Towpath Talk March 2017 PREVIEW

TOWPATH TO

The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

TALK

112 PAGES

Issue 137, March 2017

YOUR CHANCE TO VOTE IN OUR AWARDS P4

GRANT SECURES BOAT’S FUTURE P6

MEET THE HYDROLOGY TEAM

P14

BOAT REVIEW: WIDE BEAM TREND P60 LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY MARINA?

Find your ideal location using the map in our feature

Turn to

P58

BOATS FOR SALE Turn to

P71

IWA warns of threat to Anglian waterways One of the Anglian waterways which the IWA claims could be under threat: the River Great Ouse at St Neots. PHOTO: ALISON SMEDLEY THE Environment Agency has refuted a claim by the Inland Waterways Association that funding cuts could force the closure of rivers to navigation on health and safety grounds.

IWA, a charity that works to protect and restore Britain’s canal and river navigations, said it would campaign vigorously to prevent the Government agency ignoring its legal obligation to

Boat owners’ survey

maintain navigation rights on much of its Anglian network.

The warning arose from minutes of a meeting between EA and the Canal & River Trust – brought to the IWA’s attention by a concerned waterway user following a Freedom of Information request – about the proposed transfer of EA waterways to the trust, at which EA officials acknowledged that funding

THE Canal & River Trust is launching its 2017 national Boat Owners’ Views Survey, which will be sent out in March to a third of its boat licence holders calling on them to make their voices heard. Topics include: how boaters use the trust’s waterways and their experiences; moorings, facilities and the licence renewal process; ways they would like to receive information and views on how well they feel the trust is caring for the waterways. Feedback will help to identify what is working well and what needs to be improved upon.

Triathlon time

cuts could lead to the closure of a number of river navigations, despite their status being protected under the Anglian Water Act 1977.

But an EA spokesperson told Towpath Talk: “There’s no immediate risk of closure of any of our navigations.

We’re doing all we can to make sure they are sustainable in the future, including working with the Inland

THE sixth Montgomery Canal Triathlon organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal will be taking place on Saturday, May 6. Due to its popularity a deadline date has been introduced for the first time with entries closing on Saturday, April 22. The three stages are a 17-mile cycle from Newtown to Pool Quay, followed by an 11-mile walk to Morton with the final canoe section over seven miles to the Weston Arm, Lower Frankton.

Competitors can tackle single sections or all three.

For details of fees, or to download an entry form, visit http://www.montgomerycanal.me.uk/

Waterways Association, the Canal & River Trust and the people who live and work alongside them.

“We take our stewardship role very seriously, maintaining navigation on our waterways, and we’ve worked closely with Defra to agree a funding strategy through to 2020 – allowing us to plan our work in advance for best use of money.”

• Continued on page 2

Postcode Lottery share

THE Canal & River Trust was one of 69 charities to share in £66.3 million awarded to good causes by the People’s Postcode Lottery in 2016. The funding total was shared at PPL’s annual charity gala held recently in Edinburgh. CRT has received £600,000 in the last year alone. CRT corporate partnerships manager Wendy Hawk said: “Last year the funding helped us to work with young people on projects to protect biodiversity and heritage along our waterways as well as another project that will specifically improve 10 important Sites of Scientific Interest.”

2 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WELCOME

Don’t miss out! Get 12 copies delivered to your home for less than 84p a copy

SPRING has nearly sprung and as everyone gears up for the new season, boating is again being boosted on primetime TV. As I write in mid-February, not only have we the new Celebrity Carry on Barging show on Channel 5 – see report on page 3 – but also repeats of Timothy West and Prunella Scales’ popular Great Canal Journeys on Channel 4.

The Channel 5 series featuring Nigel Havers, Simon Callow, Lorraine Chase and Debbie McGee has met with much interest – it’s just a shame about the name. Readers commenting on our Facebook page were quick to point out that it should be a narrowboat, not a barge!

But whatever, if it encourages more people to visit our beautiful waterways – and even enjoy a boating holiday – it’s got to be good news.

We are also delighted to introduce the finalists for our 2016 Volunteer of the Year award, see page 4. It’s a complete coincidence that they virtually represent each end of the network from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to the Basingstoke Canal, the Shropshire Union and the Bridgwater & Taunton Canals. They are all deserving of your support so please either fill in the coupon on page 4 or vote online at www.towpathtalk.co.uk I visited the Canal & River Trust offices at Hatton Locks on one of the wettest days of the year to meet national hydrology manager Adam Comerford and his team, see my feature on page 14. Harry Arnold reports on a trip to the Dudley Canal Trust, see page 16 and boat reviewer Phil Pickin looks at the latest Galaxy wide beam from Nottingham Canal Company on page 60.

Keep your news coming

TOWPATH

TALK

Janet

Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Publisher Julie Brown Advertising sales team leader Matthew Hansom – mhansom@mortons.co.uk Advertising sales representatives Stuart Yule – syule@mortons.co.uk Christopher Heaton – cheaton@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Tracey Barton Divisional advertising manager Billy Manning Direct sales executive John Sharratt Production editor Pauline Hawkins Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us Customer services 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm. Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466. Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Advertising Tel: 01507 524004. Fax: 01507 529499 Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456. Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Next Issue – March 23, 2017

Independent publisher since 1885

Conditions Editorial is accepted subject to availability of space, and editorial policy on content and insertion cannot be guaranteed.The publishers retain the right to edit material submitted. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy through accurate and clear copy, but the publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.

Independently proven pick up: 34,450 copies

See page 14 or call 01507 529529

Boaters’ concern over one-way plan for Edgbaston Tunnel CONSULTATIONS have been taking place over proposals by Birmingham City Council to fund works to increase the width of the towpath through Edgbaston Tunnel on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

Objections have been raised by the Inland Waterways Association to the plans which would have the effect of reducing the navigable width of the tunnel and would result in a change from two-way to single-way working, as there would no longer be room for two boats to pass in the tunnel.

IWA is concerned that this could set a precedent for the loss of navigable width through other tunnels with towpaths, or in any location where the local authority felt that it would like more space for pedestrians and cyclists.

It would also create a new pinchpoint on this stretch of canal which is

contrary to IWA policy. The Worcester & Birmingham Canal was originally conceived as a broad waterway, and the 14-mile summit pound – including Edgbaston Tunnel – was built to broad dimensions, although the locks on the canal were subsequently built narrow.

