scheme so far,whichstands as the largestcanal restoration projectinthe countryand akey National Heritage LotteryFund projectinthe SouthWest.

Viewerswillsee the positive impact of the restored canalsectionson localcommunities,wildlife and heritage preservation.

The programme features volunteers from The Cotswold Canals Trustand GloucestershireWildlifeTrust at thenew watervolepond and nature reservecreated at Fromebridge,and Cotswold Boatmobilityvolunteers takingpeople outonthe canal in accessible boats.

TheCotswold Canals Connected ProjectTeam

supportedBBC Countryfile in planningthe episode.

ProjectdirectorChris Mitford-Slade said: “We aredelightedthatBBC Countryfile haschosen the Stroudwater Canalfor this series,showcasingsomeof the amazingprojects being undertaken by volunteers and for highlightingthe benefitsofthe canal restoration to communities,

wildlife and ourheritage.”

To date,six milesof canalhavebeenrestored, with anotherfourmiles currentlyunder restoration. The projecthas wonseveral awards,and therestored sections of thecanal have transformedlocal areas into well-used blue-green corridors, enjoyedbylocal communities and attracting visitorstothe district

No toxicleakprosecution decisionuntil clean-up ends

THE ENVIRONMENT Agencyhas confirmed there will be no decision on any prosecution in theWalsall Canaltoxic leak untilthe clean-up is finished.

In astatement, the EA said:“The Canal& River Trustisresponsible forthe currentdredgingwork, and the EnvironmentAgencyis playingasupporting role

“Until the incident recovery is complete, the investigation is still liveand furtherinformation and evidence is beinggathered. No decision will be made on anyenforcementaction until the investigation is complete.

“The Environment Agency canprosecute without goingthrough the CrownProsecution Service

(CPS) as theEnvironment Agencyhas statutoryduties to prosecuteinareas where it hasspecific expertise or statutoryinterest.”

Amassive clean-up operation is still under way11months after the waterway waspoisonedby 4000 litres of highlytoxic sodium cyanideand zinc cyanide last August

AnochromeLtd was identifiedasthe source of the spillintothe waternorth of OckerHilltothe Wyrley andEssington Canal.

TheEAadded: “The multi-agencyscientific and advisorycell and recovery groupthatwereformed to manage theimpacts andrecoveryofthe canal following theincidentin

August 2024 arestill in place.They have overseen therecentdredging operations to remove contaminated sediment.”

The cost of theremedial work on thecanal,which is still not open to boating traffic, hastopped£500,000.

TheCanal &River Trusthas been removing contaminated silt from the canalinamajor dredgingoperation. Thisisacrucial stagein the canal’secological recovery,requiredbythe Environment Agency, and amajor step towards reopeningthe waterway to boats. Around onemile of the canalinthe Pleck area of Walsall hashad to remain closed.

Volunteers from The Cotswold Canals Trust and GloucestershireWildlife Trust arepictured with BBC TV crew during the filming of afeatureontheir work. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Bridge 91A at the entrance toBraunston Marinaonthe GrandUnionCanal will be fully restored by next month, thanks to alegacy from waterwayssupporter and localresident Peter Andrews. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Improvingaccess forall disabled canal users

By Lucy Wood

THE Accessible Wa te rw ay s Association is workingcloselywith the Canal&River Trusttoexpand the scopeofdisabled boaters’ meetings

Founder Tracey Clarke said: “The current meetings began after I hada series of consultations with the CRTtodiscuss the needsofall canalusers –not just boaters– with accessibilityissues

“Fromthis small beginning, the trust offered to hosta series of in-person meetings around the country. The pandemic then gotin the way! Butthe CRT waskeentocontinue what wasbecoming auseful dialogue and the online Teams DisabledBoaters’ forums took over.

“This openingup of communication hasbeeninvaluable, and the CRTisaware of what it needstobe doingtobecome more accessibilityfriendly.

“One of the key outcomes is the need for fullyaccessible moorings to be made availablearound the network.The accessible mooring bollardisjusta part of this strategy,and AWAisproud to be playinganactivepart

Kennet &Avon Canal

gets £382,000 locksboost

in this

“Weare also gratefulfor the partnership with the makers of Channel 4’sNarrowEscapes, who,with the CRT’s full agreementand co-operation, filmed thetrial installation at Icknield Port Loop in November.This is expected to be aired very soon.”

Although the online meetings have been reasonably well attended,boththe AWAand CRTwant even moreboaters with disabilities and other canal userstojoin in the discussions. Thiswas addressedatarecent

meeting buthas also been the subject of conversation be tw ee nt he or ga nis at ions themselves. It has been decidedthat AWAwill host some meetings this year, with the CRTin attendance

The AWAalsotold TowpathTalkithopes that othernavigation authorities will want to participate.

“The Environment Agencyhas shown willingnessto recognisethe needs of boaterswith disabilities and will be invited to attend the nextmeeting,” said Tracey.

WINTER repairstothe Kennet & Avon Canalhavebeencompleted with £382,000 beingspent on locks at Caen Hill Lock Flight in Devizes

The 87-milecanal, whichlinks London with the BristolChannel, is more than twocenturies old and requires year-round maintenance work by the charity. Largerscale repairstakeplace between November andMarch when canals arequieter to minimisethe impact on navigation.

This year’s programme also included repairstothe toplock gates at Crofton, while the bottom andtop gatesatCopseLockand at Colthrop Lock have been repaired in Berkshire, wheretimberrepairs were made to the bottom gates and grouting to the cills usingdivers.

RobColes,areaoperations managerfor Kennet &AvonEast, at Canal&River Trust, explained: “Therepairs andmaintenance we’ve carriedout this winter arevital to protectthe canalfromthe extreme weather events that aretakingtheir toll on ourhistoricnetwork,and so we cancontinue to look afterthe canalbeyond the twocenturies it hasalready been in existence.”

Work is continuingatSheffield Lock near Readingtoreplace wooden quoins,whichwill make it easier for boaterstouse when navigatingthis part of thecanal

As part of thecharity’s winter works, thetrust hostedanopen dayatCaen Hill LocksinDevizes in February that wasattendedbymore than 400 people and offered the unique opportunitytogodowninto alockchamber to discoverthe work required to maintain an important

structureonthe scheduledancient monument

In total,repairswereplanned at 159 sitesonthe canalnetwork across Englandand Walesover the winter as part of Canal& River Trust’scommitmenttothe inland waterways.

Group steps up to complete CromfordCanal path

NEWsteps alongthe Cromford Canalhavecompleted a circularroute at the Forgesite.

Amixed groupfromthe Friends of CromfordCanal (FCC)and Friends of the Forgeworkedovertwo visits to establish agood, soundfootpathand alocation where the steps would be sited.

Asmall groupofFCC volunteersbuilt the stepsinthe workshop of FCCtrustee John Boucher,tohis design, andthen aweeklater theytookthem on site andsecurely fittedthem into the bank.

Visitors cannow walk from thequaintlynamed Humpty Bridge at what wasthe entrance to the Portland BasinatJacksdale,crossingthe canalonaboardwalk and up the longdouble flightofsteps

New steps alongthe CromfordCanal have completed acircular routeatthe Forge site.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Don’tcastoff without

Tracey Clarke, co-founder of the Accessible Waterways Association. It was established in 2023 as an independent body to representthe needs of all those who have accessibility needs who want to enjoyour canals and inland waterways. PHOTO: AWA

New lock gates have been installed at Caen Hill Lock Flight in Devizes on the Kennet &Avon Canal as part of winter renovations on the waterway PHOTO: SUPPLIED

‘Every little helps’ as supermarket giantsupports Shropshire canal effort

SUPERMARKETgiant Tescohas donated £1500 to theShropshire Union CanalSocietyfor itsworkon the EllesmereCanal

Thesocietytopped thepoll in the EllesmereTesco Stronger Starts Scheme for its Enhancing Ellesmere’sCanal project.

The moneywill be used to buy tools and other equipmentfor the work,and to trainthree volunteers to achieve TheRoyal Yachting Association Helmsman certificate, the latter beingdone with the

helpofthe Lyneal Trust, another Ellesmere-based charity.

DavidCarter, whoorganises the project,said:“Over the year,the grouphas plantednearly 400 trees, clearedtowpaths,cared for canalside furnitureand clearedoffsidechannel vegetation usingaloanedCanal & RiverTrust workboat steeredbyour newly trainedvolunteers

“Appropriately,the Tesco Ellesmerestore is locatedbythe end of the EllesmereArm of the canaland to mark the end of the

year-longsupportwewerejoined on the towpathbystore manager Ella Hammond and team leader ChrisHarris.”

Ms Hammondsaid: “The work hasmade such adifference to the whole area.Itnow looksveryloved –sothankstoall the volunteersfor theirhardworkoverthe past year.”

Thegroup’s work will continue in futurewith towpathsurface improvementworkplanned forthe summer monthssoifyou want to help, go to www.shropshireunion.org.uk

Guided walks unveilhidden treasures

By Lucy Wood

THE Friends of Bradford’sBecks grouphas launchedacollection of 22 guidedwalksbetween nowand September.

The 10 routes takeinthe city itself and the countryside around Bradford. Participation is free,but places must be bookedinadvance

finished thanksto morethan 6500 volunteer hours. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

MontgomeryCanal restoration reachesmilestone

ACEREMONY to mark completion of moresections of theMontgomeryCanal washeld last month

Guests from ShropshireCouncil andthe Canal&River Trust marked thetopping outofthe re-watered sections completed by the ShropshireUnion Canal Society.

TomFulda, restorationproject manager, said: “Theworks over the last year have been substantially aidedbyaRural Prosperity Fund grant. Progress wasrapid with theoriginalscopeexceeded for avarietyofreasons so therewas plenty to celebrate. During this period volunteers contributed 6500 hoursoftheir time.”

Following wordsofappreciation by societychair DavidCarter, TomFulda,CRT West Midlands regional directorHenriette (Hen) Breukelaarand Montgomery CanalPartnershipchair John Dodwell, aribbonacrossthe canal

wascut by the leaderofShropshire Council LezleyPicton and Hen Breukelaar

Mr Fuldaadded: “Therewere plentyofother highlights this work party. Afurther30metresof channel waslined and blocked. Butthis doesn’t finish the jobsince blocksfinish just belowwater level. The liner abovewater level is protectedbyriprap (large-sized aggregate) coveredwithsoil. All the lining andblockingcompleted last work party, and this nowhas riprap appliedabove the blocks.” Logistics arepartand parcel of anyproject.Further space wasfreed up in the channelto continue profilingthe banks back towardsthe re-watered section.Here, severalpallets of hollowblocksusedfor soft-bank construction were stored in the bedofthe channel, havingbeen previously movedthere to make wayfor further deliveriesinthe compound.

The groupisformedofBradfordbasedresidents and interested ecologists who arekeentosee the eventual restoration of theBradford Beckriver system

Amongthe walksinthe Discover Bradford’sBecks programme is to ChellowDene Beck andReservoirs on Wednesday, August 13. Covering 3.5 miles,the walk starts at ChellowDene wetlands,which were first constructed in 2005, and

improvements were made last year to create anew natural stylefloodplain to captureflood water, improvewater qualityand allowwetland species to grow.Thewalk then circles the ChellowDene reservoirs, which were built in the mid-19th century to provide astable watersupplyfor the people of Bradford.

Another highlightisafour-mile walk takinginNorth Beck, Keighley, on Saturday,June 28, whichwillbe

repeated on Wednesday, September 10. NorthBeckplayedanimportant part in the industrialdevelopment of Keighley.Alongits course were a series of dams andweirsthat served nine mills.Today,once it leaves the busy town centre, NorthBeck hasreturnedtobeinga peaceful watercourse, windingits waythrough ruralwoodland.

The last walk of the series is taking placeonSeptember24. Formore information aboutthe Friends and howtobook, visit www.bradfordbeck.org

Plastic couldbefantastic for canal projects!

USING recycled plastic products for canal restoration projects is nowarealpossibility.

The Northern Canals Association (NCA) heardfromanexpertinthe field at their latest meeting, who told them of the possibilities of usingrecycledplasticsfor many schemes

ANCA spokesmansaid: “Wehavealready seen plastic lift bridgesand landingstages–butwhatabout gates, pilings,sluices –oreven modular lock chambers or aqueducts where

new buildsare needed?Thesemay tickthe grantboxes morereadilythanconcrete.”

The meeting, hostedbythe Friends of CromfordCanal, saw57delegatesattending, representing27differentgroups

The attendeesalsoheard aboutMiyawaki Forest Projects,whichare ‘urbanforest ecosystems’. Theyare aplantingtechnique of nativeplant species that densely covers a small area of ground, usually around the size

Participants of the first guided walk organised by the Friends of Bradford’sBecks, from BradfordtoShipley along BradfordBeck. PHOTO: FRIENDS OF BRADFORD’S BECKS

of atennis court(or the site of aprevious lock cottage).

Thesetrees grow up to 10 times fasterthan conventional woodland plantingschemes, henceabsorbing more carbon,and funding is available for theseprojects

The NCA’snextthree meetings take place at Newport& Shrewsbury,October 5, 2025; Chesterfield,March 22, 2026 and Avon NavigationTrust,October 4, 2026.

The ShropshireUnionCanal Society hasreceived £1500 from Tesco for itswork on theEllesmere Canal. Pictured on the canal to celebrate their work areSUCS volunteer David Carter,Ella Hammond and Chris HarrisfromTesco,and Richard Kemp, John Bannister and Chris Hesketh from SUCS. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Leader of ShropshireCouncil Lezley Picton and Hen Breukelaar cut the ribbon over the completed section of the Montgomery Canal. The sectionhas been

Citizensciencesurvey reveals state of UKand Ireland’srivers

By Lucy Wood

THE results of this spring’s week-longBig RiverWatch will create thecurrent picture of riverhealth

ORGANISED by The Rivers Trusttwice ayear, the mostrecentweek-longwatch betweenApril 25 and May1 saw3900 members of the public download aspecial app, visit their localriver,and spend afew moments recordingwhattheysaw and how theyfelt.Theparticipants completed 2300 individual surveys, whichequals to 41 days spentriver-watching.

Wildlife spottedincluded coots,beavers, dippers, dragonflies,ducks,fish,herons, kingfishers, riverflies, moorhens,rats, otters and swans, while pollution sightedincludedsilt, livestock,sewage and sewage fungus, and road run-off When askedtorecord their impressions of theriver they were surveying, 70% reported ‘healthy,’ while only22% reported ‘unhealthy’ and8%‘other.’

Theresults have

been recorded by The Rivers Trustand will be used in comparison to othersurveys to monitorthe health of ourrivers.

BarryMcLaughlin, aproject managerat the trust, writingablogonits websiteabout this most recent survey,said:“Rivers and wetlands arethe lifeblood of ourlandscapes, supportingdiverse wildlife and providing essentialecosystemservices.Yet humaninducedimpacts such as climatechange and pollution pose seriousthreats to these amazingecosystems.This is what makesthe BigRiver Watch so important–empowering people to takeanactiverole in monitoring and protectingtheir localriversand wetlands, providingvaluable data that canshape conservation efforts.

“I grew up on Inch,asmall rural island alongthe Donegalcoast, home to Ireland’s largestwildfowl reserve, Inch Wildfowl Reserve. My childhood was spentexploring the greatoutdoors, whereadventures turnednatureinto my classroom. Ihave fond memories of rustlingthrough

reedsincamo gear with binoculars,searching for asmew or bittern, wadingknee-deep in bogs to findfrogs and newts,orfishing alongthe riverbankswith my dad. Every momentspent near wetlandsdeepenedmy appreciation for wildlife and conservation.

“Participatinginthe BigRiver Watch and other citizen science projects encourages people to observe andlearn from their rivers andwildlife.It’sanopportunity to meet friends,discovernew interests, relax, practice mindfulness, and contributetovital conservation efforts.For some,itcan even sparka lifelongpassion or career like me

“Lastyear, Iparticipatedinthe Big RiverWatch around Inch Lakeand its surrounding rivers andwetlands,exceptI took aslightlydifferentapproach. Instead of traditional observation, Iusedtrail cameras to capturethe rich ecosystemin action, revealing the hidden worldalong the water’sedge.

“Trail cameras areanexcellent tool for wildlife observation,especiallyinareas wherehuman presence mightdisturb naturalbehaviour.Placingacamera along wetlands for round-the-clock monitoring, capturingimagesand videos of species thatmight otherwise go unnoticed. By participatinginthe BigRiver Watch, I’vegained adeeperinsight into the interconnectedness of ecosystems.Trail

Louth Canal makes asplash, 100 years on

By Lucy Wood

ONE hundred yearsafter commercialbargesstopped working on Louth Canal, Louth Navigation Trusthas built aslipwayfor leisureuse by paddlers.

Louth Canal’snew slipway is at Austen Fen, just under sevenmiles from the Georgian market town,and is being officiallyopenedonSunday, May25.

Aspokespersonfor Louth Navigation Trustsaid: “This launchevent aims to celebrate

the slipwaywith aflotillaof paddlers on the canal. This wonderful ruralsetting –with aGrade II-listedcanalside warehousebuilt in 1770 which dominates the low-lyingmarsh and wonderfulopenviews from the towpath– hassomething for everyone “Itincludes livemusic, refreshments,ice creamand, of course,paddlersonthe water. Paddleboardtraining sessions will be available throughoutthe day; bringyour

ownpaddleboard, kayak, raft or dinghy.”

SupportedbyLouth Rotary, LouthLions,the 1stManby Scouts and Covenham Sailing Club,the eventopens at 10am and ends at 4pm.Austen Fenslipway canbefound at Bridge Farm,Fen Lane, Austen Fen, Grainthorpe,LN11 0NX (what3words:district. heaven.chose), between thevillagesofYarburghand Grainthorpe.Parking,toilets and refreshments will be

available.All ages arewelcome to attend thecelebration, includingdogsonleads.For more information, visitwww. louthnavigationtrust.org.uk

The launchispartofthe wider LincolnshireWolds Outdoor Festival.This year’s programme includesa guided walk of Louth CanalonSaturday, May 31 from 10am.Thedog-friendly routeis10miles long, andno pre-booking is required;visit http://woldsoutdoorfestival. com/events

WIN & LUXURY LEATHER

camerafootage not onlyservesasa tool for observation butalsoraises awarenessof the importance of conservation. The data collected contributes to broadereffortsin protectingour rivers,ensuringtheyremain thrivinghabitats for futuregenerations.”

Youcan watchBarry’s footage on hisInstagram account, @ barrymclaughlin_wildlife

The BigRiver Watch runs twicea year;for moreinformation aboutitand to takepartin the nextone,visit https://theriverstrust.org/

Protectingriverside habitats

By LucyWood

FENCING hasbeeninstalledtoprotect parts of theRiversAire, Ure, Swale,Wharfeand Ribblefromthe impacts of livestock Membersofthe bradfordcityangling Association have been buildingthe fences and installingstiles aftersecuringfundingfrom theFisheries Improvement Programme(FIP), with help from theWildTrout Trust’sresearch and conservation officerJonathanGrey. “Thankstosome new stiles,bankside vegetation canflourish,and anglerscan continue to enjoythese rivers,” said the trust. “A thrivingfringeofplantscreates wildlife habitat, coolsthe waterand prevents bank erosion. Wild browntrout,and many other species, will feel the benefit.”

Members of the angling association involved in the project. PHOTO: BRADFORD CITY ANGLING ASSOCIATION

Trust project manager Barry McLaughlin. PHOTO: THE RIVERS TRUST

IWAurges ‘joined-up’ thinking in water review

THE IWAhas submitted aresponsetothe Call for Evidence issued by the Independent WaterCommission.

