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Issue 222, April 2024

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NEW BRIDGE INSTALLATION OVER CHESTERFIELD CANAL

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‘MODAL SHIFT’: FREIGHT SUPPORT GRANT

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Salter’s Lode Lock is currently closed to boat traffic. PHOTO: GEOFF JACKSON

Lock closure cuts off boaters’ link to national canal network

BOATLIFE 2024 SHOW REPORT

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By Janet Richardson

BOATERS have been left on the wrong side of access to 130 miles of navigable waterways in the Anglian region due to a failure to remove a build-up of tidal silt.

Navigation authority Middle Level Commissioners is responsible for the

LUXURY BOAT REVIEW: DRAKE

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Fen waterways between Stanground Lock in Peterborough and Salter’s Lode Lock near Downham Market in Norfolk.

One of three major winter projects delivered by the commissioners on this link route has seen around 280 tonnes of tidal silt removed from the main lock pen at Salter’s Lode Lock. But navigation

Fenland drainage THE Well Creek Trust recently held its annual meeting. Guest speakers Paul Burrows and Jonathan Fen of the Middle Level Commissioners outlined the history of the commissioners and how they drain the land and move water out to the Great Ouse and eventually the Wash. The drainage system, first introduced by Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden, is being reinforced and improved with the latest technology, such as the new St Germans pumping station near King’s Lynn.

BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

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STOCK BOATS

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has had to be suspended, effectively closing the Denver crossing, until tidal river silt has been addressed.

The short estuary crossing normally provides access to the rivers Great Ouse, Lark, Little Ouse, Cam and Wissey. But its closure means the only connection between the Great Ouse and the rest

Survey snapshot

IF YOU have read this by Friday, March 29 you’ve still time to take part in the IWA Boaters’ Survey about cruising experiences in 2023, as part of the Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW) campaign. There are opportunities with ‘open text’ questions to report specific issues which impacted your cruising but please keep these concise and include any positive comments. Results of this anonymous survey will provide a snapshot on the condition of our waterways and will be shared with navigation authorities. https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/CyefaTXS

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Boat Safety Scheme THE Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, Broads Authority and Association of Inland Navigation Authorities are announcing governance changes to the Boat Safety Scheme to become a not-for-profit company. It will take on the work of the existing scheme from April with income continuing to fund running costs and safety improvements. Customers won’t see any change to their BSS Certification or licence/registration processes; current certificates will remain valid until their renewal date.

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This closure has been caused by the build-up of silt on the tidal Great Ouse managed by the Environment Agency.

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2 WELCOME/NEWS

April 2024

WELCOME to the April edition of Towpath Talk.

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Lock closure cuts off boaters’ link to national canal network • Continued from page 1

Our lead story this month about the Salter’s Lode Lock closure highlights the impact on boaters, businesses and communities when they are left stranded through no fault of their own. For those following this particular situation, it then begs the question: how widely will this type of disruption be seen elsewhere across the country as time goes on? We will, no doubt, be keeping a close eye on things and continue to report back as situations develop and unfold.

Thankfully, though, it’s not all doom and gloom out there with trade show BoatLife being hailed as a resounding success by organisers and attendees alike. Phil Pickin provides us with his report and pictures of the show (p40) and speculates as to whether the 2025 show will go on to see even more interest than it did this, which, if it does, bodes well for the industry as a whole.

I also had a bit of a ‘wow’ moment while reading this month’s boat review (p41) as we looked at Drake, and asked the question: is this the most luxurious hire boat on the canals? I can’t say whether it is or not, but I can tell you that it got my juices flowing!

It’s an amazing boat in every aspect, and perfectly suited to its external colour of green, as I think plenty of us will certainly be green with envy each time we see it.

Dan

Editor Dan Clare tteditorial@mortons.co.uk Contributing editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Publisher Tim Hartley Group advertising manager Sue Keily Advertising sales team leader Tania Shaw – 01507 529489 tshaw@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Chris Abrams Production editor Pauline Hawkins Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us Customer services 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: MondayFriday 8.30am-5pm help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466/01507 529451 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456. Tel: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd Tel. 01507 523456 Next issue – April 25, 2024

MLC chief executive Paul Burrows stated: “If we open the gate, there is a risk that the silt built up on the tidal side will slump into the lock. This then creates the risk that we may not be able to fully close the gate which is a tidal flood defence for local communities.”

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We would like to clarify that we have been and will continue to progress plans for the clearance of the blockages caused by the build-up of silt in the tidal river at Denver Lock and Salter’s Lode within the scope of our available budget.

“We have been subject to delays across all our navigation works programme as a direct result of the weather and subsequent river conditions. We will continue to work with our delivery partners to resolve the situation as soon as we can.”

Updates will be provided on EA’s navigation notices which can be found at: Visit Anglian Waterways: boating, moorings, navigation notices Fund Britain’s Water ways chairman Les Etheridge said: “This demonstrates the impact of climate change on our inland waterways and how widely inadequate funding by government impacts. The damage done will continue to be seen across the country unless government properly recognises the many benefits our inland waterways provide.

“How much damage will be done before government recognises its responsibilities? Those with an interest in the waterways need to join the FBW campaign to ensure the message is heard.”

Siltation previously being cleared by the Environment Agency.

The current build-up of silt at Salter’s Lode. PHOTO: PAUL BURROWS

are left to count their losses because of the Environment Agency’s inaction.”

Hireboat operator Paula Syred of Fox Narrowboats at March expressed frustration at the lack of communication.

She told us: “We don’t know how long it is going to be shut for, we are emailing contacts and getting nowhere.”

All this comes on top of the impacts from the Covid pandemic and a similar situation last year when silt build-up caused boat groundings and the

wet winter – the wettest ever for our flood protection pumping – but we have been incredibly busy and within this I’m proud that our small team have also managed to deliver three significant pieces of work along the link route.”

These have involved removing a number of sunken vessels just outside March, replacing a set of lock gates at Marmont Priory and the removal of about 280 tonnes of silt from Salter’s Lode Lock pen– about 5ft in depth.

“We are extremely reliant now on the Environment Agency. Silt has built up again – it is a perennial problem – and we want clarity about the agency’s plans.”

He added that he appreciates the tidal siltation had become an increasingly costly challenge to manage.

Sue O’Hare of IWA concluded: “We sympathise with the Middle Level Commissioners’ wish to keep their lock clear of silt and functioning correctly for its dual purposes of navigation and flood protection for local communities, and we sympathise with the Environment Agency at having to deal with more than double the usual monthly rainfall in this area so far this year, but the agency has a legal duty to keep the waterway open for navigation.”

PHOTO: CHRIS HOWES

Impact on boating

IWA deputy national chairman Sue O’Hare commented: “We are appalled that boaters are left stranded through no fault of their own, and that businesses

The guillotine gate at Salter’s Lode Lock. PHOTO: GEOFF JACKSON

Flood defence gates out of action

THE sluice mechanism which helps prevent flooding along the Rivers Wissey and Little Ouse in Norfolk and Suffolk is currently not working to full capacity.

Levels in the relief channel are remaining higher than usual due to reduced discharge into the tidal river at Tail Sluice.

In a recent briefing, the Environment Agency

acknowledged that three of the seven gates which discharge water from the channel into the tidal River Great Ouse have been out of action.

It stated that repairs to two of the gates (two and six) could take months to resolve and EA is investigating locations to install high-volume pumps for contingency purposes.

These are due to be in place in readiness for next winter.

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company had to cancel Easter bookings.

Although there are no hire boats on the wrong side of the closure, a customer who wishes to relocate to the March marina can’t make the move.

“We have had to reschedule workshop jobs and our slipway is fully booked for the whole of April but the boats can’t get here. It makes planning a nightmare. The Great Ouse is also currently in flood and people who have wintered here with us like to start their exploring and would normally head off along the river.”

It will also impact on anyone who has already bought their Anglian Pass allowing free movement on the rivers Cam, Ouse, Nene and Middle Levels.

On the subject of when – and if – the dredging would take place, Paula added she had tried to get answers from the Environment Agency. “Even a best guesstimate would be better than nothing.”

MLC’s Paul Burrows told us he was also waiting for some clarity. “There is an urgency about this – boaters are wanting to go out from our system or come back on to it. We have also just employed a new lock keeper at Salter’s Lode whose livelihood depends on it reopening.

“We have obviously had an extremely

The River Wissey at Whittington. PHOTO: IVAN CANE

Gate five is switched off and works are ongoing to get this back into auto mode.

Les Etheridge, chairman of Fund Britain’s Waterways, said: “It is most concerning that public safety is put at risk with the Environment Agency being unable to repair these important flood defence assets in a timely fashion.

“The need to incur the additional cost of the

contingency pumps simply makes an inadequate funding position worse. Budget cuts increase risks and don’t save money. Not only will additional costs be incurred but the levelling up, economic, environmental, health and well-being benefits provided by the inland waterways will be reduced.

“The FBW campaign to ensure that the waterways

are properly funded by government is more important than ever.”

Normally all gates would be functioning and allowing discharge in flood mode. They are part of the South Level Flood Alleviation Scheme which consists of a series of sluices that intercept the rivers Lark (Barton Mills); Little Ouse (Hockwold) and Wissey (Stoke Ferry).

NEWS 3

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Volunteers needed for Cotswold Canals project

RESTORATION of the ‘Missing Mile’ of the western section of the Stroudwater Navigation has been given the thumbs up by Stroud District Council planners.

Securing planning permission was a critical step in the Cotswold Canals Connected Phase 1B Project plan to restore the Stroudwater Canal linking the Cotswold Canals to the national waterways at Saul Junction.

It is hoped that Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers will be able to start work later this year. This will include excavating 85,000m3 of ground for the new canal channel and boat basin, flood banks and two new locks. The aim is to work from the A38 roundabout going eastwards.

CCT general manager Lisa Mant said: “This is another milestone in the restoration project. Subject to some ‘i’s being dotted and ‘t’s being crossed in the coming weeks, it means we can get

started on this section later this year. We need to recruit more volunteers and get sponsors for plant and equipment.”

Chairman of Cotswold Canals David Hagg added: “The resolve of volunteers never fails and their hard work has meant the community already benefits from eight miles of restored canal.

“We hope this news will inspire them to continue with their efforts in the next stage of restoration to fulfil the ambition to restore the Cotswold Canals.”

The new canal channel from John Robinson (Westfield) Lock at Eastington near Westfield Bridge will connect with the channel already constructed at the A38 roundabout. The scheme covers both sides of the M5 and plans include a towpath with new pedestrian bridge, mooring basin with space for 44 non-residential moorings and a two-storey building including cafe and

canal basin manager’s accommodation.

SDC Environment Committee chairman Coun Chloe Turner said: “This is an important step forward for the restoration of the Stroudwater Navigation and aligns with our council plan objective to submit a planning application for the ‘Missing Mile’.”

Since Stroud District Council and CCT took on leadership of the project in 2008, 7.5km of canal between Stroud and Stonehouse has been restored, transforming the route into a peaceful walking and cycling alternative to the busy adjacent A419, and created a vibrant new water habitat for nature.

Diversion

The route diverts away from the historic route of the canal, as this original route has been built on at the motorway junction, highway depot and A38 roundabout and link road. The new canal channel diverts south from Westfield Bridge before going under

the motorway, sharing the existing River Frome underpass with a dividing wall which will act as a flood barrier.

Key partners in the project include Gloucestershire County Council, Canal & River Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, plus charities including Cotswold Boatmobility. Canal restoration has made access to the water easier for a wider section of the community, and seen the successful staging of talks and events including The Lock Challenge.

The trust is currently scaling up its restoration volunteer teams with the skills, equipment and resources required to deliver this project.

To sign up as a volunteer and get involved visit https://cotswoldcanals. org/volunteer To contribute, contact Lisa Mant: mail@cotswoldcanals.org or call: 01453 752568.Progress can also be followed on Facebook at cotswoldcanalstrust and cotswoldcanalsconnected

All systems go for Gloucester summer season

THE completion of winter dredging between Gloucester Lock and Monks Meadow should enable full opening of the city’s waterways this summer.

After the successful Fund Gloucester’s Waterways boat rally and campaign which attracted nearly 100 boats last autumn, various issues were raised relating to the River Severn, Gloucester Docks and the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal in addition to the national campaign to increase funding for the waterways. FGW’s Colin Brooks said: “We had very useful meetings with CRT’s Gloucester team and in putting the boater’s viewpoint forward on the key issues caused by some of the trust’s plans. The outcome is improvement for all boaters visiting Gloucester this summer.”

CRT has announced that the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal bridges and river locks are to be fully open this summer, seven days a week, from April 1 to October 31, 8am to 6pm.

New management plan could secure short-term future of Basingstoke Canal

The M5 to John Robinson Lock section.

The A38 to M5 section. IMAGES: YOUTUBE – COURT ABOVE THE CUT

A NEW operating model for the Basingstoke Canal has been agreed by Hampshire County Council.

This follows a fall in contributions from some of the riparian authorities that line the canal route.

Under the proposal, the Canal Centre at Mytchett in Surrey and leisure services, such as camping and boat hire, would become the direct responsibility of Surrey County Council from April 2024.

The proposed changes to the management arrangements currently delivered through the Basingstoke Canal Authority were agreed by Coun Russell Oppenheimer at his Decision Day on Monday, March 11.

He said: “Basingstoke

Canal is a well-loved waterway and recreational landmark which is enjoyed by thousands of people every year.

“It also plays a vital role in managing flood risks along its route, while providing important habitats for many species including birds, fish and insects.

“It is a fantastic asset that we are committed to protecting for the future.

“Histor ically the Basingstoke Canal has received funding contributions not only from Hampshire and Surrey County Councils, but also from the local authorities that run adjacent to the canal.”

Coun Oppenheimer explained: “The funding from partners has

now reduced, leading Hampshire and Surrey County Councils, as the landowners of the canal, to consider a new joint operating model that can safeguard delivery of the core statutory functions of the waterway using the resources available.

“Under this new approach, the canal would continue to be maintained and operated for navigation by the Basingstoke Canal Authority, to include the licensing of canoeing and boating activities.”

Visitors to the Canal Centre would notice little change and organisations that would continue to offer licensed boating and other pursuits would not stop under these plans.

Coun Oppenheimer added: “The changes,

if also agreed later this month by Surrey County Council, enable us to balance the budget for the Basingstoke Canal up to 2026/27 at which point the canal’s reserves would be depleted.

“Follow ing years of reductions in local authority funding, there now needs to be a wider conversation about how we continue to finance the canal in the longer term.

“The Basingstoke Canal forms part of the national waterways network, and I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to set out the challenges we face.”

The proposal is due to be reviewed by Surrey County Council’s leader Tim Oliver on March 26.

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April 2024

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Work set to start on new canal bridge

CHESTERFIELD Canal Trust has appointed O’Brien Contractors Ltd to build and install a new bridge over the soon-to-be-restored route of the canal at Staveley, Derbyshire.

This will be the first stage of a £6 million restoration project, the bulk of the money coming from the Staveley Town Deal, a government levelling-up project.

Describing it as a big milestone for the trust, development manager George Rogers said: “Installing this bridge will open up the route for future restoration in multiple ways and I am looking forward to seeing it progress over the summer.”

The new 38-metre-long bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will take the Trans Pennine Trail across the canal to meet the Arkwright Trail.

Later the canal itself will be restored, including a new bridge for farm vehicles and a new lock.

There will also be a freshly landscaped relaxation area including picnic benches and information boards. This will be carefully planted to encourage wildlife.

O’Brien’s will start on site in April and major ground works will begin in May. Director Tony Mitchell said: “The restoration of this historic route will benefit the community for many years to come. We look forward to working with the trust and its team over the course of this exciting project.”

The bridge will be installed in the summer and there will be a formal opening ceremony in September.

Staveley Town Deal Board chairman

Ivan Fomin commented: “The expansion of the canal is an important project for the town deal – it will help make the town a more attractive place to visit and provide residents with new outdoor facilities to explore.

“I look forward to seeing the bridge completed as this will unlock the next stages of this project.”

The trust currently has an appeal to raise £50,000 to go towards the cost of the gates for the new Keith Ayling Lock, named after a former trust chairman. To learn more and to follow the progress of the bridgeworks as they happen visit www.chesterfieldcanal-trust.org.uk

An impression of the new bridge over the Chesterfield Canal route at Staveley. PHOTO: CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST

Landslip closes North Oxford Canal

THE Canal & River Trust had to close a section of the North Oxford Canal near the village of Brinklow in Warwickshire after an 18m-high section of embankment slipped, blocking the canal and the towpath.

This followed a period of intense, heavy rainfall and resulted in a huge amount of soil, debris and large mature trees being deposited into the canal, all requiring specialist removal.

In the latest update Richard Preston, regional operations manager, said: “The slip is very extensive and there is still movement, both on the exposed main slip face and on the isolated sections opposite.”

However the team has made good progress and cleared all the vegetation next to the slip area.

Work has also started on removing some of the slipped material and it is

still hoped to reopen the canal on Monday, April 8 although this could change given the challenges faced.

It is estimated that around 4000 tonnes of material needs to be moved and there has also been another minor slip next to Bridge 84 nearby.

Richard commented: “This damage is one of the very real effects we’re seeing of climate change affecting our canals.

Increasing extremes in weather patterns are bringing considerable challenges to our ageing infrastructure.

“While the effects of storms are dramatic, heavy rain isn't the only climate challenge facing the waterways. Long, dry spells can also be a serious problem, causing earth structures to dry out and increasing their vulnerability to erosion,

The landslip on the Oxford Canal. PHOTO: CRT

especially when followed by intense rainfall when the weather breaks.”

Designed by canal engineer James Brindley, the Oxford Canal was opened in sections between 1774 and 1790, with the purpose of bringing coal from the Coventry coalfields to Oxford and the River Thames. Nowadays the canal, with its meandering contours, is a popular place for leisure, with Hillmorton Locks in Rugby the busiest canal locks in England and Wales.

Boaters, walkers and cyclists can keep up to date with the works progress via the stoppage notices page https://canalrivertrust. org.uk/notices/27385easenhall-cuttingbrinklow-oxford-canal

The restored Montgomery Canal at Crickheath. PHOTO: CRT

More funding for Montgomery Canal THE next phase of restoration of the Montgomery Canal has been secured with more than £250,000 in funding.

A grant of £177,625 has been received by the Canal & River Trust through Shropshire Council from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This has been boosted by an additional £76,250 from the Shropshire Union Canal Society and the Restore the Montgomery Canal! public appeal.

Montgomery Canal Partnership chairman John Dodwell said: “This new grant will help to close the ‘Shropshire Gap’ – the two miles of dried-out canal between Crickheath and the Welsh Border at Llanymynech.

“It complements restoration work being undertaken in Powys under the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

It is very pleasing that the match funding is coming from the voluntary societies in addition to their members being volunteers on the actual work.

I urge the public to keep donating so the volunteers can continue. This is a good example of working together with the Canal & River Trust.”

SUCS chairman David Carter said: “The next section is a technically challenging length of channel, being historically leaky. Additionally, it will be rebuilt incorporating water volefriendly ‘soft banks’.

“Our enthusiastic and experienced volunteers are greatly looking forward to the challenge.”

CRT spokesperson Nicola Lewis-Smith added: “Hundreds of volunteers, with support from the Canal & River Trust, have campaigned and worked tirelessly over many years to make this dream a reality and we’re getting nearer to our goal of having the canal back open.”

Next section

The funding will enable restoration of a further 360m section of the canal from Crickheath towards Schoolhouse Bridge, which was levelled nearly 60 years ago.

This bridge has just been rebuilt with money raised through the Restore the Montgomery Canal!

public appeal, removing the final public highway block and unlocking the potential for full navigation of the canal.

Work to date has ensured that all 35 miles of towpath are accessible, with eight miles of canal in Shropshire made suitable for boating between Crickheath Basin and Frankton Junction where the canal joins the Llangollen Canal.

New raffle

A ‘grand draw’ with cash prizes to support the Restore the Montgomery Canal! Appeal was launched by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal at their recent AGM. Profits will pay for materials and equipment needed by the volunteers who are continuing the restoration.

Chairman Christine Palin told the meeting that it had been a momentous year for the Montgomery Canal and paid tribute to the work of the various groups which contribute both to the restoration and to the upkeep of the canal.

These include the Shropshire Union Canal Society, TRAMPS (the Canal & River Trust maintenance group based in Welshpool), the Wern Nature Reserve Task Force, the Friday Group, Welshpool Canoe Club and Waterway Recovery Group.

Entries are now being taken for the Montgomery Canal Triathlon on Saturday, May 18 showcasing sections of the canal which have been reopened and lengths which still have to be restored. Almost 200 people took part last year.

Other regular activities include guided walks along and around the canal, social meetings and a popular coracle event in Welshpool, all of which are well supported. Friends’ canoes can also be hired from Canal Central, the Maesbury tearoom, for a trip on the canal.

Tickets for the draw can be bought online at https:// themontgomerycanal.org.uk/ donate/raffle-2024/

The Schoolhouse Bridge rebuild. PHOTO: DAVID CARTER

April 2024 NEWS 5

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Dunsfold Park desilting extends navigable canal

THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust has started the year with the completion of desilting work on the Dunsfold section.

This has resulted in a fully navigable unobstructed wide and deep channel for nearly 2km from Fast Bridge in Surrey down to Tickner’s Heath and a canalside path.

Trust volunteers had made huge progress with restoration over many years but were then set back by Covid.

Trust chairman Sally Schupke said: “We are delighted with the work carried out by Dunsfold Park and their support to ensure the canal becomes an important feature and community asset within the Dunsfold Park Masterplan.”

The final stage was taken over by Dunsfold Airport Ltd, which is behind the transformation of Dunsfold Aerodrome (now known as Dunsfold Park) into a new village where 1800 homes and further commercial zones are planned.

Jim McAllister, chief executive of the Rutland Group which manages Dunsfold Park, said: “We’re delighted that the desilting and reprofiling of the

new village and the canal is an important part of that.” Principal contractor for the desilting was civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine which called on Land & Water Group Ltd, which spent much of the year on Dunsfold Airport Ltd’s behalf on this major project, with Environment Agency oversight.

Water cleaning

The summit level clean-up at Compasses Bridge. PHOTOS: WACT banks along the canal has made the waterways more open and accessible.

“Enhancing and building on the natural environment at Dunsfold Park is a key component of our plans for the

All the fish were removed and rehomed.

Many of them were large carp, with which the canal had been stocked by the British Aerospace angling club.

All the canal water in the section was pumped into temporary lagoons built on site. The water was then cleaned by substantial process plant that uses the power of rising air bubbles to remove harmful contaminants and then returned to the canal.

A modern amphibious tracked excavator and a more traditional dragline and bucket were used to take 13,000m3 of silt out of the canal which will be reused as far as possible for landscaping on the development.

During the dredging, the contractors encountered unexploded ordnance from the wartime airfield which required professional disposal.

At the moment the canal is within the secure perimeter of Dunsfold Park and will not be open to the public until the housing development is under way.

However, Dunsfold Park will allow the trust to run special events on this stretch of canal and organise guided walks. It has a slipway within Dunsfold Park to launch small boats.

Tickner’s Heath crossing

Working on the second section with an amphibious long-reach excavator.

At the southern end of this section is Tickner’s Heath, where the route of the canal is blocked by the causeway which carries Dunsfold Road. A new road bridge will be built and a new canal cut excavated to rejoin the original canal to the west of the old crossing.

A new footbridge was built in 2022 but then work had to be put on hold awaiting highway approvals for a temporary road and for a water main to be rerouted.

The trust hopes to restart this project later this year.

Removing silt with a drag box and winch system.

Making a positive impact on people’s lives A REPORT published by the Canal & River Trust focuses on the benefits canals can make to people’s lives.

It was presented to politicians and partner organisations as part of the Keep Canals Alive campaign at a reception held in Westminster to coincide with the spring budget.

Building upon an earlier study that aggregates the social value and economic benefits of canals to society, the Impact Report brings to life the stories and testimonies, partnerships and projects that sit behind the monetary values.

CRT chairman David Orr said: “As a society we are facing a number of challenges – climate change, biodiversity decline, water shortages, inactivity and loneliness, to name just a few. Through our research,

and what we see every day, we know that canals in our towns and cities have the potential to transform communities and help address these societal challenges.

“Our Impact Report is a showcase to current and future supporters – from individual donors and volunteers through to lotteries, corporate sponsors, local authorities and partner organisations.

“It also aims to help government and politicians understand the partnership role of the trust across England and Wales and the importance of keeping our canals alive for the wider benefit of the nation.”

The Impact Report can be found at: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ about-us/our-impact

The report’s six themes

· Health, well-being and happiness: Improving health outcomes and

tackling inequalities.

· Engaged people and cohesive communities: Providing vital ‘blue space’ for nine million+ people living within 10–15 minutes’ walk of a canal. · Learning and enhanced skills: Providing space for outdoor learning, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. · Prosperous and connected places: Contributing to the UK economy through waterways businesses and tourism; supporting waterside living and hosting vital utilities. · Green and blue futures: Flood protection by maintaining embankments and reservoirs; supporting the green economy and water security. · Cultural and environmental assets: Caring for working heritage including 10,000 nationally important assets and 2000 miles of wildlife corridors.