Although Edgbaston Tunnel does not have listed building status, it is a significant heritage structure and as such the historic dimensions of the tunnel should not be altered.

Waiting area

Safety of boaters and pedestrians is another key issue. According to the IWA the canal is very shallow in this area and reducing the tunnel to single-way working will require boats to hold back for oncoming boats.

“This may result in deeper draughted boats going aground and potentially

swinging across the channel in front of the oncoming boat.”

It suggests that dredging and bollards to provide a waiting area at each end of the tunnel would be useful regardless of the outcome of this consultation.

People walking through the tunnel could be more at risk from speeding cyclists, IWA states. “Cyclists should always be prepared to dismount at bridges and tunnels and the widening of the towpath at this location will do nothing to encourage this.”

Boater Richard Heasman rang Towpath Talk to voice his concern about the impact for boaters and the safety of pedestrians within the tunnel. He was speaking from experience after facing a hefty veterinary bill when one of his dogs was hit by a cyclist on a towpath and felt that cyclists should be appropriately insured.

Richard also suggested the erection of barriers at either end for people to walk through. “It is time we stood up against these cyclists – enough is enough,” he added.

Instead of widening the towpath, IWA has suggested to the Canal & River Trust that the Birmingham City Council funding for the project should be used to improve the lighting through the tunnel as well as replacing the railings and moving them closer to the edge of the water.

This would have the added benefit of allowing a design of railing to be used which would be better for pedestrians using the tunnel, without the current protrusions. A smooth top to the replacement handrail would also allow boats to be towed from the bank (whether by horse or by a person in the case of a breakdown) without snagging.

April opening for Harleyford Marina extension Support A NEW extension to Harleyford Marina is taking shape ready for its opening in April.

Work started last August on the lagoon, which will provide more than 100 additional berths for cruisers, narrowboats and widebeams, after 180,000 tonnes of gravel was extracted from the greenfield site.

Contractors from Greenford Ltd used 804m of piling in the construction and recently cut through from the existing marina on the Harleyford Estate, besides the River Thames near Marlow.

For more information visit www. harleyford.co.uk

sought for green belt petition

Contractors cutting the way through from the marina to the new lagoon at Harleyf yford. f PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Pontoons under construction. PHOTO SUPPLIED

A drone’s eye view of the marina and extension to the left before the cut was made. The River Thames can be seen beyond. PHOTO SUPPLIED

BOATERS have been urged to support two petitions which have been doing the rounds.

Friends of the Earth are campaigning against HS2 which they claim will cost around £60 billion of public money and destroy the Colne Valley in West London – a wetland ecosystem which helps to purify the air.

Their petition, which closed on February 20, called on MPs not to waste public money on HS2, claiming there are far less expensive ways of providing the capacity and connectivity needed in the rail network.

Signatories of the second petition state they will not vote for any party at the next General Election that does not give total protection to green belt.

Its author Paul Yates of Winsford, Cheshire, has set a target of one million votes. He told Towpath Talk: “All canal users are country lovers and soon it will be gone.”

His petition states: “As overseas populations grow they will have less food to export. All our green belt in Britain will be needed for our own needs.”

It also refers to HS2 but rather than separate local petitions, urges people to vote for one combined petition.

It can be found at www. thepetitionsite/772/220/464/100

• Continued from page 1

IWA warns over threat to Anglian waterways IWA remains convinced that a properly resourced management transfer of the navigations to CRT is the best solution to protect the health and leisure benefits the 6500 miles of waterways bring to local communities.

National chairman Les Etheridge said: “Whether or not the EA waterways are transferred

to CRT, these navigations need to receive increased funding from Government in order to halt the progressive deterioration that is currently taking place.

“IWA’s wish to see the EA navigations transferred to CRT has always been conditional upon sufficient funding being provided and threats of

clo su re to cu r re nt l y navigable waterways while in the Government’s care are simply unacceptable.

“Waterways provide far too much to the nation in terms of health benefits, recreation and regeneration for this to be a sensible option and we must not allow it to happen.”

Offord Lock south of Huntingdon on the River Great Ouse. PHOTO: ALISON SMEDLEY

RYA SPOTLIGHT 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats and personal watercraft.

#getINNSvolved and stop the spread

INVASIVE Species Week will run from March 27, 2017, to raise awareness of invasive non-native species and to inspire people to #getINNSvolved and stop the spread.

This year is the third year of the event with last year’s initiative running from February 29 to March 6 to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the Check Clean Dry campaign.

More than 160 organisations across Britain got involved and activities included 21 talks, workshops and training sessions, individuals from 30 organisations posting biosecurity pledges (including four members of the British Sailing Team at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show), a visit from Lord Gardiner, Minister for Biosecurity to Thames Water to see biosecurity in action, and more than 1000 people on Facebook and over 118,500 Twitter feeds sharing ideas and calls to action.

The inland waterways are already familiar with the challenges of dealing

Quagga mussels. PHOTO: DAVID ALDRIDGE

with invasive non-native species. Some well-known plant species and the worst offenders such as Floating Pennywort and Australian Swamp Stonecrop cause navigation problems, but they also cause water quality issues and habitat availability by threatening the ecology of native species.

Association, the Canal & River Trust and the Wildlife Trusts. www.water ways.org.uk/news_ campaigns/campaigns/himalayan_ balsam/himalayan_balsam https ://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ volunteer www.wildlifetrusts.org/volunteer

Balsam bashing

Hitching a ride

There are plenty of ways to do your bit to stop the spread, not just during Invasive Species Week but throughout the year.

Himalayan balsam bashing is certainly one of the more strenuous activities experienced first-hand by staff from The Green Blue and the RYA who last year joined a team of volunteers organised by The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to clear a stretch alongside the Cadnam River at Ower in Hampshire.

Himalayan balsam was introduced to the UK in 1839, along with other non-native species such as giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed, but quickly took hold and its tolerance to low levels of light and ability to disperse hundreds of seeds per plant has resulted in wide distribution.

Its height, typically 2-3m, means it shades out other plants that in turn are unable to survive. It’s relatively easy to pull up, which makes for a satisfying working party activity, but the work has to be maintained to keep it at bay.

If you are interested in getting involved take a look at the Inland Waterways

One of several ways for invasive species to travel is by hitching a ride on boats.