Thecommission was launchedbythe UK and WelshGovernments in October2024 and is chaired by SirJon Cunliffe,a former deputygovernor of the Bank of England. It is taskedwith carrying outthe largestreview of the waterindustrysince privatisation

Thetopic of water resources management is becoming increasingly importantfor the future of theinland waterways. Through its Navigation Committee, IWAhas previously responded to consultations on regional WaterResource Plans,various water companies’Water Resource Management Plans,and the Fens, South Lincolnshire and SESRO(Abingdon) reservoirs. Thereare variousproposals for

Horseshoe Fallsonthe River Dee, which supplies water to the Llangollen Canal, including water carried via the Llangollen Canal to the 21-acreHurleston Reservoir,which holds85million gallons of public drinking water supply for south Cheshire. PHOTO:

watertransfer schemes, of whichthe Grand Union CanalTransfer is the mostadvanced. Not onlywould thesebring income to currently navigable or restored canals,theyalsomake clearthe role of canals as apartofthe national infrastructure.

IWA’sresponsetothe Call forEvidence makes the following points:

Thereis aneedfor joined-up strategic waterplanning, across the country as awhole and with amulti-sector approach (i.e.including keyusers such as inland

waterwaysaswell as watercompanies)

Inland waterwaysboth navigable and capable of restorationmustbeseen as part of thenational infrastructureand includedinthe picture

Suggesting aduty on watercompanies toconsider navigable waterwaysintheir strategic planning Navigationauthorities do not have enough funds even to maintain the status quolet alone invest for the future, especiallyinthe face of climatechange Abstraction laws need

to consider canals and rivers as part of the same overallpicture

Potentialfor mutual benefits from e.g. water transfer schemes,both forcurrently navigable wa te rw ay sa nd restorationschemes

Notingthatthereare alreadywater transfer schemes on navigable wate rw ay s(e. g. Llangollen, Gloucester &Sharpness, Bridgwater &Taunton Canals; Yorkshire Ouse andRiver LeeNavigation)

Highlighting the Grand Union Canal WaterTransfer Scheme

as an exampleofcanals becomingessential parts of nationalinfrastructure again

Identifyingthe key role that some of the 500 miles of waterway restorations could play, in particular mentioning the main schemes where restorationsand water transfer couldgohand in hand (e.g.Cotswold Canals Severn-Thames Transfer (CCSTT) scheme; Buckingham Arm; others)

Mentioningthe numerousbenefits of an inland waterway over aburiedpipeline and regenerationbenefits alongthe route

Recommending that watercompanies liaise with restoration societies and/or ourselves to understand the potential schemesand explore thewider benefits of individual schemes, consideringifthereare examples that could benefitfroma revised OfwatInnovation Fund.

Better by Barge

ANEW report calls for moreofthe UK’s freight to be transported by waterasaway of reducing congestion and helpingthe countryhit its net zero targets

The Better by Bargereport, commissionedby the Inland Waterway Authority,believesthere is astrongcasefor returningfreight to the 5000mile waterway network

IWA’sfreight groupchair,Gerry Heward,said: “Waterways already existasanational transport infrastructure, and theyhavethe capacityto handle more freight. Thisreportprovesthat movinggoods by waterisnot only cost-effective butalsosignificantlyreduces carbon emissions andurban air pollution.”

The report claims asinglefreight bargecan carryupto1500 tonnes,removingthe need for up to 75 heavygoods vehicles (HGVs)fromthe roads.This shift could reducecarbonemissions from freighttransport by as much as 76% per tonne,whilealsomakingurbanareascleanerand saferbycuttingairpollutionandtrafficaccidents The report also drawsattention to the social and health benefitsofreducingHGV trafficin cities,wherehigh-densitypopulationssuffer disproportionately from poor airquality Logistics UK WaterCouncil’sPamelaMounter called the findings “timelyand relevant”. The Better by Bargereportunderlines that inland waterwayshaveanessential role to play in the UK’s journeytowards agreener future. With theright policysupport,investmentand infrastructure, shiftingmorefreight on to water is apractical andachievable step in tackling climatechangeand congestion.

Enjoythe spectacle of Ware Boat Festival

Ware’s summer boat festival takesplace thisyearfromJuly4-6. Join IWALee &Stort Branch at the beautiful and historicmarket town on the upperreaches of the RiverLee as acolourful cavalcade of boatswendsits way through the middle of the town,overlooked by the unique andiconicVictoriangazebos

19th century –intothe heartofLondon, but before then representeda boundarybetween the Danelaw andAnglo Saxonlands and–further back still –provideda crossing point of the RiverLea for the RomanErmine Street Boat bookingisnow open. Seewww. waterways.org/ware-boat-festival

You’ll findactivitiesprovidedaspartof theboatfestival: Friday eveningriver-side barbecue,Saturdayafternoon themedboat parade,boathandlingcompetition and eveningquiz,and Sunday riverside boaters’ service,coffeeand cakes. There’splenty elseto seeand do as the boat festival runs alongside thewider Ware Festival activities.Theriver hasplayedakey part in the developmentof the town,inparticular providingameans of transport for agricultural products –especially malted grains from the140 malthouses of the

Ware Boat Festival 2025 will take place on July 4-6. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

ADRIAN RAYSON

Characters of the Cut

Paul Lowry, The Leather Boat

By Alice Elgie

PAUL Lowryhas always enjoyed messing abouton boatssowhen he decidedto leavehis career in printand graphic designtodevelop his burgeoningleatherwork business, the freedom of livingand workingfrom a narrowboat became an obvious choice

Paul explained: “Print was becomingdigitised,Icould seeitbeingswallowedupby online corporations,thatit wasbecomingabout big fish eatinglittle fish.One dayI said to aworkmate ‘I’m fedupwith making flat images,I want to go 3D and make things that areuseful,

longlastingand hopefully with some beauty.’”

Teachinghimself leatherwork more than four decadespreviously wasasideline for whichhis printbackground came in handy: “I found the cutting and colouringskills of printand graphic design to be very transferable,like usingscalpels to cutfilm for printingplates, mixing printinginksbyeye to match customer samples, and havingasenseofwhat is pleasing.”

Paul’s first significant projectwas to make acycle bagfromanold leather jacket,

Dredging the Barrow

By Alison Alderton

KILDARE County Council hasgranted planning permission for Waterways Ireland(WI)tocarry out aseriesofrestoration and maintenanceworks includingdredgingonthe RiverBarrowNavigation.

townlandsofClogrenan, Crossneenand Ballyhide. Meanwhile, Carlow County Councilpermissions have been metwith objections and worksonthe proposed greenway therehavebeen suspended.

fora number of yearsand is preventingboaters and would-bevisitorsfrom reachingsome destinations

which ledtomakingcountry stylebagsfromsecond-hand leathersofas:“Iwould turn up with ascalpel anda few tools,strip the sofa and cart it away in my old VW.”

Paul soon found himself making high-end rucksatchels butselling online wasslowand having alreadykept acruiser at a boat club for anumberof years, it dawned on him that he could sell his house andtrade off anarrowboat instead:“Imoved aboard Jason,my60fttrad, about nine yearsago.Ithas a largefront deck whichis the best workplaceonthe canal.”Paultold me about themomentwhen he knew he wasontosomething: “I wassharing alockwith a familyand sold abag to the youngergirlinone lock, then in the nextlockher brother bought something, then further alongtheir grandmother! Ithought: ‘This could work.’”

AliceElgie is awriter whosplitstimebetween anarrowboatonthe waterways of England, a tiny camper on theopen road and adoer-upper in rural France. She shares words aboutthis rather nomadic life on her blog: slowintotheseasons substack.com

Thepermission comes off the back of an extensive planningprocesswhichis believedtohavetaken more than ayeartobeaccepted by plannersand putthrough intenseenvironmental scrutiny. WI wasrequired to include aNatural Impact Statement(NIS) while a specialisthydrological report and inputfromthe Inland FisheriesIreland (IFI) on the riverspecies were also sought.

Worksovera10km stretch of theBarrowsouth from Athyisexpectedtobecarried outthisyearwithattention to post-flood spot dredging, maintenance dredging and essentialrepairstobank reinforcement.

Permission hasalso been grantedbyLaois County Council for similar workstogoahead in the

Workingmostdays, Paul will often be foundcreating late into thenight:“This year it wasdragonskin effect for belts,dog collars andwristbands.Alsoa featherbag/rucksackwith twosets of straps;one for cross-body and also aset of rucksack straps,which makesitusefulfor hiking/ cyclingorgoingdownthe pubfor ameal.”

Featherscan be found throughout Paul’s work and thesignificance comesfrom abookheonce read:“It was called JonathanLivingston Seagull aboutaseagull who, instead of houndingpeople at theseaside for their chips, would takehimself off and challenge the limits of his abilities in flight.”Messages of independentthinking,

Thenewsofdredging workshas been welcomed by anumberofboating associations andbusinesses basedalong the length of the Barrow as thebuild-upofsilt hasbeenagrowing concern

Meanwhile, theHeritage Boat Association (HBA) is currentlytouring theRiver Barrow where townships alongthe length of the riverhavebeenwelcoming, with greatenthusiasm,the fleet of 16 restored vessels The fleet hopes to reach Waterfordand Cheekpoint by mid-June buttheseplans maybehampereddue to siltinginthe Carlow area.

freedom,self-realisation, non-conformityand true humanpotential abound, perhapsdrawing parallels with Paul’s ownpath: “The author illustrated thebook with small drawings of feathers and these, along with the book’s philosophy, stayed with me.”

Iasked Paul abouthow he creates: “I mostly build things in my mind first, whichallows morefireside time on thesofa.” As for his materials,after workingfor a week on anew designwhere theleather split,hesold his industrialsewingmachine andstarted hand stitching with full grain leather:“It lastsdecades, andismuch stronger than genuine leather whichisactually alegal term translatingto

having‘some’leather in it.You’llsee this in belts, they arerarelysolid,being composed of laminations andtypically last onlya year or two. Iuse thehandsaddle stitch as it’s in effectdouble sewn – breakathreadand it won’t runand fall apart.” If youfancypullingup astool and indulging in meaningful conversation as well as browsing Paul’s work,thenyou’ll findhim continuously cruising betweenLeightonBuzzard andRickmansworth where he tends to followthe RTCA floatingmarkets, beforeturningaround up to Braunstonand headingon to the Oxford, or wherever his featherstakehim… Etsy: lowryleatherworks. etsy.com

Paul aboard Jason, his 60ft trad, among hiswares. One

Silting at Clashganny Lock, River Barrow Navigation. PHOTO: COURTESY OF TOWPATHTIM

Someofthe Heritage Boat Association Fleet gathered on the Barrow PHOTO: COURTESY OF HBA

Exploring your canal ancestry: creating genealogy timelines

In the latestinher family history series,Nicola Lisle showshow creating timelines for your ancestors can highlight gaps and anomalies in your research.

IF YOUhavebeenfollowing this series from the beginning, youhavehopefully amasseda good amountofinformation aboutyourcanal

ancestorsbynow –frombirth,marriageand deathdates to details of other importantlife events

Organisingthis information into a genealogy timelinegives ahandy, at-a-glance overview of your ancestors’lives as they unfolded, highlighting gaps in yourresearch as well as identifying errors andanomalies. The itinerantnatureofmanycanal workers’ lives makesitalmostinevitable that theywill occasionally disappear from the records, andyourtimeline will help to identify these missingyears and perhapssignpostnew

avenues of research

Youmay discover, for example,thatone of your ancestorsbecamea canalboatman later in life and there’s asignificantgap beforethat Did he perhapsworkasa‘navvy’ (navigator) on thecanalsfirst? It wasn’t unusual for the navviestobecome boatmenoncetheir navigationworkwas completed.Many startedout as unskilledfarmorconstruction labourers, who soughtworkonthe canals as theyweredisplacedbythe relentlessmarch of mechanisation.So– as so oftenwith familyhistory research!– you’ll need to turn

detectiveand findout aboutthosemissing years. Census returns and BMDcertificates should help,asshould canalcompany records if youknowwhereyourancestor mighthaveworked.

Some people liketoinclude local, national and internationaleventsintheir timeline,and this canshednew lightonyourancestors’lives. The rapid developmentofthe canalnetwork, the increasing industrialisation of the country andthe gradualreplacement of thecanals with railwayshad an obvious impact.Sothe openingofa newcanal, for example,might explain whyyourancestormoved from one part of the countrytoanother

Otherimportant events,suchasthe two worldwars, stateand royaloccasions,fires, floodsand disease,can be useful additions to your timeline,highlighting theirrelevance to your ancestors’lives and puttingthem into historicalcontext

Creating yourtimeline

Creating agenealogy timeline can be a fun thing to do, and it is very satisfying seeingall your research brought together in one place for handy reference.

Your timeline can be as simpleor as complex as youwant it to be. A spreadsheet is the most straightforward way to collate the details youhave discovered so far during your research. Headings can include date, age, event, location, source andnotes. Youwill probably think of other headings as you add more information.

Youalso need to consider whether you want atimelinefor each ancestor,crossreferenced whereappropriate, or to put allancestors on to the one spreadsheet.

So,whatkind of details could be included in your timeline?Any of the following will be useful andhelptobuild up apictureofyour ancestors’ lives.

• Birth, baptism, marriage,deathand burial datesand locations

• Occupations, such as boatmen, wharfingers, lock keepers, lightermen, watermen, blacksmiths, navvies and many more

• Canal(s) worked on,with boat names, the canalcompany they worked for and the main places they travelled to

• Relevant landmarks, suchas churches,pubsand places of residence, with dates

•War service, with dates, regiment, awards,injuries and, where appropriate, cause of death

• School and boatmen’s mission records, including dates, location and any special achievements

• Hospitalrecords, giving dates, locations and details of illnessorinjury

• Court and prison records, againwith dates,locations, details of crimeand sentence

• Local, nationaland international events, with dates and other useful information.

This information can be gleaned from a variety of sources, including:

• Birth,marriage and death (BMD) certificates

•Census returns

• Company records andother employment records

•Boat registers

•Toll records

•Graves and inscriptions

•Local and national newspapers

• Militaryrecordsand warmemorials

•Photographs

•Obituaries

•Oral histories

•Hospital records

•Court and prison records

• School &boatmen’smission records

•Museums.

The best starting points for tracking down most of this information are relevant local recordoffices,The National Archives (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk), the Waterways Archive at Ellesmere Port (www.canalrivertrust.org.uk)and subscription sitessuchasAncestry (www. ancestry.co.uk)and Findmypast (www findmypast.co.uk).

Hopefully yourtimeline will make you feel you have agreater connection with your ancestorsand open up new avenues of research. Some gaps may remainfrustratingly resistant to being filled,somynext piece will look at how to smashthosegenealogicalbrick walls.

Braunston in Northamptonshirewas popular with the boating community, and AllSaints’ Church was afavourite for weddings,baptisms and funerals during the 19th century. PHOTOS: NICOLA LISLE

The Canal MuseumatStoke Bruerneis just one of many canal and waterways museums with artefacts that can shed light on yourancestors’ lives.

Tooley’sBoatyardinBanbury,established in 1778, would have been afamiliar and welcome sighttoany boatmen working on the OxfordCanal.

Volunteersrevive Cotswold Canals

TUCKED betweenthe RiverThames and the RiverSevern lies one of the most ambitious andinspiring heritage projects in England–the full restoration of the Cotswold Canals.At the heartofthis effortisthe Cotswold Canals Trust(CCT),apassionate, volunteer-driven charityworking tirelesslyto breathe life back into 36 miles of historicwaterways,once central to the region’s trade and industry. Foundedin1972, thetrust hasgrown into avibrantorganisation of more than 6500 members and morethan400 active volunteers. Their goal? To reconnect communities,restore natural habitats and revivethe Stroudwater Navigation and Thames &Severn Canalas fullynavigable and ecologicallyrichwaterways

Current work: Eastington’shistoric locks andaqueduct

Rightnow,some of the mostexciting restoration work is happeninginEastington, near Stonehouse. Here, volunteers are focusing on revivingtwo importantlocks –Dock Lock and John Robinson Lock –as well as the impressive OldburyAqueduct. At OldburyAqueduct,the base hasbeen laid forthe newpipework, formingthe foundation for futurewater flow. Oneof this month’s proudestmoments came when the bund separatingthe OldburyBrook and John Robinson Lock wasremoved –a major step that allowedthe team to ‘cut through’ to the lock.This achievementwas met with celebration from volunteers on the ground, who have spentmonths workingtowards this breakthrough.

The aqueduct itself,built in the 18th century,

once allowedcanal boatstopasssafely over OldburyBrook.Aspartofits restoration, the original stoneworkisbeing carefullyinspected and reinforced, ensuringthatitcan continue to carrywater –and history –acrossthe brook for generations to come.

Meanwhile, just downstream at Dock Lock,workisprogressing steadily.A new concreteladder recessistakingshape, overgrownvegetationhas been clearedand essentialrepairs areunder way. Fencing alongthe lock pound hasalsobeenrepaired, improvingsafetyand visualappeal.

Dock Lock,onceknown as Court OrchardLock, wascompleted in 1778 and laterrenamedafter adry dock wasbuilt alongside it in 1821. This drydockserved as akey maintenancepoint for canalboats during the waterway’s heyday.However, following the canal’sclosurein1954, the lock fell into disrepair and rubble from the demolishedPikeBridgewas dumpedinto the lock chamber. Volunteersbegan the painstakingprocessofclearingthis debris in the early 1990s,and their efforts today arefinallybringingthe lock back to life

Join the Cotswold Canals Trust Whetheryou’repassionate about canals, historyorprotecting local wildlife,becoming amember is agreat way to getinvolved. To learnmore, become amemberorfind outhow to get involved, visitwww.cotswoldcanals. org; you can also catch arecent feature aboutthe trust on BBCCountryfile, now availableonBBC iPlayer

Former BBC man records newlife on the water

AFORMER BBCnews reader who nowlives on acanal boat haslauncheda newpodcast documentinghis life afloat.

Adam Porter,bestknown forreading the news on Radio 2, 6Music and 5live, has launcheda new canal-based podcast, The WaterRoad.

Adam left the BBCinMarch after 24 years, and he and his husband, Adrian, have moved outoftheir houseand on to their narrowboat Theyintend to travel as much of thenetwork as possible

Adam said apodcast wasthe idealway to sharehis love of the canals and rivers of England and Wales.

“Thereare dozens of canalYouTubers but I’ve always been aradio man, so audio was always goingtobemything. There areso many sounds that exemplify the waterways, from the clicking of winding lock paddles to boatengines and birdsong.”

Twoepisodes of The WaterRoadhavebeen publishedinApril, and therewill be twomore in May, as they’rebeing released fortnightly Each episodewillhighlight features of the waterways, canalside attractions alongwith interviews with people involved The WaterRoadisavailable on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Amazon Musicand many of the smallerpodcast platforms.

Come andsee us at the

CRICK BOAT SHOW

Elton Moss Boatbuilders will be therewithour sister companies Boatfinder CarefreeCruising and Kingslock Boat Yard on Sat 24th to Mon 26thMay Trade andPreview Day Fri23rdMay

John Robinson Lock and Westfield Bridge PHOTO: LEE GRANT

Anchorsaweighfor Campbell Wharf

By Alice Elgie

STEPPING into Campbell Wharf Marina in the heartof the cityof Milton Keynes,it’seasytosee whyitrecentlyreceived aFive Gold Anchor Accreditation from the YachtHarbour Association (TYHA).

Theidyllic settingoffers moorersnot onlyall the modern conveniences theycould wish for,but alsoa frontrow seat on naturewith abundant establishedtrees and wildlife.

ManagerMellissa Williams is rightly proudoftheir recent achievement, havingonlytaken over in 2024. Shesaid: “I was quitenervous at the prospect of undergoingsucha rigorous review butalsoexcited.We already heldanadmirable four gold anchors, butI was determinedthat,ifitwas at all possible,wewould achieve the pinnacle of five.”

Whetheritbethrough joining together for regularevents, or doggie residents stoppingatthe marina office door for asneaky treat, it seems moorersare keen to look outfor one another and Mellissa and assistantmanager, Mike Garforth,are behinditall. In fact,byway of celebrating their newly gainedaward,they decidedtothrow aparty so

that everyone could sharein the successand therewas no shortageofvolunteerswhen help wasneededtoprepare: “AssoonasI putthe word out that more hands were needed to erectagazeboincaseof inclementweather,several moorers immediatelystepped up!” Mellissa told me Thiscommunityspiritensured the daywas asuccess with much

chat andlaughteraswell as bubblyand abuffet for everyone, includingrepresentatives from The ParksTrust property team who ownthe marina,CEO of Land &Water,a director of Geomac (partofL&W) who manage the marina,and several senior management.