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IWA campaigns to save Welsh aqueduct A MOVE to demolish Aberdulais Aqueduct, which carries the Tennant Canal over the River Neath, has prompted an angry reaction from the Inland Waterways Association.

It has sharply criticised what it calls ‘a lazy proposal’ by Welsh Government quango Natural Resources Wales (NRW) that says it is considering demolishing the scheduled ancient monument.

It described a consultation which closed in late February as ‘quietly issued’.

IWA deputy chairman Sue O’Hare said: “Demolishing one of Wales’s renowned historic structures would be nothing short of bureaucratic vandalism while not achieving the aim of significantly reducing the flood risk.”

It is among five options for spending millions of pounds to reduce the flood risk for 27 properties alongside the river, which have a long history of flooding.

Two of the options, believed to be favoured by NRW, involve complete

or partial demolition of the aqueduct, which would forever frustrate restoration proposals to bring the Neath and Tennant canals back to life as well as impacting the well-being, environmental and heritage benefits provided by the canal.

Sue commented that while IWA has every sympathy for the residents of Canal Side, a great deal of voluntary effort and public money has gone into bringing the Neath Canal back to life for the benefit of the community.

“IWA calls upon the owners of the Neath and Tennant Canals (St Modwen and Port Tennant Canal Company), Neath Port Talbot Council and the government agencies concerned to work together to rescue this precious piece of heritage and amenity for the benefit of future Welsh generations,” she added.

Flood damage

The Aberdulais Aqueduct which carries the Tennant Canal over the River Neath. PHOTO: IWA

The Aberdulais Aqueduct spans the River Neath immediately south of the A465 in Aberdulais. The 104m structure, about two miles north-east of Neath, comprises 10 arches of 66 metres overall length bridging the river and a retained section extending a further 28 metres on the east bank.

However the aqueduct is perceived as an obstruction to the flow of the river, with flooding of the adjacent land and properties having occurred on several occasions.

The properties in Canal Side have a long history of flooding, with damaging events taking place in December 1979 and October 1998.

In recent years, climate change has worsened the situation and floods have become more regular, with damage to the aqueduct.

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eams for 2019 are revealed k’s TTop TTeams T k’s Towpath Talk a s, we bid farewell awn AS A new decade dawn t th to 2019 with the results of our Towpath op Team award which has been Top kT Talk r r. running throughout the year.

With four teams shortlisted for the final with vote it was a veryy close-run contest t volunteers ty the Grantham Canal Society taking the title by a short head.

Such was the support also for from Crusader Community Boating first Blisworth that we are awarding our a rd – something Community Boat awa f the we had alreadyy been planning for r r. coming year. of Commended are the Friends the River Nene and the Waterways Chaplaincy’s Martin and Fiona Buck.

Award presentations to our finalists

r The r. will take place in the new year. off a winning team receives the hire day boat carrying up to 10 people, generously sponsored by ABC Leisure Group Ltd. The runner-up will receive a £100 voucher to spend at Midland four Chandlers at Braunston and all donation finalists will receive a £100 towards their volunteering organisation the from Mortons Media Group Ltd,

alk.

Tal tth T publisher of Towpath Our thanks go to the readers who rose of to the challenge of finding a group aave gone that extra unsung heroes who have f their local stretch off towpath, mile for a association or ays canal or river, waterways a our judging ave community boat – and gave the panel a difficult job of shortlisting four finalists.

• Continued on page 2

found on a boat moored Ouse bodies t achievemen f nd 100-dayCommunity of two men were fou probe Action Network (UCAN) THE bodies Boats gunshot were called UPPERMILL Y k city centre. Emergency services after starting in Yor investigating damage to narrowboats POLICE are Officers were after gunshots were fired in Cambridge. a December 5, at around 10.15pm, ay, called on Thursday, f m shots fro after nearbyy residents reported hearing near boats on the what was believed to be an air rifle the window of one River Cam. Photographs off holes in a since been published. One resident ave of the boats have Chesterton the told reporters thatt shots, coming from moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats five about for on Field, Fen Ditton, and this went no injuries were minutes. Cambridgeshire Police said reported and enquiries were continuing.

achieved its 100-day volunteering milestone 2300 hours of out in 2015. This included more than who, according voluntary work achieved by local people to, crafting to UCAN, “care about, and are committed environment”. and maintaining our beautiful local and for the positive Thanks were given to all supporters, work parties will feedback from the community. The next 8 and 20. The usual be on January 4 and 23, and February on Moorgate meeting point is 10am at the canal bridge Killan on 01457 Street but this can change. Contact Peter 878361 or peterkillan@hotmail.com

at around 8pm to Lendal Bridge on the River Ouse said officers on December 4. North Yorkshire Police f two men for attended “after concerns were raised with their touch in their 60s who had been out of bodies. Fire .” Upon arrival officers found the family.”

The deaths and ambulance services both attended. although did were being treated as ‘unexplained’ a post-mortem not appear to be suspicious and The men had not examination was due to take place. alk went to press.

Tal tth T been identified when Towpath

11/12/2019 10:17:16

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A structural inspection report commissioned by IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group in December 2021 showed that urgent works were required to prevent further damage but nothing has been done so far.

The aqueduct lies about 80 metres south of the confluence between the River Dulais and the River Neath, close to a weir from which water is abstracted to supply the Tennant Canal.

This has failed and IWA claims that Natural Resources Wales has proved unco-operative in approving its repair, leading to the Tennant Canal being

nearly dry in recent years, with damage to the environment and loss of wildlife from the canal.

Aberdulais Aqueduct historically formed a navigable link between the Tennant and Neath Canals and was constructed to also cross over an old 1750s navigable cut on the eastern side of the river.

Construction of the aqueduct began in 1823, and it was formally opened in May 1824.

Swimming lessons launched for Nottingham black women THE Canal & River Trust has launched an initiative to help members of the black community in Nottingham feel more confident around water.

Funding has been secured from Sport England to launch the Swim Sista Swim programme, which will give local black women the opportunity to learn how to swim.

CRT community well-being co-ordinator Carol Burrell said: “The aim of this project is to act as a stepping stone and help women from Nottingham’s black community to feel safer and more confident around water so that they can really enjoy their local waterways and the benefits that being by water brings.”

Swimming sessions will take place at the Portland Leisure Centre in the Meadows and there will also be

workshops to understand the barriers that prevent people from swimming and taking part in water-based activities.

One known barrier is around haircare and so, as part of the programme, the trust is teaming up with Soul Cap to offer free swimming caps to those taking part.

Over time it’s hoped that those taking part will gain the confidence to spend more time by water and even try other water-based activities such as canoeing and paddleboarding.

To find out more about the programme, and to take part, contact carol.burrell@ canalrivertrust.org.uk

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NEWS 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Canal society toasts Facebook milestone with 1000th member

An aerial view of the work on the sliding bridge where the railway crosses the Stainforth & Keadby Canal. PHOTO: NETWORK RAIL

Upgrade for sliding canal bridge ENGINEERS from Network Rail recently completed nine days working on the UK’s only sliding canal bridge at Keadby.

Teams worked around the clock to strengthen one of the Stainforth & Keadby Canal’s walls and remove rails and track equipment that had been in place for many years, to install new replacements.

Scheme project manager Sean Ellerby said: “The last nine days have seen an incredible amount of hard work from our teams as they carried out a large-scale programme of improvements to the sliding bridge, railway and canal wall in Keadby.”

Before a 24.5 tonne pre-cast concrete slab was installed on the north wall, engineers had to drain part of the canal near Scunthorpe using a limpet dam. This structure on the side of the wall created a watertight seal, meaning teams could carry out these repairs in a safe and dry environment.

On the bridge’s deck, wooden beams which had old rails on top of them have been replaced with metal supports and 200m of new rails were installed. More than 100 engineers worked on the project.

The original bridge dates to the 1860s, before being converted into a sliding bridge in 1925. It connects Doncaster with Scunthorpe and the Lincolnshire coast and is one of the busiest routes for freight trains in the UK.

THE Shropshire Union Canal Society has welcomed the thousandth member of its public group on Facebook.

Brian Mills was invited to visit the current restoration site on the Montgomery Canal near Crickheath Bridge and accept some Navigation Ale as volunteers were working on closing the Shropshire Gap. He said: “I’m obviously thrilled and feel lucky that I happened to be the one to join the group, just at the right moment. I took my young children to an open day at Ellesmere Canal Yard and was fascinated by the history of the canal and the restoration work that’s going on in the area.

“I decided to learn more about the waterways and restoration, so came upon the Facebook group.”

Brian added: “Although I grew up in Oswestry, I knew little about the canal and it’s been great to visit the site, meet the volunteers and learn about the past and their plans.”

legacy element to it and the Canal & River Trust offered members of SUCS a six-week course on developing a communication group that would address all current forms of digital media as well as traditional print outlets.

The result is that the society now has a presence across the internet and all media.

Another outcome is Navigation Ale, a beer brewed by Monty’s Brewery, near Montgomery.

A member of the publicity group approached the brewery, and the firm was keen to support the project by brewing this tasty ale which helps to raise awareness of the canal and provides an income from every pint sold.

Go to www.shropshireunion.org or Shropshire Union Canal Society – Public group on Facebook and get involved.

From canal to dot-com mania

Building on the Montgomery Canal began in the ‘canal mania’ of the 1790s and soon became a busy thoroughfare for goods, while 200 years later the internet was developed in the ‘dot-com mania’ of the 1990s and that also developed into a busy thoroughfare for ideas, information and pictures of kittens.

Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) realised it must allow itself to be dragged into the 21st century and at the beginning of last year the opportunity arose.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant, which had made the restoration to Crickheath Basin possible, had a

SUCS chairman David Carter presents some Navigation Ale to Brian Mills in the canal channel with volunteers looking on.

PHOTO: SUCS

Eleven exhibits stolen from National Waterways Museum THE Canal & River Trust is exploring ways to make its collections safer after 11 exhibits were stolen from the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.

Following a police investigation into the theft which happened sometime between February 9 and 12, lines of enquiry into identifying a suspect or locating the items proved negative and the crime has been filed as undetected.

The exhibits were taken from the Island Warehouse where many smaller objects from the collection are displayed. This was temporarily closed while a security review was completed.

Items stolen include a model of Comberbatch, used by ICI to transport chemicals in the Mersey/ Weaver area along with several small model engines and three large Tilley lamps.

“Holding 90% of the UK’s inland waterways collection, including some 15,000 objects and more than 50 boats, the National Waterways Museum is much-loved and tells a unique story,” said CRT collections manager Steve Bagley.

“We recently carried out a significant exercise cataloguing our collection, so we were able to identify quickly which items were missing.”

If you have any information about the theft, please speak to the police.

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8 NEWS

April 2024

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Black Country event appeals for help ORGANISERS of the popular Black Country Boating Festival are appealing for participants and volunteers to help out.

The annual event is being held this year over the long weekend of September 13-15 at Netherton.

Co-organiser Ross Harrison, 31, outlined the challenges of running such a large event: “This will be our 38th festival at Windmill End, or Bumblehole, as it’s known locally. It has grown steadily over a period of time, and our team has grown with it up to a point.

“But inevitably some of our staff have either moved away or retired, and so they have to be replaced for us to remain viable as an organisation.”

He explained: “We have various roles to fill, from basic marshalling duties, to bar staff, and then there’s the running of the sound stage.

“Inadvertently it has become the largest outdoor music event of its kind in the Dudley area. It really has snowballed quite quickly.

“As always we are also expecting dozens of narrowboats to turn up, plus a number of floating traders.”

Andy Tidy of Aldridge, along with wife Helen, has been attending the event for several years. They dispense their own brand of jams and preserves from within their narrowboat Montgomery, also known as The Jam Butty.

He said: “The Black Country Boating Festival has always been one of our favourite gatherings.

“Sadly this will be one of our last events on our current boat, as we’re getting a larger one in the near future.

But we’d wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who was thinking about attending, as it’s so friendly.

It’s buzzing over the entire weekend.”

The choice of site for the festival is not accidental. It lies at the southwestern fringe of the 100-mile Birmingham Canal Navigations network and features one of the best known and extremely rare waterway crossroads in the UK.

A previous Black Country Boating Festival.

Canal enthusiast, writer and local historian, Phil Clayton of Wolverhampton, explained: “Windmill End Junction was created along with canal improvements in 1858 and the construction of the 3027yd Netherton Tunnel to bypass the increasingly congested Dudley Tunnel at Wren’s Nest.

“The original line of the Dudley No 2 Canal was bisected, creating a four-way intersection, all of which remains navigable today.”

He added: “Other examples are few and far between, but include Rotton Park Junction near Edgbaston Reservoir and the meeting of the River Trent, Erewash Canal and River Soar in Nottinghamshire, but that’s vast and somewhat staggered.”

Interested in helping out? An online application form can be found at www.bcbf.com/ or via the Facebook page Black Country Boating Festival.

Helen and Andy Tidy – Wildside Preserves.

Windmill End Junction. PHOTOS: © KEV MASLIN

Rob Dickinson and Fred Barrett with the blueprint for the improved block delivery platform. PHOTOS: SUCS

Getting set for lining and blocking

DELIVERY of building blocks and various liner materials will signal the start of work on the next section of the Montgomery Canal south of Crickheath Tramway.

The second Shropshire Union Canal Society work party of the year saw a variety of activities including channel profiling and hedge laying in readiness for the resumption of work on Phase 1B of the restoration scheme.

Between 50 and 60 deliveries of the blocks were expected and the liners require a large flat area for measuring out and cutting to length.

Space needed creating in the compound and bespoke equipment for a smooth and efficient block handling operation.

The society’s oldest volunteer, Fred Barrett, stepped up to the task.

With saw and screwdriver in hand, and ably assisted by

Rob Dickinson, Fred constructed a new and improved block delivery platform, fit for the future.

Volunteers applied a strong binding of hazel along the top of the 83 metres of cut and laid hedge completed since December and a few more hedging whips will be inserted next month where the hedge remains thin. The work party achieved significant progress, said project manager Tom Fulda.

Applying a binding of hazel along the top of the hedge.

Birmingham moorings trial prompts boater stay time changes

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across the city centre and take effect from Monday, April 1.

Tom Freeland, boating and customer services manager, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to our consultation and trial.

All the feedback was reviewed and, where possible, improvements made.

“We believe these new stay times will make the best use of the limited space available and will allow everyone the chance to experience the wonderful city of Birmingham.”

The new standardised mooring stay times have been shaped with feedback from individual boaters, boating groups

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AFTER a successful six-month trial, the Canal & River Trust is implementing changes to the mooring stay times along the canals in Birmingham city centre.

The new times, which were put out to consultation and trialled between July and December 2023, will standardise the stay times at popular mooring spots

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An attractive mooring spot in Birmingham city centre. PHOTO: CRT

and local boating businesses. They will give local and visiting boaters improved access to facilities, shops and restaurants in the city centre.

Tom added: “We’ll keep an

Changes from April 1

eye on visitor numbers and on all customer feedback throughout the year before reviewing the success of the new mooring arrangements early next year.”

· Visitor moorings in central zone will be standardised as four-day moorings from April 1 to October 31 and 14-day moorings from November 1 to March 31 · The visitor moorings north-west of Sheepcote Street on the New Mainline Canal and south-west of Granville Street on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal standardised to 14 days all year round · ‘Accessible mooring’ spaces will be signed in three locations: between Cambrian House and Tindall Bridge; south of Worcester Bar; and alongside the International Convention Centre · The pontoons at Cambrian Basin all designated as long-term moorings · The ‘service mooring’ alongside the Canal House in Gas Street Basin will be formalised. This will enable improved access to the bin store for private boaters and the trust’s litter boat · The ‘service mooring’ between the Roundhouse Birmingham and Sheepcote Street will be formalised. It will be available for boaters using the facilities at Sherborne Wharf and by Roundhouse Birmingham to facilitate events For further details visit https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/ where-we-work/west-midlands/birmingham-city-centre-visitor-moorings

CHARACTER/NEWS 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Characters of the Cut Family finds freedom on the waterways

The team at River Canal Rescue helps to get you ready for the first cruise of the season with some useful tips and advice…

By Alice Elgie

FOR Michelle Rocke-Wharin and her family, living an itinerant lifestyle is nothing new, having spent 13 years wandering the length and breadth of the United Kingdom by van, working seasonally as campsite wardens. However, despite enjoying the freedom of this rolling lifestyle, there was often a craving for more stability, yet still with the option to wander – a craving Michelle felt could be satisfied by narrowboat life.

She tells me: “For years I would walk along the Shroppie near Goldstone Wharf as my in-laws lived nearby and I’d get this intense longing to live on a narrowboat, but I knew we couldn’t afford one.” Everything changed several years ago when Michelle’s mum died and with the unexpected money left to her, she knew there was an opportunity to finally live that dream.

In January 2023 Michelle and her family, which includes husband, Colin, 17-year-old daughter, Flo, and — until he died recently — Patch the travelling cat, moved on to their narrowboat Sundance, a 45ft 1991 cruiser stern. Michelle says: “Now we have much more space and a greater feeling of stability, but we can also pootle off as the fancy takes us! Plus I can still feel the same closeness to nature as in a van, like feeling the changes outside, even by just a few degrees.”

It seems Michelle’s daughter has the same appreciation.

“Flo has never been to school and instead we’ve followed an unschooling path where she learns what she is interested in. She knows trees and flowers and is the one among her friends who will rescue an insect while everyone else is squealing!” Michelle believes this closeness to nature is important if humans are to stay connected and feels boat life affords this in spades.

WITH an early Easter this year, you may have already cranked up your engine and undertaken the first cruise of the season. If that’s the case – how prepared were you for that initial journey?

And if you’ve yet to head off, how often have you

checked on your boat during the downtime? Are you confident you’re ready for the off?

Liveaboards excluded, it’s surprising how many people return to their boats to find flat batteries, fuel leaks, water leaks and electrical problems.

While RCR is always on hand to support the waterway community, many callouts can be prevented by undertaking some simple maintenance checks prior to your journey, having some toolbox essentials on board and knowing what to do if an issue arises.

Maintenance tips Michelle and Colin aboard Sundance.

Describing herself as a pagan with a deep love of Mother Earth and all her life forms, Michelle follows the wheel of the year, immersing herself in the passing of the seasons and phases of the moon.

“Everything is cyclical and interconnected,” she tells me, and never is that connection felt more keenly than when the family are moored on the Llangollen and Montgomery canals. “We bought Sundance in Ellesmere and stayed there for a few months before heading south to find somewhere closer to Birmingham but we struggled with being unable to just moor up where we fancied on the Shroppie due to the shelf, and on the Staffs and Worcs we felt too hemmed in.” Living in the constant shadow of the hedgerow and not being able to see the moon was hard for Michelle: “After five months we felt compelled to return to the open spaces of the Llangollen

Flo steers the boat.

where we love the skyscapes and being able to see the moon as she waxes and wanes.”

This sounds fairly in line with Michelle’s initial idealistic views about what life afloat might be like, which were centred around peace and a simple way of life, although the family hadn’t perhaps taken into account a teen’s need for good Wi-Fi along with easy access to Birmingham to join her K-Pop cover dance group every weekend, not to mention Patch the cat’s desire for moorings away from dogs and cyclists!

Michelle admits though that “these all seem like very small challenges when the pay-off is feeling free and finding a balance between winter moorings and cruising has generally solved most issues.”

Cruising is a part of boating life enjoyed by all the family, especially since Michelle faced her fears of steering the boat.

“When we decided to head back to the Llangollen Canal, Colin was working full time so I knew it was down to me. I’d only had a couple of goes at steering the boat as it terrified me, but I was determined to show Flo that despite being scared we can do anything.” It turns out Michelle and Flo worked well as a team and despite a few mishaps, they made it back to Ellesmere in one piece. “We got stuck on the Shroppie shelf, I scraped off a lot of the new blacking trying to go through locks sideways because of the by-washes, and we got very, very wet, but we did it. Flo was amazing and I’m not scared any more!”

They are now looking forward to spring, despite being without their faithful travelling companion, Patch.

“He died last month and we are all bereft. There’s a hole in our tight little family, but we know his spirit lives on along the towpath.”

Instagram: @Off_for_a_ pootle_nbsundance

On the move.

Before you make that journey

Alice Elgie is a writer and also creator of the online community Slow Into The Seasons, along with a podcast of the same name. In these spaces she muses about living a slower, simpler life: slowintotheseasons. substack.com; Slow Into The Seasons on Spotify

• Check you have enough fuel to complete your journey and inspect all fuel lines and shut-off valves for leaks.

• Where possible obtain a sample of your fuel, check there is no debris floating in it, it smells like diesel and is clear and not cloudy. If it’s cloudy or smells of ‘paint thinners’ this indicates contamination which needs to be dealt with before going anywhere.

• Drain off any water from pre-filter housings or the agglomerator.

• Check batteries are charging correctly and that the charge rate from the alternator to the batteries is as it should be.

• Check the morse control is working correctly and the throttle and gears are selecting smoothly.

Stiffness indicates the cable may be due for renewal or has rusted due to disuse.

• Switch isolators from one position to another to clean contacts. Give them a spray with WD40 contact cleaner.

• Check the condition of the stern gland, ensure there’s plenty of grease supplied to it and that the propshaft is turning freely.

• Check the engine oil and gearbox oil levels and top up if needs be.

• Check the condition of the fan belt − if it’s worn get it replaced.

• Check all coolant hoses for leaks and wear and tear. Replace if required. For raw watercooling engines, check the seacock, impeller and filter and all pipe work for leaks.

• Check the condition of the engine mounts, and look at the engine mount bracket for signs of cracks or breaks. If they are worn replace them or if the bolts seem loose, tighten before cruising again (but only adjust the bottom bolt).

• Check all coupling bolts and connections are tight.

• Check the air filter and if dirty, replace or clean as needed.

• Check the weed hatch seal is intact and that the weed hatch is secured.

Callouts can be prevented by undertaking simple maintenance checks prior to your journey.

Tool box essentials

The following are useful to have on board: • A multi-meter (battery tester) • PTFE tape (for dealing with unexpected domestic leaks) • Adjustable spanners • A flat head and multifaceted Philips screwdriver • Pliers • A hammer • Spare lengths of electrical wire/insulation tape • A socket set And don’t forget the spares, such as: morse cables for steering, throttle and gear selection, fan belt, impeller, spark plugs, fuel filter, bulbs, bolts and fuses, plus a supply of oil and ‘stop leak’ or putty for those unexpected hull breaches.

How prepared are you for the initial journey of the season?

Before you make that emergency call

Below are some common scenarios which may resolve the problem: • If you’re losing propulsion and the propeller is slow-moving, put the engine in reverse.

The prop may be fouled with bags or weeds.

• If the engine cuts out when in gear, check the propeller for obstruction.

• If the engine cuts out when revved, check the air filter − it may be blocked with dust (you can remove and run without it in an emergency). Alternatively check for blocked fuel filters (Vetus has a small fuel pump filter that is usually overlooked).

• Is the engine overheating? It could be an air lock in the cooling system. Resolve it by unscrewing the bolt sitting on top of the water tank − this will release the air.

• If the boat won’t go into gear, check the cable is moving the selector arm on the gearbox, if it is then the cable is fine. Check the oil in the gearbox.

• Engine won’t turn off?

Know where the manual stop button or lever is situated, usually on the right-hand side of the engine.

More info: www. rivercanalrescue.co.uk

10 IWA ROUND-UP

April 2024

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH IWA’S AMY TILLSON

Busy task party on the Northampton Arm

Northampton branch members at their task party on Sunday, March 3.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

NORTHAMPTON branch held a task party on Sunday, March 3 with 21 volunteers attending on a bright winter’s day. Lock 16 bypass channel was cleared of vegetation, while the towpath and offside grass were mowed.

The removal of reeds and litter resulted in about 10 bags of rubbish being picked up. Additionally, three shopping trolleys and other assorted items of rubbish were cleared from the area.

At Bridge 17, 10 bags of rubbish and two more shopping trolleys were collected. At Lock 17, litter was picked up to the step area adjacent to Bridge 17, vegetation and rubbish were removed from the top gate area and the bypass channel was cleared.

Fly tipping in Bridgwater as prevalent as ever

MIKE Slade, of IWA’s West Country branch, said his group recently came across an ‘astonishing’ incident of fly-tipping along the canal at the rear of Lakeside Caravan Park.

He has urged locals who come across fly-tipping in the area to report it to Somerset Council’s Clean Surroundings division.

Mike explained: “The full extent of the quantity of items dumped was astonishing. We bagged up that rubbish, took it out into the car park, put it by the dog bin, and advised Clean Surroundings to pick it up.”

Branch volunteers have spent 30,000 hours maintaining the canal and docks over the past 10 years,

and say fly-tipping in Bridgwater is just as prevalent as ever. Discarded items along the canal can be of immense danger to the public.

Mike continued: “There’s lots of bits and pieces that we’re picking up, where if someone dumps it under a canal bridge, and another comes along on a cycle or when it’s dark, it’s potentially a danger. A discarded jumper can easily incapacitate the engine of a boat.” Bizarre items the group has found along the canal in Bridgwater include a single bed, and a double bed, along with a TV box, which were blocking most of the path, and on another occasion 10 empty four-litre milk bottles.