The Check Clean Dry campaign adopted by sailing dinghies and other small craft has been particularly effective at stopping the spread of killer shrimp and quagga mussel.

The principles are also useful for slightly larger boats that are moved around by a vehicle and trailer before launching on to different rivers and waterways. Whether it’s for a short cruise or to participate in a festival, it’s important to check and remove any visible signs of fouling from the hull, prop and also the trailer itself before launching into new waters and new habitats, and where possible drain and wash off the boat and trailer before launching elsewhere.

Species such as floating pennywort can regenerate from tiny fragments and go on to grow up to 20cm a day.

And quagga mussel larvae (veligers) are not even visible to the naked eye but can establish quickly to produce dense populations that alter whole freshwater ecosystems.

A group from the RYA balsam bashing with Jo Gore of the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project. PHOTO: NNP If you want to know more about sustainable boating look at www.thegreenblue.org.uk or for more details on Invasive Species

Week look at http://www.non nativespecies.org/ and don’t forget to share your activities online under #InvasivesWeek

14 NEWS FOCUS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Not too little, not too much...

Janet Richardson meets the team who try to keep water levels on an even keel WATER is the lifeblood of the canal system, says the Canal & River Trust’s national hydrology manager Adam Comerford, and the water management team does the job of keeping it flowing.

The 20-strong team is mainly based at the trust’s Hatton office and includes water engineers, hydrologists and modellers.

Although summer droughts have caused well-documented restrictions in recent years with falling levels in the reservoirs and water courses which supply the canals, wet weather such

as last winter’s floods can cause just as many problems.

“We have had more stoppages due to floods than from droughts,” Adam told me when I visited Hatton to meet members of his team and see hydrology in action, coincidentally on one of the wettest days of late 2016.

Having explained that this is the science of water on the land – in rivers, canals, lakes and streams – and how it flows, he said they also get involved in meteorology and hydrogeology – water in the sky and under the ground.

Hydrological modeller Sara Barsley looks at ‘spaghetti lines’ showing modelled projections on the southern Grand Union Canal. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

National hydrology manager Adam Comerford says it’s all about managing the risk. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Principal hydrologist Mathew Wells and hydrologist Sarah Edwards. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

One of seven senior managers reporting to the trust’s director of asset management, Julie Sharman, Adam joined the then British Waterways in May 2001. With a PhD in river hydrology and a background in consultancy, he represents the trust on the British Hydrological Society National Committee and is a member of CIWEM’s (Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management) water resources panel which looks after engineers, scientists and hydrologists and gives advice on all water resource matters, not just the canals.

“I have been in the water management team throughout most of my career,” Adam continued. “I worked for the Environment Agency for three years on water resources and came back to BW in 2008.

“Canal hydrology is a bit different to how rivers operate – there can be too little or too much water and our job is all about managing the risk.

“We give operational support to our colleagues such as when to turn on the reservoirs and pumps, as well as wider business support to management and providing strategic advice such as how we should reduce our risk and plan for climate change and other future pressures; the team reflects that mix.”

Flooding strategy

Adam continued: “We are developing our flooding strategy which will help us plan for the future. Can we futureproof a system which has been running for 250 years and make it more resilient? If climate change impacts are as severe as some scientists suggest, they could be a major problem.”

Flooding incurs higher costs than the effect of drought and can affect a wider area, particularly around reservoirs such as Rotton Park, which provides water for the Birmingham Canal Navigations and poses a flood risk to all properties downstream.

NEWS FOCUS 15

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Water engineer Mike Banks showing the water level and draught of boats in Hatton Top Lock, drained for repairs. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON “If this reservoir was to fail, there could be flooding as far afield as Tamworth 25km (more than 15 miles) away,” Adam explained. “A lot of our reservoirs are older than the water companies’ and were built before some of their science and engineering skills evolved.

“This is why the trust spends millions of pounds every year to maintain and improve its reservoirs, to ensure that they are kept in good condition and failures never happen. Winterburn on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal (built between 1885 and 1893) is our newest.”

Water resources

Movement of water around an expanding network, sale of surplus supplies and the enactment of the Water Act 2003, which will dramatically increase the number of abstraction licences, are among the issues covered in the trust’s Water Resources Strategy 2015-2020.

“The water companies have reduced leakage from their pipes but it is very difficult and expensive to reline the canals,” he continued. Water sales – where water is taken out of the trust’s waterways, usually canals – account for £5.5 million of annual income with customers including farmers, industry, power companies and public water supplies. The biggest contract is for up to 245 million litres that can be taken every day from the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to supply about half of Bristol’s drinking water.

Hydrometric assistant Mike Clayton with the Xylem M9 ADCP gauging water flow. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

And it can work the other way round.

Treated water from Wolverhampton goes into the Shropshire Union and Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canals, providing another source of income.

“There are already a few other places in the country where we transfer water and we are actively exploring new opportunities,” Adam said. Following consultations and discussions with five water companies, there is a need to look at innovative solutions which will bring in revenue and improve water supplies.

One of the biggest challenges affecting boaters is the need to minimise any canal stoppages. “We sometimes need to bring in restrictions in the way that water companies have to use hosepipe bans when it looks like water supplies are running low.”

Future pressures also include the impacts of increased boating, future restorations, new marina proposals and potentially reduced funding.

The Water Resources Model is the primary tool the team uses to assess water availability to meet canal demands. “The challenge is all about the three ‘m’s – managing, modelling and monitoring,” Adam added.

New software

Principal hydrologist Mathew Wells said that since BW evolved into the Canal & River Trust there has been a greater willingness to be more open about how it manages water supplies.

The drained lock chamber showing the ducting which carries the SCADA telemetry. Behind are the stop planks holding back the water above the lock. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

“It came at the time of the 2011-12 drought and sharing the information openly was well received, fostering links with third-party organisations.

“Droughts do happen and we recognise that when they do we can’t always maintain a normal operation so we have to come up with a level of service and communicate that to our customers. We will work to maintain the navigation so closure due to drought occurs no more often than once every 20 years on average. This is the benchmark we use on all our strategic planning and is a good baseline to have across the network.”

He explained that the current Water Resources Model is coming to the end of its functional life and is being replaced by a new modelling software package, Aquator, which is being phased in and will cover all the trust’s connected network of waterways.

This scientific information is used to plan for and phase in potential schemes and investment decisions. The current strategy covers a five-year period to 2020 when it will be looked at again. “It will be a case of our running this model to see that we get the right sort of programme in place,” Mathew continued.