Mellissa wasthrilledwith how it went:“The daywas everything we could have hoped for and was

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notjustacelebration forwhatwe have achieved butalsoofthe marina itself andthe wonderful community that makesitsucha specialplace to be.”

From Campbell Wharf Marina it is just afive-minute stroll to Campbell Park,“the largest20th/21stcentury formal urbanparkinthe UK,totalling about100 acres.” Thisbeautiful greenspace boasts acollection of treesfromaround the world alongwith wildflowermeadows and even sheep grazingeach year betweenJanuary and March, making it difficult to believe you’realsoclose to a citycentrecompletewith awide rangeofshoppingand leisure facilities!

Formorethan25years The Gold Anchor awardscheme hasbeenauditingmarinas throughout the worldand Mellissa,and herhardworking teamatCampbell Wharf, are certainlyworthyrecipients whowillbeflyingtheirflag for all: “While it wasimportant to me to achieve the highest accreditation, ultimatelythe whole processhelped me examine the servicethatwe provide to ensurethe marina is an excellentfacility, where customerslovetobeand feel valuedand respected.”

TICKETS areonsale for this year’s Southampton International Boat Show,which returns to Mayflower Park from September 19-28.

The UK’slargest celebration of boating andwatersports is undergoinganexciting transformation, featuringa brand-newlayout with anew entrance on Mayflower Park, new attractions and an expanded lineup of exhilaratingon- and off-water experiences

Held over 10 days,the eventbrings together hundredsofleadingmarine brands, from paddleboards anddinghiestosleek superyachtsand the latest tech innovations, allset against thespectacularbackdropof Europe’s largestpurpose-built showmarina. The 2025 listofexhibitingbrands will be announced soon,promisinganexciting lineupfor marine lovers of everykind.

Second-wave tickets for the Southampton International Boat Show arenow available for alimited time,givingvisitorsareduced rate on thesameincredible lineup of boats, watersportsand on-waterexperiences Afresh newlookand feel awaits visitors thisyear, includingthe launch of dedicated featureareas for powerboats (ThePowerhub) and fishingenthusiasts (Angler’s Alley).The new BoatingAcademywill featuretalks and expertadvice foreveryonefromnovices to experiencedsailors, with moreexcitingdetails to followsoon.

Bluewater Boats offers acomprehensive solution for rejuvenating your water tank by shot blasting the interior to remove harmful contaminants whichputs the water pump and filter under strain. After this thorough cleaning we apply a durabletwo pack watertank paint. Restoring your tank to asafe drinking water standard whilst significantly enhancing thelongevity,ensuring it is maintenancefreefor years to come. Call us

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Manager Mellissa Williams and assistantmanager Mike Garforth holdingthe flag. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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Missinginaction

Jonathan Mosse’smonthly look at freight development on the inland waterways.

EQUATING the greenshoots of spring with by far and away the greenestformoftransport on the planet often appearstobesomethingofa challenge to the mindsofour politicians and general policymakers.

This mightpartiallybeexplainedbyan astute observationmadein arecentEuropean freightarticle,namelythatwaterways freight is largely‘invisible’and, although much greater in termsoftonnagethaniscarried by rail per year,proceedsinrelativesilence compared with the rush and roar of locomotives and rollingstock!

However, anew kidonthe block –Casper Riverand CanalTransport –has just purchasedarecentlyconverted 570-ton barge and is energeticallyexploringits potentialfor awide rangeoftraffic,supported by awellestablishedand successfulbusinessfounded upon adiverse portfolioofcoastal chartering and logistics

The company makesthe very pertinent pointthat “the inland waterwaysinBritain have been severely misused in recent decades with bargingcommerciallybecoming obsolete”while acknowledging that while “still very new to bargingand utilisingour inland waterways”,ithas determination and canleanoncontacts from its sea-goingvessels to make sure it is asuccess.

Enhanced co-operation

This is amostrefreshingstance and can be viewed as abreathoffresh air which, hopefully,extendstoembrace needsas diverseascrewtrainingand dredging, through to enhancedco-operationfrom Canal&River Trustonsuchmatters as lock availabilityand self-operation. Meanwhile,overinthe NorthWest, salt traffic on the RiverWeaverisbeingactively explored as thereremains huge potential forthe cargothatwas once aregular on this waterway.AtWinsford,salt could be loadeddirectlyintopans,pushed by atug, for onward travel to theManchesterShip Canal, off-loadingatEllesmerePort.

Back on theNorth Eastwaterways,I’ve previously mentioneda new gravel pitbeing dugatStanleyFerry,alongside theWakefield Branch of the Aire &Calder Navigation. A significant planning stipulationattachedto this permission is that all material from the pitmustgoout by waterand,tothisend,a newquayhas recently been constructed.

The exact craft to be deployedonthis runare yettobeidentified as thelocks on this branchofthe navigation areofa smaller gaugethanthoseemployedon the mainline,Leeds to Goole.Several destinations have been mooted,including the old KellingleyCollierysite, that used to be served by Hargreaves tugs and pans, supplyingcoaltoFerrybridge powerstation beforeits closure. Onward travel from here wouldbebyroad.

Slightly furtherafieldmight well be the wharfatKnostrop,justonthe edge of Leeds that was, untilrecently, serviced by John Branford’s vessels –supportedbyHumber Barges –carryingsea-dredged sand up theHumberfromHull. Thisrestricted siteprovedchallengingfor the tonnages involved with the Hull flowand would be better suited to the smalleroutput from StanleyFerry

Derelict land

No mention of Leedscould be made without reference to LeedsWharf at Stourton, just east of the city. Here 10 acres of derelict land, ownedbyCanal &River Trust, hasfor many yearsbeenearmarked for development as a wharfwithassociatedstorage andhandling facilities,together with awaterside readymix plantthatwould ensurefinancialresilience for aggregatetraffic visitingthe site Independently, Casper hasjustcompleted a general cargowharf slightly downstream from here,which is nowupand runningand ready to receiveany traffic that itsnewly converted

vessel – Off-Roader –islikelytobeshipping up to Leeds.

Flowsanticipated include steel, cementin bigbags, aggregates and timberand, as an exampleofthecompany’sintegratedapproach to carriage by water, Off-Roader’s first voyage from LincolnshiretoSouth Yorkshirewas a cohesiveventure in conjunction with one of Casper’s regularroutesfromPortugaltothe UK east coast.

So,letting Casper have thelast(andmost encouraging) word,inwhatwecan only hope will provetobeone of the greenest shoots of all: “Weideally would liketosee the barging industrybacktoits former glory,adding morebargestothe fleet.Things have changed drastically in recentyears,with former industriesceasing to existand companies choosing HGVs as apreferred choiceoffreight movement

“Webelieve with ourdetermination, contactsand environmental benefits, the business will be aresoundingsuccess with multiple barges sailingaround the Humber region with your cargo.”

The biggest handicaptoregeneratinginlandwaterwaysfreight arewharves repurposed forhousing.

Non-stopaggregate traffic could soon be flowing through Castlefordagain.

Building materials delivered intothe very centreofLondon with minimal environmental impact. Granite aggregates inboundfromScotland: cohesion between coastal and canal transport is thestrength that Casper bringstoinland waterways freight.

The barge andtug combination is acommon form of low carbon transport through thecentreofLondon.

Braunston Marina Weekend28-29 June, 2025

Rally to be opened by POIROT -actorand canalenthusiast and supporter David Suchet

Full steam ahead for the Braunston rally!

TimCoghlan tells the fascinating storyofBraunston Marinaand looks ahead to this year’scolourful and fun-packed festivaloffering.

WE ARE again holdingour own very specialannual canalevent –the BraunstonHistoricNarrowboat Rally–inits regularslot over the last weekend in June (28/29). Thisyear it’s the 21sttime we have hosted the event, so it’s something to celebrate. We arenow puttingall the final preparations in place.With the threattogovernmentfunding, the waterwaysneedtohavesomething to celebrate–something to look forward to –and hopefullythis event will be ashowcasefor ourwonderful waterwaysheritage

We will alsobecelebratingthe majorrestorations in recentyears of theNarrowBoatTrust’s ‘pair a boats’,the motor Nuneaton and

the butty Brighton –both thanks to generouslegacydonations.And alsothe completion of the major restoration of the marina entrance’s HorseleyIronworks Bridge,thanks to agenerouslegacydonation by the late PeterAndrews

We have invited SirDavid and Lady Suchet to performa ‘Poirot double-act’for theopeningofthe rallyand the renamingofthe marina entrance bridge as Peter’sBridge. Theyare both vice-presidents of the IWAand have each openedvarious of ourralliesinpastyears –but nevertogether!

Forthisyear’sopening, Sir David and LadySuchetwill both wear near-traditional boatmen’s costume,with SirDavid steering themotor Nuneaton,towing LadySuchetonthe Brighton –the traditionalboatman husband and wife steering arrangement. They will proceedfromthe GrandUnion Canalintothe marina pausing under the recently re-restored HorseleyIronworks Bridge.Pausing there, they will firstly rename the bridge –unveilingits newplaque –and then jointlydeclare the 2025 rallyopen. Forthis challenging navigational task,the Suchets will have alittle helpfrommembers of the Narrow Boat Trust, of whichI have thehonour to be patron.

We have already received aencouragingnumberofearly bookings,70sofar –and theyjust keep coming.This could well be avintage year,especiallywiththe number of butties,whichcould reacha record. Theseleviathans of ourcanal-carryingpastare THE making of the rally, which,for some

yearsnow,will probably be the largestgathering of them anywhere on the waterways.

The rallywas originallyconceived late in 2002, to celebratethe completion of thethenmajor

restoration workstothe steam narrowboat President,withthe first rallybeingheld in June 2003. Narrowboatsdeteriorateinawater environment, and requireregular maintenance, especially whenold

andsteam powered. President ran into trouble again in early 2019 when itsboilerwas condemned, requiring anew boilerand associated works. Besidesthe £80,000 needed,there wasalsothe problem of finding amanufacturer to buildit. Once therewerehundreds of theseboiler manufacturersacrossthe UK,but nowonlya handfulremain. The other problem hasbeenthe spec and findinganengineeringdesign company able andwillingto produceone.While it is hoped that President will be back in steamlater this year,itwillsadly again not make ourrally,whereithas always proved amajor attraction.

In the spirit of theoriginalIWA Market Harborough Rallyof1950 –beingcommemorated in its 75th anniversary this year over the weekend of June 7and 8– ourevent hasalwaysbeenadoubleact going hand in hand with itswaterway festival

Ourmusic impresario for some yearsnow,Janul, is already networkingthe amazingmusicians

David Suchet opening the 2018 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally on the 1958 Braunston-built wooden butty Raymond.Itwas thelast wooden narrowboat built for the English canals, and the rally marked the 60th anniversary its launch. With David is Aubrey Berriman, shipwright whobuilt the Raymond,and former workingboatwoman Alice Lapworth. PHOTO: HARRYARNOLD –WATERWAYSIMAGES

Lady Sheila Suchet openingthe 2024 rally on boardthe Buckingham Canal Society’s‘Diana the Dredger’. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

Job done: After the formal opening, Lady Suchet relaxing with membersofthe Narrow BoatTrust. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

Nuneaton and Brighton in the parade of boats at the 2022 rally.The pair of boats will open the 2025 rally with SirDavid and Lady Suchet formally performing the opening ceremony PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

Ahistoric narrowboat enthusiast polishing up his brasses beforethe first parade. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

she produces each year for the famous beer tent –the DryDock Inn– amini-Glastonbury, without the mud.

There will be Morris dancers, and children will again be entertained by ProfessorDiamond’s Punch &JudyShowinfourproductions duringthe Saturday

The Guild of WaterwaysArtists will be provided with theirown marquee, sponsoredbyBraunston Marina.Atleast 10 of its members will have their worksondisplay, includingthe greatcanal artist DustyMiller

Formanyyears nowwehave enjoyed hostingAlarumTheatre with their new productions on the Thursdaynightsbeforethe rally. The duo of Kate Saffin and Heather Wastie have nowdecidedtocall it a day. ButonKate’srecommendation we have invited the newOxford Canal-based trio,the Three Idle Woman, whowill be performing anumberoftheir close-harmony canalsongs –All Hands Together Their CD will be available for purchase on the nightat£10. Tickets at £10 –noconcessions –areavailable beforehand from the

marina shop and from the door on thenight.Theevent is sponsored by BraunstonMarinaand all ticketsaleswill be donated to the maintenanceofBraunstonChurch, the‘cathedralofthe canals’– where many formerworking boatmen ‘tied up’for thelasttime And mentioningKateSaffin,she will stillbeverymuchwithusfor therally. On hersuggestion, she will dressasatraditional boatwoman andbe‘at home’inanold working boatman’scabin tiedupinthe OldOxfordArm at the heartofthe marina.Hereshe will showvisitors round the cabin, explainingto themthe mysteries of just howthe boatmen’sfamiliesmanaged to live and work in such aconfinedspace –what they wore,ate,how theyslept andthe tough life theyled.

The rallywillalsohaveits usual trade marquee, whichwillbeshared with anumberofcanal societies.At leasttwo canalauthorsare hoping to launchtheir new books in that tent.Outside, therewillbeseveral good causes likethe RNLI, to whom we givefreespace

On the Sunday evening, to close theevent,the rallywillagain sponsor

acandlelit choral concertbyFiori Musicali of Elizabethanand early Jacobeanmusic.Thevenue is across themeadows from Braunstonatthe ancientchurchofWolfamcote. The concertaims to raiseawarenessof this redundantchurchand the funds needed for its preservation.

We arefortunate to be able to hold the eventinour marina,including parking, with useofthe canal outsidefor the paradesofhistoric narrowboats, thankstothe CRT. The rallyisverymuchanoutdoor event, with the5000 peoplewho traditionally attend spreadingthemselvesout alongthe mile or so of towpathto watch the parades.Soweshould be able to hold the eventinsafety. Here’s hopingwehaveyou on board!

TheBraunstonHistoric Narrowboat Rallyissponsored by BraunstonMarinaand Towpath Talk,with supportfromthe Canal &River Trust.

Awhole armful of historicnarrowboats in the Old OxfordCanal ArmatBraunston Marina.

PHOTO: TIMCOGHLAN

Bridge over OxfordCanal Waters. The Three Idle Women whowill be making their debut performance at the 2025 rally. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Morris dancers galore. PHOTO: VICTORIA JANEPHOTOGRAPHY

Mr Punch, delighting young and not-so-young visitors. PHOTO: VICTORIA JANEPHOTOGRAPHY

What theBraunston Historic Narrowboat Rally is all about! PHOTO: EAMONN COMERFORD

TheBest Bar None team with Pete Waterman at the2023 rally. PHOTO: TIMCOGHLAN

From attictoarchive: thelost waterway photos of FrederickLeManquais

By GeoffCourtney

Atreasuretrove of unpublished canal andinlandwaterways images takenbyatop railway photographer,who wasalso a keen sailor andcabin cruiser owner,havebeen retrieved from his daughter’sattic after lying unseen for manyyears

THE photographer wasLondon-born FrederickLeManquais,who from 1928 until his deathin1968 at theage of 58 took 1500 photographs of railwaysinthe UK and Ireland, although hisday jobwas with Murphy

Radio of Welwyn Garden Cityasa chartered electrical engineer

In 1939 ‘Freddie’, as he wasknown,married VioletBayles, and the couple hadtwo daughters,Beryl,born in 1944, andCarolyn, who wasborn in 1947 and diedlastyear. It wasinBeryl’s andher husbandRoger’s attic that the photographs were stored,and with them wasthe logbookfor her father’s cabin cruiser Corsair

“I knew the photos were somewhere, but hadn’t looked at them for years,”said Beryl, whosehomebacks on to the Shropshire Union Canalinthe Cheshirevillage of Audlem.Her pleasureatseeingthe images once again was enhancedbythe logbook, which details each trip her father made on thecruiser.“There is even mileage, fuel consumption, andhow long betweenvillages,intypical engineer’s fashion,”she said proudly.

Some fascinatingother facts emergedas Beryldelved deeper into the logbook. “He seemed to have endlesstroublewiththe engine,and weed around the propeller,but he hardly ever mentions who waswith him on the boat,” she revealed.

Oneexception to this,however,was an alarming incident when shefelloverboard

while they were cruisingonthe Cam. “I fell in at Waterbeach and thedoctorhad to be called, butmyfatherdoesn’t saythat he had to swim to my rescue.Mymum told me many yearslater.”

At the ageof60Beryl wasstaying at Elyand took the opportunitytovisit whereshe fell in at Waterbeach.“Iwas shocked to seehow

Ayoung Beryl on Corsair at BaitsBitelockonthe River Cam. PHOTO: FREDERICK LE MANQUAIS

Ace photographer andsailing enthusiast Frederick Le Manquais is in his element on his cabin cruiser Corsair PHOTO: BERYL COLECOLLECTION

Avariety of vessels enjoy the first Inland Waterways Association Festival of Boats and Art at Union Wharf, Market Harborough, in August 1950, as photographed by Frederick Le Manquais, whoattended with his family.

PHOTO: FREDERICK LE MANQUAIS

An Ovaltineboat cruises on the Grand UnionCanal at Marsworth, near Tring, in 1954. PHOTO: FREDERICK LE MANQUAIS

Heritage underthe hammer

Geoff Courtney reports on prices achieved by canal and inland waterwaysmemorabilia at twospecialist auctions in recent months.

deep the riveristhere,”she said.

Corsair, which wasbuilt by Alexander GostelowofBostoninthe mid-1930s and kept by her father at Banham’s boatyard in Cambridge, wasusedfor onlyriver journeys, mainlyonthe Camand GreatOuse. “My father wasinterestedinexploringthe lodes and drains off the main RiverOuse,”said Beryl. “Hetooklotsofphotographs of muddy lock entrances and weedynarrowrivers, and Irememberthe boat goingaground and him standinginthe riverpushingitoffthe mudbank.”

Shesaid she wasonlythree when he bought Corsair.“It made abig impression on me,and Irememberalot aboutit.”

Another occasion sherecallswas when Corsair wasmooredinthe dock at King’sLynn. “Wehad to clamberontoa commercial boat nexttous, and on to a very dirty and oilyboatwhichwas perhaps

adredger,and finallyupaladder on to the quay.Itwasn’t easy for my mother carrying my toddler sister.”

In additiontoriver journeys,the family enjoyed canaltrips on hired motor cruisers, andone such trip Berylremembers is visiting the Andertonboatlift in Cheshirewhen her father hireda boat on theShropshireUnion Canal. Thelift,which is described as ‘one of the sevenwondersofthe waterways’,was built in 1875 to lift vessels50ft from the River Weaver to the Trent&MerseyCanal.Beryl recalls havinga photograph taken of that occasion, buttoher regret it wasn’t in the collection in her attic.

Acombinationofherfather’sphotographic skillsand hispleasureoncruisingthe canals andriversofEngland with hisfamilyclearly ledtoanenjoyable childhoodfor Beryl, despitethe occasional mishap.“Boatsare definitelyinmyblood,” she said.

ILLUSTRATIONS of estuaries, rivers,harboursand lochs by some of the country’s leading artistswereamong the subjects that attracted interest in twomajor auctions in March. Oneexample,a BR poster issued in 1958 promotingDerbyshire, sold for £2600 at aGWRailwayana auction on March16. It was the work of PeterCollins (1923-2001), aleadinglight in the Chelsea artscene, and featured atrain on Headstone Viaduct in MonsaleDale abovethe twisting RiverWye Another BR poster in the sale,titledTheEnchanting RiverDart, waspaintedby CharlesKing. Released by BR in 1961 and illustrating afleetofmooredyachts, it fetched £360, butthat price wastrumped by an LNER carriageprint dating from 1936 that went to anew home for £650. This wasthe work of Frank Masonand wasan atmosphericillustrationof Lowestoft harbourbusywith steamersand afleetofsailing craft with its lighthouse shiningalight againsta darkeningsky.Mason, a former marine engineer, wasa highlyrespected artist

whosecareerincludedbeing aFirst WorldWar shipping artistand exhibitingatthe RoyalAcademy.