Lichfield branch tackles towpath vegetation VOLUNTEERS from the IWA Lichfield branch recently joined forces with their Canal & River Trust counterparts in Stoke-on-Trent to tackle heavily overgrown saplings on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Weston in Staffordshire.

Growing on the towpath side at the water’s edge, many of the saplings were more than two metres high and with stems around 10cm thick.

IWA Lichfield’s Neil Barnett commented:

“Thankfully we had the use of a pole-chainsaw which I’m qualified to use when I do the offside vegetation cutting, otherwise it would have taken much longer using only handsaws and pruners.”

The Canal & River Trust is in the process of introducing an initiative called a ‘weedathon’, whereby volunteers all over the country will be encouraged to cut down any tall weeds and saplings which are growing at the water’s

edge. Taking this action before the weeds grow too large will help to alleviate damage to the embankment and assist boaters navigating the waterways.

Neil continued: “The majority of saplings strewn along our canals are small enough to be easily dealt with using basic loppers or pruners, so it’s important to deal with the problem as soon as possible before many more become fully fledged trees.”

Fly-tipping along the canal is still prevalent and can cause danger to the public, say campaigners. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Work parties

Above: Saplings due to be tackled by the Lichfield branch of the IWA along with CRT Stoke members. PHOTO: NEIL BARNETT

Northampton branch volunteering dates: April 7 and 16 Work parties are usually held one weekday and one Sunday a month, along the Northampton Arm. The tasks usually include vegetation clearance, weeding, litter picking and painting at locks.

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FEATURE 11

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PART OF MIDDLEWICH CANAL CENTRE

Piecing together the past: Diana and Paul Monahan with the jigsaw gift Paul had created for Diana of their narrowboat Madeley.

PHOTO: SALLY CLIFFORD

Diana on board Madeley in the completed jigsaw.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Piecing together the past Sally Clifford chats to Paul and Diana Monahan, whose interest in canals and historic narrowboats led to a love of life on the water.

IT IS no ordinary jigsaw; when Diana Monahan opened the thoughtful gift given to her by her husband, Paul, she realised the Ravensburger puzzle was created especially for her. For there, on the box cover, was a photo of her aboard their narrowboat, Madeley. Sitting patiently, she wasn’t just completing a jigsaw, but piecing together the past.

The Monahans’ narrowboating travels have taken them the length and breadth of most of Britain’s canal network, although, chatting to me in their comfortable stone cottage in the creative community of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, there are still parts they intend to travel in retirement. “We have been just about everywhere at least once. I still like the Thames,” says Berkshire-born Paul, whose enjoyment of canoeing on London’s iconic river as a young boy led to a life lived largely near water.

Diana and Paul travelled all over the Midlands while running their business Argo Canal Services, delivering coal and diesel on their 72ft long narrowboat Tadworth. Built

by Yarwoods of Northwich in 1937, Tadworth had previously worked for The Grand Union Canal Carrying Company, British Waterways and Ashby Canal Carriers.

“It worked mostly London to the Midlands,” says Paul.

According to the National Historic Ships UK register, Tadworth has a very rare original riveted back cabin.

“There are very few left with the original steel cabin,” says Paul.

Paired with Tadworth was the couple’s butty boat, Argo. Built

by Harland & Wolff of Woolwich in 1935, Argo, also registered with National Historic Ships UK, was a Star Class butty.

inside a big city,” says Diana.

They eventually sold the working boats and business and returned to Yorkshire, settling in Hebden Bridge in 1992.

Recalling their introduction to boating life, they credit their first narrowboat holiday after they married. An arrangement to borrow hire boats for weekends from a local boatyard during quiet periods led to them purchasing Monty, a 36ft Teddesley, the first of what became a small family fleet.

“We kept it on the Leeds and Liverpool canal as we were living in Yeadon at the time,” says Diana.

An advertisement for a couple to crew the famous President steam narrowboat introduced Diana and Paul to their greatest adventures.

“They were looking for couples with boating experience to take some narrowboat trips firstly to the IWA Rally at Northwich in 1979,” says Diana.

“We applied, of course, very quickly and did several trips with President,” adds Paul.

Built in 1909 in Fellows, Morton & Clayton’s company dock at Saltley, Birmingham, the cargo vessel, featuring a distinctive ‘josher’ hull, became a floating museum during its time with The President Steamer Company. It was bought by the Black Country Living Museum in 1983 and is on the National Historic Ships UK register.

Home sweet home

Madeley, an ex-horseboat, is their mainstay and remains moored in the Midlands ready for their future travels.

According to Paul, it was one of only two boats known to

have been built by Harris of Netherton for Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd. Its past included working as a maintenance boat, but Paul recalls they came by it when it was in pieces awaiting restoration at Malcolm Braine’s boatyard in Norton Canes.

While Madeley required much work to restore it, the boat was ideal for the couple, who had been seeking a shorter boat for the Leeds and Liverpool canal where they were moored at that time. They lived in Leeds after meeting at the city’s university. “All the steelwork and engine installation was done for us, but we fitted out the cabin,” says Paul.

Owning and working with historic boats developed their wider interest in the canal network and its rich history as an early route for transportation. Diana, who grew up near Goole, volunteers with the Upper Calder Valley Towpath Taskforce and Paul previously served on the National Council of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA).

They are both members of the Historic Narrowboat Club where has Paul served as chairman. “Many people we know have been boating for longer and have carried more loads, but we were fortunate to learn how to run a pair of boats properly from these friends and from some of the last of the boating families,” says Paul.

Retirement has opened up a new chapter in their boating life, and they intend to make the most of it. “For me, it’s the ability to see different places through the back door,” says Paul. “You are not going in as a tripper or a tourist, you get a totally different viewpoint.”

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Trading from Gas Street Basin, Birmingham, where they lived on their boat, Madeley, Paul recalls they often carried diverse cargoes, even including beer and boating-guide writers!

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12 FAMILY HISTORY

April 2024

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Exploring your canal ancestry: the ‘idle women’ In the latest in her family history series, Nicola Lisle delves into the story of the ‘idle women’ and looks at where to find records.

WAS your ancestor one of the ‘idle women’? This extraordinary group of women, most of whom had little or no boating experience, helped to keep vital supplies moving along Britain’s canals and rivers during the Second World War, bravely stepping into the shoes of the menfolk who were away fighting.

They came from a variety of backgrounds – one of the best-known of the ‘idle women’, Eily Gayford (1903-91), was a dance teacher and later a lecturer for the Dental Board before the war, while others were mostly students, teachers, actors and factory workers. Initially, they were resented by the traditional boating community, who quickly coined the nickname ‘idle women’, taken from Eily Gayford (left) teaches the initials ‘IW’, for Inland Waterways, Miranda Pigott how to splice on the women’s badges. Over the course a rope. PHOTO: CC-IWM. of the war, though, these women were far from idle.

Daphne March at the tiller of Heather Bell, heading along the canals of the industrial Midlands.

It was Molly Traill PHOTO: CC-IWM. who pioneered the idea For more on the history of the ‘idle women’, there are a number of recruiting women The initial response Carrying Company emphasised that was encouraging; ‘only women of robust constitution of films available to view online to cover the shortage free of charge, including: around a hundred and good health should enter this of manpower on the • Ministry of Information film women signed up employment’. water ways.

Early Not surprisingly, only a handful of looking at the use of canals during for the three-month in 1941, she and a the war, screened in factories to friend, Daphne March, training, which women managed to tough it out to the inspire workers. converted their pleasure included learning end of the war. At its peak, the scheme craft, Heather Bell, • British Pathé film, Beauty and to operate a pair of had around 30 pairs of boats, each into a working boat, the Barge, following the journey cargo-carrying boats crewed by three women, but by the end – one 72ft motor and a of the war, this had dwindled to just six of three women along the Grand carrying cargoes of butty – as well as basic women. This included Eily Gayford and Union Canal during wartime. mainly flour and coal boat maintenance and Sonia South, who was later to marry IWA • British Movietone film, on the Worcester and loading/unloading pioneer Tom Rolt.

Another Job for Women, about Birmingham Canal The Amateur Boatwomen cargoes. The demands women who were taking over and the River Severn. of the work proved too Finding out more men’s jobs on the canals.

Needing a third hand, by Eily Gayford. PHOTO: much for some of the For anyone with ‘idle women’ ancestry, • Margaret Cornish talking they invited Eily NICOLA LISLE. Gayford to join them. women, and around a good starting point is the London about her life, including her Soon after, Molly approached the half dropped out before the end of Metropolitan University’s TUC Library, experiences as one of the idle which holds records of the Boatwomen women during the war.

Ministry of Transport with an idea for their training. setting up a scheme to recruit and train But if the training was tough, life on Training Scheme from 1942-45, together Plaque in Birmingham • Interview with Sonia Rolt in commemorating all those who women to work the canal boats. The the boats was even more so. Three- with copies of correspondence.

2011, talking about her wartime experiences as a boatwoman. idea was approved, and the Women’s week trips, working 20-hour days and The archive of the Canal and River worked on the canals during both Training Scheme was officially launched handling 50-ton cargoes while living in Trust (www.canalrivertrust.org.uk) has world wars. PHOTO: NICOLA LISLE. in February 1942 by the Grand Union cramped conditions with little in the photographs, cuttings, correspondence Canal Carrying Company, with Molly way of creature comforts was a real test and other documents, including letters Traill and Eily Gayford as trainers. of both physical and mental fortitude. from Buckingham Palace to Eily Gayford Several of the ‘idle women’ wrote about their experiences after the war, and The scheme later extended to the Small wonder that the official letter to about her MBE, which she was awarded these are available at the Canal Book Shop (www.canalbookshop.co.uk): Leeds and Liverpool Canal. recruits from the Grand Union Canal in 1945 for her services to the war effort.

• Margaret Cornish – Memoirs of a Canal Boatwoman • Eily Gayford –The Amateur Boatwomen Below: Possessions of Eily • Nancy Ridgway – Memories of a Wartime Canal Boatwoman Gayford on display at the National • Emma Smith – Maidens’ Trip Waterways Museum, Gloucester: • Susan Woolfitt – Idle Women PHOTO: NICOLA LISLE.

Two canal boats travel the Grand Union Canal with a cargo of coal, bound for London. The second of the two (the ‘butty’) is towed behind and being steered by Valerie Gribbis, the boatman’s daughter.

PHOTO: CC-IWM.

13

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14 FREIGHT

April 2024

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Modal shift or modal rift?

Jonathan Mosse’s monthly look at freight developments on the inland waterways.

Right now, rail enjoys a total monopoly of the grant, which is almost entirely down to the (large) size of the operators involved. In a recent consultation, launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) who ‘own’ the scheme, a consistent theme to emerge from those engaging with it is that an application is very challenging in terms of both time and manpower as, unlike the railway companies, most waterway carriers sit in the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) business category.

John Spencer, director of GPS Marine, operating on the Thames and Medway, goes so far as to say: “The application process is daunting and I feel that many business owners opt to spend their time and money elsewhere, rather than on this type of complex and difficult application process that may or may not provide any benefits to their business.”

He goes on to point out: “Due to the

I CAN quite understand why regular readers could be growing somewhat tired of my rehearsing the arguments, at every opportunity, for carrying more freight on the UK’s inland waterways.

So, it might just come as something of a surprise to discover that there is (in theory at least) a mechanism in place that could go a very long way to making this happen.

This takes the form of the Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) grant aimed at encouraging freight movement away from roads on to more environmentally sound forms of transport, namely rail and waterways.

This load of sea-dredged sand, passing through Knottingley on the River Aire, takes 25 lorries off the nearby M62.

complexity of the application process, and the fact that the grant will deliver no commercial benefit to those whose freight is to be moved, I consider it unlikely that anybody other than freight operators are likely to invest the time or money required to apply for the grant.

“In my experience, we have never been able to persuade any potential client to move away from road transport unless we have been able to demonstrate an overall cost saving of about 10% as a minimum. Therefore, if MSRS only brings the cost of water freight (or any other sustainable alternative to road transport) down to a level where it is the same as road transport, shippers are unlikely to risk changing their established mode of transport.”

Moving to a comparison between road and water transport, John goes on to observe: “When considering the impact of freight carrying vehicles, their total harm should be considered.

Electric freight vehicles still produce brake dust and cause road wear and damage. Building and repairing roads is carbon intensive and road repairs cause disruption, inconvenience and increased costs for all road users.

“A further harm is congestion caused

by HGVs and traffic congestion which will not be cured by electric vehicles.

Another impact to be considered is road traffic accidents involving HGVs, and their associated injuries and deaths.

Because electric vehicles are heavier than fossil fuel-powered vehicles by about one-third, their payloads are less and, therefore, significantly more electric HGVs (i.e. about 35%) will be needed to carry the same amount of freight. All the harms highlighted above

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Six hundred tonnes progress effortlessly through central London, with a fraction of the emissions of the 30 lorries otherwise required. will be increased by a similar percentage.

“It is conceivable that MSRS could be used to fund sustainable onward lastmile transport of freight carried by water or rail to and from wharf or rail terminals to producers and end users. Such sustainable modes of onward transport are electric distribution vehicles, cargo bikes and exoskeleton deliveries.

“This additional cost often scuppers attempts to bring about a modal shift, and revenue support for sustainable final-mile distribution would probably bring about more modal shift to water and rail, and help to reduce the harms flowing from current distribution models.”

In conclusion, John points out: “It would be enormously beneficial if the Government were to act upon at least some of the 27 reports it has

commissioned (in the past couple of decades) whose conclusions are that water freight is sustainable and desirable and should be encouraged.

“Similarly, it might be useful for the Government to listen and take note of the thoughts of water freight operators about how to increase water freight in the UK, rather than rely on our words as interpreted by consultants that have no understanding or experience of our industry.”

His frustration becomes palpable when he signs off his input into the consultation with a bold statement, citing some pretty compelling statistics: “GPS Marine transports 1-1.4m tonnes of freight on the Thames annually which, when supporting major projects, can double to 3m tonnes … but nobody listens when we speak.”

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16 BRAUNSTON

April 2024

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Goodbye Tranquil Rose Words and photos by Tim Coghlan

I RECEIVED a call last mid-July from James Scowen, whom I had no recollection of previously meeting. He asked if, on August 3, I would allow him to hold what he called ‘Tranquil Rose’s 50th birthday bash’ at Braunston Marina. With James having recently turned 70 and his hotel widebeam boat, which he endearingly called ‘TR’, now 50, it would be in effect a double celebration. But the party would also be a double farewell. James would be retiring in little more than a month’s time, having owned and worked TR for just over 13 years since 2020, quite an undertaking to take that on at 57. With his retirement, TR would be put up for sale on the River Wey, its home mooring, where he would complete his final voyage. Sadly James had been unsuccessful in finding anyone to buy and take on TR as a hotel boat. With its spacious accommodation, it would now probably live on as a liveaboard.

I offered James the quayside mooring in the far corner of what we call the ‘Old Arm’ – the remnant of the original line of the Oxford Canal. I told him this was an appropriate mooring. Cars could park almost next to it and, for the touch of living history, it had been used in the 1950s/early 1960s by Michael and Pat Streat as their base for their pair of hotel

The elegant canoe stern of the Tranquil Rose, designed by boat builder John Pinder with his fine tumble-home to the rear cabin. As only crew were permitted on the stern deck, the rather bland stern design of today’s widebeams was not required.

James Scowen (left) with David Atkinson – who had previously crewed on the Tranquil Rose (TR) – seen at the TR reunion at Braunston Marina in August 2023. James’ ageing rock star looks hide a hotel boat operator of outstanding ability in all fields, which allowed him to survive 13 years as owner/operator. narrowboats, the Nancy and Nelson. Behind it, the workshop and store they built to service the boats still exist. The Nancy and Nelson are commonly regarded as the first properly fully fitted hotel-narrowboats on the canals.

The Streats had achieved this in 1953 by acquiring and converting

two former wooden working narrowboats of that name. They worked on the project evenings and weekends on the canal bankside at Leighton Buzzard, coming up from London to do so. The finished boats were then moved to what is today Braunston Marina, to have that

mooring to use as their base. So it was an appropriate mooring for this historic occasion.

Previous operators

James told me he would be inviting all known-surviving operators of the TR, which has had six owners since it was built

by John Pinder at his then yard at Burton upon Trent in 1973.

Of the first two operators, one was untraceable and appeared to be deceased, and the other unable to come. But representatives of the remaining three were all able to attend, and of course James would be there as host.

Best of all, TR’s now nearlegendary boat-builder John Pinder, now aged 82, would be coming.

Guest were invited to arrive at 11am, and per James’ email to them: “Fingers crossed the weather is kind to us, and we could take a trundle on TR for a couple of hours and return for a pie and a pint (or something similar).”

I was invited to come and

The spacious saloon looking back towards the bar area. say hello towards the end, but I slightly mis-timed this. I arrived a bit late and, as I arrived, I saw Christine and Andy Newman leaving, now both retired from their long and varied lives on the waterways, he after finally running his Willow Wren narrowboat training, and she for two seasons in the mid-1990s running her restaurant narrowboat Rachel out of Braunston Marina. Also leaving with them was Mike Partridge, who still operates his day tripper boat Charlie from Stoke Bruerne.

And they were shortly followed

by Steve Furness, who now runs the revived Weedon hire fleet. I had little more than a quick hello with all of them.

The one person not in a hurry to leave, and seated with a nearly

full pint of beer, was the boat builder John Pinder. He was very happy to talk to me, and I too to him, once I also had a pint in my hands. John’s working life began in his mid-teens working in his father’s garage in south-west Birmingham. Nearby was the Worcester & Birmingham canal, where some carrying trade still continued, which caught John’s eye. He had learnt welding and panel beating to repair the rust-bucket cars of the time, and it was one step to joining the new world of narrowboat building. After working for other narrowboat builders, he built his first narrowboat in 1969 under the name of his new business –Hopwood Craft Ltd. He then went on to open a branch on the canal at Burton upon Trent.

The saloon with dining table, looking to the bow all-weathers sitting area.

BRAUNSTON 17

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

No moaning at the bar! James Scowen as ‘mine host’ with a fine display of micro-brewery beers.

This was on the broad Trent and Mersey Canal, below the first narrow lock, so newly built widebeam boats could cruise away down to the River Trent and beyond.

Because of this, John was approached in 1973 by David and June Tebbett to build a 70ft by 12ft 6in hotel boat to cruise the northern waterways. It was to be the first purpose-built widebeam hotel boat ever made. John had to design and build it from scratch, in which he and his small team did everything, including the elegant joinery which with pride, John pointed out still survives.

The boat could accommodate

eight guests in six cabins, three of which had WCs, and a week’s cruise cost £51 per person. The price of the boat to the Tebbetts was £15,000, a sum which in those days could buy a house.

Elegance

I was fascinated by the boat’s elegant canoe stern and associated with it the tumblehome shaping of the stern cabin.

John said this was not a copy of any existing widebeam craft, such as had worked the likes of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which I thought it was. His inspiration came from the old working butties, especially the joshers

The Braunston-based wooden hotel narrowboats Nancy (motor) and butty Nelson back in 1956 moored outside what is today Braunston Marina. The boats look in great shape after their conversion by Michael and Pat Streat, but time was against them, and the Nancy’s hull was crushed beyond repair in the great freeze of 19 962-63. PHOTO: DAVID COOPER/TIM COGHLAN COLLECTION

Right: Precious Cargo – Robin Smithett’s defining history of the inland waterways hotel boats from 2000, which he updated in 2010, shortly before he died. PHOTO: ROBIN SMITHETT ESTATE

of Fellows, Morton & Clayton, which were of course all narrowboats.

As the stern end was intended for a working crew only, John did not need to replicate the wide, rather inelegant cruiser sterns of today’s widebeam boats.

The Tebbetts were typical of the enterprising canal pioneers of the time. The

Elder statesman of the canals: John Pinder in the side hatch of TR, which he built in 1973.

business was called the Trent Valley Cruising Hotel. With its striking bright red and green livery, in 1977 the boat made the front cover of the relatively new maggazine, Waterwayys World.

The TR cruised

The TR on the Thames for its 40th birthday, passing through Shiplake Lock and making the front page of Towpath Talk’s September 2023 edition.

to o Leicester, Foxton, Liincoln and Boston an nd it is claimed that th he TR was the first ho otel boat of any sort to visit York. To add sp pice to the cruises, the Tebbetts also used a Daimler limousine to transport guests on n day outings from Bu urton upon Trent, where the boat became based, to the bulbfields around Boston and to the Peak District.

In 1982 the boat was sold to Mick and Cynthia Hall, who continued cruising the northern waterways. Then in 1987, it was bought by the Newmans. It was craned out in N ottingham, and moved by lorry to Stoke Bruerne, where itt was launched in the car park halfway up th he flight. The name T R remained, but th he operator name changed to Thames Valley Cruising Hotel.

Itt then had various changes in owners, operators and liveries until it was acquired

by James in 2010. He later changed the o perator name to Hotel Boat Holidays, and the livery to its present light design.

With 13 years of ownership, James was at the helm of TR for longer than any of the other previo ous owner/operators.

James cruised all of the southern wide canal, including the occasional foray up the Grand Union to the historic town of Warwick, which was a popular

destination for his guests. Sadly in 2016 the modern concrete Bridge 24 moved its foundations, thereby narrowing the canal to about 12ft, and despite the best efforts of the CRT, it has now proved irreparable, and is now inaccessible to boats of 12ft beam and above.

James’ retirement and selling TR has meant a great loss to his many loyal customers, who came year after year. Some were elderly, having retired from active narrowboating themselves, and wanted to continue enjoying the waterways. Today there are only two widebeam hotel boats still operating on the wide waterways, and only a handful of single narrowboats and just one pair of narrowboats still operating on the canals. As James commented: “Once in years gone by, there were hundreds of them.”

The late Robin Smithett recorded all the known hotel boats as best he could in the appendix to his definitive book Precious Cargo. It was first published in 2000 and updated in 2010, shortly before his untimely death. The short entry below that of Tranquil Rose, for ‘Severn Voyager,’ summaries the tale, indeed fate, of many of the hotel boats, for which there were once high hopes: “An ex-Severn barge operated in the mid 1970s

by Bob Hardiment. She cruised on the River Severn and was subsequently converted to a floating tea room in Worcester.

She is now abandoned at Gloucester.”

In their time, all these hotel boats and their operators were in their different ways ‘precious cargoes’ – including James and his TR – both of which were ‘of some service’ to the inland waterways.

18 WHAT’S ON

April 2024

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A chance to see Stafford canal artefacts

An Easter bunny taking a trip on the Chesterfield Canal on board John Varley II.

Easter bunnies on the Cut

IT WILL be bunnies, eggs and hot cross buns galore on the Chesterfield Canal this Easter when the Chesterfield Canal Trust will run a host of cruises on three different boats.

Every child will receive an Easter egg; adults will receive a drink and a hot cross bun.

All tickets cost £9. Booking is essential, just search for Chesterfield Canal Trust and follow the links.

Madeline and John Varley will be running hourly cruises from Hollingwood Hub (S43 2PF) on Saturday, March 30 and Monday, April 1 from 10.30am. The trust has found twin Easter bunnies, one for each boat, to accompany the happy passengers.

On Sunday, March 31, John Varley will be running hourly cruises from the hub, this time

starting at 10am.

Please note that John Varley will be running from Hollingwood Hub, not its usual home of Tapton Lock, because of low water levels at Tapton. This will provide the rare spectacle

One of the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Easter bunnies. PHOTOS: CHESTERFIELD

CANAL TRUST

of two boats operating on the same stretch of canal in Derbyshire.

On Sunday, March 31 and Monday, April 1 there will be cruises on Hugh Henshall from the Lock Keeper pub in Worksop (S80 1TJ) accompanied by yet another Easter bunny from the warren.

Should you fancy a quiet, bunny-free cruise, you could book to have a cruise on Seth Ellis on Sunday, March 31.

There will be two-hour cruises at 10.30am and 2pm, priced at £14 or £10 for under 16s, or a 40-minute cruise at 1pm costing £4.50 or £3. These run from the Chequers Inn at Ranby (DN22 8HT).

Again, to book, go to the Chesterfield Canal Trust website at www.chesterfieldcanal-trust.org.uk

National Trailboat Festival comes to Moira THE annual canal festival at Moira is hosting the Inland Waterways National Trailboat Festival this year over the weekend of May 18-19.

It takes place on the banks of the Ashby Canal, looked over by the impressive Grade II- listed Moira Furnace.

Last year was washed out, but the previous

festival was the most successful yet, so the organisers have high hopes for this year.

There will be a wide variety of attractions.

As well as boats, there

Moira Canal Boats on the restored canal at the ITTEE COMM AL FESTIV L CANA Festival. PHOTOS: MOIRA

will be the Military Wives Choir, Hey Beatles tribute band, trad jazz and a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast. Also children's entertainment, Morris dancing, classic cars, bar, refreshments, stalls and exhibits – and of course Mother Duck and the annual Ashby Canal Duck Race!

The restored Ashby Canal here is currently isolated from the network, but there are long-term plans to connect from the terminus at Snarestone to Measham and Moira.

For further information contact moiracanalfestival@ outlook.com

ARTEFACTS unearthed during canal restoration work have gone on display in Staffordshire.

Organised by the Stafford Riverway Link (SRL) the exhibition showcases the items recovered by volunteers while clearing and excavating the site of the Stafford Branch Canal at Baswich.