An annual update showing progress against strategic actions was recently published and explains the modelling completed in the first year.

Mat explained that legislation known as the Water Act 2003 is due to come into force which will affect the trust. It will end the exemption the trust currently has from needing an abstraction licence for certain surface water sources and mean the trust will need to apply to the EA (Environment Agency) and NRW (National Resources Wales) for licences.

“We will have a massive change as to how we manage our water resources and it could change how much water we have available to keep canals running.

“Many abstractions will become licensable, we have looked at about 500 interactions we have between rivers, streams and the canal network including river navigations. Protecting the source rivers at the expense of canals could be very damaging to boaters and the community that relies on it, as well as the ecology of the canal. We don’t want to scaremonger but at the moment have not got clarity from the Government.

“It will have an immediate impact when the legislation window opens up; to start with, we will have to spend around £300,000 just on applications for the licences. This is a big challenge we’ve been facing up to for quite some time and we just want to get on with it.”

Historical patterns

Hydrological modeller Sara Barsley explained that the data being loaded into the new Aquator system includes rainfall records dating back more than 90 years which will highlight historical patterns.

Lock counters have been installed at 160 locks – about 10% of locks throughout the network (where there is a flight this is counted once) and work by recording a change in water level as a boat goes through the locks. This data gets added to the Aquator system.

Modelling is used for a range of purposes – short or long term. “We analyse different water sources to see, for instance, if we need to turn some pumps off. Using ‘spaghetti lines’ – a method of viewing data to visualise a range of possible reservoir use patterns during different years – we can also look at the effect of reducing hours that boats can go through locks if necessary during a drought, as well as producing modelling for repairs, safety work etc.”

Bought in 2013, Aquator was tested and building the programme started in 2014. “It has about 10 years of data and is very interactive,” Sara explained.

“We are on target to get it all done and will start modelling future pressures such as climate change at the end of next year.

“For drought modelling we need to know what is going on now. Aquator shows how much water is left in a reservoir using the last 92 years of rainfall, compared with modern day water demands (like lock usage) to show any patterns. We can then predict when we may have to restrict canal navigation.”

Measuring flow

Hydrologist Sarah Edwards explained: “My job is to show where all the water should be and provide the link between people out on site and the engineers etc.

“Canal hydrology is a bit different to rivers as water goes uphill as well

as downhill. Reservoirs supply a lot of canals – but these are resources which might run out and sometimes we may have to budget to ensure enough water is left to get us to the end of the boating season.”

Sarah added that they use the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system and this data is shared with the Environment Agency.

Hydrometric assistant Mike Clayton processes the data that comes in from lock counters as well as using the hightech Xylem M9 ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) which measures water flow and the profile of structures such as bridges and locks.

The device, which uses GPS and another built-in compass, literally floats on the water, measuring the flow, and stores data then ‘bluetooths’ it to a computer on the canal bank. “We used to have to put our waders on and get in the canal to measure flow – this is much safer and quicker.”

Mike explained: “The M9 will measure depths, but in a water management scenario, we are more interested in canal flow and discharges from reservoirs and feeder streams into the canals. We call it spot gauging and most of it is done out of the main boating season because of the effects of boat movements, but because the instrument is quick to use we can do the flow gauging in a few minutes, without disrupting boaters.”

Lock stoppage

On the day of my visit, Hatton Top Lock (Lock 46) was one of the locks on the flight where work was in progress on repairs to the top and bottom gates, ladder works and chamber masonry.

We were able to descend into the dewatered lock where water engineer Mike Banks pointed out the lock counter and ducting containing the SCADA telemetry.

Construction supervisor Keith Bradfield and operatives Ian Atterbury and Chris Bant explained the work which was proceeding behind massive timber stop planks that were graded in thickness to withstand more water pressure at the bottom.

New gate liners were being installed to the already fitted gates where wear is caused by boats knocking into them. The repairs were completed in December.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

insider

ABNB celebrates rescue of ex-laboratory beagle EACH year Crick-based brokers ABNB choose a charity to support with fundraising and collections.

When it came time to decide on the charity ABNB were going to support for 2017 there was a clear favourite – the Dogs Trust.

Sheila Smith, HR director, volunteers one day a week at the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Kenilworth, walking the dogs and giving them general care. Last year the centre took in a batch of beagles that had been raised for experiments in a laboratory.

These dogs had had a difficult start in life, locked away from all contact, so were nervous and had never had the opportunity to grow and play as other puppies do. Sheila was so touched by their plight that she could not resist taking one home.

Six months on and Forti has settled in well and is learning to run and have fun just like any normal dog. He is even looking forward to his first obedience certificate.

BUSINESS NEWS 59

Boat review Reviews What’s on

Sheila Smith with her pup Forti. PHOTO: ABNB So the dog lovers at ABNB decided to celebrate this happy event by choosing Dogs Trust as their charity for 2017. Dogs Trust finds new homes for 17,000 dogs each year so to begin

ABNB are donating 10p per dog – a magnificent total of £1,700.

Fundraising activities will take place throughout 2017. For more information visit www.dogstrust. org.uk and www.abnb.co.uk

Key deal with Whilton and Venetian Marinas BURTON-based diesel injection firm Key Diesels has been appointed engine supplier and repairer for Daventry narrowboat broker Whilton Marina and its Nantwich counterpart, Venetian Marina, in a deal that will see it providing remanufactured and refurbished units to sales teams selling over 250 boats a year.

Both marinas are also offering two months’ free River Canal Rescue breakdown and recovery membership with every boat sold.

River Canal Rescue acquired Key Diesels in 2014 and since then has built its reputation.

Managing director, Stephanie Horton, said: “We’re thrilled to

Whilton Marina which, with Venetian Marina, has appointed Key Diesels as its engine supplier and repairer. PHOTO SUPPLIED

be working in partnership with Whilton and Venetian Marinas; they were looking for a company they could trust to support the ongoing refurbishment of customers’ boats and we were looking to develop our businessto-business relationships in this area. It’s a win-win scenario for all involved.”