Frank Mason’scarriage printwas accompaniedinthe GW Railwayanaauction by a number of otherexamples, andtheseincluded aLNER 1947 releaseofaWells-nextthe-Seaestuaryscene by JFletcher Watson (£180), and an illustration by Donald Maxwell of sailing craft and steamersonthe RiverMedwayatRochester that wasissuedbythe Southern Railwayin1935 (£170).Thesuccessofthese carriage prints reflectsan increasing interest among sailingenthusiasts for such memorabilia,due notonly to thesubjects,but also the qualityofthe artistryand becausetheyare easy to display

The auction also included Bi rm ingham Ca na l Navigations cast iron sign Pelsall Junction, whichwas sitedatthe junction of the Cannock Extension Canal andthe Wyrley &Essington Canaland went for £440. Also sold were twocanal boundary cast iron postscomprising

GJCLD/GUCCO(Grand Union and Grand Junction) whichfetched £380, and an SND&G&B NC (Sharpness NewDocks &Gloucester& Birmingham Navigation Co) post that realised £190. Artworkalsofeatured in the secondliveonline auctionunder this column’s microscope,heldbyGreat CentralRailwayanaonMarch 1. Firstcamea painting by George Heiron of Clifton Suspension Bridge,the Isambard Kingdom Brunel GradeI-listed masterpiece that opened in 1864 and spans theRiver Avon at Bristol. Heiron (1929-2001) wasone of the leading railway photographers of hisgeneration whosework is highly acclaimed,but wasalsoanaccomplished artist, as is illustrated by the painting, whichsoldfor £250. Amongthe carriage print selectioninthe auctionwas Loch MorarinInvernessShirebyWilliam Douglas Macleodthat wasissued by the LNER in its post-war series and went for£50 The prices quoted forboth auctions exclude buyer’s premium of 15% (+ VAT)

on

The first Inland WaterwaysAssociationFestival of Boatsand Art at Market Harborough in August 1950, as seen through the camera lens of Frederick Le Manquais,who was at thislandmark event with his family

PHOTO: FREDERICK LE MANQUAIS

Violet Le Manquaisand her daughter Beryl look relaxed as they enjoy acruise on the River CamatReach Lode nearthe village of Upware. PHOTO: FREDERICK LE MANQUAIS

Brunel’sClifton Suspension Bridge over the River Avon was thesubject of apainting by top photographer andartistGeorge Heiron that went under thehammer for £250 on March 1. PHOTO: GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAYANA

The DerbyshirePeak District’sHeadstone Viaduct with the River Wye below was central to aBRposter that sold for £2600 at auction on March 16. PHOTO: GW RAILWAYANA

Abid of £170 at auction

March 16 secured this SouthernRailway carriage print of the River Medway at Rochester. PHOTO: GW RAILWAYANA

IWAI Green &SilverCruise in jeopardy

By Alison Alderton

THElargest gatheringofboats to travel the RoyalCanal in many yearsmay have their adventure scuppered

The skippers, and all members of the Inland WaterwaysAssociation of Ireland (IWAI),had been planningtheir so-calledGreen &Silver Cruisefor almostayear, travellingfromClondara in Longfordacrosstothe Dublinbasin viathe Royal Canaland returningvia the Grand Canal to the RiverShannon at Shannon Harbour. Bringingcolour and excitementtoeach of the townsand villages through whichthe canalwinds,the cavalcade alsodeliversa much-needed boost to the localeconomies

IarnrÓdÉireann (Irish Rail) controls the Newcomen Rail LiftingBridgeatthe Royal Canal, which lies diagonally across the waterway at the west end of Spencer Dock in Dublin and hastobelifted to allow anyvessel

through.Lift datesare plannedand published earlyinthe year andhavebeenreduced to as little as sixtimes peryear, lifting for only one houreachtime.Lastyear, the final bridge lift

in August did not happen becausethe lifting mechanismwas not working.

Despitethe itineraryofthis mostrecent Green& Silver Cruise beingpublished

months agoand the

Love, locks andliveaboards: the storybehind RoseIllingworth

Thehistoryofthe canals and those livingonthem has been brought to life –onaboat. SallyClifford chats to thewriter and producer behind avery special performance.

WRITING aplayabout canallife mayappeareasywhen youare livingthe dream. It is fiveyears since MegWilson and her partner Paul West swappedlife ashorefor their 13-year-old floatinghome.Recalling the reason for the lifestyle change it wasevidentlyPaul’sambition to liveaboardand, despitebeing in the throesof refurbishingtheir spacious 58ft narrowboat, North Star,apparentlybuilt as asailaway for its previous owners, the couple areconfidenttheymade theright decision and wouldn’t go back to bricks and mortar

“Paulwantedtoliveonaboat and Ibegrudginglysaid yes, butI

realised it would be somethingI would fall in love with

“I think peoplespend so much time talkingabout the cons of living on aboatand not aboutthe pros –everyconversation is abouttoilets and is it cold in winter,” smiles Meg.

“I don’tthink anybodytalks about seeing an otterorbeingsat in the sunshine and cruisingall day.”

It becomes apparent,during ourconversation, that theirloveof the waterway isn’t simply from a liveaboardperspective.

Relaxing in the spacious cabin, wherethe kettle is on and the sun is just beginningtoget thebetter ofthe stubborn greyclouds, Meg talksenthusiasticallyabout the importantpartthe canals played in Britain’ssocialhistory,and of the liveaboards who were workingand bringingupfamilies on waterways once throngingwith commercial traffic.

It was, in part,Meg’s interest in canalhistory,and her grandfather’s contributions from delvingintothe family tree,thatgaveher the ideato

planneddatefor traversing beneaththe bridge beingknown for months,IarnrÓd Éreannhas failedtorepair the bridge in time. WaterwaysIreland, whichisresponsible for the canals,has worked tirelessly with IWAI to ensure the trip runs seamlessly butdespite their efforts it nowlooks as if the fleet will have no option buttoturn in Confey, where theyare currently, or Castleknock and go back the waytheycame

The knock-on effectextends to theIWAI Dublin Rally, the annualtripupthe Liffeyon May17and the parade of boatsinthe Dublin Basin, all nowcancelled.

An IWAI spokesperson stated:“It is unacceptable in thisday and agethatthe tourismpotential of the RoyalCanal canbe ruinedbythisrailbridge. It is nowtime forthe governmentand localelected representatives to getbehind this campaign andforce IarnrÓd Éireann to act.”

writeher first play

“Mygrandpaisreallyintohistory andhesaid we hadancestors who used to liveonboats.Hestarted regalingmewith photos he was collecting and books aboutthe historyofthe canal.”

Hergrandpa’sfindings reignited Meg’sown interest in historyand made her question moreabout her surroundings and its connections to the canal.

“Theuntoldstory that Bradford hadacanal,you drivedownCanal Road everyday butdon’t know whyitwas calledCanal Road, or where the wharfisonWharf Street,” explainsMeg

ForBradford2025 –Cityof Culture–Meg waskeentoinclude the canalinthe celebrations and securedfunding to do so

“I thoughtabout writingaplay aboutcanal life at thetime Bradford wasbooming and growing, and how that must have felt,” says Meg.

HerproductionRoseIllingworth: Born to the Boatstells the storyof ayoung girlfacedwiththe lifechangingdecisionofstepping from the familiar– her family’sboat whereshe hasgrown up –intothe unknown –marriagetoa good man on land.

With her18th birthday approachingand theprospectof freedom,Rose, played by Beatrice Hooper,istornbetween two worlds in alovestory with acast of many characters played by Ed Cookeand played outinthe bow of thehistoricfloatingmuseum–Kennet.Built in 1947 by Yarwoods of Northwich, Kennet is believed to be the onlysurvivingshortboat travellingalongthe canalwhere it once carriedcargo.In1986 it became aheritage exhibition and it wasseeinga play on the boat that gave Megthe ideatotakeher ownplayonboard

The boat-based performance of Rose Illingworth:Born to Boats, held in May, took place at Bingley’siconic Five Rise Locks and wasfollowedbyanaccessible outdoorperformance beside the boat in RobertsPark, Saltaire. As well as beingthe first play Meg haswritten, it wasalsothe first boat production she hasbeen involved with –and afirstfor the production company –Northern Duck Productions –she setup with her business partnerJazz (Jazmine Franks).

Thepair met at Bradford PlayhousewhereMeg hasbeen

the company directorfor nine years.

Together theyhavemorethan 30 years’ theatre experience –Jazz hasalsoworkedasanactor so NorthernDuckProductions wasanatural move to make.The name came from Meg’sloveof rubber ducks which developed from apublicityevent some yearsago by the Bradford Playhousewhichinvolved releasing1200 rubber ducks in Bradford’sCityPark. Apair of colourfulrubber ducks sitting aboard NorthStar symbolises Megand Paul’s home and work life –Paulisastage managerat Bradford Playhouseand is also a partner in CoasttoCoast Concert Productions.

Theyshare their floatinghome with their beautiful border collie, Alfie,and while work keepsthem busy theirboatiswhere they love to be

“It’slikehavingyourown iceberg –floatingtogether and driftingapart,” says Paul, referring to the friends theyhave met on the waterway

“Itisthe happiestIhavebeen,” adds Meg. Formoreinfo: www. northernduckproductions.co.uk

The cast involved in NorthernDuckProductions PHOTO: NORTHERN DUCKPRODUCTIONS

TheIWAIGreen &Silver fleet in Kilcock. PHOTO: DAMIAN MADDOCK

Kennet,the floating museum where RoseIllingworth: Born to the Boats was performed. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

Fish superhighway complete

By Lucy Wood

Twopopulations of brown trout have beenreunitedat Gill Beck, near Bradford.

APROJECT to help fish navigate a stretch of riverinWestYorkshirehas endedinsuccess.

The Wild TroutTrust said: “After partiallyremovingastepthatstopped browntrout from migratingupstream, JonGrey, the trust’sresearchand

conservationofficer,has nowadded bafflestothisculvertedstretch of river.

“Theseparticularbaffles areflexible strips that attach to thechannel bed. Theybreak up the river’sflow, making it easier for small fish to swim againstit. Theyalsoraisethe water level, helpingfish to pass over the remainingpartofthe step

“Asa result,two populations of wild brown trouthavenow been reunited. Theywill have accessto morebreedinghabitats and be less

vulnerable to pressureslikedisease and pollution, whichcan devastate isolated populations.

“Weare delightedtobeworking with Aire Rivers Trust, Bradford Council, the landowner and our funderstodeliver thisfantastic project. Look outfor more updates soon.”

Couldyou make thesekinds of improvements to your stretchofriver? Getexpertadvice from thetrust’s team at www.wildtrout.org/content/ advice-and-practical-help

Wild Trout Trust seeks newchair

By Lucy Wood

THE Wild TroutTrust charityis lookingfor anew chair for its board of trustees

This voluntaryposition is available duetothe trust’scurrent chair, Dr Graham Coley, steppingdownthis autumn.

“We’dliketowarmlythank Dr Coleyfor his yearsofdedication in therole,” said atrust statement.

“The Wild TroutTrust is asmall,

dynamic charitythatworks in the UK andIreland. We restore the health of rivers andempower otherstocarefor theseimportant habitats.Our namesake, the brown trout, is abeloved wildlifeicon, butalsoapowerfulindicator of riverconditionand akey part of freshwaterecosystems.This meansthatbyimproving rivers for wild browntrout,wesupportan enormous rangeofother species.

“Withyourhelp, we candoeven

more crucialconservationwork than we do today. As chairofour boardoftrustees, you will have an essentialrole in ourdevelopment; as such,we’re seekingsomeone with apassion for the environment –especiallywater-related wildlife andhabitats–and the vision to help strengthen andexpand ourambition over the comingyears.”

Applicationscloseatmidnighton Friday,May 30. Further details on the position,and information on howto apply, canbefound here: https:// tinyurl.com/trouttrustchair

Step away from thescreen andget

‘hooked’onfishinginstead

THECanal &RiverTrust is hopinganational campaign to getkids fishingwill inspiremanyyoungstersto ditch the screens and spend time by the waterside

Let’sFish!isanational programme of hundredsof introductoryeventstaking place acrossEngland and Wales. Thankstothe supportoflocal angling clubs and funds raised by playersofPeople’s Postcode Lottery, all participants will receiveone-to-one tuition from qualifiedlicensed coaches. Let’sFish! events aresuitable for thoseaged sixand above, whether

theyare completelynew to fishing or aregetting back into it after abreak

John Ellis, head of fisheries and anglingatthe Canal& RiverTrust,said:

“Our Let’sFish events area greatway to getthe relaxing benefits of spending time by thewater –and sometimes theaddedexcitementof catching your first fish! They give everyone thechance to have ago, regardless of background or ability, with all the equipmentprovided. We’vegot plentyofactivities taking placeacrossthe countryand with asummer of events linedup, it’s the

perfecttime to getinvolved.”

Events aretakingplace in Mayand the rest of the year.Sponsored by fishingproduct specialist Daiwa, theyare achance to tryout what participants have learnt, supportedby qualified, licensedLet’s Fish! coaches.Theseculminatein twoflagship events in the autumn: theGuruNational CelebrationofYoung People and Fishing,sponsored by Guru Tackle with support from AnglingDirect, andthe DaiwaGlobal Communities Celebration.

TheLet’s Fish! programme wasintroduced

Trout and about to carefor urban rivers

By LucyWood

THE fifthTrout in the Town UrbanConclave is beingheldin West YorkshirethisJuly.

The annual event, presentedby the RiverWorth Friends and the Wild TroutTrust,inassociation with the Aire Rivers Trust, focuses on empowering communities to care forurban rivers andisbeing held on thebanksofthe River WorthinKeighleyonJuly2/3.

Thisyear’stheme is Rivers in the Community: Making Collaborations Work,and the gatheringishostedbytheKeighley and WorthValleyRailway at their recentlyrefurbishedvenue,The OldParcelsOffice, overlooking the tracks of Keighley Station in central Keighley,lessthan200 metres from the riverbank

Theprogramme includes outdooractivities on the Worth, includingelectrofishing

and riverfly monitoring, and presentations by keynotespeakers.

Aspokespersonfor the Wild TroutTrust said:“Often undervalued andoverlooked, thesewatercoursescan be precious assets for people and wildlife.Byworking closelywith ourTrout in the Town Groups, we aimtotacklethe pressureson thesehabitats and celebratethem forwhattheycan be:immense sources of health,happinessand biodiversity

“Our groups areincontact throughout the year,but the conclave presents aspecial opportunitytoshare knowledge and inspiration.Thegathering is open to the public,and we welcome anyone with an interest in the health of urbanrivers.”

Registration is nowopen, andanyoneinterestedin speaking is encouraged to email rwfconclave@gmail.com

A‘vole’new way to save aspecies!

By LucyWood

JOIN in anational monitoring programme with The People’s Trustfor Endangered Species

From nowuntil June 15, the wildlife charitydedicated to conservingendangeredspecies and their habitats both in theUK and globallyisaskingpeople to recordwater vole field sightings alongtheirlocal waterways.

what’s happened since1998, and alsodetectany future changes. This will allowustoplanand carryout effectiveconservation action that will reallymakea differencetowater voles.

in 2016 and around 25,000 people have takenpart, fillingnearly50,000 slots,since its inception. Continuedsupportfrom playersofPeople’s Postcode Lotteryhas helped enable theprogramme,with everythingneededtoenjoy afishingsession on the day, such as tackle,bait, arod licenceand fishing permit, as well as experttuition from acoach

The National Celebration sponsored by Guru will takeplace on September13 and 14. The DaiwaGlobal CommunitiesCelebration will takeplace on October18.

Aspokespersonfor PTES said: “Water voles aredisappearing. Theystartedtolosetheir homes in the 1940s and 1950s with the intensificationofagriculture, butthe mostdevastatingfactor to their demisecameduringthe 1980s and 1990s.Illegallyreleased American mink spread furiously acrossthe countryside preyingon the vulnerable nativemammals and continue to do so today. In just 10 years, watervole numbers hadcrashedbyalmost90%.

“The People’s Trustfor Endangered Species launched thefirst National WaterVole MonitoringProgramme (NWVMP) in Britain in 2015 to establish where watervoles remain and howmanythereare The knowledge gainedguidesour best conservation efforts.

“Between 1989 and 1998 theVincentWildlife Trust (VWT)conducted twonational surveysthatdemonstrated the dramatic decline of ourwater voles.Therandomlyselected sites that were visited during these twosurveys formthe basisofour newsurvey. We aim to annually resurvey these sites, to findout

“Totakepartyou will need to survey one 500m length of riverbank at an allocatedsiteonce ayear, betweennow and June 15. Youwillrecordall watervole field signsthatyou see, alongwithany otterand mink field signs, to gain an insight into the distribution of thesetwo species.Full guidance will be given. If youalready record watervoles,you canadd your site and data to the survey

“Pleasenote, forthe NWVMP we askyou to monitor a500m stretch of waterway and ideally continue to monitor it each year This meanswecan moreeasily compare results acrosssites and across years. If you wouldlike to report aone-off sightingof awater vole,pleasedothis via yourlocal environmental records centre, whichwill recorditand feed theinformationintothe National WaterVole Database and Mapping Project, whichis runbyTheWildlife Trusts

“With your help,wewill monitorwater vole presence/ absence,aswell as relative abundance,atsites across England, Scotland and Wales on an annual basissowecan detectany changesintheir populations and distribution and collect records of mink and otter presence at thesesites,aswell as informationabout whether any mink control is carriedout.”

Jon Grey, the trust’sresearch and conservation officer,was in charge of theproject PHOTO: WILD TROUT TRUST

Adigger gets to work. PHOTO: WILD TROUT TRUST

Cruising in style: Coral joins the fleet

Although we mainly lookatnew,privately owned boats,it’sgood to occasionally see what is happening within thehire fleets. With this in mind, Phil Pickin took atrip to theTrevor Basin to see anew boatentering the AngloWelsh fleet.

YOUwould be hard pushedto findamoreiconic locationto look at anew narrowboat than that providedatthe Trevor Basin on the Llangollen Canalclose to the PontcysyllteAqueduct. And despitethe ratherdamp conditions,itwas good to getan opportunitytohavealookover one of fivenew boatstoenter Anglo Welsh’s fleet this year.Fitted outbythe company’s ownteam of fitters at Silsden on theLeeds &LiverpoolCanal, Coral will be basedatTrevorfor the foreseeable future, so if anyone wantstofind outmore, you’ll finda link at the endofthisarticle

CoralisoneofAngloWelsh’sGem

Classboats that are60ft in length andprovide accommodation for up to sixpeople (4+2). This rangeofboats hasa cruiser stern andreverse layout,which has, accordingtothe company,proved to be very popularwith hirers over the past couple of yearsas it provides flexibility. As aresult, this is the fourth boat built with this layout.Othersare locatedat Whixall, MonktonCoombeand BradfordonAvon.

The specification

Poweredbya Kioti 42hpengine from Canaline fittedtoa Newage PRM150 gearbox, Coral is painted in Anglo Welsh’s unusual, and very smart, dark greenliveryand, beingacruiser stern boat,has a significantamountofspace at the stern. Idealfor holidayhire, assuming the weatheriskind! Accessintothe boat is easy with plentyofroomonthe steps, which bringyou into the galley. Thisis, as youmight expect, modern and well laid outwith just about everythinga groupwould need duringtheir time aboard.

The windows arelarge,with

blackframes which, even on a damp and overcast day, provided agoodamountofnatural light.