The display will be on show at Stone Library from Monday, March 25 until Saturday, April 27.

Many of the items can be attributed to the former inhabitants of the Lock House and others may have been discarded when the navigation was open. The display also gives some information about the lock keepers and their wives and asks members of the public looking at the exhibition whether they are related to these folk.

The waterway, also known as the River Sow Navigation,

Further information about the Stafford Riverway Link is to be found on their website: www.staffordriverway-link.co.uk

The Stafford Riverway Link display. PHOTO: DAVID JONES/SRL

WHAT’S ON IN APRIL

If you want your event listed in our free monthly What’s On section email your entry to editorial@towpathtalk. co.uk or use the events form at www.towpathtalk.co.uk/events Please check with organisers whether the event is going ahead before setting out on your journey.

March 30-April 1 Chesterfield Canal Trust: Easter trips from

Hollingwood Hub, Worksop and Ranby, for details visit www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk

March 31-April 1 Leawood Pumphouse: Open day from noon

to 4.30pm. In steam – the pump will be fully operational. Entrance free but donations are encouraged, especially in view of the current cost of coal. High Peak Trail, Whatstandwell, Matlock DE4 5HN, access is as per High Peak Junction.

Until April 7 Maria Harryman: Life is not still – Florigeum

exhibition of lino prints, paintings and quilts inspired by the wild plants and changing seasons on the Kennet & Avon Canal. West Berkshire Museum, Gallery 5, Newbury RG14 5AS. Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am-4pm.

Admission free.

Until April 27 Stafford Riverway Link: Display of artefacts

unearthed by SRL volunteers from the canal at Baswich. Stone Library, Market Square, Stone ST15 8AT,

April 7 IWA Towpath Walks Society: Regent’s Canal:

King’s Cross – Hitchcock’s Hackney. Meet King’s Cross by taxi queue sign next to Pret a Manger at 2.30pm. Nominal charge £15; concessions, students and accompanied children 16 and over £10; 8-15 £5; under-8s free. Prior booking recommended, contact London Walks: 0207 624 3978 or emaillondon@walks.com April 9 IWA Northampton Branch: Three Men on

the BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigations) with Tom Stewart, with Paul and Kevin Cousins, 7.30pm. The meetings are held in the upstairs conference room at The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne, NN12 7SB. All are welcome, not just IWA members. There is a car park, and refreshments are available. A £2 donation towards expenses would be appreciated.

April 10 Leawood Pumphouse: Open day from noon

to 4.30pm. Static. Entrance free but donations are encouraged, especially in view of the current cost of coal. High Peak Trail, Whatstandwell, Matlock DE4 5HN, access is as per High Peak Junction.

April 12 North Staffordshire & South Cheshire IWA:

The abandoned Ashby Canal at Moira Furnace in the 1950s.

was in use from 1816 until the 1920s, and the Lock House was occupied until 1956. The group that was to become the SRL was founded in 1997 and aims to restore the 1½ mile navigation into Stafford.

The Birmingham Canal Navigations with Phil

Clayton. Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club, Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 9DU, 7.45 for 8pm start. Non-IWA members welcome; admission free (donations to waterway causes welcome), refreshments available. Contact socialsec.nssc@waterways. org.uk April 15 Friends of the Cromford Canal: AGM followed

by Progress at Beggarlee and the Future by honorary engineer Chris Broome. Ironville Church Hall, Casson Street NG16 5NN, car parking at rear, 7.30pm. Admission £2.50, tea, coffee, bar and raffle. Non-members always welcome.

April 17 Pocklington Canal Amenity Society: AGM

followed by digital update on the PCAS project to restore the section of canal between the Bielby Arm to Coates Lock. Melbourne Village Hall YO42 4QJ, 7.30pm.

April 19 IWA Lichfield Branch: Steam narrowboat

President, illustrated talk by Nick Haynes, Friends of President. Darwin Hall, Heathcot Place, Lichfield WS13 6RQ, 7.15 for 7.30pm. waterways.org.uk/lichfield

April 20-21 Roving Canal Traders Association: Floating

market at Willington.

April 21 Grantham Canal Society: Spring Craft Fair at

Woolsthorpe Depot (behind Dirty Duck pub) NG32 1NY, 10am-3pm. Crafts, games, cakes and boat trips. www.granthamcanal.org April 22 Friends of Cromford Canal: The Birdswood

Story by founder member Mike Kelley. Gothic Warehouse on Cromford Wharf starting at 7pm.

Admission £5 including refreshments. Seating is limited and booking can be made at www. cromfordcanal.org April 27-28 Roving Canal Traders Association: Floating

market at Marsworth.

Advance notice Etruria Industrial Museum: The 2024 Etruria

Canals Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2 at Stoke-on-Trent will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the reopening of the Caldon Canal to navigation. For further information visit www.etruriamuseum.org.uk or @ EtruriaMuseum on Facebook and X.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

19

20 MARINAS & MOORINGS

April 2024

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Rates Frozen Until

Marina Extension Opening This Spring!

March 2025

Spaces are filling up fast in the widely anticipated Roydon Marina Extension. Contact us to secure your berth today!

Scan to see our mooring rates, frozen until March 2025.

MOORINGS

GAS & COAL

CHANDLERY

FUEL

PUMP OUT

LAUNDRY

WC

CAFÉ BAR

Proudly part of the Lakeland Leisure family

Roydon Marina Open Day

8th June 2024

Floating market, food vendors, live music!

Register here for updates.

01279 792777 | marina@roydonmarinavillage.co.uk roydonmarinavillage.co.uk | Roydon, Essex CM19 5EJ lakelandleisuregroup.com

MARINAS & MOORINGS 21

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

New chandlery and MC order point

A marina that offers you a choice

A family owned marina set in rural Worcestershire, but minutes away from the M5, gives all boaters great travel opportunities.

The 238 berth marina is located on the Droitwich Canals, ideally situated for great cruising albeit for a short break or long holidays. It is within easy walking distance of the Spa Town of Droitwich.

• Award winnin ng • Family run • Based on the River Nene in Earls Barton

TPIF

• Diesel and pump out • Flexible mooringss • Fabulous award winning Boathousse Café • CCC camp site

Wh hy not come and see for yourself

www.whitemillsmarina.co.uk t: 01604 812057 e: info@whitemillsmarina.co.uk

White Mills Marina, 344, Grendon Road, Earls Barton, Northants NN6 0RB

CCC – New booking system now live on our website

This marina offers you ■ Security for you and your boat ■ Full length jetties, in a non flood environment ■ First class facilities, including luxury shower block and launderette ■ Shop and Chandlery

■ Elsan, Pumpout, Diesel, Water ■ Boat Blacking options available ■ Hardstanding, Service Area, and Cranage Pad facilities ■ Calor Gas Stockist ■ Caravan Motorhome CL site

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

www.droitwichspamarina.co.uk Tel: 07970 626807 or 01905 317250 For Boat Sales please visit our website

Droitwich Spa Marina Ltd Hanbury Road, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 7DU info@droitwichspamarina.co.uk Tel: 01905 317250 Mobile: 07970 626807 www.droitwichspamarina.co.uk

Blisworth Arm NN7 3FG www.blisworthmarina.co.uk info@blisworthmarina.co.uk 01604 879827

22 MARINAS & MOORINGS

April 2024

FRADLEY MARINA

07941 167 087

Private, tranquil moorings nestled in the Staffordshire countryside just a stone’s throw from historic Fradley Junction on the popular Trent and Mersey Canal.

• 60 full length moorings • Water and 16amp electric • Modern shower block • Car Parking • Electric Gates • Workshop & Slipway • Elsan • CCTV • Laundry • Fuel • Nationwide Boat Sales brokerage Our workshop and slipway is taking bookings for blacking • painting • servicing • surveys • repairs • new boat fit out • interior remodelling • furniture & cabinet making To contact the workshop please call Fradley Narrowboats on 07542 824262 or email fradleyboats@gmail.com

www.fradleymarina.co.uk |

fradleymarina | 07941 167 087

Set in beautiful countryside at the junction of the River Severn & the River Avon in Gloucestershire. Flood protected moorings, water and electric at berths, fuel, pump-out, and staff on hand 7 days a week. Gantry crane and work area for blacking.

MOORINGS AND BOAT SALES For viewings and information please call 01684 293737 or email: sales@tewkesbury-marina.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

KNOWLE MOORINGS BAKERS LANE, SOLIHULL

OFF-LINE 20 BOAT MOORINGS NOW OPEN.

GRAND UNION CANAL, BETWEEN BRIDGES 68 & 69 ALONGSIDE ‘THE BLACK BOY’ PUB & RESTAURANT WATER & ELECTRIC PER BERTH, OPEN ALL YEAR, VERY PICTURESQUE & TRANQUIL SETTING, SAFE & SECURE, COMPETITIVE RATES (60ft - £220pm)

TELEPHONE 07813 156950

WWW.TEWKESBURY-MARINA.CO.UK Follow Us

Sherborne Street, Birmingham B16 8DE 0121 455 6163 / 0121 454 5367 www.sherbornewharf.co.uk or email@sherbornewharf.co.uk

Our boat yard facilities are located canal side, on the main line outside the Distillery

Moorings in the heart of the city Mooring in the centre of Birmingham City

We are in a unique position on the Birmingham Canal Navigations and have berths available close to the city centre serving all types of boaters for overnight, short term and long term moorings.

 QUIET AND SECURE MOORINGS  BOAT REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

 GAS, DIESEL AND PUMP OUT

Boat engine service £225.00 Single day empty and refill £250.00 V bottom boat extra charge (at the time of booking you must inform us if your Boat is V-Bottom £100.00 Extra days in the dock if already booked in for blacking or service will be charged at £75 per day Blacking consists of jet washing the hull of the boat down and making sure area is clean and dry, should we find anything of concern we will contact you to inform you. We can offer various blacking products please call us and speak to us.

Anodes are £160 per pair and fitting/welding is £60.00 per pair if purchased from us.

All other works are charged at £60.00 per hour

Blacking is charged per foot length of the boat 40 FEET 45 FEET 50 FEET 55 FEET 60 FEET 65 FEET 70 FEET 75 FEET

£600 £675 £750 £825 £900 £975 £1,050 £1,125

CONTACT US ON 0121 455 6163 FOR ANY ENQUIRES

MARINAS & MOORINGS 23

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

www.goolemarina.co.uk Email: info@goolemarina.co.uk Tel: 01405 763985 Goole Marina, The Timber Pond, Dutch Riverside, Goole, DN14 5TB

Services: Facilities:

•Water/ Electricity •Bottled Calor Gas supplier •Pump out •Laundry room •Heated toilets, Shower room with under floor heating •Licensed bar with outside seating area •Postal address for live aboards •Chandlery •Diesel

Goole Marina is located in a basin connecting to the Aire and Calder Canal and close to the commercial port of Goole in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The marina provides an ideal base for cruising the waterways of Yorkshire as well as giving easy access to the Humber Estuary and the North Sea. We have a marina basin to accommodate 150 boats of various lengths & widths.

We can accommodate all types of craft from Cruisers to Narrowboat and Barges.

All types of moorings, garden moorings to floating pontoons, which can be accessed 24hrs a day.

•Dry Dock •Slipway •Welding •Blacking •Shot Blasting •Engine Servicing •Solar Panel •LPG Gas Safe work •Joinery Services •New Boats •Boat Brokerage •Electrical Work •Painting

Our new Marina Café, Coffee Dock, is now open to the public.

Open Monday – Saturday 9am until 3pm.

Everyone welcome!

LI

AI

Y ED IT IT L M ABI L

AV

2 BE DR OOM S | 2 BAT HR OOMS 775 SQ F T

H OMES AVAI LABLE FROM

£290,000

RESIDENTIAL FLOATING HOMES FOR SALE Nestled alongside the mighty River Severn and just a stone’s throw away from the enchanting market town of Upton-upon-Severn, Waterfront Living is a pioneering project that sets the standard for floating homes. Offering two-bedroom luxury homes with spacious decking and modern interiors, you can continue life afloat with more space to live, relax and entertain.

We would love to show you around, so get in touch today to arrange a viewing and see what life on water could be like.

UPTON LAKE, EAST WATERSIDE, UPTON-UPON-SEVERN, WR8 0PB www.waterfront-living.com | info@waterfront-living.com | 01933 829 940

24 MARINAS & MOORINGS

April 2024

HAREFIELD MA HAREFIELD MARINA ARINA

Bridge 180, Grand Union Canal, Harefield UB9 6PD Tel: 01895 822036 muskmarine@hotmail.com www.harefieldmarina.co.uk

Facilities include:- Chandlery - Pump out - Slipway - Boat sales/ (up to 65ft) brokerage - Covered wet dock - Engine inboard/ - Water and electric outboard repairs points - gas and coal - Diesel

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

SHAKESPEARE MARINA • 250 berths located on river Avon • 10 mins walk from Stratford-upon-Avon • Rise and Fall pontoons • Waters & elec hook ups to each berth • Free wi-fi • Laundry • Showers • Fuel sales • Pump out • Lakeland Leisure boat brokerage T: 07714 095005 E: shakespeare@land-water.co.uk

200 secure, non residential rural moorings in secluded countryside setting 5 mins from M25/M40.

One days cruising from the Thames.

CAEN HILL MARINA • 248 berths located on Kennet & Avon canal

Forest Bank

• Near to Devizes Wiltshire

Moorings

New flood-safe moorings on the River Avon in the Heart of England Forest For more information contact Mark on 07500 700718 or mark.waterson@heartofenglandforest.org heartofenglandforest.org/moorings Welford Road, Barton, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire B50 4NP

T: 01380 827062 E: caenhill@land-water.co.uk

NORTHWICH QUAY • 50 berths located on river Weaver • Centre of Northwich, Cheshire T: 07967 461038 E: northwich@land-water.co.uk

HARTFORD MARINA

THE PERFECT HIDEAWAY

SET WITHIN THE PEACE & TRANQUILLITY OF HUNTINGDONSHIRE

HARTFO RD MARI NA Take a moment to soak in the peace and tranquillity of the Huntingdonshire countryside and experience all that Hartford Marina has to offer. A gateway to the River Great Ouse, the marina is perfectly placed for cruising one of Britain’s lesser discovered waterways, and is ideal for exploring nearby towns and cities. With premium facilities and capacity for all types of boats, from widebeams and narrowboats to day boats and cruisers, Hartford Marina has something for every boater.

BE RT HS FOR ALL CR AF T AVAILABLE TO RE SE RVE TODAY!

ANNUAL & VISITOR MOORINGS

SLIPWAY AND CRANING FACILITIES

NEW AND USED BOAT SALES

FLOOD PROTECTED MOORINGS

DAY BOAT HIRE & WATERSPORTS

MODERN SHOWER FACILITIES

FAMILY RESTAURANT

PET FRIENDLY

FUEL & PUMPOUT FACILITIES

240V POWER TO EACH BERTH

FREE WIFI

FRESH WATER TO EACH BERTH

BOATS FOR SALE AT HART FO RD M AR IN A

BOAT B RO KER AG E Tingdene Boat Sales helps boaters at every step of their boating journey. Whether looking to buy or sell a craft, our wide brokerage network, both online and at our UK inland marinas, is yours to utilise.

So, if you are in the market for an upgrade or have a boat you wish to sell on or close to the River Great Ouse, contact Hartford Marina and see how we can help you.

COLECRAFT NARROWBOAT • 1998 • £64,950

NARROWBOAT 50’ • 2007 • £58,000

www.t i n gde neboat ing.com • 01480 454677 • hartford b oatsales@tingde ne.net • hartford mar in a@ tin gd e n e .n et

MARINAS & MOORINGS 25

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Whixall Marina

Whixall Marina

Hill Farm Marina

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

MOOR Whixall Marina

STAY Whixall Marina

• Enjoy private access to a traditional 200 acre beef and sheep farm • Dogs run free in designated areas.

• Watch the changing seasons, the wildlife and the animals on the farm • Enjoy the complete peace, freedom and tranquillity of being in the countryside • Access some great lock free cruising for day trips, weekend or longer voyages • Easy access to the motorway network • Onsite laundry, Hairdressers and Dog Grooming

It goes without saying....

www.whixallmarina.co.uk

EAT

CRUISE

• A secure place to moor your boat, and park your car • Luxurious showers, communal areas, pump out and fuel etc.

• Free unlimited WIFI • Electricity and water connections • Extra wide pontoons available

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

Northampton Marina The ideal location for exploring East Anglia’s Waterways

Call us on 01604 604344 or 07867 580129 to arrange a visit or to make an enquiry.

Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday & Sunday 10am to 4pm www.visitanglianwaterways.org www.northamptonmarina.co.uk Find us on Facebook: Northampton Marina

Nestled alongside Becket’s Park, Northampton Marina has a secluded, countryside feel whilst being within easy walking distance of the train station and town centre with its many shops, bars, restaurants and theatres.

Located at the junction of the River Nene and the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal, it is ideally placed for exploring both Anglian Waterways and the wider canal network.

Offering boaters a friendly stay with access to a great choice of cruising routes.

Our award-winning facilities building is open to all marina customers, including washrooms, laundry, pump-out and Elsan disposal point. All of our berths have access to water and electricity. Our landscaped grounds provide a relaxing recreation area with BBQs and picnic tables.

We offer permanent, visitor and winter moorings.

You can also purchase your Anglian Waterways boat licences and navigation keys from our full time Site Officer.

Why not make Northampton Marina the base for your next boating adventure?

26 MARINAS & MOORINGS

April 2024

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Discover Our Idyllic Retreat & Enjoy Summer With an abundance of wildlife, peace, tranquillity and our experienced team on hand, you can relax and enjoy your own little piece of heaven.

Secure your berth on the Llangollen Canal, the most beautiful canal in the country!

Call 01270 524571 or email sales@swanleybridgemarina.com Swanley Bridge Marina, Springe Lane, Swanley, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8NR - www.swanleybridgemarina.com

Fenny Marina Finding peace away from home

www.thefennymarina.co.uk

office@thefennymarina.co.uk | Fenny Marina Ltd Station Fields Southam CV47 2XD

Tel 01295 770461 ✔ Wi-Fi ✔ Electric & Water ✔ Shower & Toilet ✔ Totally Secure ✔ CCTV ✔ Elsan & 24-hr Pump-out ✔ Diesel, Gas, Coal, Logs, & Kindling ✔ Rural Location ✔ Rubbish & Recycling ✔ Courtesy Lighting ✔ Chandlery ✔ 15 Min drive from M40

MARINAS & MOORINGS / PRODUCTS & SERVICES 27

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Braunston Boats Ltd

ON BOAT HAVEN OTHERT

In line (stern end to staging) 55 ft min.

Lay by Berths up to 45 ft (stern to bank

Facilities include:

Annual fee £31.50 per foot plus 20% VAT Monthly fee £2.93 per foot plus 20% VAT

Moorings, Slipway Hull Blacking & Maintenance Workshop, Brokerage Gas / Diesel / Coal / Pumpout Engine Repairs & Servicing

Bankside/Staging berths (at least2/3 alongside bank of staging).

Annual fee £35.00 per foot plus 20% VAT Monthly fee £ 3.24 per foot plus 20% VAT Casual Moorings £10 per night or £60 per week plus 20% VAT irrespective of length.

Car parking £3 per night or £18 per week For barges (any vessel wider than 7ft) Multiply standard price by 1.9

Opening Hours:

CLEANING’S A PLEASURE WITH MIRACLE LEISURE!

Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm Saturday 10am - 1pm Closed Sunday

Mobile: 07581 459309

Email: info@othertonboathaven.co.uk Otherton Boat Haven Ltd, Otherton, Penkridge, Stafford ST19 5NX

braunstonboats@hotmail.co.uk @ 07954071778 Bottom Lock, Dark a Lane, 1 7HJ Braunston NN11

Maximum casual mooring 2 weeks.

LADDER-MATE

COMBINATION RESCUE LADDER/GANGPLANK

Have you fallen into the water and struggled to get out?

Most accidents happen in or around locks.

Getting out of the water is hard with wet heavy clothes.

The bank sides are high and no hand holds to get out.

This versatile lightweight (LADDER-MATE) stores securely on your roof with the free ladder lock supplied. £125 + £30 p&p to any location on UK mainland or free collection (Please call us)

A FULL RANGE OF CLEANING PRODUCTS

Brass-mate (Brass polish) Miracle Wax Polish (Boat polish) Wash’n’Wax (Shampoo) Miracle Brass Brite (Tarnish Remover) Weather-Mate Gel (Brass Protection) Port Hole Mask (Magnetic)

Cotton Stockinette (Cleaning Cloths) Canopy Klean Bilge & Hull Cleaner Full range of Tiller Pins

BROLLY-MATE

Hands-free attachment that slides over the tiller bar.

This is an attachment that slides over the tiller bar when it is raining and you can pop the brolly in the top of the tube secured by a thumb screw.

Choice of sizes.

from

Over 100 tillerpins in stock visit www.tillerpins.co.uk www.miracleleisureproducts.co.uk e: sales@miracleleisureproducts.co.uk Telephone: 01902 686569 or Dawn 07909 086868

£25 + p&p

PROP-MATE Keeps your weedhatch clear

Half cleaned mushroom

£22 + p&p

At the heart of the Shropshire Union

TTouring ouring Park park

Holiday LWagons odges Glamping

Long and short term moorings

www.overwatermarina.co.uk

Coole Lane, Audlem, Cheshire, CW5 8AY telephone 01270 812677

fully serviced moorings engineering workshop cafe

28 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

FULLY SERVICED CRUISING AND RESIDENTIAL MOORINGS AND FULL BOATYARD SERVICES • Iver (Slough Arm) and Northolt (Paddington arm) • Secure sites with private parking • Delivery of gas, solid fuel and diesel direct to your boat • Electricity, water, elsan and pump out • Showers and laundry • Chandlery • Mechanical, electrical, and carpentry work undertaken • Craning, grit blasting and blacking • Two part epoxy hull treatment • Fuel polishing service

sales@high-line.co.uk 01753 651496 www.high-line.co.uk THE BOATYARD MANSION LANE, IVER, SL0 9RG

April 2024

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

NARROWBOATS AND WIDEBEAMS FOR SALE IN WEST LONDON FOR SELLERS • Free moorings • Sales location with established footfall • Open 6 days / week • Trade Plates for unlicensed craft • Pre sales preparation and repairs FOR BUYERS • Free guidance and advice • Comprehensive handover • Secure clients bank account • ABYA qualified brokerage staff • Industry standard documentation PRIVATE BUYER’S SERVICE • If you are buying privately, we can offer the following services: • Advice on all aspects of purchase • Provision of documentation • Secure Clients bank account • Bespoke service – as much or as little as you want, priced accordingly

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

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 29

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Hempsted Historic Dry Dock 50% OFF UP TO

DRY DOCK SPACES E AVAILABL !

W O N CALL

ANODES W ALL HULL BL ITH & ANTIFOUL ACKING ING. FOR A QUOT CALL ATION TODAY

• Hull Blacking & Antifouling • Fabrication & Repairs • Painting & Sign Writing • Electrical • Plumbing and Gas • Paint and Boat Care • Inboard & Outboard Servicing • Fenders and Ropes • Engine Spares & Repairs

MGM Boats Ltd

• Hull steam cleaned and blacked • Blasted and 2pk blacking systems • Anodes, supplied and fitted • Welding work undertaken • Covered dock for any DIY work can be booked, inc painting.

• Slipway can be booked for maintenance work, such as rudder repairs, stern tube replacement & also surveys (By others) • Engine service & electrical work • We sell Calor 13kg propane gas

Call 01162 640009 or email: mgmboatyard@gmail.com (New website under construction) Upper Soar, Leicester. LE4 8AF

Suppliers of everything for the boating and industrial paint user.

Suppliers of -

Visit us and see the largest Indoor working dry dock and well stocked Chandlery on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal You’ll find us just 1 mile along the canal from Gloucester Docks or at

338 BRISTOL ROAD, GLOUCESTER GL2 5DH

01452 415430

Email: office@hhdd.co.uk www.hempsteddrydock.co.uk

Vitershield TF is back

Boat Paints • Sikkens Wood Finishes • International Paints • Sadolin • Zinsser • Macpherson Paints • Airspeed Polyurethane • Ancillary Products

Tel: 01782 812240 Fax: 01782 835707 Email: sales@pdipaints.co.uk Web: www.pdipaints.co.uk PDI Paints, 168 Newcastle Street, Dalehall, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3QN

WHEREVER YOU GO, YOU CAN COUNT ON EBERSPACHER TO KEEP YOU WARM

DIESEL HEATING FOR BOATS Servicing Spare parts Technical Help System Design

HYDRONIC HS3 D4E HEATER This latest heater is now in stock. 4.3kW output and only 1.3kW at low, ideal for narrowboats.

Kits from £1760.00

LEADING UK SUPPLIER OF EBERSPACHER HEATERS & SPARE PARTS

HYDRONIC D4WSC EXCHANGE SERVICE For only £560.00 receive one of our factory reconditioned units when you send us your old, non functioning D4WSC or D5WSC*.

*Service exchange T&Cs apply

CALLSTART APP

Control your heater through your phone

Easy installation. Simple on/off.

Run time settings. iPhone & Android SMS notification. £159.00 SIM not included.