Whilton Marina’s workshop manager, Mathew Emery, added: “We look forward to a long and beneficial relationship that delivers unrivalled aftersales service to our customers.” ● Key Diesels 01283 537958, www.key diesels.co.uk ● River Canal Rescue 01785 785680, www. rivercanalrescue.co.uk ● Whilton Marina 01327 842577, www. whiltonmarina.co.uk ● Venetian Marina 01270 528251, www. venetianmarina.co.uk

IMPROVED SERVICES AND FACILITIES AT STENSON MARINA AFTER Stenson Marina was bought by private buyers last summer, the new owners immediately embarked on a programme of improvements which are now starting to show results.

Security has been improved by the installation of fencing and gates to what was previously an open access site on the Trent & Mersey Canal south of Derby. Landscaping and ground improvement is well under way and parking facilities have been much improved.

Hands On Marine is offering a wide range of services to boaters and the existing covered workshops have been re-clad with fully insulated panels. New LED lighting, heating and power have been installed.

Next to come will be a new shower and toilet block, moorers’ lounge, chandlery and new offices, all constructed in a style sympathetic to the local environment.

On-site services include blacking and anode replacement, full and partial repaints, mechanical and electrical engineering, solar power and built-in generator installations.

Hands On Marine is an approved agent for Beta Marine and Eberspacher heating systems. Facilities for moorers are being further enhanced by the provision of dedicated secure storage units and a lively social environment is already developing. www.stensonmarina.uk

P60 P61 P62

Holidays Food & Drink Technical

P68 P69 P70

Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina wins hat-trick of awards CHURCH Minshull Aqueduct Marina recently won a hat-trick of top awards.

The Yacht Harbour Association awarded the marina a Five Gold Anchors Award, confirming its quality and service; it also won the Inland Marina of the Year 2017 award, as voted for by customers and the South Cheshire Chamber Customer Service Award in November.

Marina director Robert Parton said: “I am so proud of our team. They work very hard and are committed to ensuring that Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina is the best it can be. Winning these three awards is a fantastic endorsement of what they do every day.”

Robert and Andrea Parton, together with three members of the staff team, travelled to London to visit the London Boat Show in January. While they were there the Yacht Harbour Association presented them with the Yacht Harbour Association Five Gold Anchors award and the Inland Marina of the Year 2017 award.

“These awards are no pushover,” Robert continued. “The marina’s excellent staff team had to show that they maintain a high level of service to our customers at all times.

“We will continue to develop the business and we are striving to maintain and improve our customer relations to ensure that Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina is an innovative, one-stop-shop

At the presentation of the Marina of the Year award are, from left, Glen Wallis, business development manager at award sponsor GJW Insurance, Bernie McCrae, marketing communications co-ordinator at Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina and directors Andrea and Robert Parton.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

marina for all narrowboats, caravans and their owners – where everyone wants to be.”

Jon White, general manager at the Yacht Harbour Association, added: “In addition to providing a comprehensive range of services to moorers, delivered by expert staff, Aqueduct Marina is also a very welcoming destination for all visitors arriving by land or water.”

Aqua to showcase new developments NEW 2017 developments at Aqua Narrowboats – based at Mercia Marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal – will include the launch of its own furnishings store, writes Harry Arnold.

It will be able to supply Roman blinds and guide rail venetian blinds to existing boat owners as well as seating, furniture and cushions. It is also starting work this spring on a new purpose built extension, providing new offices and reception area.

The company will also have two stands at the Crick Boat Show. A floating exhibit (F38) and a landbased stand promoting the new furnishing store (43). Aqua will again have two open days at their base workshop – Sundays March 19 and Sunday October 8, both between 12 noon and 4pm.

Aqua Narrowboats will have boats on display at two open days this year, the first taking place on Sunday, March 19. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

Cheshire’s Overwater Marina becomes the first inland Marina of Distinction OVERWATER Marina became the first inland marina to win the prestigious Marina of Distinction award at the London Boat Show in January.

The award is the highest accolade presented by The Yacht Harbour Association, which is part of British Marine, and is specially reserved for marinas who feature as winner or runner up in the Marina of the Year award for three consecutive years.

Sponsored by GJW Insurance, the awards are presented annually with all Gold Anchor Marinas automatically entered.

The Gold Anchor Scheme has been auditing marinas throughout the world for more than 25 years and is well known as a credible measure of the marina quality. Rated marinas are subject to a number of rigorous tests which include a marina audit, mystery shopper assessment and a moorers survey. All Gold Anchor marinas must meet industry standards and higher ratings denote more facilities and a greater focus on customer services.

Jon White, of the Yacht Harbour Association, said: “This is a fabulous result for inland boating in Cheshire and reflects the high quality of facilities and customer care offered by the winning marinas.”

Overwater Marina, which opened in 2010 on the Shropshire Union Canal, has a first-class panoramic location, and is close to the canal village of Audlem.

The Five Gold Anchor marina has earned a great reputation through consistently performing to high standards with its customer service and the warm and welcoming atmosphere for moorers and visitors.

Janet and Angus Maughan, alongside David Johnson, were at the presentation and received the award on behalf of the team at Overwater.

Janet Maughan said: “Huge thanks must go to our great team of staff and also to our customers who voted for us – their belief in us means a great deal.”

Glen Wallis of GJW Insurance, second from left, presents the award to Angus and Janet Maughan with, right, David Johnson of Overwater Marina. PHOTO SUPPLIED

PRODUCTS & REVIEWS 61

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WHAT’S NEW

Books, DVDs and other items for possible review should be sent to: Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk

A cruising guide to the Middle Level waterways Reviewer: Harry Arnold

ANYONE using the Middle Level section of the Fenland waterways should get the latest edition of the Commissioners’ cruising instructions Middle Level Navigation Notes 2017.

The A5-size 16-page booklet contains the up-todate instructions for the through route between the River Nene at Stanground near Peterborough and the River Ouse system at Salters Lode Lock near Downham Market.

Skipper’s responsibilities and relevant rules and regulations are covered in considerable detail, as are important possible navigation restrictions such as the height and width of bridge structures. The

latest contact addresses and phone numbers for locations – such as where to purchase service block keys –are listed. Once again, there are basic maps and colour illustrations, accompanied by location details, of key points on the route.

The notes are perfectly adequate to boat through this Fenland link but for ‘tourist’ type details you may wish to purchase one of the commercially published guides.

Middle Level Navigation Notes 2017 is free from the Middle Level Commissioners, Middle Level Offices, 85 Whittlesey Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 0AH, tel: 0354 653232, email: enquiries@middlelevel.gov.uk Website: wwwmiddlelevel.gov.uk

A spotter’s guide to the British landscape Reviewer: Elizabeth Rogers

WHY is a bridge over a river or canal such a particular style and where, on some of them, can you find observable features that help in dating them?