Coral is fittedwith afridge, a Toshibamicrowave, adomesticsizedcookerand astainlesssteel sink and drainer inset into one of the smartgreyworktops.Aradio hasbeenfitted into one of the under-worktopunits,and I’mnot personallyafan, butI’m sure that it will come in handyfor some. As youmight imagine, the floor covering in the galleywillbeeasy to keep cleanwhilealsolooking good

Dark carpetscover the floor in the livingarea, whichisfitted with alarge L-shaped dinette that has been upholsteredwith fabric to matchthe carpeting. A very largetable should provide plentyofspace for afamily to eat in comfort, and alarge TV screen hasbeenfitted highonthe end wall. The area is heated by alarge white radiator that should easily be able to keep theoccupants very comfortable

Movingforward down ashort corridor,you find the first of two bathrooms,both of whichare well equipped andsurprisinglylarge

Coral, one of five new boats added to the Anglo Welsh fleet this year.

No shortage of daylight aboard Coral.

Well-equipped galley

Fitted with somewhat unusuallysquare windows, thebathrooms enjoyplenty of naturallight,whichisbackedupbya number of inset LEDlightsinthe ceiling. Agood-sized showerareahas been created alongwith some very handystorage shelves behind the door.Large mirrors over the wash basins help to providethe impression that thesealready largebathrooms areeven

bigger than theyreallyare. The nextroomisadouble berththat can, Iunderstand, be converted into two singles if required. The bedrooms have two largewindows,heatingcontrols and aUSB chargingportfitted into ashelf abovethe bed. Facilitiestochargeelectronicdevices are nowessential in all boats, so it’s good to seethatthis hasn’t been overlooked.

Forwardofthis bedroom, with its bedset to thestarboard side of the boat, is the next bathroom, whichisidentical to the previous one,both of which have wardrobe areasthat areaccessible viadoors in thecorridor However, in the forward bedroom, with its bedset to theportside,thereisanadditional wardrobe nexttothe forward doors. Given that Coral is ahireboat, it wasfully kitted out with bedlinenand cookingequipment, as canbeseeninthe photos.One of anumber of features that stood outduringmybrief visit wasthe amountofstorage on offer.With up to sixpeoplepotentially stayingonboard, youneed plenty of spacefor clothing, etc, and it seemed that theteamatSilsden have donejustthat in making full useofthe space on offer

The net result

It would be unrealistic to compare Coral to abespoke narrowboat that would cost significantlymore.Thisisaboatthathasbeen builttoprovide holiday accommodation over alongperiodoftime,and as such,will be subjectedtomorewearand tearthan your averageprivate boat.But having said that,this is averycomfortableboat. The standardoffinish of the woodwork was as good,ifnot better,thanthatyou might find on many privateboats.For many,the opportunitytoown their boat is unlikely to come to fruition, butdespitethis, they want to enjoy theirholidaysafloat,soitis good to seeAnglo Welsh providingthem with acomfortable holiday home on the waterways. In doingso, theyare providing agoodintroduction to the potentialboat ownersofthe future.

All in all, Iwas impressed. I’mlucky enough to look over alot of new, bespoke narrowboats, some of whichhave eye-watering price tags,soit’s good to see aboatthat is achievable to awide rangeof people,evenifitisonlyfor aweekortwo If you want to find outmoreabout Coral and other boatswithin therange,visit:www. anglowelsh.co.uk/gem-class-narrow-boats

Anglo Welsh’snew boat Coral.

Good sizedbathrooms on boardhelped by the large mirror.

Modernaccommodation foruptosix people.

Oneoftwo bedrooms that can provide either adouble or two singles.

Y Saturday21

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We’d love to show youaround—getintouch todaytoarrange a viewingand discover themagic of lifeonthe water.

Amarinathatoffersyou achoice

Afamily owned marina setinrural Worcestershire, but minutes away from the M5,gives all boaters great travel opportunities. The238 berth marina is locatedonthe DroitwichCanals, ideally situatedfor greatcruising albeit fora shortbreak or long holidays.Itiswithin easy walking distanceofthe SpaTownofDroitwich.

This marina offers you

■ Securityfor youand your boat

■ Full length jetties, in anon flood environment

■ First class facilities, including luxuryshowerblock and launderette

■ Shop and Chandlery

■ Elsan, Pumpout,Diesel,Water

■ Boat Blacking options available

■ Hardstanding,Service Area, andCranage Padfacilities

■ Calor GasStockist

■ CaravanMotorhome CL site

EAST MIDLANDS BOATSERVICES -WILLOW MOORINGS

Moorings Available forcruisers and narrowboatsat£4.60 per foot,per month. Residentialmoorings available at £325.00 per month forNarrowboatsonly. Poweredslipway for boatsup to 40 foot andasecond slipway forsmall boats. Slipway can be hired forDIY workorweoffer services forAntifouling, Painting and General Servicing. We also have a Boat Safety Examiner on site.

Located on the A6, adjacent to The Otter Public House. 01509 672385 www.eastmidlandsboatservices.co.uk Kegworth, DE74 2EY

Themarina offers you:

•

•Coal

•Laundrette

•Shower/Toilet

•Paint bay

Berthing available for leisuremoorers Pleaseenquirefor prices: 0116 2606166 or office@raynswayproperties.co.uk Leicester Marina, Pinfold Road, ThurmastonLE4 8AS

Moorings available,special ratesfor

Prime mooring’s in thecentreof Birmingham’Canal system.Securesite, withall servicesavailable,and easyaccess to the lively cityofBirmingham Justa 2minutewalk,tothe fantastic nightlifeofRestaurants, clubs and bars, Places of interest,the InternationalConventionCentre, also knownasthe ICC, off the famous boardstreet, in Birmingham, the new library, the Cresenttheatre,The Ikon galleryfor art, all just ashortwalk away,3-4 minutes, Allpublic services are availablefromthe streets outside andyou can jump on the tram from Boardstreet.Wolverhampton,ortonew street.The choiceisyours Mooringinsherborne wharf,isquiet andpeaceful,with long term residents,who have established alifehereinthe Marine.Weare an established Company, who have been here inBirminghamfor over 30yrs,friendlyneighbourswho get together and enjoysummer evenings on thetowpath socialising, sharing the evening sunand adrink,responsibly, Service’sare based on themain lineoutside the round house and Distillery Pub, with asmall chandlery, coal,diesel,Gas andpump out available on adaily basis, please notepumpouts arenot allowedafter 11.30am, thefacilitiesare small but can supply youwith whatyou need

We have no onsite parking,however parking can be found,torentwithinthe access to the site andaroundthe Marina privately Boat services,wehaveadry dock thatcan

Situated in therolling countryside of Northamptonshire on the23mile lockfreesummit of theGrand Union Leicester section -Yelvertoft Marina is setin beautifultranquil countryside,within 5minutes of theM1J18, yet without noiseorinconvenience of majortraffic. Leisure Mooringsat reasonable rates

Blisworth Marina

Cruising mooring - Go cruising for 3 months and get 20% discount

Pay for 2 years and get a discount of 10% on 2nd year Widebeam berths available

ForBoatSales please visit our website

Blisworth Arm NN7 3FG www.blisworthmarina.co.uk info@blisworthmarina.co.uk 01604879827

Hill Farm Marina

South StratfordCanal

The View Restaurant is now fully open www.theview-eat.co.uk

• •Enjoy privateaccess to atraditional 200 acrebeef and sheep farm

• •Dogs run free in designatedareas

• •Watch thechanging seasons,the wildlife and theanimals on the farm

• •Enjoy the completepeace,freedomand tranquillityofbeing in the countryside

• •Accesssome greatlock free cruisingfor day trips, weekend or longervoyages

• •Easy access to motorwaynetwork, buses and trains

• •Onsitelaundry, Hairdressers

• •Members benefit with adiscountatour popularRestaurant

It goes without saying....

• •A secureplacetomooryourboat, and park your car

• •Luxurious showers,communal areas, pump outand fuel etc.

• •Freeunlimited WIFI

• •Electricityand water connections

• •Pump-out,fuel, coal,wood andgas available

Please watch the progress www.hillfarmmarina.co.uk email info@hillfarmmarina.co.uk or call David on 07971 118953

We are opensevendaysaweek Café,marina shop &chandlery

We also have our own Village Green –aplace to sit, relax and take in the beauty of the marina

High-specification shower/toilet facilities, elsan disposal point

Dry dock maintenance and repairs

Pump-out station,diesel, electricity, gas, coal, logs &sticks,water point

Located on the Prees Branch of the LlangollenCanal

Offer valid until the endofJuly 2025

Alders Lane, Whixall, ShropshireSY132QS Marina Enquiries: 01948 880420

Email: enquiries@whixallmarina.co.uk www.whixallmarina.co.uk

Subject to terms and conditions

✔ Complete marketing package

✔ Competitivecommissionrates

✔ Expert salesteams

Contactour expert teams7 days aweek:

Hartford Marina,River GreatOuse 01480 274707 | hartfordboatsales@tingdene.net

PyrfordMarina, RiverWey 01932 343275 | pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

Bridge180, Grand Union Canal, Harefield UB9 6PD Tel: 01895 822036

muskmarine@hotmail.com www.harefieldmarina.co.uk

Facilities include:-Chandlery -Slipway (up to 65ft)

-Covered wetdock -Water and electric points

-Diesel -Pumpout -Boat sales/ brokerage -Engine inboard/ outboardrepairs -gas andcoal

HAREFIELD MARINA

Woodworks Boat Fitting

•Iver(Slough Arm) and Northolt (Paddington arm)

•Secure siteswithprivate parking

•Delivery of gas,solid fuel and diesel direct to your boat

•Electricity,water,elsan and pump out

•Showersand laundry

•Chandlery

•Mechanical, electrical, and carpentry work undertaken

•Craning, grit blasting and blacking

•Two partepoxyhull treatment

•Fuel polishingservice

sales@high-line.co.uk 01753 651496 www.high-line.co.uk

FORSELLERS

•Free moorings

•Sales location with establishedfootfall

•Open 6days /week

•Trade Plates for unlicensedcraft

•Pre sales preparation andrepairs

FORBUYERS

•Free guidance and advice

•Comprehensive handover

•Secure clients bank account

•ABYAqualified brokeragestaff

•Industrystandard documentation

PRIVATE BUYER’S SERVICE

•Ifyou are buying privately,wecan offer the following services:

•Advice on allaspectsofpurchase

•Provision of documentation

•Secure Clients bank account

•Bespoke service –asmuch or as little as you want, priced accordingly

kb@vcmarine.co.uk 01753 652502 /07860 480079 www.vcmarine.co.uk

THE BATTERYINDUSTRY

PredatorBatteries areproud to introduceanextensive rangeofspecially selectedLeadAcid andLithium batteries, designed for the Marine market.The Lead Acid rangestartswiththe popularflooded Leisurebattery,upgrades to the 'AGM PredatorDPX' andconcludeswiththe ultimateCarbonGel Technology - 'Quasar' from Eternity Technologies. In Lithium choose from the standard'value formoney'range, or upgradewiththe ultimate in Lithium power- thefully waterproof IP67-rated 'Predator XBH/67' forcompletesafetyand extended life.

Visit ourwebsite to review your options: www.predator-batteries.co.uk

The Predator DPX rangefeatures advanced AGMbatteries with Carbon and Tinadditives, enhancingEnginestartingand BowThruster powerand deep cyclecapability, hencetheir dual-purpose designation. They provide excellent value formoney withextended life.

The Quasar rangefromEternityTechnologies offersthe ultimateLeadAcid battery.CarbonNanoTube technology (CNT), extradeep cycle, fast recharge, startingability,and theverybest forlongdistance cruisingboats and Live-on-Boards (often notconnectedtoshore power)

Predator XBH/67 –the ultimateinLithium technology Fully waterproof up to adepth of 1metre,Bluetooth, Cold ClimateHeating, CANbusand RS485battery monitoringintegration. Available in 12,24, 36 and48V options.

Narrowboat,Workboat, Passenger boat and Powerboat training courses areavailable via our RYA Inland WaterwaysHelmsman, RYA Powerboat,MCA Boat Master, and InSTR Rescue boat schemes. RYAFirst Aid &VHF SRCby appointment.

Please see the website BOAT

TRAINING

Courses delivered via the Outreach Rescue and InstituteofSearch and Technical Rescue. DEFRA &CDM Regulations 2015 compliant&HSE endorsed schemes.

COMMERCIALSERVICES

office@midlandmarine.c uk Or visit ourwebsite: www.midlandmarine.co.uk visitour website:

NORBURYJUNCTION Staffordshire ST200PN Telephone:(01785) 284292 E-mail: info@norburywharfltd.co.uk Liveaboards are welcomed -Easy access to theboatis provided by ourspecially constructedbridge which reaches out to either thebow or sternofyour boat.Free240V hook-upisprovided while the boat is out of the water.

KINGSLOCK Marine Distribution MarineDistribution

We arethe UK’sbiggest Vetus distributor in sales but more importantly support.Ifwesell it we have more thanlikely fittedthe item at some point.

We supply to the biggest and thebestboatbuilders. We have dedicated kit forthe following installations

•Bow thrusters

•Bow and stern thrusters

•Bow prokits(brushlessmotors)

•Stern gear kits

•Toilet kits

•Engine fitting kits

•Hydraulic steering kits

•CompleteE-Line propulstion kits (Hybrid kit)

Hempsted Historic DryDock

Email:brunelpe@outlook.com 07863122952

RunnymedeBoatyardYard,Mead Road,Egham,Surrey,TW200AB

WHYCHOOSEUS:

•BrianPerry&Stephen CheshireHighly experiencedengineers formally(Norris’s)

OURSERVICES:

•Proprefurb

•PropRe-pitching

•Shaftsmadetoorder

•Couplings

•Cutlassbearings

•TigweldallyS/SBrnz

•Pbracketsrepair/ made

•Stuffingboxesrepair/ made

Pillings Lock Marina

Seagoing Saildrives Inland WaterwaysMarine Generating Sets Spares &Support

37 yearsofcustomer centred focus, listening to needs and delivering longterm value solutions. Specialists in customer advice andsupport at all points of aproducts life.

Superb after-salesservicevia our network of approvedengine installers and spares stockists.

5year

ExploreUK Narrowboat

Whether your vesselispermanently moored, or if you enjoy travelling up and down canals and rivers,weacknowledge and understand therisksthat may come with ownership.Weaim to provide Boat Insurance policies, tailored to your specific needs.

Boatshavebeenour passionfor over 20 years, so we understand the joys andchallengesofowninganarrowboat. Geta quoteonlinetoday with oursimpleprocess,and seehow much youcould save

©CopyrightCraftinsureLimited2025.CraftinsureLimitedisAuthorisedandRegulatedbytheFinancialConductAuthority, FirmReferenceNumber309693.RegisteredinEnglandandWalesNumber04386107.Registeredoffice:TheRoyals, AltrinchamRoad,ManchesterM224BJ.PoliciesavailabletoUKresidentsonly.Trustpilotratingcorrectasof04.02.2025.

Smallboats

Motor cruisers

Narrowboats

Barges

Houseboats

Canal boats (inc widebeam)

CrickWaterside &Marina launches residential

CRICK,the home of the famous Crick BoatShow, is Aquavista’s latestmarinato announce the launchofofficial residential moorings.Crick Waterside &Marinalocated on the Leicestersection of the Grand Union Canalisaspaciousmarinawithtwo basins offering270 moorings for narrowboatsand cruisersofall lengths.

Aquavista’s residential mooringpackage includes abunchof fantastic benefits includingaregisteredUKpostal address and

post box, a2000L Keterstorage box, afree weeklywash anddry perweek, afreepump outevery month and accesstodiscounts on high street brands and supermarkets through its Moor Benefits scheme.

During 2024, Cricksaw investmentinits facilities includingnew Wi-Fi, upgraded CCTV,new main entrance gate, newlaundry facilityand anew community outside social space. Investmentcontinues thisyearwith the refurbishmentofthe showers andtoilets

Bloomin’ lovely –marinas to blossom in colourfulcompetition

STAFF and customersat

marinasacrossthe country aregettingtheir spadesand trowels readyastheybid for greengloryinagardening competition.

AllofAquavista’s 29 inland and coastal marinasare gearingupfor this year’s Aquavista in Bloomcontest.

The challenge is to creating stunningfloral displaysto make their marinasbloom with bursts of colour to provide lovely environments for spendingtime this summer.This year’s theme is around sustainabilitywith the campaign strapline Reduce, Reuseand Regrow

TowergateInsurance,which is supportingAquavista in Bloomfor another year,has suppliedbug hotels and wildflowerseeds to each marina as part of its Let’sGrow Wild starterkit

LastyearCropredy Waterside &Marinalocated in Oxfordshirewas crowned the Outstanding OverallSite winner of Aquavista in Bloom. SarahJones,marinamanager at Cropredy, said: “Aquavista in Bloomreallybroughtout the communityvibeand friendships were formedthat remain now. Meetings were hadtodecide atheme and jobs were dedicated.Itgave everyone asenseofpurpose and the whole marina came together weeklytopaint, sowseeds,plant and create somethingwonderful.

“Wehad so many lovely comments from all our moorersand it broughta senseofpride to seeeveryone enjoyingThe Lockkeepers Cottagethroughout the summer.When we wonthe awardwecelebratedinstyle

with amarinaparty,livemusic and abar.Bring on 2025!”

Thereare four categories in 2025 with winners foreach region and overall winnersfor the North, Midlandsand South. OutstandingOverall Site 2025 -North,South & Midlands Outstanding Tubs and HangingBaskets or Creative display –North,South & Midlands OutstandingUpcycle Project –North,South &Midlands - in association with Enva Specialrecognition customer award– North, South &Midlands

Theupcyclingcategory returns for another year encouragingmarinas look for innovativewaystoreuse materials and giveeveryday items anew leaseoflife.Last year’s cultivationefforts will ensuremanydisplaysthis year arefromseeds that have been stored over the autumn and winter months

DeborahHunt, sales and

marketingdirector, said: “Aquavista in Bloommarks aspecial momentinour calendar,the return of the boatingseasonand achance for ourmarinacommunities to cometogether.It’swhen ourcrewteams andcustomers unitetotransformour spaces into vibrant, livinglandscapes. Lastyearshowcasedincredible creativity andimagination, and I’mexcited to seewhat this year brings.

“The emphasis on sustainabilityremains a keytheme,supportingnew environmental initiatives acrossour network.Our marinasare havens for both people and wildlife, so continuingtoprotect and enhance biodiversity is somethingwe’re proudto champion together.”

The competition launched March27with award submissionsrequired by August 31. Winnerswill be announcedduringaceremony in September.

to providenew luxuryen-suitebathrooms and adog showerfacility.

With itscalmwatersand greenfields,Crick marina hasa peaceful countryretreat feel but is still closeenough to allthe action. You’ll find Crickvillage just ashortwalkawayfrom the marina.It’sgot everythingyou need –there’sthree pubs,a cafe,a doctor’s surgery, post officeand hairdressers.Themarinais just afew miles from Junction 18 of theM1 andashortcar journeyintoRugby with loads

of shops,barsand restaurantstoexplore, while Northamptonisjustahalf-hour driveaway. Thereare 21 miles of lockfree cruisingonyourdoorstepsoyou’re perfectlyplacedfor new adventures.

Racecourse marina rompshome with awardfirst

RACECOURSE Marina Windsorhas become the first marina on the RiverThames to receivethe prestigious CleanMarina accreditation from TheYacht Harbour Association(TYHA).

The recognition, awardedonMarch 28, marksa majorenvironmental milestone for themarina’soperator, Tingdene Marinas, and reflects agrowing push forsustainability acrossthe UK’s inland waterways.

TheClean Marina scheme promotes environmental best practice within the marine industry. To earn accreditation, marinasmustmeetstrict criteria aimed at reducingpollution and improving wastemanagement, emergencyresponse procedures andpublicengagement.

JonWhite,general managerofTYHA, praised the marina’s efforts,,saying: “Tingdene Marinasand their team at Racecourse Marina deserve huge congratulations on theirhardworkand efforts in achievingthe TYHA CleanMarina Accreditation.”

The achievementfollows severalmonths of work by the team at Racecourse Marina,

whomadea series of improvements to align with TYHA’s sustainabilitystandards RichardBirch,senior operations manager at Tingdene Marinas, said: “Fromrefining emergencyprocedures to improvingwaste managementand engagingvisitorsin sustainable practices, we have examined everyaspectofour operations to ensure compliance with CleanMarinastandards Iwanttopersonallythank Mark Pearce, general manager, andthe entire marina teamfor their tirelessefforts in meetingthe requirements.””