Espar Ltd T 01752 491900 web@espar.co.uk www.eberspacherdirect.com www.espar.co.uk

30 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

April 2024

YS A W R AT E W BLE D A N L I A A L S AV A IN R Y R O – T ING RUC T N I S A N I R O AT T E S – L A D Y B W O S NARR AN COUR SM HELM

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Birmingham& Midland Marine Services Ltd provide specialist skipper, coxswain & water safety training; Plus: Commercial inland, Open-water marine support to industry.

SER VICES CO MMERCIA L SER VICES • B ank Safety Cover s er vices, training and equipme nt • C har ter o f m arine equipme nt: safety & rescue bo ats and workboats, tu gs, pans, hop pers and work flats.

• Rescue Swi mmers and ‘in-water ’ personnel.

• Co mm ercial ves sel deliver y ser vices (Inland, by water).

• Tow ing & p ushing ser vices.

• Work platform and pontoons.

• T.V. & film work – m arine sup por t.

BOAT TRAINING COMME RCIAL & LEISURE Helmsman & Powerboat training, plus BoatMaster ancillar y courses for Skippers and Coxswains via our Royal Yachting Association and Maritime & Coastguard Agency Programmes. ‘Specialist Rescue Boat’ training for operations outside DEFRA available by appointment.

OCCUPATIONAL WATER SAFET Y & RESCU E TRAINING Co urses delivered via the Outreach Rescue and Roya l Life Saving Soci ety DEF RA & C D M Regulations 2015 compliant & emes.

HSE endorsed schemes.

Contact us for more information on 01902 544329 or office@midlandmarine.co.uk Or visit our website: www.midlandmarine.co.uk

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 31

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

SMARTAWOOD: UK ECO-POSITIVE PLASTIC

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32 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

April 2024

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES 33

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WHAT'S IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR FUEL TANK? More & More customers are frequently complaining they have had their tank cleaned by a competitor, only to break down again. They call Tankbusters who attend and take samples from the tank and find the fuel still has water / diesel bug and rust in the tank. Clearly a COWBOY JOB. Tankbusters filter to One Micron & Removes water to 100ppm

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34 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

April 2024

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES 35

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

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36 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

April 2024

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www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

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www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

BoatLife trade report Boat review

Cruise Moor launch success

THE launch of the new Cruise Moor scheme at this year’s BoatLife show at Birmingham’s NEC has been hailed a great success.

Representatives of the five independent family-run marinas collaborating to offer inland waterway boaters the opportunity to enjoy discounted visitor moorings held a question and answer session on the main stage at the event.

Commenting on the launch, Debbie Skinner of White Mills Marina said: “We were so thrilled to be able to use BoatLife as the platform to launch our

exciting new Cruise Moor scheme and it was wonderful to be able to take part in the panel discussion on the main stage.

“We have since had some terrific feedback along with some really positive comments.

“We are all now looking forward to the coming season and seeing our boaters getting out on to the waterways network and taking advantage of Cruise Moor, which will provide them with the opportunity of staying on each of the participating marinas on a visitor mooring for up to two weeks with a fabulous 20% discount.”

The five marinas are Aqueduct Marina, Droitwich Spa Marina, Dunchurch Pools Marina, Overwater Marina and White Mills Marina.

Boaters can find out how to qualify for a Cruise Moor card from one of the participating marinas and then plan their cruising season in the knowledge that they can enjoy the facilities of another independent marina with a 20% reduction in visitor mooring fees.

Information leaflets and maps depicting the location of the fab five marinas will all be available at Crick Boat Show at the end of May.

P40 Holidays & Leisure P41 Technical

P42-43 P44

Bromsgrove boatbuilders buy Warwickshire marina FAMILY business Crafted Boats Ltd has bought Fenny Marina on the Oxford Canal for £1.1 million.

The six-acre site – including a 4.5-acre marina basin, 85 serviced berths, a three-bedroomed bungalow and several outbuildings – sold the day before the planned online auction.

Director Aaron Pinder said: “Our plan for the marina is to continue to

operate the mooring and services but to look at improving the facility. We will also be offering, as we do at our other sites, repaint jobs, hull and top side work, grit blasting and epoxy coating, pressure wash and blacking, plus engine repairs, to name just a few of our services.”

With direct access to the canal, the marina includes a chandlery, offices and stores overlooking the canal.

The firm of specialist boat builders and repairers was established in 1953 as J L Pinder & Son and incorporated as Crafted Boats Ltd in 2001, supplying all types of steel craft from commercial workboats, hire boats, narrowboats, cruisers and barges – even a scaled-down Royal Navy destroyer and submarine that cruised narrow canals recruiting sailors.

Workboat name surprise for CRT manager David

Celebrating the successful launch of the Cruise Moor scheme are, back row, from left: Nick Parkes, Droitwich Spa Marina; Robert Parton, Aqueduct Marina and Joe Oliver, Dunchurch Pools Marina. Front, from left: Janet Maughan, Overwater Marina and Debbie Skinner, White Mills Marina. PHOTO SUPPLIED

THE first workboat of a new concept design was launched recently at Aqueduct Marina in Nantwich, Cheshire, where it has been built.

Its name Bass recognises Canal & River Trust senior project delivery manager David Bass who has worked for the trust and previously British Waterways for 27 years, having put years of hard work and effort into the concept and its unique design.

The boat naming ceremony had been kept a secret with the unveiling presentation being led by Mick Carrington, CRT national workboat and plant manager, joined by David’s wife Karen, work colleagues from the trust, Stuart Norton, marine architect and all of the team at Aqueduct Marina.

David has been a leading force in

developing and building this first boat, using laser-cut components in the build of its hull and CNC-cut components for the cabin interior, all of which have reduced the cost of future builds for the trust and the manufacturing time for Aqueduct Marina.

Its design features an easier form of stackable craft, which reduces transportation costs and enables the boat and hopper to be manoeuvred around the canal network with ease.

The new workboat, along with two more under construction at the marina, will be used at various locations around the canal network to enable trust colleagues to familiarise themselves with this new concept of workboat and hopper.

A princess among boats ONE of the first narrowboats to be sold at the BoatLife event was Beatrice, built exclusively for Lakeland Leisure by Oxfordshire boat builders Kingsground.

The design of the 58ft cruiser stern boat blends classic narrowboat aesthetics with contemporary luxury. The exterior boasts a sleek and rich green finish while the interior features fittings and finishes tailored to high standards of comfort and elegance. The excitement surrounding Beatrice was palpable, and it translated into a remarkable success story within the first few hours off BoatL Life.

This early success showcased the vibrant interest and demand in the inland leisure boating market for quality and craftsmanship, highlighting a growing for luxury narrowboats.

Mark Morgan, managing director of Lakeland Leisure Estates, said: “With a growing presence, it’s great to see how BoatLife has flourished to become a leading pre-season showcase for inland and coastal businesses.

“I look forward to another busy season with new moorings at Roydon Marina Village in high demand and severall boats in buiild wiith h th he high hly skilled team at Kingsground.”

David Bass, left, is congratulated by Mick Carrington at the unveiling of the workboat named after him.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Support services showcased at Mercia Marina

Luxury narrowboat Beatrice was snapped up on the first day of BoatLife. PHOTO SUPPLIED

AS PART of its well-being initiative, Mercia Marina recently showcased the array of support services accessible in South Derbyshire.

Boating brings with it many challenges, different from living in bricks and mortar, but also brings with it a great supportive environment especially at the marina where, as reported last month, there is a network of advocates who have signed up to look out for their neighbours.

With a diverse community, the size of a small village, the event provided an opportunity to bring together various experts with the focus on supporting life aboard.

It was delivered by South Derbyshire local area co-ordinator Charlotte Mining, supported by Helen Adcock of South Derbyshire Community Voluntary Support (CVS), Ellie Guest of Live Life Better Derbyshire, Tina Curran of Derbyshire Carers

Association, Denise Austin of Derby County Community Trust, Paul Hemsil of Team Up Complex Needs Service and Holly Goodrich, practice manager at Willington Surgery.

Charlotte said: “The event went really well and we had a fantastic turnout. I have had some really positive feedback about the conversations that were had.”

Holly added: “It was great to make connection with the marina team, residents and the other organisations.”

40 BOATLIFE

April 2024

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BoatLife solidifies position with UK boating community

By Phil Pickin

WARM sunshine greeted the first day of BoatLife 2024 at the NEC – something of a change from the bad weather that befell last year’s event, which could be part of the reason why visitor numbers for the 2024 show held up well. With this year’s visitor numbers closely matching those of 2023, the organisers now feel that the event has “solidified its position as an important sales show for the UK boating community.”

This year’s show did seem to have fewer inland waterways boats on show; however, the organisers assured me that the space given over to the waterways remained the same as last year. In fact, it fell to Lakeland Leisure to provide one of the event’s most significant news stories when they sold two narrowboats on the first day. The show’s continued emphasis on lifestyle and family fun were reflected in the activities in the pool, beach and bar area.

As usual, with events of this type, there were a lot of boats and equipment of all types on show, from RIBs and kayaks through to probably the largest vessel in the show, the Waterlodge. Fishing gear and a wide range of what you might call ‘lifestyle’ companies had equipment and services on offer. As a result, it didn’t matter if you wanted a length of rope or a narrowboat; you could find one here.

Despite there beingfewer narrowboats on show, there were plenty of stands of interest to the waterways community, including some of the companies featured in recent news stories. One was the recently announced collaboration between Barrus and Hybrid Marine.

Although the links between the two have been well established for years, it is only recently that a new business has been formed between the two. Although the Barrus stand didn’t show a narrowboat package, a Shire Hybrid was on show to visitors.

BoatLife kicking off the 2024 boating season. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Although outboards are not the chosen power plant of your average waterways user there are some for whom they are ideal, and it seems that it is this section of the market that is seeing the biggest shift into the use of electric motors. It seemed that wherever you turned, there was a new electric outboard, many of which were on offer from some of the big names. Most of the units on show were of a modest size and power output, with petrol

Discount scheme

The first day of the show also saw the official launch of Cruise Moor, the new collaboration between five inland waterways marinas: Aqueduct, Droitwich Spa, Dunchurch Pools, Overwater and White Mills marinas (see page 39). The five independent family-run marinas are offering visitors the opportunity to stay on each of the marinas on a visitor mooring for up to two weeks with a 20% discount. The new scheme was launched during a Q&A session on the main stage at which a representative from each marina outlined the advantages of making use of this new collaboration.

One of Lynch Motors’ Electric Drive Solutions for larger boats.

PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN.

BoatLife also saw the launch of the Cruise Moor scheme, a collaboration between five marinas.

PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN

still seeming to dominate the larger power outputs. But if this is an example of the growth in this section of the market, there is a good chance electric outboards will expand into the higher output end of the market in future.

Having got used to seeing traditional outboards, it still comes as something of a surprise to see the design of some of these new outboards. They almost seem unfinished, but manufacturers like ePropulsion assured me that appearances could be deceptive and that they were very capable outboards.

Even the design of some of the boats on show seem to be trying to keep up with the futuristic design brief. The question is, will we see similarly radical design developments on the waterways over the coming years? It remains to be seen.

Not to be outdone by all these new outboard designs, Lynch Motors of Devon had a number of electric motor options on show. Its director, Trevor Lees, outlined a number of developments the company has been working on, including tackling the often difficult issue of being able to carry out a ‘straight swap’ for those who want to change from diesel to electric with a minimum amount of fuss and cost.

Electric outboards seemed to be very popular with visitors. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

I hope to be able to bring you more information about this in future issues of Towpath Talk, as developments like this could be just what some people are waiting for.

It wasn’t just shiny new equipment, boats or tempting offers that attracted attention.

The Accessible Waterways Association’s stand seemed to be continually busy with association members chatting to visitors about the work of the Fewer narrowboats were on show this group. The association’s Tracey year, but those that were proved to be Clarke told me that members popular with visitors. PHOTO: SUPPLIED have been very encouraged by the responses they received to events such as the Camping & Caravan their first in-person meeting in Birmingham in November of last year. Show, which this year, according to the This year will see them at more events organisers, experienced “a departure across the country, including Crick. from its typical sell-out status”. It will be interesting to see if next year’s BoatLife Main stage (February 13-16) will continue the trend.

The main stage hosted a number of presentations throughout the show, including, on the final day, the Yachting Journalists’ Association’s awards ceremony, during which Lawrie Smith was awarded Yachtsman of the Year and Jess Powell and Ben Greenhalgh emerged as joint winners of the Young Sailor of the Year award. In many ways, this proves the event’s value of being able to cover a wide range of boating disciplines while also encouraging the next generation of boat users.

Richard Dove, director of BoatLife Events Ltd, said: “It was great to watch BoatLife’s third edition come to life and run so smoothly. Exhibitors went all out with their displays, and it was wonderful to welcome both new and returning companies. Despite the current climate, the industry remains encouraged by the steady flow of sales from the right type of buyers.”

BoatLife’s organisers have every reason to congratulate themselves on a successful event, particularly when Fishing was enjoyed by all ages. comparing themselves to long-standing PHOTO: SUPPLIED

BOAT REVIEW 41

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Drake... the most luxurious hire boat on the canals?

Phil Pickin travels back to Beacon Park Boats to look at one of the most impressive hire boats currently on offer on the canals.

WHEN you’ve become used to hire fleet boats being much of a muchness regarding styling and layout, seeing one of Beacon Park’s boats comes as quite a surprise. During a recent visit, Alastair Kirkpatrick, proprietor of the company, suggested I have a look at Drake, one of the most recent additions to the fleet, and when I did, I have to admit I was taken aback.

Fitted out in Beacon Park’s own workshops by its skilled team, the result is a boat that’s not only beautifully finished but also packed with numerous innovations and surprises. The hull is one of the last built by Alexander Boat Builders and was originally designed with a number of adaptations that would make the resulting boat more suitable for less able-bodied boaters. However, during construction, the decision was made to revert to a more traditional layout while still retaining some of the original elements, including the huge stern deck area, the widest entry steps you will find on any boat on the waterways and a wide access corridor running along the port side.

The lowered windows on Drake may look unusual from the outside but make all the difference to those on board. PHOTO: SUPPLIED floating past, even when you’re seated.

These windows are double-glazed and a series of skylights provide even more daylight. Inset beside these are more LED lights that complement those along the kick and skirting boards.

The heart of many a home, be that floating or fixed, is the kitchen, and the galley area is just as impressive as the rest of the boat, with black worktops to both sides, matching fridge, oven and induction hob with an extractor hood fitted above. A microwave is hidden in one of the many storage cupboards above which is a coffee maker and toaster. A flexible mixer tap is fitted to

Grand entrance

If you ever want to make a grand entrance on to a boat Drake provides you with the ideal opportunity, as the wide staircase with handrails is capped off with a pair of hand-carved ducks on each newel post. At 2.6m (8ft 6in) wide and almost 19m (60ft) long, Drake is not a small boat, and good use has been put to every bit of the space on offer. This internal area has been increased by (in Alastair’s words) “ditching the front deck”, which has increased the space in the forward lounge area and has made the boat ‘gas free’.

Drake’s layout makes it ideal for two couples to use the boat in comfort while enjoying a significant amount of privacy. To achieve this, what must be the largest master bathroom you will find on any boat of this type is located between the two double berths, each fitted with 5ft double beds. The master bathroom is fitted with a large shower area with the shower head inset into the ceiling to provide the maximum amount of headroom. Even here there is plenty of daylight from a skylight located above the wash basin. And while the second bathroom is smaller, it’s equally luxurious, and each is fitted with electric flushing toilets.

The second bathroom is none too shabby. PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN

the stainless steel double sink inset into one of the worktops which run along both sides of the galley area.

With Drake being gasless, additional battery capacity has been provided via two 5kW lithium batteries, charged from a Mastervolt 250amp alternator driven by the 40hp Yamaha engine.

These batteries have been conveniently located below the cruiser deck and are accessed via a hatch, which has been finished with Tek-Dek. Propulsion is via a PRM 150 gearbox connected to a centre AGM coupling and, to help with manoeuvring, Drake is fitted with a bow thruster. Heating is provided by a wet system and a series of stylish grey radiators, but this can be supplemented by lighting the solid fuel stove in the living area. Fuel for this stove comes in the form of briquettes made from the sawdust and waste produced in the workshops of Beacon Park Boats when its fleet of day and holiday boats are being built and refurbished.

The result of all this innovation and attention to detail is a stunning boat, one that is available for hire via the company’s website. Although Drake is unique and part of a hire fleet, it is good to see the kind of innovation that would normally only be available on a bespoke newbuild boat for a private owner; there is no reason why some of these ideas cannot be incorporated into other boats.

If nothing else, they can provide the inspiration for anyone contemplating a refurbishment of an existing boat. With a growing fleet of electric day boats, which we hope to look at later in the year, Beacon Park Boats would seem to be setting the benchmark very high.

Large cruiser stern provides plenty of space to move around and make use of the rail cushions. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Technical Specification Style: Cruiser Length: 60ft Width: 8ft 6in Berths: Four

& Transmission: 40hp Yamaha engine through a PRM 150 gearbox connected to a centre AGM coupling. Bow thruster fitted Heating: Central heating with radiators and a solid fuel stove Bathrooms: Two Engine

Builder and hire fleet operator:

That is a very large shower!

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Beacon Park Boats Ltd, The Boathouse, Hillside Road, Llangattock, Powys, Wales NP8 1EQ. Tel: 01873 858277. website: www.beaconparkboats.com

Cosy and spacious 5ft double berth in the main bedroom.

PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN

Bamboo

In something of a departure from the norm, the flooring in Drake is bamboo and was chosen due to its extreme hardwearing properties, quite apart from the fact that it also looks good.

The internal walls are lined with a mix of ash and sapele which gives the interior something of a yacht feel to it. The large windows in the main living area have been lowered, which has resulted in a perfect vantage point from which to watch the boat’s natural namesakes

No shortage of seating in the living area. PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN

An impressive galley with plenty of room to move around safely. PHOTO:

PHIL PICKIN

42 HOLIDAYS AND LEISURE

April 2024

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Bank holiday breaks

THE beautiful 3000-mile network of Britain’s inland waterways weaves through the countryside into some of our best-loved towns and cities. To celebrate the forthcoming May bank holidays, Drifters has published a guide to the best bank holiday boating city breaks.

Worcester: This beautiful cathedral city on the River Severn is connected to the canal network at Diglis Junction. Drifters offers canal boat holidays from Worcester Marina. From there, boaters can complete the Droitwich Ring on a short break. This 20-mile circuit takes boaters through Worcester along the River Severn, along the Droitwich Canals and a section of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

There are 33 locks and it takes around 16 hours.

01606 833668 Middlewich, Cheshire Puffer Steamboat Holidays Cruise the sea lochs and canals of Sccotlan nd’ss Wesst Coast in an oriigin na l steam powered Clyyde Pu uffe fffer.

Tel: 07780 936407 Visit: savethepuffer.co.uk

Bath: From Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal on the edge of the Cotswold Hills in Wiltshire, boaters can cruise to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and back. The six-hour journey to Sydney Wharf on the edge of the city centre travels nine miles through the Avon Valley, passing through three locks along the way. Boaters can moor up at Sydney Wharf and take a trip into Bath city centre to visit attractions including the Roman Baths and Royal Crescent.

Edinburgh: On a four-night break from Drifters’ canal boat rental location at Falkirk where the Scottish Lowland canals meet, boaters can cruise to Edinburgh Quay and back. The route starts at the site of the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift. The journey along the Union Canal goes through the Falkirk Tunnel, across the magnificent Avon Aqueduct and through the villages of Linlithgow and Ratho. Once in Edinburgh, boaters can moor up in Edinburgh Quay and walk into the city centre to visit attractions including Holyrood Palace and Mary King Close.

Oxford: From Drifters’ base on the River Thames, boaters can reach Oxford in around three-and-a-half hours, passing through four locks along the way. There are places to moor up near Hythe Bridge, a short walk into the city centre. Places to visit include Oxford Castle, the Bodleian Library and the Ashmolean Museum.

Cambridge: On a short break from Drifters base on the River Ouse at Ely, boaters can cruise to the world-famous historic city of Cambridge and back. There are moorings just below Jesus

Green Lock on the River Cam. From there, boaters can explore Cambridge, including King’s College Chapel and quaint streets filled with antique shops, museums, art galleries, restaurants and tearooms.

The journey from Ely to Cambridge and Wicken Fen and back travels 38 miles, passes through six locks (three each way) and takes around 13 hours.

For more information call: 0344 984 0322 or visit: www.drifters.co.uk

The River Severn, Worcester.

ALL PHOTOS:JANET RICHARDSON

Enjoy a peaceful and tranquil holiday on the pictureseque Fenland waterways

Bridge Boatyard Ely, Cambridgeshire

www.bridgeboatyard.com

t: 01353 663 726 e: info@bridgeboatyard.com

The stunning Falkirk Wheel approach.

Beautiful Bradford on Avon.

Oakwood Marina 01606 331961 glamping@oakwoodmarina.co.uk g l www.oakwoodmarina.co.uk G+

We have 25 acres of rolling Cheshire countryside, why not come and get away from it all by spending time in one of our beautifully furnished bell tents, or camping with your own tent or campervan.

The Wilder family, who own the place, have an attitude to the campsite that befits their surname. Grazed by cows in some parts and cut just once or twice a year for hay, the meadows are otherwise left long and wild in summer. A few footpaths have been conscientiously mown in between pitches to help guide you around the fields and over to another lake attached to the canal that’s a wildlife hotspot and a good place to watch for herons.

THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL FUND FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

HOLIDAYS AND LEISURE 43

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Comfort food on the Cut Story and photos by Kevin Thomas

AS I sit aboard Sabi Star in our Caen Hill Marina berth, and type this, we are entering spring and temperatures are picking up – yet it can still be quite chilly of an evening.

If we go back a few months, October is always a month Bren and I look forward to. For us, it means ready access to unpeeled, plump, juicy, Argentinian jumbo king prawns. Lidl imports them, deep frozen, directly from Argentina. They are obviously harvested on a strictly controlled sustainable yield basis. This is how it should be, and they are only available until early January, or thereabouts. In the three months they are available, however, we enjoy them virtually every Saturday evening… and even keep a few bags in the freezer to see us through!

Perhaps having spent my entire boyhood years close to Mozambique had an influence on my taste buds liking peri-peri prawns so much. The Argentinian prawns at Lidl come deep-frozen in a 720g bag, and on average there are about 65 prawns in the bag, which at just over £9 is a good deal, we think.

Normally, Bren prepares them by first defrosting them by laying the prawns between a few sheets of paper towel. This absorbs all the water as they defrost. She then sautés them in butter with a tablespoon of light olive oil, so the butter doesn’t burn. To this, she adds fresh chopped garlic, dry chilli flakes, or in place of the chilli flakes, finely chopped fresh bird’s eye chillies (my favourite).

These bird eye chillies are available in

Perfectly sautéed unpeeled prawns, with a squeeze of lemon juice, and ready to be served.

Argentinian jumbo king prawns and Kenyan bird eye chillies, with smoked garlic.

Sautéing commences with the prawns in a mix of olive oil and butter.

most UK supermarket chains and are imported fresh from South Africa, Kenya and Bulgaria.

Strange as it is, I find the Bulgarian chillies have the most heat, followed by the Kenyan chillies.

We enjoy our prawns on a bed of fried rice, to which Bren adds chopped mushrooms, with chopped green and red peppers. The rice mix is merely stir-fried. Once all is ready, we each enjoy about 20 prawns on a bed of rice. Alongside our plate of prawns is a small bowl of warm water, with sliced lemon in it, we use this to rinse the oil off our fingers after we’ve peeled our prawns. There are also two little bowls, one with olive oil and

finely chopped chillies, and one with olive oil and finely chopped garlic. These are to drizzle over the peeled prawns and rice before you get stuck in. The leftover prawns we keep for the following day, and after peeling them we each place about 10 in a half avocado, and lightly drizzle them with Soy sauce and chilli. It’s a real treat.

Wine is obviously always a good accompaniment to prawns, or for that matter, any seafood, and my favourite is an Italian Pinot Grigio, although Bren only drinks red wine so opts for a glass of red (or two) with her meal. Sabi Star might not be a sun-saturated

Mozambique beach, alongside the turquoise Indian Ocean, however, on a chilly night while seated in our toasty warm boat enjoying plump peeled prawns, I’m quite content with our fabulous food that warms the soul.

Ready to be enjoyed, peeled prawns on a bed of rice with the added ingredients. The peeled and discarded skins can be seen in the side plate. Optional additions are the bird eye chillies, and garlic in olive oil. The lemon water is for rinsing oily fingers after peeling the prawns.

The chopped chestnut mushrooms and green peppers, with chillies being lightly fried.

Fried rice mixed with chopped green and red peppers, chestnut mushrooms and bird eye chillies.

Exploring the Thames

A SELF-drive Thames cruise allows holidaymakers to explore two sections of the river, the western and eastern ends.

Starting at Le Boat’s Benson base, families can partake in an information trail around King Henry VIII’s home at Hampton Court, or visit Eton College, where 20 prime ministers were schooled, before settling at Michelin-starred pub, The Coach, in Marlow, which can entertain the most restless traveller. The dreaming spires and universities of Oxford are a six-hour cruise to the west of Benson, or head east and in six hours guests can be in Henley-on-Thames, the home of British rowing.