Clues to carrying out a little detective work when walking alongside a waterway or elsewhere in the countryside are contained in a new book by the anthropologist and broadcaster Mary-Ann Ochota, who is a familiar face on TV programmes such as Time Team.

She has recently published Hidden Histories – A Spotter’s Guide to the British Landscape in which bridges are one of the landscape features she enables her readers to investigate.

To start from the most ancient, there are the clapper or clam bridges, a simple means of crossing the water by the placing of stepping stones or slabs of handily accessible stone reaching from bank to bank. As they were often in remote areas, such as on moorland, many have never needed to be replaced by a full-scale bridge.

Most mediaeval bridges were made of wood so would not have lasted for more than one generation although some were built of stone. Some of these may have been widened in due course and this can be observed by looking at differences between the two sides.

If small rivers were eventually made navigable, new bridges to enable craft to pass beneath were built and there may be signs that indicate this, with stonework from the foundations of the earlier bridge still there to be spotted.

Some very early bridges such as a Roman bridge, once on the River Tees in County Durham, are now marooned on dry land – the course of the river having changed over the centuries.

Canal bridges allowed horses to cross the water when the towpath changed from being on one side to the other. They were often cobbled and had rows of protruding stones added to the ramps to prevent the horses slipping.

If the towpath continued on a straight line beneath a bridge, there may be grooves worn into the faces of cornerstones where thousands of horses have passed through, the towropes rubbing against the stone.

The author offers clues to deciphering the mysteries of why some structures are distinctly different from others, or may just have minute details which can tell a great deal about their past.

As well as the waterways, her book covers such information on many other aspects of the countryside – fields, hedges, commons, woodland, stone walls and the buildings within a village.

Hidden Histories – A Spotter’s Guide to the British Landscape is published by Frances Lincoln (hardback, 288 pages, £20).

ISBN: 978-0-7112-3692-9

Thomas Telford and the building of Britain Reviewer: Robert Davies

IN THE preface of his book Man of Iron, author Julian Glover, who was chief speech writer to David Cameron, suggests that ‘in the years after his death Telford slipped from our consciousness’.

Compared to that other great engineer, Brunel, Telford was, arguably, our first great civil engineer who made an enormous contribution to the development of this country. He was 77 years old when he died and for 60 years or so of his life he was involved in architecture, bridge building, road making, inland navigation, drainage and the construction of docks and improvement of harbours.

All this was done with great energy and he created the rules and roles of the modern civil engineer. The author relates that when it was proposed that the new town in Shropshire be called Telford, local people protested as they did not connect with him, maybe because they lacked an appreciation of his achievements. This tends to support the author’s contention that he had ‘slipped from our consciousness’.

In this book the author attempts to redress the balance and re-establish Telford’s standing and major contribution to shaping the country.

During the time that he was deeply involved in the building of the Caledonian Canal, he received a formal decree from the King of Sweden requesting him to work on what became the Gota Canal.

His reputation had spread beyond our shores and he did make his first trip overseas to survey a route for the canal. He subsequently arranged

for a team of engineers to go to Sweden to assist with the building of the canal.

The author does not make the mistake of getting too deeply into the detail of Telford’s projects but concentrates more on the man behind them and the politics inevitably involved in bringing them to fruition. Telford began life as a stonemason, and then became an architect and subsequently an engineer. Almost everything that he built remains in use today – the A5 trunk roads and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, for example.

The author has a very engaging style of writing and that makes it somewhat difficult to put down once you have started to read it.

Telford’s autobiography was not a great success; this book, I think, will and should do a great deal better. Does it redress the balance? Almost certainly so.

This book extends to 403 pages, including notes, bibliography and acknowledgements.

The hardback edition is priced at £20 – very good value – and the ebook costs £17.99.

Man of Iron is published by Bloomsbury Publishing www.bloomsbury.com ISBN hardback: 978-1-4088-3746-7, ebook: 978-1-4088-3747-4

Cruising the Middle Level waterways at Upwell on the Norfolk/Cambridgeshire border. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

Reprint editions of Rolt’s autobiographic trilogy Reviewer: Harry Arnold

THE LAST year or so has been a fruitful period for lovers of the waterway writings of LTC Rolt.

Firstly the publication of a new edition of his original classic Narrow Boat followed shortly by one of Green & Silver. Now we are presented with reprint editions of his autobiographical trilogy Landscape With Machines, Landscape With Canals, Landscape with People.

This is the fourth time that the three single volumes have been reissued but there was also a bumper two-inch-thick combined volume which was just a little heavy to handle. Of the three, that which focuses on canals seems obviously of most interest to waterway readers, but as this is Rolt’s actual life story you should read them all as they set the context of his other works within his lifetime experiences.

The new volumes are reproduced unaltered except for new forewords. In previous reviews of Rolt’s works I have already confessed to being a ‘groupie’ and lucky enough to know the family.

Here (in case you think it reflects further bias) I must further confess that I was honoured to be asked to write the new foreword to Landscape With Canals.

The new forewords to the other two volumes are written by Rolt’s sons Tim and Richard.

A whole life story is difficult to summarise in a brief review but ‘Machines’ covers the early part of Rolt’s family life, the countryside of his youth, his first involvement in steam-driven family machinery leading on to his engineering apprenticeship at Stoke-on-Trent’s Kerr Stuart locomotive builders.

It then details his partnership in a garage business but, most important for canal buffs, his first cruises aboard Cressy during the ownership of his uncle.

The second book on the theme of canals throws a new personal light and background to the basic story of the cruise of the Cressy and Rolt’s and his then wife Angela’s life aboard: the main theme of the famous Narrow Boat. It covers Rolt’s first efforts to get into print and gives a more detailed insight into the early days of what he terms the ‘canal crusade’; the founding of IWA and the schisms that led to his resignation, linked to the break-up of his marriage to Angela.

Following the insights into his canal life the final volume – written mostly when he was seriously ill and not published until two decades after his death in May 1974 – starts with more background to his equally famous Railway Adventure; the book which first sold me on his writing. It covers his meeting and marriage to Sonia and the move back to the family home at Stanley Pontlarge and much more about his involvement in motoring, and his then somewhat financially mixed success as an author.