TingdeneMarinas recognises that sustainabilityisasharedresponsibility acrossthe marine sector.Strategydirector EthanZonecommented: “Byworking closelywithBritish Marine andTYHA,we arecommittedtoimprovingour networkof marine operations both forthe benefit of our customersand in pursuit of acleaner and moresustainable marine world.”

The CleanMarinaflag is expectedtobe raised at Racecourse Marina Windsorin the comingweeks,celebratingthe site’s commitmenttoenvironmental excellence

Right: Crick Waterside &Marina launches residential moorings.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

StafffromAquavista marinas in the North, South and Midlands wereatthe launch of the Aquavista in Bloom competition. Staffand customers across the company’s29marinas will battle it outthissummer to be crowned the prettiest location. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Racecourse Marina Windsor recently received the prestigious Clean Marina accreditation from The Yacht Harbour Association. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

In an efforttoavoid corrosion, Fyssch & Chipper hasbeencoatedwithCoppercoat, aproductyou canoften seebeingusedon yachts and other coastaland ocean-going vessels (see separate storyonthesefeature pages).However,after some extensive research,the ownersdecidedtoopt for this from new to helpprovidethe boat with the maximumamountofprotection

Butofall the innovations,cleverdesign ideasand high-quality build quality, the question most likely to be askedis, why Fyssch &Chipper?Apparently, Tina and Duncan used to liveinaproperty calledFysschHouse,which, after alot of research, turns outtohavebeennamed aftera 15th-century property ownedby Mr Fyssch.Withthe downsizingofthe property providingthe fundstoallow themtobuy theboat, it seemedapt that theyshould name it afterthe property.As forChipper, well, it seems that’s howtheir new boat makesthem feel,plus they like fishand chips!

Coppercoatonthe Cut

By Phil PIckin

THE eagle-eyedamong youmay have noticedthat the new build from Perrydale Narrowboatsmentions averydifferent hull treatment; Coppercoat.It’saproduct more usuallyassociatedwithvessels that plycoastal waters rather than the inland waterways, so it seemed logical to findout more and to seeifitmight be used moreoften on canalboats

Coppercoat is “a combinationofa specially developed water-basedepoxy resinand high-purity(99%) copper.Eachlitre of resinisimpregnated with 2kilos of ultrafinecopper, the maximumallowedbylaw, making Coppercoat thestrongest copperbasedantifoulingavailable,” accordingto the company’s website. The company says that with an averagethickness of at least 200 microns,the coatingwill provide ahigh degree of protection for many years.

The product worksbyreactingwith salt watertoproduce cuprousoxide,whichis an antifoulingagent.Asthe surface of the coatingdegrades further,itbecomes cupric hydrochloride,which, accordingtoCoppercoat, is unstable and washesoffwith the actionofthe water. The result is aclean surface that will last for aconsiderable period of time

AccordingtoCoppercoat,the company hasbeensupplying its products for useon boatsinfresh waterfor morethan30years. Despitethis, freshwateruse onlyaccounts for averysmall part of itsbusiness, with the majority of its clients having seafaringcraft wherehull speedand efficiency areofgreater importance.Asmanagingdirector, Ewan Clark, told us:“If you’reracingaround the worldfor severalmonths,you need the very best antifoul available,whereasacanal-based boat travellingatjusta few knots canusually muddle through with acoatingthatisfar less effective.”

Despitetherenot beinga need for speed on the waterways, Coppercoat tells us that it hasfound some owners who requireordesire abettertreatment. As aresult,the company hasseenits products used on avariety of freshwater-basedcraft such as narrowboats… as per Fyssch &Chipper.

With the need to optimisethe efficiency of ahull for the highestpossible speed, the question hastobe: whyuse it on a narrowboat? It wouldseemthatthe key advantageisthe longevityofthe coating and, therefore, the hull. AccordingtoEwan: “Treatment of Coppercoat will typically

provide good antifoulingprotection for in the region of 15 to 25 years.”Asaresult,there would seem to be agoodfinancialsavingto be hadfromnot having to lift andrepaint the boat hull over that period

The manufacturershavealsofound that with Coppercoat beingablendoftwo-pack epoxyresin and metal powder,itisfar more robust than anytraditional antifoul or bottom paint. The company says it is around 30 times moreprotectivethangelcoat,helps protect hulls from knocks/scrapes and, in thecase of GRP boats, alsohelps to protectagainst osmosis

What should be of equalimportance with anyproduct used on craft on anywaterway is the environmental impact.Accordingto Ewan Clark: “Coppercoat hasbyfar the lowest leachrateofactive antifoul coatingcurrently available.Asaresult,the environmental footprintofacustomer’sboatusing this antifoul productis“as smallaspossible.”

Despiteall of theseadvantages, thereare afew disadvantages, one of whichisthat it cannot be appliedontop of its current single-packpaints.Itneeds to be appliedtoa two-pack epoxyprimer. As aresult, it tendsto be used either at thenew-build stageorwhen aboatisbeingstripped back for restoration or afull hull repaint.

Application canbetime-consuming, given the need to applyanumberofcoats to thehull before it is fullyprotected,something both Dave and NikkiPerry will attest to having spentsome considerableamountoftime applying Coppercoat to Fyssch &Chipper. The other consideration is cost.Coppercoat hasanRRP of £99 perlitre, plus VAT. This treats 4m2, so it givesafigure of £24.75 per m2. Butover10years,this reducesto£2.48 perm2, or over 20 years, to just £1.25 perm2. However, this is purely for the Coppercoat itself.And as we all know, the real cost of any paintingjob is not the paint–it’sthe labour for preparingthe boat, the labour of applying the primers and paints,and the costof havingthe boat lifted and stored.So, in real terms, applyingCoppercoat to anarrowboat just once in 20 yearswill be significantly less than the cumulative costs of havingtolift and repaintitmultiple timesoverthat same period.Thesavings in labour and lift fees are likely to be far greaterthanjustthe savings in the costofthe paints/primers.For more info: www.coppercoat.com

Nicky Perry of Perrydale Narrowboats ‘enjoying’ applyingCoppercoat to Fyssch &Chipper.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The finished article: ahull protected for many years to come.

The pram hood provides alot of additional space even duringbad weather.

Left: All thefacilities you need in the bathroom.

Summerstaycations

THEsun hasdoneusproud so farthisspring, so whynot cruisethe waterwayscloser to home over the summer? AccordingtoStatista, eightin10Brits areoptingfor astaycation in 2025. With holidays available fromLeBoat

on the RiverThames andCaledonian Canal, it’s easy to seewhy;fromroyal castlesand riverside pubs in England to remote lochs and mountain views in Scotland, there’s no shortage of scenery, heritageand adventure to enjoy

River Thames, England

Forthosewho want to stay closer to home,the RiverThamesoffers afantastic introduction to boating, with countryside, towns, traditionalEnglish pubs and plenty of family-friendlyattractions.With no locks to navigate for thefirststretch from Benson,

62 miles of tranquil waterwaysthatlink Loch Ness,LochOichand Loch Lochy, allwhile keepinganeye outfor reddeerand golden eagles alongthe way.

it’s an easy,stress-free option for beginners. Cruiserscan exploreWindsor Castle, enjoy aday at Legoland WindsorResort, or wander the historichalls of HamptonCourt Palace.MoorupinHenley-on-Thames to visit Cliveden HouseorstopinMarlowfor a riverside picnic,ordineatthe Michelinstarredpub,TheCoach.

Caledonian Canal, Scotland

Forthoseseeking amoreremoteescape, Scotland’s Caledonian Canaloffers a memorableexperience. Settingofffrom Le Boat’s base in Laggan, guests cancruise

Astandout highlightisNeptune’s Staircase,aneight-lockmarvelofVictorian engineeringthatraisesboats 64 feet,with spectacularviews of BenNevis in the distance.Guests canalsoboard theJacobite SteamTrain from Banavie,one of theworld’s mostbeautiful rail journeys,made famous by theHarry Potter films

Formoreinformation, visit www.leboat. com/en or call 020 3608 6043.

The Caledonian Canal offers stunning scenery and tranquil waterways. PHOTO: CC ANDREWLESLIE

Taste of Ulsterstatus for Titanic Belfast

TITANICBelfasthas retained itsTaste of Ulster status for its food outlet,ThePantry The restaurant, locatedwithin the atrium of the leadingvisitor attraction, wasrecognised by the independentfood and drink body, Food NI, for its commitmenttosourcingthe best locallysourced productsand ingredients. Titanic Belfasthas forged long-term relationships with established, well-known and respectedNIbusinessesoverthe years and the 2025 TasteofUlsterplaque reaffirms its commitmenttosustainability,quality andthe staff’s overall understandingof its offeringfollowing amystery inspection earlier this year

Michele Shirlow, CEOand Alana Cassidy of Food NI were on hand to present Titanic Belfast’sexecutive head chef Garreth Wilson (second left) and The Pantry supervisor,Katie Nicol, with their 2025 Taste

Raise aglass to gin tasting tours on theWhite River

By Alison Alderton

CAUSEWAY CoastFoodie Toursis collaboratingwith WhiteRiver Charters to host gin tastingtours on the RiverBann.

Runningonselected datesfromJune through to October, includingWorld GinDay (which falls each year on the second Saturday in June,soistakingplace on Saturday,June 14 this year) thoseembarking on the tour will be treatedtoatwo-hour cruise on this delightful rivernavigationaboardthe vintage vessel MV Kingfisher.

MV Kingfisher,a wooden boat built by Harland and Wolff in thefamous Belfast Shipyard,has been fully restored and tailored to offer afirst-classexperience in whichvisitorscan immersethemselvesinthe history andwonderful natureofthe Bann.

The lowerBann runs from Lough Neagh in MidUlstertothe Atlantic Oceanat theBarmouth, betweenPortstewert and

Castlerock, on the Causeway Coast.TheRiver Bann’sname possiblyderives from the Irish word ‘bán’for the colour white, referencing the whitewater of the lowwaterfalls that existedatthe Salmon Leap.

Throughout the tour,commentarywill be providedbylocal maritime experienced guides and aprofessional worldhostfood ambassador.While learning moreabout, and tasting, some of Ireland’s artisan gins, each of whichhavebeenexpertlycrafted with localbotanicalssuchassugar kelp to reflect Ireland’slandscapes, coasts and distillingheritage,visitorswillbeable to sample aselection of award-winning localproduce includingNorth Coast Smokehouse hot smoked salmon, local cheeses, preservesand sweettreatsfrom around the Causeway Coast

The Spirit of the Bann gin tastingtour expands on the successful whiskeytour providedbyWhiteRiver Charters.For

prices andavailabilityvisit theWhite River Charters websitewhichcontains awealth of information, details on otherwater tours on offer as well as an interestingselection of images showing the restoration of MV Kingfisher: www.whiterivercharters.com

Causeway CoastFoodie Tourswas establishedin2019 by WendyGallagher to offer unique tour experiences showcasingsome of the best producefrom theCausewayCoast and Glens:www. causewaycoastfoodietours.com

of Ulster plaque PHOTO: SUPPLIED MV Kingfisher on the Bann. PHOTO: COURTESY

Moreunsafeboats posing danger to life, says RCR

River Canal Rescue has voiced fears over the increasing number of unsafe boats cruisingthe waterways. RCR managing director Stephanie Horton gives us the lowdown…

MARINE breakdownassistance company RCRestimates around 16% of its 3500 yearly callouts aredue to poor electrical/wiringinstallations and batteryconnections,safetylapses and carbon monoxide exposure; up from 12% just 18 months ago.

Examples include live240v cables hanginginthe bilges, overloaded electrical connections, surplus battery wiresand badlyfittingdiesellines Boat ownershavearesponsibility to obtain avalid Boat SafetyScheme certificateevery four years, but RCRbelieves such alengthoftime betweenvisits leaves anypost-pass modifications uncheckeduntil the nextinspection. The BSSrecognises this does happen, butsaysitisnot responsible for enforcingnavigation authorities’safety standards between inspections

RCRmanagingdirector, Stephanie Horton, said: “Ownersare putting themselves,their boatsand potentially others, in dangerousand, on occasion, life-threateningsituations.

“With such alength of timebetween checks,anythingcan change.For example,wehavealudicrous situation whereifa boat sinksand is refloated,its BSSstill stands,despite thecondition of the boat.”

Stephanie is alsoconcerned at the number of failures whichpotentially could have been pickedupat inspection.

BSSgeneral managerKevin Tysonsays: “Wetakethe quality and integrityofour examinations extremelyseriously.Our examiners

aresupported by aprogramme of routine training, they’re quality assuranceassessedand we use data-ledmonitoringtodetectany inconsistencies

“Out of the 21-22,000inspections BSSexaminersundertakeannually, thenumbers of issues we find and thecomplaints we getabout inconsistencyare comparatively tiny.Onthe whole, they’redoing agoodjob findingover34,700 non-compliantitems each year.No system is immune to humanerror, so we activelyinvestigate all reports of substandardexaminations and provide additional training and supportwhereneeded.”

Stephaniecontinues:“We often find alegitimatecertificate has recently been issued,there areno modifications,yet theboatisina perilous state. Anecdotalfeedback suggests in some casesthis maybedue to ‘obtaining’apasswithout avisit “When we find boatsindangerous conditions,weadvisecustomers to report back to theBSS,however many feel that doing so will cause themmoreissuesoraffect their boat’s certification.”

Kevin agreed:“We encourage boaterstoreportany concernstothe BSSsowecan act promptly.”

Stephanie concluded: “All boaters need to take responsibility forthe condition of theirvessels,and equally the BSS, whichwefullysupport, in ouropinionneedstoinvestmorein monitoring and checking the passes beinggiven.”

The BSSstatesits examination observations relate solelytothe condition of the boat at the time of inspectionand maintainingthatlevel of compliance is theowner’s ongoing responsibility. TheBSS reminds thevesselmustbemaintainedin accordancewithsafetyrequirements and anyotherlicensing, registration or mooring conditions of the relevant navigationorharbour authority.

Case studies

Deemed unsafe

An engineer attended to replace some domesticwiringand found a240v extension sat in the bilges, with 240v and12v cablescable-tied together, no isolationand no circuit board protection for some systems. There wasalso under-rated cabling and poor crimping. The vessel, whichhad recently passed aBSS, was deemed extremely unsafe and afull overhaul of electrical systems advised.

Loose wires

An engineer was called out for a starter motor issue, and found the owners hadrecentlyreplaced their three domesticbatteries with one large battery,leaving the wires from the two now missingbatteries still in place, connected to the battery bank. Rather than being removed, twopositive and two negative wires werehanging in to the bilge area, waitingtocause anything from a short-out,toelectric shock, fire etc, posing athreat to the owners. Theengineer sorted outtheirwiring and returned aday later to fit anew starter motor

Diesel leak

Acustomer had fresh diesel lines fittedonthe engine (notbyRCR) and was concerned about adiesel smelland diesel in the bilge. The engineer found the diesel line unionwas incorrectly fitted and it was spraying diesel over the exhaust wrapping. Diesel ignites at 56 degrees so the ownerswere lucky this didn’tcause afire.The engineer refitted the union and advised not to run the engine until the exhaust wrapping was changed, because it was dieselsoaked.The customer replaced it the next day

Deadly carbon monoxideleak

An engineer attended an all-steel narrowboat to work on an engine problem. Upon arrival the customer advised she and her partner had been suffering withvery bad headachesand extreme tiredness. After entering the engine bay,the engineer found the whole area coveredinthickblack soot and the exhaust broken away from the housing. He was toldithad been like that for a‘good while’ and that while running their engine to charge the batteries for their electric, they werefalling asleep. With the exhaustnolongerconnected, theenginewas pumpingcarbon monoxide into the boat. Therewas no carbon monoxide alarm and in the engineer’sopinion, ‘they were very close to death’. The issue was sorted out the same day.

WINCHANDLERY VOUCHERS WORTH£250

TO celebrate RiverCanal Rescue’s 25thanniversary, managingdirector Stephanie Horton is giving away prizes everymonth throughout the year.In June, TowpathTalk readers canwin £250 worthof chandleryvouchers. Choose between vouchersfromonline marine equipment distributors ASAP Supplies and Aquafax,orMidland Chandlers which, as well as an online service, hasshops in Willington (MerciaMarina, accessedvia the Trent& Mersey canal),Preston Brook (alongside Bridgwater canal, near the marina)and Braunston (adjacenttoBraunston Junction, betweenthe North Oxfordand the SouthOxford/ Grand Union Canals). To be includedinthe prize draw,simplyemail yourname, addressand contact number to TTcompetition@rivercanalrescue. co.uk puttingJunevoucher winin thesubject line

Entries close at 23:59 on 30/6/25 andthe winnerwill be drawn 1/7/25. The winnerwill be notified within 14 days of thecloseofentries. The drawisfinal andnocorrespondencewill be entered into. Entry is free andopentoresidents of theUKagedover 18. Only oneentry permitted perperson, thereisno cash alternative andthe prize is nottransferable. By entering you agreetobe bound by all therules andagreethatyourname andcountymay be released if you win

Canal &River Trust to pump £4.5m

into

THE CANAL&River Trustisinvesting £4.5m into better facilities for boaters on thewaterway network it manages. Over the next five years, thecharity aims to installand improveElsan points,pumpout facilities and water points so boaters canenjoy the same service acrossthe network

The trustwillbe developing detailed plans in the coming months for where the additional investment will be used ahead of the five-yearupgrade pr og ra mme beginningthis winter.

Ma tt hew Symonds,headof boatingatCanal & RiverTrust,said: “Boaterfacilities arevital for those living on and cruising around ournetwork.

Thoseowned by

boater facilities

the trusthave been operated and managedlocally, whichhas resulted in awide range of components and arrangements whichcan be expensiveand complex to repair whenthings go wrong. With this £4.5 million investment,weare spendingnow to be moreefficientinthe longterm.

“Byupgrading and standardising thefacilities, we expecttosee some costsavings for ourcharity in the longerterm, while aimingfor boaters to receivea more consistent service.”

Theinvestment in the trust’s boaters’ facilities is in addition to the annual costof maintainingand lookingafter them The moneyneeded to upgrade the boaters’ facilities

will come from the sale of investment assets ownedby the trust. The trust’s investment assets areavital pillar in generatinga sustainable annual income each year forwaterways maintenance.This sale is exceptional andhas been agreed as the charityexpects that providingmore resilientservices for boaterswill deliver costsavings which offsetany income lostfromthe sale of theinvestments in the longerterm. Theupgrading comes as the charitycontinues to focusonimproving navigation and the services provided for boatersthrough its Better Boating Plan. Details of how the £4.5m will be invested to deliver improved facilities will be shared in due course.

Aspaghetti junction of overloaded and tangled wiring. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

No terminal on the battery, just wire wrapped around it waiting to create sparks or just fall off and fail. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Trust Kate

to find theright buyerfor your boat.

Selling your boat?We’re heretobeyour trustedguide and represent your best interests in the sale of your boat.Being proactive in finding youthe rightbuyer, explaining thewhole processclearly and keeping youuptodatealong the wayiswhatyou canexpect.

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Trustustosellyour boat.Call 01159077 406 or emailusat boatsales@aquavista.com aquavista.com/boat-sales/sell-my-boat

Let’sgo

44ft Whilton Marina LtdhullwithLiuyang Eurostarboat Manufacturing fitout. PoweredbyBarrusShank 35H engine anda Shanks MA100A gearbox.

NOTTINGHAM LANE, OLD DALBY, LEICESTERSHIRE, LE14 3LX T: 07721382619 E: davidmawbyboats@gmail.comW:www.davidmawbyboats.co.uk

QualityRiver and Canal Motor Cruisers areavailable to viewby appointment at our Leicestershire indoor showroom. Over 20 years experienceand 2,500 boats sold.