Heading down to Le Boat’s Chertsey base, guests will arrive in historic Windsor in no time, where the whole family can explore Windsor Castle, take a family audio tour, and soak up the town’s royal atmosphere. Fancy some fun?

Legoland Windsor Resort and Thorpe Park are both a stone’s throw away, with their fun rides and live shows. There are countless things for the kids to do along the river, making the Thames a holiday they’ll remember forever.

For more information visit: www.leboat. co.uk or call: 023 9280 1630.

Dog Friendly Pub Serving real home cooked food & good drinks.

01858 545250 www.theblackhorsefoxton.co.uk Foxton, Leics, LE16 7RD

The Tudor Arms Situated adjacent to Patch Bridge on the Gloucester/ Sharpness Canal

Serving Real Ales and Home Cooked food all day 14 Guest Rooms suitable for one night or more and ideal for visiting friends and relatives 01453 890306 enquiries@thetudorarms.co.uk www.thetudorarms.co.uk

The Leigh Arms • Moor at Bridge 208 on the Trent & Mersey Canal • Real Ales served • Children’s play area • Traditional British and Authentic European Dishes The Leigh Arms, Warrington Road, Little Leigh, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 4QT. Tel 01606 853327

A self-drive cruise makes for a great family break. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

www.leigharms.co.uk

44 TECHNICAL

April 2024

Start-of-season boat checks

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies helps us out with key preparation tips before casting off.

Fuel: With some craft having not been

run for five or six months, it’s likely that the fuel could be contaminated. Look at your inline fuel filters; if you have a primary fuel filter with a clear bowl check it for contamination. Most inline filters do have a small drain-off to the bottom of the tank, it’s worth draining off a pint to check the fuel condition. If not, try and use a small siphon to draw some water off the base of the tank. Likewise, doing a regular check every few months will help confirm what's going on in the tank.

Deck filler: Regardless of if you have petrol or diesel power most owners will have a deck filler on the side deck. Check the condition of the cap seal, many have an O-ring – ‘any doubt chuck it out’ – replace and then grease the threads with a silicon grease. Any small amount of water in the tank will cause problems at some point and with diesel can encourage the dreaded diesel bug issues.

Try and keep fuel tanks full, this does two things: it lowers the chance of water causing problems to the fuel and, if you have a fuel leak in the system, it gives you clear indication there are problems.

Tank condition: With the design of most steel canal craft the fuel tank makes up a large part of the rear of the craft. It’s never easy to fully inspect, especially if you haven’t got a drain-down plug on the tank. However, taking a sample with a hose and siphon pump into a jar can also help show the condition of the fuel.

If you find you have the dreaded diesel bug then either draining the tank and deep cleaning is often the only way to deal with it. There are some companies who do successfully clean the fuel and put an additive in to help.

t

Check engine mounts – if oil/fuel leaks contaminate the rubber it will break down much quicker.

Fuel lines and filters: Replace filters every year. Check condition of the fuel lines, ensure they are well supported and any rubber hoses are in good condition, not rubbing on edges or fittings within the engine compartment. Look out for perishing and ensure they are marked ISO7840. Most rubber hoses have a good operational life of about 10 years.

Batteries: Over the last 12 months many batteries may have not been properly cycled with a good discharge etc. Batteries like being worked so I have already seen issues where they are completely dead and won’t retake a charge. Check that batteries are secure and not relying on the main cabling to hold them in position. Likewise, check terminals are properly covered and fitted in good vented frames/boxes. Ensure they are about 10mm apart to ensure

they don’t overheat when on charge.

Alternator: Check the condition of wires to and from the alternator are secure and when the engine is running check it actually charges the batteries; some control panels have a light or voltmeter. With shore power and onboard charging systems, sometimes a faulty battery or alternator isn’t spotted until you’ve been relying on the batteries so it’s well worth running systems at the berth for a while without shore power connected. If you are unsure of the battery condition they can have a drop test undertaken that will quickly confirm cell condition.

Drive belts: On many engines there will be two drive belts – one for the engine alternator and the second for a domestic bank charging plus engine water pumps, depending on the type of system. Very often with drive belts and pulleys, small amounts of corrosion will almost certainly develop on the pulley “vees”; this will become abrasive to the rubber drive belts and in some cases will caused the belt to fail in hours.

The first clue is to the inside of the engine compartment when the drives potentially will throw rubber fines on to the areas of the alternator bodies.

The second is to use your phone camera and take a quick snap of the pulleys and enlarge it. Lastly the most obvious is that the belt will, despite having been tensioned, become slack in just a few hours.

Coolant systems: This winter there has been a real risk of freezing of the system so before you start the engine check the body of the engine casting for any fractures to the water jacket. If it has an internal water system check the

JD NARROWBOATS LTD  We understand this is a life changing decision, so we welcome you to visit our working boat yard to see what we can offer you prior to looking elsewhere.  Top quality materials used, from the shell to the fit out

water levels. If it’s low investigate why.

The majority of the craft on the inland waters have some means of internal water-cooled engine that does rely on a good water circulation, with one or two skin tanks fitted. With this type of coolant systems, the water should have antifreeze to protect the system. Most modern antifreezes have corrosion inhibitors in them, which can go stale after about two or three years; it’s very important to replace it with the correct type of antifreeze. Ensure you mix it to a suitable strength to protect the engine for the next few seasons. Once started, see the engine warm up and check it is circulating the water and it’s not overheating.

Water pump: Check each season the condition of the water pump impeller(s) and pump housing condition, ensure you have spares and the right tools on board to be able to change them. When the engine is running, monitor any temperature gauges or alarms fitted as these will prove quite useful.

Engine: Check the condition of all water hoses. Watch out for perishing of them especially where they are tightly returned through bulkheads. If you have a calorifier, don’t forget to look at

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the hoses to and from it as well. If your engine has a raw water system, look at the condition of the sea cock and the security of clamps within the run.

Double clamping is strongly advised.

Engine security: Engine mounts normally fail from perishing or from oil contamination rather than going soft from use. Mounts vary depending on the type of installation but with frequent checking you will get an idea when they are not right while the engine is running.

Generally, rubber mounts last about 10 years.

Exhaust: A regular check to the condition of the pipework and security of any joints is important. With dry exhaust systems it is essential to ensure the system is airtight or there is a very high risk of filling the compartment and accommodation with carbon monoxide. One simple test is with the engine running, use a rag and hold it over the discharge briefly and listen for any blowing within the run. Check your carbon monoxide alarm still works.

As ever, if in doubt get an expert to do the checks at the same time as a service.

I hope you have a great trouble-free season. Find many helpful tips on my YouTube channel: Ben Sutcliffe Marine.

Slack and worn drive belts – note all the rubber belt fines contaminating the engine area.

Bespoke Boat Builders Narrowboats & Widebeam

 We work with the customer throughout each stage within the boat build and happily discuss the process step by step  Only 20 mins from Willington, 5 mins from Sawley Marina.

Why not come and see what we can do for you OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 8.00-4.30 Sat

By Appointment Sun By Appointment

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We have

boats in build

Call Workshop: 01332 792271 or Mobile: 07952 378679 jdnarrowboats@gmail.com  www.jdnarrowboats.com

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45

46 BUILDERS

April 2024

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Come & see us at Crick Boat Show 2024!

Sat 25th - Mon 27th May 2024 (Trade & Preview Day - Friday 24th May)

Tel: 0151 298 9602. www.collingwoodboatbuilders.co.uk sales@collingwoodboatbuilders.co.uk Sales Manager Ian Evans: 07949349348 72 St Johns Rd, Liverpool L20 8BH

SHOWING THE FOLLOWING RANGES: ABODE

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ONLY £1K DEPOSIT TO SECURE YOUR BUILD SLOT

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BUILDERS 47

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

01270 525040 www.knightsnarrowboats.com Units 4-5, Aqueduct Marina, Church Minshull, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6DX

BOOK A BUILD SLOT FOR 2024 AND GET 3 MONTHS FREE MOORING

58ft Shroppie Range r available fo Spring!

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From Hull only to fully fitted narrow & wide beam boats built to your own design 57ft cruisers fully fitted from £125,500 Aintree Beetle range starting from £45,000 PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE

WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD YOUR DREAM www.aintreeboats.co.uk 0151 523 9000 | info@aintreeboats.co.uk Units 14-16, Brookfield Trading Estate, Brookfield Drive, Aintree, Liverpool L9 7AS

48 BUILDERS / BROKERAGE

Your Boat • Our Expertise Over 28 years of experience selling individually inspected, well presented boats from your own mooring anywhere in the UK, or from our base at North Kilworth Marina, LE17 6HY

Whether you are buying or selling our website is packed with information and updated daily

April 2024

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BEAUTIFUL BOATS BUILT TO LAST Established in 1974, Colecraft have gained the experience and expertise to ensure that the boat we build for you will last for years to come.

All our boats are custom designed and built to individual requirements.

Boats are built to order to any stage of completion – from a bare hull or superstructure to luxuriously fitted and finished.

We build narrowbeam and widebeam boats for private and trade customers and are possibly the largest supplier of steel shells to other boat builders/fitters.

Our latest trip boats include Crusader Comunity (Widebeam with Hybrid propulsion - full MCA certification), Electra (Narrowbeam with electric propulsion - 12 passengers) and Kingfisher Mark (Widebeam with electric propulsion 12 passengers).

Our welders are coded to meet MCA requirements.

Standard fee of 6% + VAT with a loyalty discount for returning customers

01788 822 115 • admin@abnb.co.uk

• Narrowboats • Widebeams • Dutch Barges • Bespoke • Offering Shells & Sailaways

Lee and Garry welcome all their customers, whether first time owners or old friends, a quality shell built to your specifications at affordable prices

Now you can find us on facebook, search

‘X R&D Boatbuilders’

Come and see us at Unit 67, Road A, Boughton Industrial Estate, Boughton, near Newark, Notts. NG22 9LD D Call 01623 863576 or Garry 07830 720879, Lee 07723 021798 Our website is packed full of images of past and current builds, visit: www.xrandd.co.uk

50 years combined experience

BROKERAGE 49

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

BOATS URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR BROKERAGE OR PURCHASED OUTRIGHT LILY a magnificent 70ft Trad crafted in 2014, harmoniously combines traditional charm with

modern style. This vessel boasts luxurious amenities, including an Ailsa Craig RM4 engine, Victron Quattro 3kw inverter, Beta generator, and an exquisite Heritage cooker, accommodation of up to six individuals. Featuring a comfortable double bed, a dinette, a boatman’s cabin aswell as a stylish bathroom, and a valid BSC certification until 2026, Lily ensures a sophisticated and comfortable lifestyle on the water. £117,950

New fully fitted Narrowboats Currently Available

DE DONKERE DOGG - a 62 ft 6’ by 12 ft 7’ Dutch Barge constructed in the Netherlands Sat 25th May Mon 27th May 2024 (Trade & Preview Day Friday 24th May)

• New, 60’ narrowboat, reverse layout, semi cruiser stern, diesel propulsion • New, 42’ narrowboat, trad layout, cruiser stern, electric propulsion • Refurbishment, 70’ narrowboat, trad layout, trad stern, diesel propulsion • Next commissioned build slot, completion Autumn 2024

£89,950

JUST CHILLIN - a 55ft Cruiser crafted by Classic Narrowboats, boasting a

generously sized enclosed stern. Equipped with a reliable Beta 38hp Engine, a sturdy solid fuel stove, a range of electrical systems, a well-appointed galley complete with appliances, four comfortable berths, a walk-through bathroom featuring a cassette toilet, and a valid BSC until July 2024. Recently blacked with new anodes in 2021.

£54,950

CARPE DIEM - a 57ft traditional boat featuring a Beta Marine 38hp engine, central

Already have a Boat • Repainting of narrow and wide beams. Including grit blasting if required • Internal alterations / refurbishments, including insurance work

Buying a Boat

heating requiring attention, and a comfortable Aarrow solid fuel stove. The galley is equipped with a Vanette cooker, Shoreline fridge, Twin Tub washer/dryer, and solid wood countertops. The boat offers accommodation for 5 berths, a walkthrough bathroom, a cratch cover, and a side hatch. It is BSC certified until 2025 and was last blacked in 2019. Embark on your boating journey today!

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• Pre purchase & hull surveys. Insurance and Valuations Surveys.

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in 1922, equipped with a Ford 115hp engine. This vessel comprises a saloon with head height of 5ft 7’, galley, bedroom with storage, bathroom with a shower, and a wheelhouse with a washing machine. Maintained in excellent condition, it offers potential mooring in the Bristol/Bath area, accompanied by a Boat Safety Certificate valid until June 2025. This lovingly maintained barge has undergone interior renovations, transforming it into an exceptional floating residence.

0116 260 0145

Unit 5 Redhill Marina, Ratcliffe on Soar, Nottinghamshire. NG11 0EB

NATIONWIDE BOAT SALES LTD

Email: enquiries@nationwideboatsales.co.uk www.nationwideboatsales.co.uk Tel: 01889 881960

Staniland Marina, Lock Hill, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 5EP

Tel: 01405 816992 www.stanilandmarina.co.uk On the Stainforth & Keady Canal, convenient for all waterways in the north

Viking 26 Widebeam – 2013 – Mercury 25hp Outboard.

Well presented 4 berth river cruiser located at Boroughbridge Marina. Ideal family boat ready for the season. £29,995

Staniland Marina Boats For Sale

Colvic Northerner 26 – 1973 – 32hp BMC Diesel Inboard. Refurbished in 2020, this classic boat is a good example of the popular river cruiser. Available with a berth at Boroughbridge Marina where she lies. £12,995

Fairline 32 Sedan – 1985 – 2 x 165hp Volvo Penta Diesel inboards. Located at Staniland Marina, this classic Fairline is on a mooring which can be retained.

Flybridge version. £24,995

Birchwood 29 Sedan – 1980 – Ford 150hp Inboard Diesel. Lying at Boroughbridge, this spacious cruiser requires some DIY TLC but will make a fabulous family boat. Berth can be retained if required. £12,995

Salter Bros 30 – 1980 – 32hp BMC Diesel inboard – This ex-hire Broads Cruiser is ideal for a family getting into boating. Easy to drive, simple layout and spacious, she is located at Staniland marina where a berth can be retained. £19,995

Viking 26 Centre Cockpit – 1992 – 25hp Johnson Outboard. Available with a berth at Staniland Marina where she is located, this popular river cruiser with aft cabin is a great family starter boat. £12,495

P & D Sea Hunter Viper – 2023 NEW – 30hp Tohatsu Outboard. This brand new package is ready to go.

Fully loaded, this Viper has all the needs of a dayboat including lighting, cushioned seating, tonneau cover and storage, REDUCED to £14,995 inc VAT Fletcher Zingaro 30 – 1988 – 2 x Volvo Penta 138hp Inboard Petrols. Located at Boroughbridge Marina, this sports cruiser represents excellent value for money.

Having had little use recently, she would be ideal in a coastal location. £14,450

Seamaster 27 – 1977 – 32hp BMC Inboard Diesel. Typical river cruiser with 4 berths. Located at Staniland Marina where a berth is retainable. Ready to go for this season, this cruiser has even crossed the channel! £7,995 Freeman 22 Mk2 – 1968 – 32hp Ford Watermota Inboard Petrol. Well presented, this classic Freeman is ready to go for the season. Located at Staniland Marina, she had a new canopy in 2023 and a berth is available too. £7250

50 BROKERAGE

April 2024

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Alvecote Marina Narrowcraft Boat Sales – Dry Dock - Repairs

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BOAT OF THE MONTH

SHUGLEY

£49,950

57ft, 1991, North West Narrowboats. A reluctant sale of a very well cared for craft, one owner from new.

Mitsubishi engine, solar panels, central heating, recent hull survey. 10/6/4 steel spec.

TRANQUILLITY

TA-RA-A-BIT

£42,500

50ft, 1997, Charlie Fox. Cruiser stern. Just arrived, be the first to see.

SARAH JANE

£64,950

57ft, 2003 Liverpool Boats Trad, stylishly refitted 2023. Isuzu Marine engine, Victron energy inverter.

£34,950

42ft Trad 4 berth, 1981 by Colecraft. Excellent condition, Hull shotblast and 2 pack epoxy, BSS expires: 11/2025. 1 owner from new very reluctant sale!

CAL BRI LOCKDOWN

£56,950

£34,950

55ft, 1997, Cruiser. New just arrived, full details coming soon.

New just arrived, 65ft semi-trad, 2007 built by Liverpool Boats, immaculate internal with new bathroom and kitchen, Isuzu 42 engine, last blacked 2020. BSC March 2024.

SHOOTING STAR £44,950

KENTISH STAR

£39,950

58ft, 2009, Probuild/Black Prince, 6 + 2 berth - the ideal family boat with optional sleeping arrangement of 2 single beds / 4 bunk beds / double bed in the rear cabin. Isuzu 42Hp engine.

50ft, 2011, Drayton Boat Services.

Shooting Star is a well appointed 2 + 2 berth fitted with a Vetus M4.17 engine.

VISIT US AT Alvecote Marina, Robeys Lane, Alvecote, Tamworth B78 1AS Tel 01827 898585 narrowcraft@alvecotemarina.co.uk Tuesday - Saturday 08.30 - 17.30. Sundays & Mondays by appointment

For latest info and offers, follow us on twitter @AlvecoteMarina ON THE COVENTRY CANAL - ONLY 5 MINS FROM J10 M42 BY ROAD

www.AlvecoteMarina.co.uk

BROKERAGE 51

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RED HILL MARINA BOAT SALES

GRAND CULO (RM1)

BELGIUM (RB1)

60ft X 12ft Dutch Style Steel Widebeam Soar Valley Build, Built 2018 Beta Marine 115hp Diesel, 5 Berth

30ft Narrowboat, Traditional Interior Ready to use, Survey Available on Viewing Transport Quotes for UK Wide Delivery

£179,950

£16,500

NEW LIFESTYLE NARROWBOAT (LS1)

IO (TBS3)

60ft Steel Narrowboat, Soar Valley Build Lifestyle Fit Out, 45hp Barris Diesel Engine Spacious Contemporary Design

40ft Narrowboat Sailaway, Large Front Deck, SR2 Lister Diesel, All Welding Work Completed to Highest Standard, 2 Packed Hull £16,500

£155,000 Inclusive of VAT IN EARNEST (TBS1)

MISSY LEE (TBS4)

63ft Steel Dutch Style Narrowboat David Thomas Build, Beta Marine 38hp Diesel 2 Bedroom, Solar, Inverter & Travel Pack

£55,000

37ft X 13ft Jack Powls Fibreglass Sea Going Cruiser, x2 Perkins 6cyl Turbo Diesel Engines Partly Refitted to High Spec, 600w Solar Plenty Outdoor Deck Area £16,000

PANTA RHEI (TBS2)

HOUSEBOAT PAN (RM2)

33ft x 9.50ft Steel Dutch Style ‘Stubby’ Widebeam One Off Commissioned Build From Holland Mercedes 4 Cylinder Inboard Diesel, Abundant Outdoor Space Suitable Liveaboard or Leisure £28,750

HOIST & SLIPWAY Facilities for up to 60 ton Boats, Widebeams & Dutch Barges

40ft X 12ft Steel Houseboat Pan, In Process of Being Built Masses of Potential

£9,500

Ratcliffe on Soar, Nottingham, NG11 0EB Tel: 07429 253325 / 07760 627421 Email: enquiries@redhill-marina.co.uk

Expert advice and guidance when buying and selling your Narrowboat At Swanley Brokerage we take pride in our professional approach and unrivalled reputation in selling narrowboats for our clients.

Our friendly and experienced Brokerage team ensure our clients sail smoothly through the buying and selling process.

If you would like to find out more about what we can offer please call 01270 524855 or email sales@swanleybrokerage.co.uk Swanley Bridge Marina, Springe Lane, Swanley, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8NR - www.swanleybrokerage.co.uk

52 BROKERAGE

April 2024

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

LARGE CHOICE OF

WIDEBEAMS NARROWBOATS DUTCH BARGES

WALKER BOATS 60' x 12' DUTCH BARGE

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

NEWLY LISTED WIDEBEAMS AVAILABLE FROM £100,000

'Dream Catcher' | £225,500 | thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

WIDEBEAMS & BARGES

VIKING CANAL BOAT 65' X 12' 05''

COLLINGWOOD 57' X 10'

COLLINGWOOD 60' X 10'

'The Jupiter' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Plan B’ thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Blaenafon' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

£195,000

£95,000

£99,950

£177,500

NEW 57' SEMI TRAD REVERSE LAYOUT

JONATHAN WILSON/FERNWOOD

BOURNE/NICK THORPE 52'

SEA OTTER 33' NARROWBOAT

Jonathan Wilson/Steve Ellis thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Georgina C' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Hollie' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Dovetail’ pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

£165,000

£69,950

£85,000

£51,950

NARROWBOAT 57' 6''

NARROWBOAT 50'

NARROWBOAT 58' JD BOATS

NARROWBOAT 60' RERRY BABCOCK

'Bolli’ hartfordboatsales@tingdene.net

‘Alder' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

‘Dymphna' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

‘Yin Tang' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

£56,950

£44,950

£62,950

£54,950

SAGAR MARINE DUTCH BARGE ‘Lady Macbeth' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

NARROWBOATS

NEW AND USED BOATS AVAILABLE FROM 10 UK LOCATIONS

SPECIALIST WIDE BEAM AND NARROWBOAT SALES OFFICES Walton Marina | 01932 221689 Hartford Marina | 01480 274707 Pyrford Marina | 01932 343275 Upton Marina | 01684 593111 Stourport Marina | 01299 827082 Thames and Kennet Marina | 01189 477770

B E R T H I N G AT A N Y T I N G D E N E M A R I N A G U A R A N T E E D * W I T H A L L C R A F T S O L D !

*subject to availability

Tel: 01933 551622 boatsales@tingdene.net www.tingdeneboating.com

BROKERAGE 53

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I N T R O D U C I N G

T H E

FA R E H A M Let's go

Discover the Fareham, for stylish modern living on the water.

This 60ft narrowboat features the classic reverse layout with the galley at the stern and a really beautiful interior finish.

Fitted with a Canaline 42HP diesel inboard engine, it comes with an impressive spec and includes 4 berths, bow thruster, pram canopy, stern cushions, Morso Squirrel solid fuel stove, L-shape dinette and a washing machine.

The Fareham costs £160,000 inc. VAT and comes with 3 months free mooring at select Aquavista marinas. Come and see this shiny new boat at Sawley Waterside & Marina or view it online at aquavista.com – we're sure you'll agree it's really special.

54 BROKERAGE

April 2024

Tel: (01788) 891373 Fax: (01788) 891436

Braunston Marina Ltd The Wharf Braunston Nr. Daventry Northamptonshire NN11 7JH

On the Internet: www.braunstonmarina.co.uk Email: sales@braunstonmarina.co.uk

REDUCED CHISWICK

UNDER OFFER £69,990

71ft 6” /21.82m Trad Style, Hull by Harland and Wolf –1937, F/O 2006, 2/4 Berth.

AUTUMN

VICTORIA

FOR SALE £45,000

52’(15.85M) – Semi Trad 1996 – Hull by Michael Cull F/O by Lockhart boats, 2 berth, Trad engine midships.

GAIA

£44,950

42ft /12.80m Trad Style 1998, Hull & Fit Out by Venetian, 2/4 Berth

UNDER OFFER ON REFLECTION

£43,500

50ft/15.24m Tug Style 1995, Hull by Colecraft, Fit Out by Owner, 2/4 Berth

REDUCED

REDUCED £59,950

60ft /19.29m Semi Trad Style 2007, Hull & F/O by Aqualine, 2/4 Berth

WIBBLY WOBBLY

£119,950

60ft /18.3m Semi Trad Style 2014, Hull Tyler Wilson, F/O by Milburn Boats, Reverse Layyout & Hyybrid Enggine, 2/4 Berth,

FOR SALE NAMASTE

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

UNDER OFFER £47,000

50ft /15.24m Cruiser Style 2001, Hull & F/O by Calcutt, 2/5 Berth Reverse Layyout

THISTLE DDU

£34,950

46.2ft /14.08m Cruiser Style 1987,Hull & Fit Out by Rugby Boat Builders, 2/4 Berth

THEREARE MANY GOOD REASONSWHYYOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER LETTING US SELLYOUR BOAT.....

Here are just two:  

We have a proven record for high and quick turnover of boat sales founded on our famous and prominent location An excellent and efficient purchasing procedure for our buyers backed up by our comprehensive boatyard facilities and services, and attentive, caring staff.

CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

BOATS URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR SALE THIS SEASON

A SMALL NUMBER OF WIDE BERTH MOORINGS ARE AVAILABLE! • Moorings • Narrowboat Sales • Steelwork by Arrangement • Chandlery • Pump Out • Laundrette • Diesel • Calor Gas • Dry & Wet Docks • Blacking • DIY Facilities • Engine Repairs & Servicing • Painting & Signwriting • Rope Fenders • Refits & Alterations

BROKERAGE 55

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T: 01926 813757 E: boats@calcuttboats.com www.calcuttboats.com Tomlow Road, Stockton, Southam, Warwickshire.

CV47 8HX MERDEKA

£58,000

RED DAWN

£58,000 2003 55ft – Severn Valley Boat Centre Hull and Fitout.