Perhaps the most fascinating are the insights into his philosophy of life and future aims and involvement in the movements for the preservation of Britain’s industrial and built heritage, some of which he lived to see but many others which a wide range of his admirers have worked to see his dreams come true. Long may we continue to follow his example.

All three books are illustrated with mostly good reproductions ofthe original photographs. Whileone shouldn’t tamper with classic illustrative material, perhaps the inclusion of two recently discovered pictures, showing Cressy newly converted and its melancholy end at Stone would have been of great relevance? Some might also mourn the lack of use of Felix Kelly’s atmospheric original cover paintings.

Landscape With Machines, Landscape With Canals and Landscape with People by LTC Rolt are published by The History Press in softback, priced £14.99 each.

ISBN: 978-0-7509-7016-7 ISBN: 978-0-7509-7017-4 ISBN: 978-0-7509-7018-1

WHAT’S ON 63

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Shire horse spectacular at Stafford THE world’s largest gathering of shire horses returns to Staffordshire for a second year.

Around 300 pedigree shires from across Europe are expected at Staffordshire County Showground from March 17-19 for the Shire Horse Society National Show.

Open to the public, the event is a colourful day out for all the family and the chance to support the campaign to save this magnificent breed of horse, which only a few decades ago was in danger of dying out and is still regarded as ‘at risk’.

Secretary of the Shire Horse Society, Victoria Clayton, said: “Shire horses have played a huge role in the history of this country, and our show, which is the world’s largest gathering of shires, is the perfect opportunity to see them in action.”

The show is believed to be one of the oldest, almost continuous, horse shows in the world, having been held for the first time at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, in 1880, when the charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.

It features stalls and children’s entertainment, as well as the all-important showing classes – the first qualifier of 2017 for the heavy horse classes of the prestigious Horse of the Year Show, which attracts the very best of the breed and is held in October at Birmingham’s NEC.

WHAT’S ON IN MARCH March 1

Chester Canal Heritage Trust: The canal at

Nantwich by Graham Dodd. The Clubhouse, Chester Boughton Hall Cricket Club, Boughton Hall Avenue, Chester CH3 5EL, 8pm. Contact Chester Canal Heritage Trust 01244 340029.

March 2

Southampton Canal Society: Forgotten wrecks

of the Solent from the First World War with the local Maritime Archaeology Trust. Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ, 7.45pm. Visitors welcome. www. sotoncs.org.uk

March 5

Kent Boat Jumble: The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 6PY (Jct 4 M20, Jct 5 M25). Entry £4, children/parking free.

Chaddock & Fox Promotions boatjumbles@ yahoo.com 02392 381405/07887 771451, www.boat-jumbles.co.uk IWA Towpath Walks Society, London:

Limehouse-Thames-Docklands. Starts Westferry DLR by cycle hire point at 2.30pm.

Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.

March 7

IWA Lichfield: Middleton Lakes, easy five-

mile walk including the towpath of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. Meet at Dog & Doublet Inn car park, Dog Lane, Bodymoor Heath, Sutton Coldfield B76 9JD, 10.15am for 10.30am start. Contact Clive Walker 07866 201873, clive.walker@ waterways.org.uk

March 9

IWA Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire: The past,

present and future of the Derby Canal, an illustrated talk by Chris Madge of Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust. The Poppy & Pint, Pierrepont Road, Lady Bay, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5DX, about five minutes from the A6011/A52 (ring road) junction at Gamston, 7.45pm. Contact nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk

March 11-12

River Canal Rescue: Boat and engine

maintenance course with RCR engineers.

RCR head office, Baswich, Stafford (by Bridge 101, Staffordshire & Worcestershire

Gates open at 8.30am on the Friday and at 7am on Saturday and Sunday at the showground in Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BD. Tickets for the show are on sale via www. shire-horse.org.uk – discounted if bought in

advance. Adult tickets on the gate are £12, or £10 online in advance, while tickets for children aged five to 13 years on the gate are £10, and £8 online in advance. Under fives enter free.

IN BRIEF

Women’s Day launch

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day on March 8 will see Idle Women launch the second year of their programme creating contemporary art with women.

Relocating from the canals of East Lancashire to West Yorkshire, the Selina Cooper, their floating arts centre, will host participatory artist and creative producer Nicky Bashall and theatre-maker Stella Barnes. Water’s Meeting, the fifth phase of residencies, features a programme of workshops and social gatherings in partnership with Creative Scene, an arts producer based in West Yorkshire, local women’s organisations and the Canal & River Trust. The Selina Cooper will be moored at Shepley Bridge, Mirfield WF14 9HR from March 8 to May 31, 2017.

Supergroup at Hollingwood

BRIT-FOLK supergroup The Broonzies will bring their unique blend of voices and great instrumental skills to the Hollingwood Hub on the Chesterfield Canal on Wednesday, March 8. Nona’s Coffee Shop will be open from 6.30pm and the band will play from 7.30pm. It will be an evening of original and familiar toe-tapping feelgood songs and tunes which they describe as folk meets ‘old tyme Americana’. On-site parking available, admission £10, contact 01246 477569.

Anniversary evening A magnificently turned out shire horse. PHOTO: TRACY MUIR PHOTOGRAPHY If you want your event listed in our free monthly What’s On section email your entry to jrichardson@mortons.co.uk or use the events form at www.towpathtalk.co.uk/events.

As always please check with organisers on the details of the event before setting out on your journey.

Canal). Two-day course £120. Contact 01785 785680, enquiries@rivercanalrescue. co.uk or visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/ rcr-courses/

March 14

IWA Chester & Merseyside: AGM, lock

dramas and flooding at Sheffield by Peter Scott. Holiday Inn (Mercer Suite), Ellesmere Port CH65 2AL, 7.45pm. Bar and coffee making facilities.

March 16

IWA Milton Keynes: Boat safety tips and

memories of life afloat with boat examiner Alan Stewart. The Bletchley Royal British Legion, Melrose Avenue, West Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6PU, 7.45pm.

March 17

Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Peter Brown

March 19

IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross-Granary SquareCamden. Starts King’s Cross taxi rank at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs.

Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.

March 20

Friends of Cromford Canal: Stanton at war

by Stephen Flinders. Ironville Church Hall, 7.30pm. Admission £2, raffle, tea and coffee available.