NEW VIKING 26 CENTRE COCKPITNARROWBEAMNOW IN STOCK FORIMMEDIATE DELIVERY, 6Berthsin2 cabins, HiLine Spec withfolding windscreen, cooker with hobgrill and oven, fridge, shower, cassettetoilet, hotand cold watersystem, warm air heating, 12 and240 volts electrics, batterycharger,powered by a20Hp 4strokeoutboardengine

Priced at £54,995 BOOK

NARROW ESCAPE

£53,000

Length 57ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built2006 by Taurus Narrowboats with aTradStern, poweredbya Vetus 42HpDiesel engine standardlayout, 4Berthswithfixeddouble and pullman dinette, Bsc 2027.RecentNew Paintwork, open plan living area,Central Heating.

57ft,Beam 6ft10ins, Built 2012 by Stourport Canal Craftwith acruiser stern, poweredbya Barrus Shanks Diesel engine, standardlayout,Bsc July 2028

JUDYB

£62,000

Length 57ft, Beam6ft10ins, Built 2009 by Tyler Wilson with aSemiTradStern, poweredbya Vetus42Hp Dieselengine,2 Bedrooms, standardlayout, solid fuel stove anddiesel heating, 12 and 240volts electics, current Bsc,etc

Newstock arriving shortly

REF 10580 -Perfick. 56 foot cruiserstern narrow boat. £26,950.00.

REF 10587– Muddy Waters. 58 foot traditional stern narrow boat.£64,950.00.

REF 10584–Ocker.

foot traditionalstern narrow boat. £44,950.00.

REF 10588 -Uncle Albert.

foot traditionalstern narrow boat. £9,999.00.

REF 10589 -Alice. 56 foot traditional sternnarrowboat. £56,950.00.

REF10590 -Percy II.

REF 10591 -Hummingbird. 52 foot traditional sternnarrowboat. £25,999.00.

REF10592 -T4the Tillerman.

REF 10593 –Woodsey

REF 10573 -Daisy.

10572–Lilybel.

Barton-under-Needwood, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE13 8DZ| 07513708099 barton@lakelandleisureboatsales.co.uk

Roydon Marina Village, Roydon, EssexCM195EJ roydon@lakelandleisureboatsales.co.uk 07801 962636

Newton Lane, Tattenhall, ChesterCH3 9NE andy@lakelandleisureboatsales.co.uk 07585 956804

GreatHaywood,StaffordshireST180RQ greathaywood@lakelandleisureboatsales.co.uk |07354 902086

Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire GL27JY |07748 036638 saul@lakelandleisureboatsales.co.uk

This winter,our 2,000 mile networkof250-year-oldcanalsfaces aperfectstorm of extremeweather,risingrepair costsand shrinkinggovernmentsupport. Last winter alone,eightstorms in three months cost £10 million in emergency repairs. Ourteams are stretched to thelimitasmorestormshit this season.

We urgently needyour donation now, so thatwecan be readytoreact when thenext emergency happens. With your support,wecan carryout vitalrepairs,aswell as restore canalsand makethemmoreresilient to extremeweatherinfuture.

NeedaSurvey or Boat Safety Examiner?

♦ Areas covered 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 14

Mob.07831 355543 Tel. 01926 499337 www.delta-marineservices.co.uk

Pete Davidson BSS Examiner Most private craft examined. East Midlandsbased.

covered 5, 6, 7, 9, 10,11 07988 739136

pete@bss-examiner.co.uk www.bss-examiner.co.uk

Your Local BSS Examiner based at South Kilworth Phone: 07720 424396 Email: robert.hurst.bss@ btinternet.com Areas Covered 9& 10

Boat Safety Scheme Examinations

Nick Pritchard, MIMarEST,ABSSE, CoveringCentral Englandinc., Warks.,Leics.,Northants., Oxon., Bucks., Beds., Cambs., Lincs., Staffs.

Nick Pritchard t/as Boatserve (Est. 1984) Tel: 07974 940616 Email: nick.pritchard@boatserve.co.uk, www.boatserve.co.uk

BoatSafetyScheme Examiner Dave Freeman Over 25 years experience on the inlandwaterways MarineSurveys &BSS Examinations For aCompetitive Quote &PromptService Tel07918 677782

Covering all Areas Based Bridge 69 Trent& Mersey Canal dave.freeman@boatsafety schemeexaminations.co.uk

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BY

SPARE PARTS

SURVEYORS

Linger longer thanks to AthloneCastle improvements

MINISTER of Statefor the Office of Public Works(OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’Moran, has announced€1.84 million for enhancement worksatAthlone Castle on the banksof the RiverShannon.

The public realm project, funded by the OfficeofPublicWorks,FáilteIreland,Transport Infrastructure Irelandand WestmeathCounty Council, will seethe removalofexistingramps, steps and railings to improveaccessibility and theusabilityofthe spacefor visitorsand for events and festivals.

MinisterMoran stated:“The overall aim of the projectistoimprove the visitor experience to Athlone Castle,toensureaccessibility and to increase linger time by visitors at the location. The projectisdesignedtoremove clutterinthe area around thecastle,providing

an unobstructed view of the castle from the bridge and maintainingthe view of the River Shannonfromthe Market Square. The cluster of importantheritageand touristattractions in the vicinityofAthloneCastle include the Luan Gallery, St Peterand Paul’s Church, thehistoricAthlone Town Bridge,the new Athlone Greenway Bridge,key arrivalpoint for Boat Tours, andrestaurants andbars. The enhancements will add greatlytotourism in thecentreofAthlone improvingaccess to akey tourismasset,attractingadditional footfall and contributingtothe vitalityand vibrancy of theTourism and Cultural Quarter of Athlone.”

Enhancements will include both hard and soft landscaping, wayfindingsignage and interpretation, new seatingand lighting.

Boyle Harbour jetty upgrade

TUCKED beneaththe scenic Curlew Mountains at theend of the Shannon Navigation on the Boyle River, BoyleHarbour is a charmingand peaceful destination for boatersand visitorsalike. Since opening in 2001, the harbourhas offered essentialamenities includingmoorings, service facilities,convenient parkingand abeautiful canalsidewalk –perfect for arelaxingstroll in nature. Recognisingthe potential to enhance its attractiveness as astopalong the navigation,Waterways

Irelandlaunchedamajor upgrade in 2023 to improve accessibilityand enhance the visitor experience The first phaseintroduced modern floatingpontoons and anew accessgangway alongthe westernside. Installed in February 2024, initiallyasatrial, the upgrade quicklygained popularity,leadingtothe launchofasecond phasea year later. By March2025, additional floatingmooringswere addedtotwo morebays alongthe roadside,creating morethan85metresof

‘Citizen scientists’urged to help monitor water quality

DEPAR TMEN To f Agriculture, Environment and RuralAffairs(DAERA)

MinisterAndrew Muir urged people to becomecitizen scientists at localwater sources duringthe recent GreatUKWater Blitz.

The campaign,held during April, allowedparticipants to takesimple watertests at their localwater sources anduploadfindings to acentral database.This collectivedatahelps form asnapshot of waterquality acrossthe UK,contributing to better understandingand action to protectour water environment.

Speaking at Antrim Lough ShoreParkduringthe launch of the Blitz, MinisterMuir said:“Iampleased that my departmentissupporting theGreat UK WaterBlitz. The issues we have witnessed in Lough Neaghand beyond have highlightedthe importance of ensuring this precious resource is protectedfor not just for us butfor futuregenerations.It is onlythrough science,data gatheringand information we

canreallymakethe changes we all want to see.

“I recentlyattendedthe LoughNeagh Stakeholder Forum wherewewere pleased to announce that from the Lough Neagh Action Plan, 10 actionshave been delivered, with afurther 23 in progress.Significant amountofworkis needed to turn the tideonwater qualitybut my department is firmlycommittedto drivingforward initiatives that enable better water qualitywhichisessential

forall aspects of life herein Northern Ireland.

“Withabetter understandingofthe water qualityoflocal rivers and lakes, we canall make better decisionsand take action to improveour localwater environment.”

TheNorthernIreland EnvironmentAgency(NIEA) securedand distributed 500 watertestkits throughout Northern Ireland duringthe GreatUKWater Blitzwhich wasrun by environmental charityEarthwatch Europe

user-friendly mooring space.With an investment of around €140,000, Boyle Harbourisnow better equipped to welcome more boatsand visitors, while preserving its tranquil charm.

Althoughspace remains somewhat limited,the harbourisstill considered oneofthe hidden gems of theregion. With its upgradedfacilities,natural beauty and peaceful setting, BoyleHarbour is setto become amust-visitstopfor anyone exploringIreland’s inland waterways.

Offaly action plan aims to boost biodiversity

OFFALYCountyCouncil recentlymarked ahistoricmilestone with the launchof its first-everOffaly Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030atthe OffalyBiodiversity Conference,held at the TullamoreCourt Hotel. The event, which hadbeenbooked outfor weeksinadvance of its date,brought together more than 150 delegates, including communityleaders, environmental experts,policymakersand biodiversity enthusiasts,tocelebrateand commit to theprotectionand enhancementofOffaly’s naturalheritage

The conference wasopenedbyRicky Whelan, OffalyCountyCouncil’s biodiversity officer,withLeasChathaoirleach Coun Oliver Bryant,and chief executiveAnna MarieDelaneyofOffaly County Council, officiallylaunching the plan.

TheOffalyBiodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030 sets out53priorityactions acrossfive strategic objectives:Surveys and Monitoring,Actions for Biodiversity, Invasive Alien Species,BuildingResilience, andAwarenessand Engagement. The plan alignswith the Sustainable Development Goals and theEUBiodiversity Strategy 2030, reflectingOffaly’s commitmenttoglobal environmentaltargets while addressing localchallenges.

Mr Whelan emphasised the collaborative nature of the plan, saying: “This plan is not just the work of OffalyCountyCouncil, the Biodiversity WorkingGroup and

Forum.

–ofindividuals, communitygroups, environmental organisations, professional bodies andlandownerswho offered their views andsharedknowledge during twoextensivepublic and stakeholder consultation phases.ToeachIextendmy deepestgratitude,yoursubmissions have shaped and strengthenedthis plan.”

New jetties beinginstalled in Boyle Harbour. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Heritage

It is the result of collaboration

DAERAMinister Andrew Muirpicturedtesting out the Great UK WaterBlitz kit at Antrim LoughShore Park. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Boats at Athlone Castle. PHOTO:ALISON ALDERTON

Ricky Whelan, Offaly County Council Biodiversity Officer,reveals the new plan to conference delegates. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Falkirk Wheelreceives a Gold Green TourismAward

Scottish Canals is celebrating the achievement of aprestigiousGoldGreen Tourism Award for the Falkirk Wheel, highlighting its commitment to sustainability andenvironmental stewardship.

GREEN Tourism is a certification programme dedicatedtopromoting sustainable tourism practices. It supports tourism operatorsand businessestominimise environmental impact and enhancethe well-being of localcommunities and provides guidance,resources and recognition to those committedtosustainability.

The FalkirkWheel was independentlyassessed againstrigoroussustainable certification standards at a reassessmentinMarch this year and is proudtopromote the efforts forsustainability

that often go unnoticed.

The teamatthe Falkirk Wheel achieved high scores against various criteria,including 100% in the healthand wellbeingand community engagement categories,83% forsustainability and 87% forcarbonmanagement.

Activitiessupportingthese scores include collaboration with volunteer groups in litterpicking, tree planting and rewilding, accessible andinclusivedesignof engagingchildren’s play facilities, comfortable breakrooms for staff,safe wastepractices andthe

installation of solarpanels and air source heat pumps at thesite.

To add to its green credentials,the Falkirk Wheelisalsoa Keep Scotland Beautiful hub, providinginformation, advice andsupport to help communities tackle littering

Scottish Canals’ sustainabilityand

climatechangemanager, Daniel Musenga-Grant, said:“Scottish Canals is delightedtohavesecured the Gold GreenTourism Awardfor the FalkirkWheel for the fourth time in arow This highlightsour team’s dedication to continual improvement, providing thebestexperience to our customers, andworking towardsour netzerogoals.”

Scottish Opera sets sailfor Scotland’scanals

SCOTTISHOpera hasjoined forces with Scottish Canals to bringpop-up operaperformances to the canals in June and July

The 30-minuteshows,designed to takeopera outofthe theatre into unexpectedplaces and provide entertainmentfor everyone in which abeautiful setofillustrationswillhelp the performers–storytellers, singers and musicians –tell thestory TwoofGilbert& Sullivan’scomic operas will be celebrated–A Little

Bitofthe Gondoliers, andA Little Bit of thePirates of Penzance –re-scored by Scottish Opera’sformer head of music, DerekClark

Thethird, aScottish Opera original,isspeciallycreated for fiveto eight-year-olds– Puffy MacPuffer and the Crabbit Canals,with music and wordsbyMarion Christie –a tale of the five waterwaysthatrun through Scotland.

Thepop-up operatourwill visit many partsofScotland, with

canalside performancesatthe Falkirk Wheel, LochrinBasin in Edinburgh, Summerlee Museum of Scottish IndustrialLife near the Monklands Canal, the Caledonian CanalCentre in Fort Augustus,the EggShedin Ardrishaig beside the Crinan Canal, andStockingfield Bridge in Glasgow. Therewill also be on-the-water performancescourtesyofthe Forth &Clyde CanalSociety. Find details of the performances (some free,others ticketed) at scottishopera.org.uk

The Sorted Project launchesanew five-yearstrategy

CANAL-BASEDcharity

TheSortedProject has launchedanew five-year strategy.Thelaunchevent took placeinApril on boardthe LochrinBelle on the Union Canalin Edinburgh.Thelocation wasparticularly suitable as the Sorted Projectworked from the 60ft,widebeam LochrinBelle before launchingits ownpurposebuilt boat Panacea in 2019. Thenew strategy sees the canalenvironmentasa largelyuntappedresource for learningand ecological research.TheSortedProject hasalready established Soliton TrainingScotland, an RYAregisteredtraining centre, and is fundraising for adedicated trainingboat. The plannedestablishment of an SQA(Scottish Qualifications Authority) training centrewill allow

the organisation to offer learningand qualifications forSortedProject participants, volunteers and external trainees whichmay provide an opportunityto generatedifferentstreams of income. The new training boat mayalsooffer new selfdrivehires,again providing income. Other opportunities includetrainingin firstaid,mental health andsafeguarding, and developing moreeffective

programmesforpartnersand thirdsectororganisations alongthe canals

Thecharity provides services for adults in recovery from substance dependency, mentalhealth and relatedcomplex health needs, workingclosely with referralagencies and partners in the Edinburgh and Lothians area Panacea,launched in 2019, is usuallymoored at Edinburgh Quay,an accessible central location.

Fifty years on the Union Canal

THELinlithgowUnion Canal Society(LUCS)markedits 50th anniversarywith acelebratory eventona sunnyday in April. LUCS wasfounded on April18, 1975, at ameetingcalledbythe late MelGraywho hadcollected thenames of people potentially interested in theUnion Canal andinvited themtohis house. At thetime, 26 yearsbeforethe Union Canalwas reopened as part of theMilleniumLink project, the canalwas derelict,

the canalblockedatBridge45, PrestonRoadBridge, to thewest of Linlithgow’sManseRoad Basin, itself in astate of disrepair Todaythe basinisthe centre of athrivingcanal society, with charterboats,aself-driveboat, tearoomand Scotland’sonly canalmuseum. LUCS is runby volunteers andisalwaysreadto welcomenew members.Find outmore, includingopening times and detailsofboattrips, at www.lucs.org.uk

Traditional skills training centreplanned for Falkirk

ANEW national trainingcentre forScotland, focusing on traditionalskills,has secured £3.7m of National Lottery support.

Scotland’sCentreofExcellence forCanals&TraditionalSkills will be locatedonthe site of the formerIrn Brufactory at Lock 16, beside theForth &Clyde Canal in Falkirk. The centre, whichsees ScottishCanalspartner with Historic EnvironmentScotland, will focusondevelopingroutes into heritage skills training, volunteeringand employment within the historicenvironment sector

This investment marksa majorfundingmilestone,taking National LotteryHeritage Fund investment in Scotland to more than £1 billion.

The new centrewilloffera rangeofactivities including scho ols engagement, pre-apprenticeships,modern apprenticeships,upskilling andsupportfor the sector,all of whichwill help develop a template forskills development work acrossthe country.

In 2024 The Sorted Project supportedmorethan 100 people in recovery to experience thecanal, boating and crewingon Panacea

The organisation provided 108 dedicatedtrainingand volunteering days with regularcrewmembers,as well as days on the water with partner recovery agencies andfor corporate and communityvolunteers

Thefuturefinancial strategy andfundingplan includes diversifying income streams,increasing opportunities for earned income,and otherideas such as membership programmes,legacy giving, partnerships and corporatesponsorship Youcan find outmore aboutTheSortedProject andcheck outthe five-year strategy at timecounts.app/ the-sorted-project.

Currentlythe sector faces a skills shortage,with an ageing workforce and limited access to training.HistoricEnvironment Scotland believes that 450,000 traditionallyconstructed buildings areatriskdue to a need for specialistconservation. Scottish Canals is the navigation authorityand custodianof

Scotland’s canals –fourofwhich areScheduledMonuments in recognition of their historic importance–and all of which need regularand specialist maintenance and heritage engineeringskills

Thefundingmarks a significantinvestmentin retainingand passingon traditional crafts,engineering and construction skills essential to help maintainScotland’sbuilt andindustrialheritage,training the stonemasons, thatchers, blacksmiths and environmental conservationists of the future.

Scottish Canals’Union Canalsupervisor,BillyKing, joined the organisation more than 26 yearsago.Heapplied for the role of awaterways operativespecialisinginstone masonry, advertised as part of the recruitment drivefor the reopening of the Forth&Clyde and UnionCanals. He said:“I came to theorganisation as a stonemason.Overthe years, I’ve carried outemergencyworks to historicbridges,locks and chambers.Thereisareallack of thesetraditional skills now and Ihaveseenfirst-hand the decrease over the years. Iwould encourageanyonethinking abouttrainingorgetting an apprenticeship in thesetypes of traditional skillstogiveita go.Iamhopeful that ournew centre will help bringalot of theseskills back in-house.”

The FalkirkWheel staff membersbehind the green initiative (from left): Elaine MacDonald, Matthew Skilling, Olivia Lassiere, Pauline Murray,Daniel Musenga-Grant and Lucy Forrest. PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

Panacea on the Forth& Clyde Canal at Bowlingin 2019. PHOTO: JONATHANMOSSE

From left: Billy King from Scottish Canals and Ross Cowie from Historic Environment Scotland sharestonemason skills with National Lottery Heritage Fund director of Scotland Caroline Clark. PHOTO: PETER SANDGROUND

Days Out- Leeds

Our seriesisdedicatedtoshowcasing unique days out near specialcanals. Whether you’re into gongoozling (watching boatingactivities),leisurely towpath walks, wildlifespotting, boat trips or even retailtherapy, our canal system has something foreveryone. Thismonth, we’re shining the spotlight on Leeds,withclose links to the waterways anda city that has plenty to offer visitors.

By Sally Clifford

THE growth of developmentisevidentinthe city’sskyline;high-rise buildingsepitomise Leedsasanup-and-comingplace to live, work and visit

This cosmopolitan part of Yorkshireisa polishedversion of its former self.Yet,while embracingprogression, this forward-thinking city, with its trendybarsand restaurants dominatingwaterfrontdestinations on what wasoncea thoroughfare throng with commercial traffic, is just as proudofits industrialpastthathelped to shapeits future Flanked by the impressive RoyalArmouries

Museum,stylish apartmentsand athriving social scene,Leeds Dock on the Aire and Calder Navigation is oneofmanyfocal points of Leeds’ industrial heritage. Take awater taxialong the waterway close to wherecoaland goodswerecarried along thecross-Pennine link from Liverpoolalong theLeeds and LiverpoolCanal Marvel at howthe warehouses used duringthe days of heavyindustryhavebeen repurposed over time.Today the modern formatofdevelopmentprovides an eclectic blend of old andnew.TheTetley, Granary Wharfand BreweryWharf arejustsome ofthe destinationsalongthisimpressive waterfront effortlesslyconnectingthistourist quarterwith thecity’srailwaystation. Even the original railwayarcheshavebeenrepurposed, providingrefreshmentstops for commuters and visitors.