Powered by a Yanmar Shire with a PRM150 Gearbox.Boat safety until April 2027.

2005 57ft – John White hull and Triton Boat Fitters fitout.

Powered by a Vetus M417K with a TMC 60-2R Gearbox.

FIRWOOD

£50,000

2001 50ft – Colecraft hull and fitout. Powered by an Beta 1505 Cylinder with a PRM150 Gearbox.

JACK FROST

£43,000

ED C U RED

2004 45ft - M+P Steelcraft hull with first owner fitout. Boat Safety Until August 2026.

MONTPELLIER

£48,000

2006 49ft – Napton Narrowboats hull and fitout. Powered by a Shire 1952 with a PRM260 Gearbox. Boat safety until May 2026.

COMING SOON The Hive 31ft 2017 - £21,000 Duck Dilly 45ft 1988 - £ 28,000 Toska 60ft 1990 - £42,000 more information on our Website.

Marine Engines Specialists in servicing, rebuilding and spare parts for BMC. Our respected quality re-manufactured BMC 1.5 and and 1.8s marinised for keel cooling from £2820 If it’s BMC we have what you need Call us now!

A range of high quality re-built gearboxes are also available.

Reliable central heating and hot water for boats of any size

www.dieselheating.com

ORDER ONLINE FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY

www.calcuttboatsshop.com Open 24/7 for all your BMC and Hurricane spare parts and all your other chandlery needs online.

MARINA MOORINGS Moorings available in our award winning marinas, more information available on our website.

56 BROKERAGE

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BUY, SELL OR MOOR WITH US

View all our boats! lakelandleisureboatsales.co.uk Visit us at Crick Saturday 25th to Monday 27th

MAY 2024

Meet the Lakeland Leisure team... we’re moor than just a marina!

We have boat sales offices in 9 locations!

RAGDOLL | £40,000 | 34FT TRADITIONAL | BARTON MARINA A CHARMING AND COSY 2 BERTH VESSEL, BUILT IN 1992 BY DAVID PIPER.

RE

D

U

CE D

LADY ALICE | £69,995 | 55FT TRADITIONAL | TATTENHALL MARINA METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED; CLASSIC CHARM MEETS MODERN COMFORT.

KINGSLEY | £74,995 | 60FT SEMI TRAD | GREAT HAYWOOD MARINA

A TUG-STYLE VESSEL WITH CLASSIC APPEAL. AN IDEAL PROJECT BOAT.

A STUNNING 2009 VESSEL BY HEXAGON BOAT BUILDERS, FT. BOW THRUSTERS.

RE D

U

CE D

DEEP PURPLE | £89,995 | 60FT TRAD NARROWBOAT | BARTON MARINA

DUN TRUKKIN | £58,000

STAR CHASER | £75,000

58FT CRUISER STERN SAUL JUNCTION MARINA

52FT CRUISER STERN ROYDON MARINA VILLAGE

IT’S 5’CLOCK SOMEWHERE £125,000 | 55FTX11FT

WIDEBEAM, CAEN HILL MARINA

WJH | £38,000

UNICORN | £59,995

38FT CRUISER STERN SAUL JUNCTION MARINA

58FT SEMI TRAD SAUL JUNCTION MARINA

9

BOAT SALES OFFICES

07534 655702

07354 902086

07585 956804

07748 036638

07513 708099

SHAKESPEARE: 07354 902085 | CAEN HILL: 07354 902085 | DEGANWY (COASTAL BOATS): 07935 010167

BROKERAGE 57

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David Mawby Ltd NOTTINGHAM LANE, OLD DALBY, LEICESTERSHIRE, LE14 3LX

T: 07721 382619 E: davidmawbyboats@gmail.com W: www.davidmawbyboats.co.uk

Quality River and Canal Motor Cruisers are available to view by appointment at our Leicestershire indoor showroom. Over 20 years experience and 2,500 boats sold.

VIKING 28

£28,995 VIKING 22

Length 28ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 1995, 6 Berths, cooker, toilet, fridge, shower, hot and cold waters system, 12 and 240 volts electrics, CREAM LEATHERETTE CUSHION COVERS WITH BLUE PIPING, excellent canopy, powered by a Suzuki 20Hp 4 stoke outboard engine (new 2023), Bsc 2028, all original gelcoat (not painted), hull and superstructure fully polished, new antifouling, includes new mooring ropes, clean fenders, etc, FREE DELIVERY within 250 miles or local mooring available

£28,995

Length 22ft, Beam 7ft8ins, Built 2007, 4 Berths, cooker, fridge, shower, cassette toilet, warm air heating, fridge, 12 and 240 volts electrics, NEW CANOPY, powered by a Honda 30Hp 4 stroke outboard engine, Bsc 2027, all original gelcoat (not painted), hull polished and new antifouling, includes new mooring ropes, clean fenders, etc, FREE DELIVERY within 250 miles or local mooring available,

New Viking Cruisers

Show Boats Now Available to view at our indoor showroom.

Prices From £32,995.

Including Outboard Engine PLEASE CALL FOR LATEST OFFERS

VIKING 20

£13,995 VIKING 23

Length 20ft, Beam 7ft4ins, Built 1991, 4 Berths, cooker with 2 ring hob and grill, pumped water system, separate toilet with porta potti, 12 and 240 volts electrics, NEW CREAM LEATHERETTE CABIN CUSHION COVERS WITH BLUE PIPING, NEW CANOPY, NEW SIDE AND FLOOR CARPETS, NEW HEADLING, powered by a Honda 15Hp 4 stroke outboard engine, just been fully serviced, Bsc 2028, all original gelcoat (not painted), hull polished and new antifouling, includes new mooring ropes, clean fenders, etc, FREE DELIVERY within 250 miles or local mooring available,

£19,995

Length 23ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 1995, 4 Berths, cooker, toilet, fridge, shower, hot and cold water system, WARM AIR HEATING, 12 and 240 volts electrics, NEW CREAM LEATHERETTE CUSHION COVERS WITH BLUE PIPING, NEW CABIN AND COCKPIT SIDE LININGS AND FLOOR CARPETS, powered by Honda 15Hp 4 stroke outboard engine, Bsc 2028, all original gelcoat (not painted), hull and superstructure fully polished, new antifouling, includes new mooring ropes, clean fenders, etc, free delivery within 250 miles or local mooring available, SUPERB BOAT IN SUPERB CONDITION

As the Viking Motor Cruisers Premier Agent we are delighted to announce the arrival of the NEW VIKING 26 WIDE BEAM GOLDEN CROWN EDITION to celebrate 50 years of Viking Motor Cruisers. With new easy access lift out cockpit sides, new open plan cabin layout, 2 tone cockpit upholstery and warm air heating as standard, along with the usual fittings including cooker with hob, grill & oven, fridge, hot and cold water system, shower, cassette toilet, 12 & 240 volts electrics, 6 berths, and a 30Hp 4 stroke outboard engine.

Priced at £64,995.

Book your viewing now on 07721 382619.

WINTER OFFER UP TO £2000 OFF ANY NEW VIKING STOCK BOAT WITH 5 AVAILABLE TO VIEW.

David Mawby Narrowboat Sales are open by appointment at Shardlow Marina, London Road, Shardlow, Derbyshire, DE72 2GL

SALLY CASS POO

£54,995

Length 57ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 2004 by Dave Clarke with a Trad Stern, fit out by Bridgecraft, powered by a Thornycroft diesel engine, Standard layout with bedroom at stern with a fixed double bed, next it the large bathroom with shower, pump-out toilet and sink, the galley in next with units both sides and a side hatch, followed by the main living area, the boat is heated via an Alde boiler with radiators thoughout the boat. There is also 12 and 240 volt electrics and immersion heater. The Bsc is to May 2026.

This is a very clean and tidy vessel.

MARICK

£33,995

40ft cruiser stern built 1997 by Paul Barber powered by BMC 1500 inboard diesel engine. From the stern is the bathroom comprising of small bath with shower over, hand wash basin set in storage cabinet, mirror and Thetford porta potti. The bedroom has a made-up double bed with storage under, overhead lockers and gunnel storage. Moving forward is the galley with stainless steel sink & drainer with tiled splash-back & work-tops, fridge, 4 ring gas hob, oven & grill, and bulkhead cupboards. The main cabin has fixed seating which also makes a guest bed, gunnel shelving, solid fuel stove mounted on a tiled plinth & surround, & a corner storage cabinet. This is an ideal first little boat built by a leading fabricator with 12 & 240v electrics, a current BSC.

SUENOS

£47,995

Length 44ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 2008 by East West Marine with a cruiser stern, powered by a Barrus Shanks 35Hp inboard diesel.

From the bow is the open plan living area with solid fuel stove and sofa bed, next is the galley with 4 ring gas hob, grill and oven, stainless steel sink, fridge and granite worktops, the wash room is next with a large shower, sink unit and pump-out toilet, the bedroom is to the rear of the boat and has a fixed double with a central heating radiator and wardrobe. Includes Webasto Central heating, combi inverter charger, 12 and 240 volts electrics, pram canopy, 3 x solar panels and a Bsc to May 2025.

HEY PRESTO

£46,995

Length58ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 2003 by J L Pinder with a semi trad stern, powered by a Barrus Shire diesel engine, standard layout with main living area at the front with a solid fuel stove and free standing furniture, next is the galley with a full size gas cooker, fridge, stainless steel sink and drainer and units running both sides, next is the bathroom with a shower over a small bath, hand wash basin and cassette toilet, towards the stern of the boat is the bedroom with a fixed double bed, there is a 3kw inverter, 120amp battery charger, solar panels, immersion heater, 12 and 240 volts electrics and pram canopy. Bsc to July 2025

Narrowboats URGENTLY required for brokerage or outright purchase.

(Free valuation, free storage, fast payout on completion, competitive rates, terms apply) Please contact David on 07721 382619

Website: www.davidmawbyboats.co.uk

Email: davidmawbyboats@gmail.com

58 BROKERAGE

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www.towpathtalk.co.uk

New stock arriving shortly

Traditional boatyard, with traditional values UNDER OFFER REF 10541 - Teiwaz 60 foot tug style narrow boat. £44,950.00

REF 10552 - Brummie Jem. 65 foot tug style narrow boat. JUST ARRIVED. £49,950.00.

R

UNDER OFFE REF 10547 - Blue Diamond 60 foot traditional stern narrow boat. £49,950.00

REF 10556 – Mixed Emotion.

57 foot traditional stern narrow boat. £46,950.00.

R

UNDER OFFE SOLD REF 10539 - Queen Maeve 46 foot semi traditional stern narrow boat. REDUCED TO £26,950.00

REF 10557 – Manana.

42 foot tug style narrow boat. £34,950.00.

REF 10550 - Eclipse.

70 foot traditional stern narrow boat. £54,950.00.

REF 10558 – Ladydog.

57 foot traditional stern narrow boat. £69,950.00.

JUST ARRIVED SOLD REF 10559 REF 10551 - Highland Mist.

56 foot semi traditional stern narrow boat. JUST ARRIVED. £34,950.00. 70 foot cruiser stern narrow boat. £42,950.00.

Please visit our website for a full list of boats currently For Sale

The Wharf, NORBURY JUNCTION Staffordshire ST20 0PN Tel: (01785) 284292 • E-mail: info@norburywharfltd.co.uk

www.norburywharfltd.co.uk

59

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

BALLAST

BOATS WANTED

CANOPIES

BOAT BUILDER

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

GRAPHICS BOOKS

CANALIA

BOAT PAINTERS

GRIT BLASTING

CANOPIES

HEATING

CLEANING PRODUCTS

INSURANCE COURSES

BOATS WANTED

60

April 2024 www.towpathtalk.co.uk

INSURANCE

LED LIGHTING

MAIL FORWARDING

LIGHTING

MAPS

INSURANCE

MOORINGS

SERVICE & REPAIRS

SERVICES

61

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

SERVICES

SERVICES

TRANSPORT BY ROAD

TRANSPORT BY WATER

WINDOWS

SPARE PARTS TRANSPORT BY WATER

62

April 2024 www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Dave Freeman

Cetec Marine

Marine Surveys & BSS Examinations For a Competitive Quote & Prompt Service

A friendly and professional fully insured service Steel, GRP & Timber craft Pre-purchase surveys Insurance surveys Valuations Ultrasonic Testing

Over 25 years experience on the inland waterways

Tel 07918 677782

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

Est. 1992

Need a Survey or Boat Safety Examiner?

Phone Chris Holmes 07860 254369 01784 464899

surveyors@cetec.co.uk www.cetecmarine.co.uk

Areas Covered 10, 12, 13, 14, 15

RHYS KILLIN Dip.S.C.Sur

BSS Examiner BSS Examination from £160 BSS Examiner, Marine Surveyor & Marine Technical Consultant

Covering areas 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Tel 07748 861795 rhys_k1@yahoo.co.uk www.rhyskillin.co.uk

Narrowboat Surveyor

& Boat Safety Examiner

Michael Clarke

Dip.S.C. Sur AMIMarEST Areas covered: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 • A Friendly and Professional Service • Fully Qualified & Insured • Ultrasonic Pre-purchase & Hull Condition Surveys • No travelling Charges - All areas covered Northampton based

01604 858 868 07944 856 351

info@northernstarmarine.co.uk www.northernstarmarine.co.uk

Services

is an independent company providing professional and comprehensive support services to Narrowboats and Inland Waterways vessels.

Based in Northamptonshire we are ideally placed to offer our services.

Our services include: • Hull condition, Pre-purchase, Insurance and Valuation surveys.

(Accredited YDSA member) • Marine consultancy.

Northamptonshire and surrounding areas.

AREA COVERED: 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14

07903 945196 boats@jgmarine.co.uk www.jgmarine.co.uk

MARK

EDWARDS MABSSE

Boat Safety Scheme Examiner

All classes of vessels examined Landlords’ Gas Safety Certificates Caravans, RV’s and domestic properties

Tel 07970 384047 Areas covered: 2, 4, 5

Alan Buckle Boat Safety Scheme

STEVE SIMCOE BSS EXAMINER NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND SURROUNDING AREA

Examiner

Independent friendly service Covering the Midlands and surrounding areas.

PHONE/TEXT: 07860 943714 EMAIL: bimsimcoe@gmail.com

bsswithalan@gmail.com

FOR A PROMPT SERVICE

07856 686363

DELTA MARINE SERVICES

MIDLANDS BOAT SURVEYS

Marine Surveying

♦ Pre-Purchase Condition Survey ♦ Valuation ♦ Insurance Condition Survey ♦ New Build/Conversion Project Supervision & Consultancy ♦ Damage Assessment ♦ Litigation Advice & Claim Assessment ♦ Areas covered 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 14

Mob. 07831 355543 Tel. 01926 499337

www.delta-marineservices.co.uk

Contact: 07754 058590

UK Enterprise Awards Winner Marine Surveying Services 2023 - Midlands

Burton Marine Ltd

Robert W Burton BEng (Hons), MIET, AffilIIMS, MIET, MABSSE.

Surveys, valuations, and consultancy throughout Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and Scotland.

07794 862 022 robert@burtonmarine.com

www.burtonmarine.com

All types of surveys undertaken BSS certification partners Fully Insured services Comprehensive reports AREAS COVERED: 2,3,5,6,7,9,10,11 Surveyor: Tom Crosby www.midlandsboatsurveys.co.uk Email: info@midlandsboatsurveys.co.uk

NIGEL CARTON BSS

Completely independent.

Good rates and a friendly service.

Areas covered:

2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10 Call: 07989 388109 Email:

nigel.carton@btinternet.com Pete Davidson BSS Examiner Most private craft examined.

East Midlands based.

Areas covered 5, 6, 7, 9, 10,11 07988 739136 pete@bss-examiner.co.uk www.bss-examiner.co.uk

• Boat Safety Examinations inc. commercial craft • All gas repairs & fittings Offering over 30 years experience WITHIN A 30 MILE RADIUS OF BIRMINGHAM

Thomas Tighe 07973 321997 tomtighe@hotmail.com

JDS BOAT SAFETY

BSS EXAMINER Covering Southern England

Jason Starnes 07795 625661 jasonjds28@gmail.com

BOB HURST Your Local BSS Examiner

based at South Kilworth

Phone: 07720 424396 Email: robert.hurst.bss@ btinternet.com Areas Covered 9 & 10

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TANIA ON 01507 529489

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Cleaner marina bid

ONE of Ireland’s longest-established and most experienced cruiser hire companies, Carrickcraft, has announced the introduction of HVO biofuel to its range of boats for the 2024 season.

HVO is a sustainable, low-carbon, drop-in replacement for diesel oil which Carrickcraft believes will reduce emissions by 92% and improve boat performance and reliability, as well as resulting in a cleaner marina and healthier atmosphere for both customers and staff.

Those choosing to hire a boat with Carrickcraft will be contributing in a positive way to a more sustainable environment.

The fuel change will also help to preserve habitats that hirers may encounter on their boating journey, in particular the Shannon Callows, which are home to a wide variety of bird and plant life.

Operating along the majestic Shannon and the Shannon-Erne network of waterways, Carrickcraft has provided idyllic cruising holidays in Ireland for almost 50 years from its bases at

Carrick-on-Shannon, Banagher and, more recently, Ballanaleck near Enniskillen.

Discover more at : www. carrickcraft.com

A Carrickcraft boat on the Lough Allen Canal.

Ram’s Island needs you!

THE River Bann and Lough Neagh Association (RBLNA) is appealing for volunteers to help with the Ram’s Island Heritage Project.

Ram’s Island is nearly one mile long by a quarter of a mile wide and is the largest island on Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland. Notable features of the island include a round tower and the ruins of the O’Neill’s 19th-century summerhouse. Its remote wilderness and lost-in-time qualities make Ram’s Island a pleasant and attractive place to visit.

For many years the only source of funding has come from the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. This is supplemented with the income received from camping, glamping and day trips to the island but with ongoing issues with Island Warrior, which has been in use as a regular ferry to the island since 2006, these have become limited.

The Ram’s Island Heritage Project is run by a small team of volunteers working tirelessly for the registered charity RBLNA. There are no paid staff and everything is undertaken by the volunteers which means that 100% of donations received goes towards the maintenance, upkeep and care of Ram’s Island but the project is vast and more help is urgently needed. From litter picking to Himalayan balsam bashing, whether you are skilled or unskilled, Ram’s Island needs you!

If you are interested in volunteering, can help in any other way or assist with accessing funding for the Island Warrior, please contact the Ram’s Island Heritage Project. Tel: Robert on +44 (0)78 8608 8286 or mail: volunteers@ramsisland.org For further details visit the Ram’s Island website at: www. ramsisland.org Island Warrior out on the water.

The Ram’s Island pontoon.

ON IRISH WATERS WITH ALISON ALDERTON 63

IWAI celebrates Platinum Jubilee THE Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) was formed 70 years ago and is to celebrate this year’s Platinum Jubilee with a garden party for its members in the grounds of the birthplace of the association, IWAI HQ Dunrovin.

IWAI HQ Dunrovin was the former home of Colonel Harry Rice, the founder of the association in Ireland.

The acre of grounds on the shores of Lough Ree at Coosan Point, Athlone was bequeathed to the association and, in recent years, has been extensively developed to house both a meeting place for the IWAI and an RNLI lifeboat station.

The grounds are made up of mature trees and woodland walks and can be booked by any IWAI branch for events or meetings.

Recently IWAI Athlone planted flowering bulbs around the site that overlooks the entrance to Lough Ree’s Inner Lakes which should create a spectacular floral vista every spring for many years to come.

The IWAI also has a full calendar

of events throughout 2024 which includes rallies, cruises in company, boat safety and training, walks and talks. The Platinum Jubilee coincides with a number of other special milestones including the 60th anniversary of the formation of IWAI Dublin, while the Royal Canal Amenity Group (RCAG) celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding, and the Grand Canal celebrates the 220th anniversary of its official opening to through traffic on to the Shannon.

To find out more about the IWAI, visit its website at: www.iwai.ie

IWAI HQ Dunrovin.

PHOTO: PADRAIG DEVANEY

An IWAI event, Richmond Harbour, Royal Canal, Richmond.

The IWAI Shannon Rally. PHOTO: MARK GLEESON

Permission sought for works on Barrow Navigation

Ram’s Island glamping.

PHOTOS: RBLNA

WATERWAYS Ireland (WI) has sought the consent of the planning authorities for a five-year programme of maintenance works along the Barrow Navigation at townlands throughout Co Carlow, Co Laois and Co Kildare.

The proposed works will consist of essential maintenance and repair of the navigation assets and will include dredging and back-drain maintenance as well as towpath and bank repairs.

The maintenance works which are being proposed by WI will seek to improve the assets along the Barrow navigation, which is a nationally important recreation and navigation corridor and also has a unique heritage and biodiversity value.

The Barrow Navigation features many bridges, locks and buildings that are protected structures and/or national monuments.

These necessary maintenance works will seek to protect these structures as well as the natural,

cultural and amenity potential of the corridor and as such, ensure the continued use and accessibility of

Stone-built bridge on the Barrow. PHOTO: WATERWAYS IRELAND

the waterways for all users. Following validation, the planning documents will be publicly available on the three councils’ planning portals. WI encourages the public and interested parties to familiarise themselves with the documents and submit potential feedback to the councils.

Gerard Bayly, senior engineer on the Barrow with Waterways Ireland, said: “The Barrow Navigation is a nationally important heritage corridor comprising a rich tapestry of natural, built and cultural assets.

“At Waterways Ireland, our goal is to ensure we can provide safe and sustainable experiences for all users of our waterways. We seek to maintain the heritage and biodiversity of Ireland’s waterways while providing a highquality navigation and recreation offering, for the benefit of all.”

64 GREAT OUTDOORS

April 2024

No more soggy doggy Barge Beagle – sniffing out good finds for crews with canines

By Alison Alderton

EVERY dog needs a good towel, particularly with all the recent inclement weather we have been experiencing.

While most love to be dried with a thick, fluffy cotton towel, these can be impractical for a number of reasons; they can be big, bulky and heavy, unsuitable for small storage spaces or travel purposes, puppies and smaller breeds may find the weight uncomfortable and they can take a long time to dry. With this in mind, Barge Beagle has been seeking out an alternative.

Available from a number of suppliers, such as Hoolaroo and TeddyT’s (via Amazon), is the luxuriously soft and super absorbent microfibre towel. These are lightweight, do not take up as much room as a bulky traditional towel – ideal for compact boat cabins – and when venturing out on a hike can be easily rolled up and slipped into a knapsack without weighing you down.

Barge Beagle can be a mucky pup; he

loves to paddle in puddles and snuffle through muddy woodlands, resulting in the microfibre towel receiving a full workout. It stood up to the job extremely well, in fact surprisingly well, given just how light it feels in your hands.

As you would expect, the drying time is also reduced compared with that of a more traditional towel, which is amazing when you consider that microfibre can hold up to seven times its own weight in water. It is not difficult to hang up and dry – for example, the lightness will allow the towel to be hung on a laundry peg hanger, another plus point for small boat cabins and for those with limited outside space.

The towels come in a wide range of colours, feature an embroidered paw print and can be personalised with your own dog’s name, or perhaps your boat name if so desired. This makes the towel a great gift idea too and, being lightweight, can easily be packed into a jiffy bag and popped into the post.

The downside to microfibre which is synthetic, made up of polyesters, polyamides and polypropylene, is in the washing as minute plastics can be released into the environment via the water system. However, it wins in other areas such as using less water to produce, less dye to colour it and lasting longer than cotton comparisons.

Barge Beagle loves his microfibre towel but recommends thoroughly researching the pros and cons prior to purchase to ensure your own personal green and sustainability ethos is met.

A 100cm x 60cm size microfibre dog towel weighing about 400g will cost in the region of £15.99 plus post and packaging.

Left: Personalised microfibre towel.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Pets on the Cut Rosie and Jim ‘em-bark’ on their maiden voyage

By Alison Wilkerson

WE HAVE owned our 1978, 38ft, 1500 BMC-powered Calcutt-built narrowboat, purchased via eBay, for nearly 10 years. Over those years we have had a number of friends’ dogs aboard for day trip cruises with their human owners, of course. We’ve also had a few unfamiliar dogs venture on our boat while moored up, to the embarrassment of their owners, who hastily try to encourage them off while apologising. However, we don’t actually mind and always have dog biscuits in the galley and put a bowl of fresh water on the towpath next to our boat, once safely and securely moored up.

We purchased two adult life jackets prior to purchasing our boat and recently a small children’s one which have all been worn when deemed appropriate and necessary – plus we also have a little doggie life jacket aboard and a life ring as it’s better to be safe than sorry. Having witnessed an off-lead puppy slip in the rain and fall just in front of lock gates, it shows just how quickly accidents can happen and how dangerous water and locks can be.

Thankfully a quick-thinking and acting crew member grabbed the puppy by the scruff of its neck and pulled it out.

He had no collar or life jacket on. A few seconds later and he would have been sucked under due to the force of the water through the paddles.

So after all the years of borrowing dogs, we finally adopted two rescue

Rosie and Jim in their splendid doggie life jackets. dogs from our local RSPCA centre.

A mum, a three-year-old tricolour Cavalier King Charles spaniel and her son, a six-month-old cavapoo which we named… Rosie and Jim of course, after the children’s TV series. We did not have any difficulty choosing their names but tend to call Jim, Jimmy.