March 21

Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust:

Russia – from Astrakhan to Moscow via the River Volga, by Penny Platts. The Royal Oak, Much Marcle HR8 2ND, 7.30 for 8pm.

Everyone welcome.

March 25

will discuss a treasure trove of 106 Trent & Mersey Canal posters, mainly dating from the 18th century. The Big Lock, Webbs Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9DN, 7.30 for 8pm. Contact Gillian Watson 01606 835606, www.trentandmerseycanalsociety. co.uk

Dorset Boat Jumble: Canford Park Arena,

IWA East Yorkshire: AGM and the life of Sir

Ardfern, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8QN. Opens 10am, Entry £3.50, children/parking free. Contact Jan Brown 01852 500689, info@craignishcommunitycompany.org.uk

Peter Scott presentation by Peter Scott.

Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 4BD, 8pm. Contact Roger Bromley 01482 845099, roger.bromley@ waterways.org.uk

March 18

Buckingham Canal Society: AGM and

social gathering with cheese, wine and light refreshments. Talk on Anglo Saxon Treasure: Discovering the Lenborough Hoard by Dr Susan Fern. Buckingham Community Centre, Cornwalls Meadow, Buckingham MK18 1RP, 7.15pm. Free event, everyone welcome. Contact Athina Beckett 01908 661217, athina.beckett@ buckinghamcanal.org

March 18-19

St Pancras Cruising Club: Daffodil cruise to Limehouse Basin with dinner at The Grapes. Advance booking not required.

Cruise co-ordinator Sophie Charalambous, contact via vicecommodore@stpancrascc. co.uk. All boaters welcome, no charge for participation. www.stpancrasccco.uk

Magna Road, Poole, Dorset BH21 3AP. Entry £4, children/parking free. Chaddock & Fox Promotions boatjumbles@yahoo. com 02392 381405/07887 771451, www. boat-jumbles.co.uk Craignish Boat Jumble: Craignish Village Hall,

March 25-26

Day-Star Theatre: Roses & Castles workshop

weekend at The Old Stables, Moss Hall Lane, Audlem, Cheshire, 10am-4pm each day. £75. Contact Jane Marshall on 01270 811330, jane@day-star-theatre.co.uk or visit www.day-star-theatre.co.uk

March 28

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: Railway

ticketing past, present and future by Tracy Dagley. The Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, 7.30pm. Admission £2 members, £3 non-members.

March 30

IWA Lancashire & Cumbria: History and

restoration of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal by Paul Hindle, MBBCS chairman.

St Chad’s Parish Centre, 235 Town Lane, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley PR 2 8AJ, 7 for 7.30pm. Non-members welcome.

BUCKINGHAM Canal Society will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special evening at its AGM on Saturday, March 18. As well as the chance to learn more about the bridge excavations at Cosgrove there will be a talk by Dr Susan Fern on the discovery of the Lenborough hoard of Anglo Saxon treasure. The meeting will take place at Buckingham Community Centre, Cornwalls Meadow, Buckingham MK18 1RP at 7.15pm. Cheese, wine and light refreshments available, for more information visit www. buckinghamcanalorg.uk or email athina.beckett@ buckinghamcanal.org.uk

Neptune Steps race

THE icy-cold waters of the Forth & Clyde Canal at Maryhill Locks will host the return of Red Bull Neptune Steps on Saturday, March 18 as the toughest open-water adventure race lands back in Glasgow for its third consecutive year. An international field of 400 men and women will face a true test of speed, strength and resolve as they swim through 420 metres of cold water and climb 18m over seven canal lock gates. Each canal gate features a different obstacle, which the swimmers have to climb over before diving into the next section of water, including cargo net, ropes, wood ladder, rope ladders and a climbing wall.

Easter gathering THE 40th Easter Boaters’ Gathering will take place at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, from April 14-19. The Rolt Centre will host the bar and evening events and a wide range of family activity will be offered at the Island Warehouse.

Entertainment will include Ryan and Paul Downes, folk band Full House, poet Heather Wastie, Kate Saffin and Phil Underwood and there will be a real ale bar throughout the weekend. The event will be the finale of the museum’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Boat share showcase

THE National Boat Share Show over the weekend of April 22-23 is the shop window for the shared ownership sector.

This enables around 2500 families to take canal holidays on their own boat at less than the cost of hiring. The show offers an opportunity to get on board a wide range of shared ownership narrowboats and talk to existing owners and management companies. It is organised by boatshare4u.co.uk, the independent information website, where there is more information about the show. The venue is Braunston Marina and the show opens at 10am each day, closing at 5pm on the Saturday and 4pm on the Sunday. Admission and car parking are free.

Festival setback

THE Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust has been forced to cancel the 2017 Norbury Canal Festival due to take place over the early May bank holiday weekend. This is due to lack of suitable visitor parking despite the team’s efforts to find a solution. Everyone who had already booked, including all boaters and stallholders, has been advised of the situation. An alternative field has been identified for the 2018 event but can’t be used this year due to cropping.

68 HOLIDAYS

BOATING

HO LIDAYS Canal breaks and river cruising in the UK, Ireland and Europe

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

ABC expands its hire base network

Travel back in time on the Bridgewater Canal. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON WITH two new hire bases and three holiday cottages, there are even more options for canal or river-based ‘staycations’ from the ABC Leisure Group for the 2017 season.

Delving into its Boating Holidays and Short Breaks brochure there are all the usual destinations

The mighty Caen Hill Flight can be reached on a short break from Hilperton Marina on the Kennet & Avon Canal. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

throughout the heart of the network, but these have now been extended to 16 starting points all offering a choice of featured routes for seven to 14-plus night holidays or three- and four-night breaks.

ABC Leisure can now offer holidays on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from its new base at Reedley Marina near Burnley, Lancashire.

More suitable for the experienced boater, these include some challenging routes such as Burnley to Bingley and back with 60 locks to negotiate or if you’ve three weeks to spare, the whole North Pennine Ring – 185 miles with four tunnels and 215 locks.

A complete contrast in the East Anglian Fen country, the other new hire base is at March Marina on the Middle Levels close to the Rivers Ouse and Nene. Featured routes include Cambridge and return with 10 locks or Huntingdon and return with 14 locks, which can both be covered on a seven-night cruise.

Another historic city – Ely – is six locks away and can be reached on a short break.

For beginners or those preferring to avoid locks altogether, there are some options. You can enjoy