Next monththe waterway will be afocus for celebrations whenthe annual Leeds Waterfront Festival gets under way. Running from July 5to6,the weekend promises to be afun-filledand entertainingprogrammeof events starting with the Dragon Boat Race on the Saturday when 24 participants hope to row their waytovictory. Prizes will also be given to the best fancydressed team.

While the waterway played asignificantpart in Leeds’ heritage, so did rail.

Steamlocomotive buildingwas an integral part of the city’scommercial successand profiledLeedsonthe worldwide map. Some of thegreatestnames in locomotivebuilding dominated neighbourhoodssuchasHunslet, wherethe legacy of this importantchapter in the city’s historyisbeingkept aliveat Middleton Railway.Understoodtobethe world’soldestcontinuously running railway,

this fantastic visitor attraction in Moor Road, Hunslet, is home to many locos synonymous with Leeds’ loco building past.HudswellClarke and ManningWardle areamongthe names withinits impressive rolling stock.

Within Leedscitycentre, further evidence of the importantpartthe railwayplayedcan be found in therestoredWagon Lift Hoist–amini museum of railway memorabilia –located in thecity’simpressivecommercial quarter Many more museumscan be found in and around the citycentretoexplorefurtherthe fascinatinghistory of Leeds.

Ornatearchitecture foundinthe city’s shopping arcadesistestimonytoLeeds’ early economic successthrough woollen cloth production. Interestingly, destinations, includingthe Victoria Quarter, arenow home to Harvey Nichols and many moreluxury brands.Theelaborately designedArt Deco styleVictoriaGateisanexpansion of this leisureand shopping destinationhousing John Lewis&Partnersamongothers.

KirkgateMarket, understoodtobethe biggestindoormarketinEuropewithits newly refurbishedfood hall, wasthe birthplace of Marks&Spencer whereMichael Marks literallyset up stallherein1884. The historic Corn Exchange encourages visitors to step into the past wherekernels were once traded in thisbeautiful circularbalconiedbuilding. Dating back to Victoriantimes,this impressive retail spacewith itsdomedceilingisnow occupiedbycreatives andindependents.

Hyde Park PictureHouse whichopened in 1914. PHOTO: HYDEPARK PICTURE HOUSE

Left: Crowds gather for the Leeds Waterfront Festival in previous years.

PHOTO: LEEDS DOCK

Middleton Railway,believed to be the world’soldest continuously working railway. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

The CornExchange,ahistoric circular trading placenow home tocreatives and independents.PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

The beautiful Victoria Quarter shopping arcade. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

FACT FILE:

Things to do nearby…

HarewoodHouse: www.harewood.org

Temple Newsam: www.museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk

Bolton Abbey: www.boltonabbey.com

Lotherton: www.museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk

Leeds Sailing and ActivityCentre: www.active.leeds-gov.uk

StockeldPark: www.stockeldpark.co.uk

Lotherton Hall: www.museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk

Otley Chevin: www.chevinforest.co.uk

Haworth: www.visitbradford.com

Royal Armouries Museum: www.royalarmouries.org

Then there’sTrinity, another shopping destination with its TrinityKitchen providing the perfectplace forfoodiestotry outmeals inspired from menus around the world. Millennium Square, an impressive space hostingmusic concerts and events throughout theyear, is also home to LeedsBig Screen offeringlivescreenings of sportingeventsand films.Attractingglobally famous performers, the city’s 13,781capacity FirstDirectArena is amongthe modern additionstoLeeds’ cityscape.

Oneofthe city’soldestentertainment venues is The CityVarietiesMusic Hall Recognised in theGuinnessBookofRecords as the longest runningmusic hall, The City VarietiesispartofLeeds Heritage Theatres alongwithotherimpressivevenuesincluding The Grand Theatre and Hyde Park Picture House, the beautiful gas-lit flicks,inHyde Park,datingbackto1914

Raiseaglass to acitysteeped in tradition at Whitelock’s Ale House. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle,Leeds’ oldestdrinking establishment provides theperfect place to reflect on acitywhichhas refashioned itself after the textile heyday into an exciting destination to explore.

The Towpath Anggler

Our monthly look at the angling scene

By DavidKent

WE ALLknowthe saying “time flies when youare havingfun”; well, I would not sayIwas havingfun but thereisabsolutely no doubtthat time does fly by.Unfortunately, therehas been so much going on, particularly at club level, that Ihad made no ad-hocjottings of ideasand factsinreadiness for this article. It is probably true to saythat, nowadays,a club secretary’sroleisnot really about compilingmeeting agendas and then writingupthe minutes,itis moreabout overall management of thebusiness… including its volunteers andthe increasing number of issues.Itistherefore not surprisingthat, when theAGM comes along, very few members show anyinterestintakingon therole! Anyway,after almost threeyears of totalfrustration, numerousdisappointments and general angst, my fellowofficers andI are, at last,seeingsome worthwhile results

Onelong-running issuenot yetresolved, however, involves the Canal&River Trust. It relates to aproposalfor awaterfront developmentonour section of the canaltobeundertaken by athird party. Thisproject will impact massivelyonour rights and ability to fish in that area.Thethirdparty hasallegedlyconsulted with all thekey stakeholders except,for some reason,mysociety,the incumbentanglingclubfor the best part of acentury.Webelieve this is becausethe trusthas never insisted that we be consulted. Sadly, we cannot think of anygood reason why. While acceptingthe extremelydifficult situationthe trustfinds itself in at the moment, andthatsomepossiblypainful measures mayhavetobetaken to getthrough it,I am becoming morethana little concernedthat certainstrands of thebusiness mayend up beingthe proverbial ‘sacrificial lambs’ Iamofthe opinionthatone crucialsteptowards overall improvementwould be to engage morewithyoung people.Locally and nationallytheremustbeloads of opportunities to engage with schoolsand colleges, scoutand guidegroups etc. Nationally,on the angling side of things,the Let’s Fish scheme is astand-out project whereyoungstersnot onlylearn aboutfishingbut develop astrong appreciation of thewhole canal environment. Iaccept thereare anumberofother Let’sschemes butI do notsee anystats which showtheyare as successful as Let’s Fish.Itisvital that moreangling clubsnot only sign up to Let’s Fish butthemselves engage more with youngpeople to help ensure asuccessful future. It is not easy, especially wheremanyclubs only have acoupleofkey volunteers

whoprettymuchdoeverything and, worryingly, agood many of thesevolunteers, like myself,are northof65and no doubtdoan absolutelyfabulous job. Trouble is thereare nevermanyyounger onesinthe queuewaitingtotake over.Thereforetheseclubs simply do not have the available resource to takeonLet’s Fish or aschoolbasedproject

Theweird weatherpatterns continue to impact on oursport; this prolongedperiodofveryhigh pressure which brought18degrees in the daytime andzeroovernight played havoc. However, fishare nowstartingto‘wake up’and feed in readinessfor the spawning season as watertemperatures begintorise. Carp forexample usuallycommenceactivities when watertemperaturesreach 17 degrees. It hashappened here andthere, butthe overnight temperaturedrops back to just one or twodegrees andhas slowed the process. Lastyearwas similar andsomefishnever actually completed spawning.

Iactuallyfished acanal match acouple of weeksago,thatsaid, while it is 13 metres wide and onemetre deep,itisnot your typicalcanal.Mainspecies are ide androach with the oddsmall bream. The topweightwas 25lb, thesecond19lband thelowest weight was5lb,soa good match underany circumstances Ihaveactuallyfishedthree times since that canalouting,notching up afirst, asecond and athird. Adecentlittle runofformthat perfectlycoincidedwith thestart of my club’s matchseasons last week.Let’s hopeitcontinues, as Ihaveatleast oneclub match everyweekend for thenextfew months…except whereItry to show my wife agoodhusband by takingher forthe oddholiday.As we have gotolder we seem to enjoy ourholidaysmoreand more. One thingInever do is fish while away, obviously,because it would not be fair…but alsoIbelieve abreak from fishingadds to the enjoyment it giveswhen back home Nowthat the fish arewakingup it seems theyare lookingfor some feed.Light ground bait,pellets or even thetrustyold maggotsare allworking.However,remember nottooverdoit. Once youhave introduced feed youcannottake it out. Tightlines.

The City VarietiesMusic Hall is the longest running music hall.

PHOTO:LEEDS CITY VARIETIES

Trinity Leeds is among thecity’spopular shopping destinations. PHOTO: TRINITY LEEDS

The stunning 18th century Harewood House surrounded by beautifulcountryside. PHOTO: HAREWOOD HOUSE TRUST

Kirkgate Market in Leedswas thebirthplace of Marks & Spencer PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

RoyalArmouries, Leeds, is the national museum of Arms and Armour. PHOTO: ROYAL ARMOURIES

The WetWeb

By HelenGazeley

THE BlackCountry –anarearichincanals, history, heritage and geology.That’s not all. In July,there arealso alot of celebrations.

July 14 is officiallyBlack CountryDay but, nowinits second decade,it’sbecome far more. Expandedinto The BlackCountry Festival,ittakes in the wholemonth, with plenty of events listed on the festival website: www. blackcountryfestival.co.uk

Afair sprinklingoftowns putonaBlack CountryFestival Fundays, including Stourbridge(July 6) andBrierley Hill, on theStourbridge Canal(July 26).Now in its 10th anniversary year,Halesowen Carnivaland MusicFestival (July5)iskicking off thecarnivalseasonwitha family eventencompassingafoodand drink festival, quirky stalls, wrestlingshows,dance performances,livemusic and a fun dogshow. HimleyHall and Park,between Dudley and Wolverhampton, is holdingthe BlackCountry Music Festival on July 12.

Visitors maybetempted to kick off theseasoneven earlier,though,with the annual Women Chainmakers Festival on Saturday, June 28.In the Mary McArthur Gardens,CradleyHeath (onthe Dudley Canal), there’ll be abanner procession, familyactivities,music,street theatre and traditional chain-makingdemonstrations, as thewomen’sstrikein1910 is rememberedfor itspartin the fight for workers’ righttoa livingwage.

Aday later, on June 29, the BlackCountry Duck Race and FamilyFestivalonthe waterfront at BrierleyHill promises to be perhapsthe cutest event.

Newthis year is the Bostin’ BlackCountry Bash at the Walsall Arboretum, the 170-acreparknexttothe town

centre, on Saturday,July5.Freetoenter,you’ll find local crafts,food,and activities andskillsgoing back to the IndustrialRevolution. It will also be celebratingthe 20th anniversaryofthe UNESCOGeopark network.TheBlack Countrywas givenUNESCOGeopark status in 2020 for itsgeological significance,aswell as itspromotion of the naturaland cultural heritage.Check outthe BlackCountry Geoparkwebsite:wwwblackcountrygeopark.dudley.gov. uk/bcg for geosites within the park,which includeDudley Canaland CoseleyCanal Cuttingand Tunnel

If the geology of the area interestsyou –and it’s famous for itsfossils,withthe trilobite ‘DudleyBug’arguablythe best known –then the BlackCountry Geological Societyis launching an exhibition at its50th anniversary weekend on June 7atthe Dudley Museum.Runningtill September, the exhibition will display notablematerialfromthe archives.Thewebsite hasplentyofinformationfor anyone interested in walkingthe archaeologicalsites –including Wren’sNestNational Nature Reserve, oneofthe best areas for fossil-hunting andnot farfromthe DudleyNo.1Canal –oreventakingone of three stone-spotting trails around Birmingham.Moreinfo: www.bcgs.info

And finally, wherebettertocelebrate the BlackCountry than with avisit to the BlackCountry LivingMuseum? Here youcan seeafull-scalereplicaofthe first commercially successful steamengine–the Newcomen. Installedata coal mineinDudleyin1712, it wasthe first commercially successful steamenginetouse apistonina cylinder and allowedwater to be drawnfromamuchgreater depth than hadbeenpossible up to then.

It is this invention whichBlack CountryDay itself commemorates and themuseumdisplaysa full-size replica. With 29 acres to explore, though, there’splenty moretosee,and on July 12-13, the Living Museum goes into full re-enactmentmodewith its 1940s Weekend. More info: www.bclm.com

Boats wanted forGoole bicentenary flotilla

By Alison Alderton

YORKSHIRE WaterwaysHeritage Societyisorganisingaflotillaas part of theGoole bicentenarycelebrations takingplace in July 2026.

To help make the weekendevent aspecial occasion, boatsare beingsoughttohelprecreatea flotillaofwaterways vesselsand, just likethe original flotillaofwaterways vesselsdid in July 1826, travel the KnottingleytoGoole CanalfromFerrybridge to Goole Docks, decorated in bunting.

Once at Goole the original flotilla, whichwas carryingVIPsfrom the Aire and Calder Navigation Company, wasgreeted by bands,a discharge of cannons and greatcheersfromthe largenumbers of people who hadgathered to watch the spectacle

YorkshireWaterways Heritage Societyforms part of agroup of community organisers workingonvarious projects linkedtothe Goole bicentenary celebrations,the coreofwhichwill takeplace over the weekend of July 17 to July 19 next year.

Boaterscan register their interest in joiningthe flotillahere: www.ywhs.org.uk/expression-of-interest

Doncaster Waterfront setfor development

By AlisonAlderton

AN ESTIMATEDinvestmentofupto£400m couldsee theWaterfront area of Doncasterbedevelopedintoa ‘digital cluster’

The new planswererevealedfollowing the launchofDoncaster’s City Centre Strategy,a 25-yearvisionfor thecitycentre. Asummary of the coreambitions and keyobjectives states that the citycentre should have high quality, attractivepublic spaces with astrong emphasis on landscapingthis means creatingnew and improved public spaces,addressing vacant sitesand making the mostofthe canaland riverside.

DoncasterWaterfrontisone of largestbrownfield sitesinthe countryand is akey location in the regeneration plans of the city centre.While the aimofthe development is to linkthe Waterfront area with the heartofthe city centretoprovide amoreconnected city,this area is also the first sightvisitingboaters have of the city when arrivingatthe Canal&River Trustpublic moorings

Whether or not additional or improved moorings or boaters’ facilities will formpartofthese ambitious plansisnot clearbut on land, remediationworks arealready underway with funding providedbythe UK Governmentand through gainsharefunding from the South YorkshireMayoral CombinedAuthority.

The canalsidevillageatthe Black Country Living Museumwill be re-enacting war-time Britain withits 1940weekendonJuly12-13. PHOTO: BLACK COUNTRYLIVING MUSEUM

Carnival time at the Black Country Festival, 2024. PHOTO: BLACK COUNTRYLIVINGMUSEUM

Apassage in time

There’smore to tunnels than meets theeye on our canal network. John Soutercontinues his new series, exploring the wonders of our extensive rangeofcanal tunnels.

TO FACILITATEthe efficient workingof the canalnetwork, approximately42miles of tunnels were constructed in England &Wales,of whichabout half arestill open. This is more than the combined lengthofall other canaltunnels in the worldand doesn’t include the extraapproximately 47miles ofunderground canalatWorsley as part of the BridgewaterCanal. As well as 583 locks, 2963

bridgesand 337 aqueducts thereare also55tunnels, ranginginlength from just 25 yardstooverthree miles, alongthe 2000+ milesofour inlandwaterways.Let’s takealookatthis month’s offering…

GRAND UNION CANAL, LEICESTER SECTION

Crick Tunnel –1528yd/1397m long: began 1812, completed 1814,no towpath.

The Leicesterline runs for 41 milesfromNortonJunction to Leicesterand,somewhat surprisingly perhaps, even though thebridges and tunnels were constructed to a broaddimension the locksare of anarrowdimension and thereforeprevent widebeam craft from passingthrough Theoriginaltunnelwas plannedat964yd/882m but problems in the construction of the canaldue to quicksand caused the originallysurveyed plan to be aborted. The proposed newlinewas on much better ground buta consequence of its relocation wasthat it required the tunnel to be constructed longer. In 1810 alocal brickyardwas giventhe contract to supply twomillion bricks to be used in thetunnelconstruction

at arateof32shillings, or £1.60p,per thousand,and 350 workerswereemployed in the buildingofthe tunnel with at leastone fatality. This wasinaddition to anumber of workersbeing maimed and at leastone worker being runoverbya monstrous wheelbarrowthatslippedback on to him.Onthe opening of thetunnellocal dignitaries andothersofimportance were ceremoniouslylegged through.

Thisstretch of canalwas apparently used to transport largequantitiesoftreacle; gulliblevisitorswereoften fooled by some of thelocal villagersintothinkingthatit came from anearbytreacle mine locatedinsidethe tunnel!

Aghost(KitCrewbucket) is said to haunt the tunnel but thereissome uncertainty as to whetherthisis thespirit of adrowned fisherman or of aformerlengthsman responsiblefor thetunnel’s maintenance. Either way, for thosewho believeinsucha thingthe ghostisconsidered tobeabenevolentone

Although thetunnelis broaditwas builtwithout a towpathand so horses had to be ledoverthe hill and this

TALKBACK

Your chance to write to us on anytowpath topic: Towpath Talk,POBox 99, Horncastle, LincsLN9 6LZ or email editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk

Lock, stockand Barrow

Dear editor Dan, Theattachedphoto shows work on the towpath at Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. Thisisbeing done by the Barrow upon Soar Footpaths Group. We areagroup of volunteers who manage vegetationand litterpickonthe footpaths in the villageofBarrow upon Soar

This is the thirdyear we have been making improvements to the towpathbetween the NavigationInn andBarrow Deep Lock for the Canal &River Trust. We are spreadingand compacting granoaggregate supplied by CRTtoprovide abetter walkingsurface on this stretch of towpath. We have also cutbackvegetation on this stretch of towpath, and that betweenBarrowBridge Street andPillings Lock further north each year We have additionally

routecan stillbetracedby usingthe present-dayBoat HorseLane

Both thenorth andsouth portalswereGrade II listed in 1987.

Saddington tunnel –880yd/805m, completed 1797, no towpath.

THE tunnel waspart of the Leicestershire &Northamptonshire

UnionCanal approved by Parliament forconstruction in 1791. Tunnelling in the area wasverydifficult, especiallydue to quicksand, andseveral contractors failedasaresult of tunnel cave-ins beforeitwas finally completed sixyears later. Becauseoftheseproblems,

pulledsome of the invasive floatingpennywortout of this stretchofcanal to further help CRT.

Best regards Philip Thorpe–Barrow upon Soar.

Watts the problem?

Dear TowpathTalk Ienjoyed reading

and other construction ‘miscalculations’, the tunnel endedupbeingcrooked and John Varley,who was partly responsible for the day-to-day supervision, was ultimately held personally responsible and hadto payfor the repairsout of hisown pocket. Because of its crookednessand awkwardnesstonavigate whenitwas finallyfinished

Jonathan Mosse’slatest instalment ‘Electrical Reconciliation’ (p24 of the May2025 edition). However, as aformer engineer in the electronics industry,Ideplore incorrect useofelectrical units. Theamounts of electrical energy discussed in the article shouldhave been quantifiedin‘kWh’ not ‘kW’.Theunits shown in the graphical elements withinthe articleare, unsurprisingly, correct. Also, in the caption below thebottomchart,‘880 kW of bi-facial PV panels’could notbecontained by asingle narrowboat!I canbelieve ‘880 W’ though The kilowatt (kW) is a powerorratemeasure andindicates howfastthe transfer of electrons is.The kilowatt-hourisa measure of energy generated (e.g.by solarPV) in aperiodoftime Kind regards RichardCurtis –IWA Lichfield Branch

andopenedthe first boatmanthrough actually gothis toll moneyback! Thetunnel hasbeen known to be home to a familyofbatswho aresaid to have shared their home with aresident ghostin the formofa headlesslady known as Annawhose appearance unfortunately is said to spellgloom and disaster.

Work on the towpath at Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershirebeing done by the Barrow upon Soar Footpaths Group. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Crick Tunnel north portal in Northamptonshire. PHOTO: ROGER KIDD -CCBY-SA 2.0

Saddington Tunnel portal. Bewarethe headless lady! PHOTO: ANDREW ABBOTT -CCBY-SA 2.0

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