After a few months of getting them in a stable routine and used to their new home (we live on dry land) and surroundings, as well as them getting used to us and visa versa, we embarked (excuse the pun), on our maiden voyage together. However, not being familiar with their background and any water or boating experience, we purchased another life jacket from a local Dogs Trust charity shop and they were luckily

both tolerant of having them put on.

Task number one.

Our second task was to get them to walk, with leads on, on the jetty next to our boat, which they did without hesitation and were eager to step on the stern, without any assistance.

The engine was already running so obviously that did not bother them and they stood and watched the world go by as we commenced our journey.

They loved the wind in their fur and got excited when they saw wildfowl and other dogs so we had to keep calm just in case they were tempted to jump in. When about to moor up they even managed the cabin steps and stayed inside, so our first trip was a real success!

A play on birds

Barge Beagle wrapped in his microfibre towel.

Spring to life…

A good lightweight towel for boating dogs.

TALK

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By Lee Senior

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The start of a new gardening season is upon us and spring is my favourite time of year, full of exciting anticipation for the warmer months ahead.

All across the UK, buds are bursting into new growth. There is plenty of tree blossom visible from the towpath provided by the likes of the flowering cherry (Prunus) with its eye-catching white or lilac-pink blossom and hedgerow favourites such as hawthorn and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).

At ground level, the understory planting is dominated by bluebells, celandines, dandelions, wood anemones, common dog-violets, cowslips and more.

Topical monthly tasks

April is a great month for sowing both flower and vegetable seeds.

Ken Norman continues his series of frivolous bird cartoons which he creates while relaxing on board his narrowboat Daedalus.

Seeds of annual half-hardy summer bedding plants that can be sown now include the likes of ageratum, marigold, impatiens and salvia. Protect from frost until the end of May. Growing your own salad is quite easy to do and doesn’t take up too much room. Seeds of the mini lettuce ‘Little Gem’ can be sown from now throughout the summer. It is perfect for small areas and containers and won’t take up too much room.

Mixed salad leaves can also be sown now and are ready to eat a month later. They are perfect for adding crunch and flavour to sandwiches!

The seeds of dwarf varieties of cucumbers and tomatoes can also be sown in gentle heat this month along with mizuna, rocket and spring onion.

Early and second early potatoes will grow very successfully in large containers, barrels, sacks or even old compost bags containing John Innes compost or good quality garden compost.

If planted now they will be ready for harvest in 10-12 weeks. Protect from frost at all times and earth up as required.

Cowslip coming into bloom during April.

SCOTTISH WATERS with Cicely Oliver 65

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

Scottish Canals and Glasgow City Council enter global competition

GLASGOW has joined 14 cities around the world, including New York, Milan and Brussels, to enter a global design competition that could see the continued transformation of the city’s canal corridor. The global design competition for professionals, C40’s Reinventing Cities, launched its fourth edition in February with Scottish Canals and Glasgow City Council submitting the Applecross site, located on the Forth & Clyde Canal in the city. C40 is a network of nearly 100 cities taking action to confront the climate crisis.

The competition aims to transform underused urban sites through innovative and zero-carbon projects, designed and developed by architects, planners, developers and environmentalists. North Glasgow has already seen new development including the Pinkston Watersports complex, Claypits Local Nature Reserve, Stockingfield Bridge and Europe’s first Smart canal scheme which has unlocked huge swathes of land for regeneration and development.

Smart water engineering

Glasgow’s Smart canal is playing an important part in the regeneration of north Glasgow where problems with surface water across large areas prevented any development. The £17m project was a combined effort from Scottish Canals, Scottish Water and Glasgow City Council. Limited capacity in the existing drainage systems meant that an innovative solution had to be found and the Smart canal was the answer.

Using predictive weather technology

Scottish Canals budget covers the cost of large projects such as lock gate repair and replacement on the Caledonian Canal.

PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

The canal at Applecross. PHOTO: MARTIN SHIELDS and sensors, the water level is lowered by just 100mm across the 21 miles of the Forth & Clyde canal’s top pound, creating extra capacity for the surface water run-off via new drainage systems, weirs and sluices into the canal and from north Glasgow into the River Kelvin during storms.

The system diverts the water away from the sewers – reducing the risk of flooding and pollution – and answers the problem of how to deal with excess surface water. The entire system can be monitored and managed remotely.

The use of new tech and the historic canal brings greater resilience to longterm climate change, increased rainfall

and the likelihood of extreme weather events. On a practical level, there are also money-saving benefits. If, for

Tough as old boots The lift bridge at Applecross.

PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

Bella the Beithir unveiled in Glasgow

STOCKINGFIELD Bridge is now literally and figuratively on the map with the unveiling in February of Scotland’s largest community mosaic artwork project, the Beithir.

The Beithir forms the centrepiece of one of 22 artworks commissioned

by Scottish Canals for the parkland surrounding the new canal bridge at Stockingfield Junction on the Forth & Clyde Canal.

The Beithir is, like its Kelpie cousins, a mythical creature from Scottish

folklore, in this case a serpent.

Glasgow’s Beithir was conjured up by Scottish artist Nichol Wheatley, with collaboration from Louise Nolan and Ruth Impey from Make It Glasgow to create and install the mosaic tiles.

The enormous creature’s head, three metres wide, two metres high and four metres long, has been decorated in mosaic tiles.

The next stage of the project will be to decorate the entire length of the Beithir’s

body with tile scales. It’s envisaged that this will take five years and involve up to 30,000 people. Community is at the centre of both the bridge (designed for foot and cycle and which connects three north Glasgow communities for the first time since the canal was opened in 1790) and the artwork.

School children and other members of the local community decorated the tiles used on the Beithir head and the making and decoration of the scales

Bella the Beithir unveiled. From left are Ruth Impey, Lord Provost Jacqueline Mclaren and Nichol Wheatley. Hidden inside the mouth is a world egg.

instance, a section of the canal needs draining for lock gate repair, the water levels can be reduced ahead of the stop planks going in, meaning that there’s less water to be held back and drained, giving savings in time and budget.

As well as being the navigation

authority for Scotland’s canals, Scottish Canals must comply with a whole range of legal requirements and statutory duties relating to water quality and health and safety, including managing the 19 reservoirs that supply the canals with water. During droughts, water is drawn down from the reservoirs to keep the canals topped up with water. The water in the reservoirs themselves drops during times of low or no rainfall. The installation of remote monitoring and the use of sustainable drainage systems could mean that the excess water is stored and used to maintain water levels in the navigation. Remote monitoring is already being installed on some of the more remote and difficult-to-access reservoirs that supply the Crinan Canal.

Environmental monitoring systems can be installed and excess water cleaned at source, instead of via existing sewerage and treatment plants. It’s a complex business, but as Ross Speirs, head of engineering and infrastructure at Scottish Canals, says, there’s huge potential to develop water management systems across the canal system to prevent flooding and meet environmental requirements and concerns in sustainable ways.

will see communities come together again. The majority of the artwork comes from reclaimed materials.

Glasgow was once the centre of Scotland’s industrial ceramic industry with a global market.

Nichol has affectionately named his creation Bella, a nod to his hero and mentor, the late Alisdair Gray, who he worked with for 15 years.

Bella is the main character in Gray’s novel Poor Things, which has recently been adapted for film.

Official opening of Stockingfield Bridge in December 2022.

PHOTOS: SCOTTISH CANALS.

THE 200-year-old Union Canal runs for 31 miles between Edinburgh and Falkirk. Its long history includes an association with Burke and Hare, the notorious murderers who allegedly used the canal to transport bodies into the city.

The canal recently produced another mystery from the past when an old boot was found in the dry dock at Seagull Trust Cruises’ base at Ratho. It’s not uncommon for rubbish to be washed into the dry dock but Seagull Trust volunteers were excited to find such an old object when the The Watch House at Cadder dock was drained. It had obviously Parish Church. been in the canal for a long time and PHOTO: CALLUM FREW the charity immediately contacted National Museums Scotland. After The ’body snatchers’ Burke and investigation, the boot was declared Hare worked as navvies during the to be a man’s leather working boot, construction of the Union Canal. with metal lacing eyelets and partial In the early 19th century, laces, dating from between 1915–40. Edinburgh and Glasgow universities The trust has donated the boot to the were centres for anatomical study. museum service, which will further By Scottish law, the supply of bodies research its past. used for medical research was The Seagull Trust charity is entirely restricted and there was a shortage, run by volunteers and provides free leading to unscrupulous grave canal cruises for the elderly, infirm robbers providing the necessary. and those with special needs. Stuart Burke and Hare took advantage of the situation and were Rennie, chairman off responsible for a series the Ratho Branch, hass of 16 murders in 1828, spent more than 15 when the bodies were w years volunteering on sold to Edinburgh the canal. He says you U University. Visitors meet many interesting tto the graveyard at people on the water and the towpath, most C Cadder Parish Church with a story to tell. beside the Forth & Clyde b Seagull Trust Cruises is Canal will see a Watch C always on the lookout House where, after a H for more volunteers fu uneral, relatives and and has a dedicated church officials would phone number and m mount guard over the email address for grrave. It was thought more information: call th hat grave robbers would 07749 034468 or email ttake advantage of the R a t h o Vo l u n t e e r @ The old boot found in proximity to the canal seagulltrustcruises. the dry dock. PHOTO: to move the stolen org.uk SEAGULL TRUST CRUISES bodies.

66 DAYS OUT

April 2024 www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Salt’s Mill alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Days Out –

Saltaire

Titus Street in Saltaire, which runs parallel with Caroline Street, the latter being named after the wife of Titus Salt, Lady Caroline.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Saltaire.

A beautiful row of terraced houses in Titus Street.

This series picks locations for great days out near some very special canal highlights − anything from the perfect spot for gongoozling (watching boating activities) to an idyllic towpath stroll past extraordinary waterways heritage sightseeing, or perhaps a short boat trip and even a bit of souvenir shopping. The canals are full of heritage and engineering wonders and are also a calm haven for a wide diversity of wildlife and birds. You’ll also see boats on the move and breathe the balm of water in rustling green surroundings.

Words & images – Coolcanals: Phillippa Greenwood & Martine O’Callaghan

FIRE-spitting chimneys once choked the northern landscape; the preserved buildings can hold an aura of iconic loneliness in memory of textile workers who endured poverty, disease and overcrowded housing. But Sir Titus Salt’s mill is a breath of fresh air, standing boldly by the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and the River Aire, its redundant chimney looming down from the sky with a silent story that wants to be heard.

The Industrial Revolution brought radical change, with the migration of the workforce to new industries along the canals, and the new pecking order of social classes riled in rabid confusion.

Some mill owners were greedily blind to the wrongs of child labour and the social and economic slavery of workers

miserably crammed into urban slums of disease and smog. Thankfully, Quakers such as Cadbury, and non-conformist church reformers such as Salt, proved by example that success in business could be built on fair trade.

For his mill workers, Salt built a village with neat rows of houses, schools, a workers’ institute, a park and more.

Salt’s workers were given security, comfort and a quality of life better than many other mill workers might expect.

The new industrial capitalism was the cauldron of Britain’s class structure and depended on the so-called lower class.

Salt aimed to nurture a community with one common cause - the mill. Weavers earned a modest wage working for the textile industry that dominated world markets. Saltaire today is a thriving example of living heritage, immaculately preserved with ordinary life going on.

A beautiful day at the the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Saltaire.

ANGLING 67

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

The Towpath Angler Our monthly look at the angling scene

By David Kent

The cobbled streets of Saltaire have been used in many TV productions, from Gentleman Jack to The Railway Children Return.

The stunning Victoria Hall in Saltaire.

I HAVE spent a fair bit of time in recent weeks, when the weather has allowed, walking along the Erewash Canal and the local River Trent. Apart from ticking the ever-necessary exercise box, I hoped these little trips would enable me to see if the behaviour and attitudes of people using the paths and towpaths might be changing.

Straight away I must say the vast majority of people are, by and large, pretty tolerant of the needs of others so we are only ever really looking at the inconsiderate minority. I also wanted to see if the views of my fellow anglers were any different. Not surprisingly, given the ongoing flooded state of our rivers, I saw very few fishing there.

That said, a few barbel specialists were out and of those I spoke to, most had been permanently huddled in their bivvies and so saw and heard very little.

One or two told me that as they walked the paths from their parked vehicles to their chosen swims they were seeing a significant increase in dog poo along the paths. Interestingly this was mirrored by a number of people, including anglers, whom I met along the canal towpath.

They all said that this problem is actually getting worse.

It does beg the question about the safety of towpaths for anyone using them, especially for children.

Represent members’ views

A hireboat moored by the mill.

FACT FILE Saltaire

The entire Victorian industrial village of Saltaire, built by the philanthropist Sir Titus Salt, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. whc.unesco.org/en/list Salt’s Mill

The mill once housed 1200 looms producing 30,000 yards of alpaca and other cloths daily. Steam-driven machinery needed 50 tons of coal per day and water drawn from the River Aire through pipes running under the building and canal. The mill’s cathedral acoustics that once bellowed with looms have been replaced by background recordings of gentle music. Naked bricks arch overhead and stone floors echo the atmosphere. The void between is filled with the largest permanent collection of David Hockney paintings, and shopping and dining cover several floors. The stairs leading through the levels are away from the fuss and perhaps, in their emptiness, hold the real spirit of the people who once trudged up and down them in a day’s work. www.saltsmill.org.uk Don’t Tell Titus

Titus Salt thought alcohol was

‘a source of social evil’ and he deliberately omitted to build a local boozer for his workers. What would he have said when, more than 100 years after his death, the Boathouse Inn was opened right next to his mill. The pub overlooks the park where white dots of cricket speckle the green and families push prams and kick balls. Titus probably would approve of the views at least. Saltaire today even has its own brewery, and another pub had the audacity to open in the tree-lined main street, cheekily called Don’t Tell Titus.

Route 696 and National Cycle Network Route 66.

Location

Moorings

Saltaire OS Grid ref: SE139381 Canal: Leeds & Liverpool Canal How to get there By train

Nearest train station is Saltaire www.wymetro.com National Rail Enquiries T:08457 484950 By bus

Traveline T:0871 2002233 By car

Large car park near the canal On foot

This part of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is on the Airedale Greenway

By boat Nearest boat hire:

Anglo Welsh Waterway Holidays, Silsden www.anglowelsh.co.uk Pennine Cruisers, Skipton www. penninecruisers.com Saltaire Trip Boat, Saltaire saltairetripboat.wixsite.com/titus Skipton Boat Trips, Skipton www. canaltrips.co.uk Snaygill Boats, Skipton www. snaygillboats.co.uk There are plenty of visitor moorings along the canal through Saltaire.

Local tourist info

Yorkshire Tourist Information www.yorkshire.com Saltaire village website www.saltairevillage.info Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society www.leedsandliverpoolcanalsociety.co.uk Canal & River Trust Use the Canal & River Trust website to find specific local information www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

This leads me nicely to my next topic. I am currently in the process of building an email group of representatives from among the trust’s 240-plus angling club customers. The main objective of this is to ensure that when I speak with key officers at the trust or at the Members’ Council on behalf of those clubs I can do so, confident that I take along the views of a considerable number of those clubs.

I already had a number of club contacts in place but following another recent circulation of my intentions that number is now rising quite impressively.

It is immediately clear that many of the trust’s angling clubs are far from happy. Issues range from all the usual anti-social behaviour (in all its forms) incidents to the equally long-standing problems surrounding the trust’s often poor communication with its customer clubs. Among these growing numbers of responses, some clubs have indicated their frustrations are forcing them to consider “talking with their feet”.

I hope to be able to meet with officers

very soon to, hopefully, identify some resolutions and keep these clubs onside.

Rain and flood consequences

It is noticeable, no doubt due to rivers and many still-waters being inaccessible due to flooding, that canals have seen more anglers of late. My information suggests, though, that generally, sport on the canals has not been particularly good.

Again, many canals have been adversely affected by the rain. Last weekend a small club fished my local canal and only one angler had a bite, which he missed! Also, a good friend who lives in South Yorkshire travelled up to a match on the New Junction a week ago. Weights were well down on normal but, at least, everyone caught. It seemed that pinkies (small maggots) proved to be the best bait.

Saying that, pinkies are proving to be a good choice of bait on commercials too.

I spoke with another friend (also a David) who came second in the commercial open match for the over-60s last Saturday with almost 40lb of small carp, all of which he caught on pinkie.

Personally, I have only wet a line twice in the past three weeks. The first time was decidedly unenjoyable as it rained pretty much all day. I did manage to catch a couple though. The weather on the second trip was beautiful with some real warmth in the sun. Again the fishing was hard but I did catch 17 small bream and two carp, so was kept fairly busy.

If you are thinking of getting out in the coming days just bear in mind that, despite it having stayed fairly mild, it is still best to approach your session with a bit of caution. Fish are starting to show signs of wanting a little feed but little is the operative word. As I said earlier, pinkies seem to be a good choice of bait right now so it may be advisable to take a few with you. If you do venture out please be mindful of the amount of water still around so stay safe.

Tight lines.

Time to have a go at angling

SPRING into Fishing events are happening all over the country from April right through to June with friendly, helpful coaches and volunteers to show families what fishing is all about.

Tackle, instruction and next-steps info are

all included on the day and the sessions are quality assured by the Angling Trust to provide the best possible experience of fishing to children and families.

In its fifth year, the campaign is funded by the Environment Agency and Sport

En g l a n d , g i v i ng everyone the chance to get outside again after winter, try fishing and learn new skills.

Angling Trust head of participation Clive Copeland said: “Spring into Fishing is the perfect time for families to get back outdoors, learn to fish, and have some fun when the countryside is bursting back into life.”

Find events and subscribe for Spring into Fishing news and offers at www. anglingtrust.net/ springintofishing

68 WET WEB

April 2024

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

The Wet Web

By Helen Gazeley

EVERYONE who is puzzled over organising the interior of a narrowboat understands the problem of trying to make what is, essentially, a corridor feel light and spacious. When Sharon Peach and husband Aaran Chapman fell in love with narrowboating after a single weekend on the canals in 2016, it was a question that would lead to a completely new venture.

They bought themselves a run-down ex-timeshare boat and asked themselves: “What happens if we make a lovely space?” Research into narrowboat interiors hadn’t impressed. “It felt like narrowboats in general were stuck in a gloomy varnished plywood time warp,” says Sharon. “We knew we could do better.”

Applying interior design techniques resulted in a modern look that drew plenty of praise and they realised they were on to something. To test out their idea, they surveyed 200 people on narrowboat groups and forums online. Two-thirds said they’d contemplate more onboard holidays if living accommodation were more modern, with unfavourable comparisons made between many hire boats and 1970s caravans. The result was Boutique Narrowboats.

Operating out of Union Wharf, Market Harborough, Aaran and Sharon now run a small fleet of holiday hire boats, mainly for couples.

The new concept involved, among other things, a complete rethink of materials. “Materials need to withstand such extremes of environment,” says Sharon. “At times of the year, everything gets damp, everything gets dry.” Practical and well-tried as marine ply and vinyl are for interiors, Sharon and Aaran wanted to leave them behind. “They’re not very beautiful,” she explains.

Early trials of tongue and groove panelling were not a success because of moisture and temperature variations. “It expands and contracts, leaving strips of unpainted wood. It cracks.” The answer has been an MDF product that is usually put into bathrooms.

Early attempts at doors resulted in warping—with a character that adds warmth to light interiors, those

Marbled White shows the couple’s signature look of warm wood, skilled joinery and light colours. PHOTO: SHARON PEACH are now made with a reclaimed wood cladding over an MDF core and are now an important element in their signature look.

But looks aren’t everything. “We always knew that we wanted guests to use the boats as closely as they can to being on land,” says Sharon. Aaran is in charge of engineering and they work with a skilled carpenter. The result is that boats have king-size beds, a large shower, and plenty of battery power to allow for appliances that include a coffee machine.

Their latest addition, Paper Kite, launching this summer, is gasless. This is a bonus from a design point of view, as it reduces the number of vents required.

What they’ve done certainly seems to have gone down well. In January, the British Travel Awards 2023 awarded Silver to Boutique Narrowboats as the Best Company for UK Short Breaks in the small companies category. “We’re so pleased,” says Sharon. “It’s voted for by the public. A lot of people come back to us year after year, and come a long way to stay on our boats – including from America and Italy.”

Refitting narrowboats turns out to be a transferable skill. Sharon’s new venture Skipperlings (skipperlings.co.uk), helps anyone self-brokering their boat to dress their interior to create the best

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2020 YEAR PLANNER YOUNG VOLUNTEER EARNS AWARD

Winter waters

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NARROWBOAT’S UNUSUAL CARGO

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Narrowboats moored on the Leeds

West & Liverpool Canal at Parbold, W

By Janet Richardson

BOAT TREKKER AT FINAL FRONTIER

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COLIN WAREING Lancashire in January 2019. PHOTO:

eams for 2019 are revealed k’s TTop TTeams T k’s Towpath Talk a s, we bid farewell awn AS A new decade dawn t th to 2019 with the results of our Towpath op Team award which has been Top kT Talk r r. running throughout the year.

With four teams shortlisted for the final with vote it was a veryy close-run contest t volunteers ty the Grantham Canal Society taking the title by a short head.

Such was the support also for from Crusader Community Boating first Blisworth that we are awarding our a rd – something Community Boat awa f the we had alreadyy been planning for r r. coming year. of Commended are the Friends the River Nene and the Waterways Chaplaincy’s Martin and Fiona Buck.

Award presentations to our finalists

r The r. will take place in the new year. off a winning team receives the hire day boat carrying up to 10 people, generously sponsored by ABC Leisure Group Ltd. The runner-up will receive a £100 voucher to spend at Midland four Chandlers at Braunston and all donation finalists will receive a £100 towards their volunteering organisation the from Mortons Media Group Ltd,

alk.

Tal tth T publisher of Towpath Our thanks go to the readers who rose of to the challenge of finding a group aave gone that extra unsung heroes who have f their local stretch off towpath, mile for a association or ays canal or river, waterways a our judging ave community boat – and gave the panel a difficult job of shortlisting four finalists.

• Continued on page 2

found on a boat moored Ouse bodies t achievemen f nd 100-dayCommunity of two men were fou probe Action Network (UCAN) THE bodies Boats gunshot were called UPPERMILL Y k city centre. Emergency services after starting in Yor investigating damage to narrowboats POLICE are Officers were after gunshots were fired in Cambridge. a December 5, at around 10.15pm, ay, called on Thursday, f m shots fro after nearbyy residents reported hearing near boats on the what was believed to be an air rifle the window of one River Cam. Photographs off holes in a since been published. One resident ave of the boats have Chesterton the told reporters thatt shots, coming from moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats five about for on Field, Fen Ditton, and this went no injuries were minutes. Cambridgeshire Police said reported and enquiries were continuing.

achieved its 100-day volunteering milestone 2300 hours of out in 2015. This included more than who, according voluntary work achieved by local people to, crafting to UCAN, “care about, and are committed environment”. and maintaining our beautiful local and for the positive Thanks were given to all supporters, work parties will feedback from the community. The next 8 and 20. The usual be on January 4 and 23, and February on Moorgate meeting point is 10am at the canal bridge Killan on 01457 Street but this can change. Contact Peter 878361 or peterkillan@hotmail.com

at around 8pm to Lendal Bridge on the River Ouse said officers on December 4. North Yorkshire Police f two men for attended “after concerns were raised with their touch in their 60s who had been out of bodies. Fire .” Upon arrival officers found the family.”

The deaths and ambulance services both attended. although did were being treated as ‘unexplained’ a post-mortem not appear to be suspicious and The men had not examination was due to take place. alk went to press.

Tal tth T been identified when Towpath

11/12/2019 10:17:16

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A king-size bed is standard in all Boutique Narrowboats. PHOTO: SHARON PEACH

impression and maximise a sale. Sharon and Aaran also fit out private boats for owners who want a fresh approach – accommodating what Sharon sees as a new trend in narrowboat ownership. “People are viewing them as mini-apartments,” she says, “whereas I think they used to be seen more as a mode of transport. Whatever their taste is at home, that’s what they want.”

So, what are their design secrets? If you’ve ever wished for a lighter feel and a freer flow of space, or an alternative to the ubiquitous dinette, Sharon highlights her ideas in a regular blog for their website (boutiquenarrowboats.co.uk).

Wood is used to add warmth to lighter colours. PHOTO: SHARON PEACH

Heritage under the hammer

A 160-year-old map of the course of the River Thames, an authoritative booklet of papers on the Manchester Ship Canal and delightful river scenes of leisure activities on both the Wharfe and Wye are among canal and inland waterways subjects recently sold at auction, reports Geoff Courtney.

The map, which went under the hammer at the quarterly email and postal sale held by Brian Moakes’s Paperchase auction house that ran from January 14-30, was a Vacher & Sons’ map drawn for the Rowing Almanack and Oarsman’s Companion.

It was published circa 1860 and showed the course of the Thames from the historical landmark of London Stone in the City of London to Oxford.

Drawn by FW Bryant, the pocket-sized cloth-bound map, which illustrated locks, bridges, roads and railways, including the Twyford to Henley branchline crossing the river at Wargrave, sold for £40.

The booklet of papers on the Manchester Ship Canal, which featured in the same auction, was published by the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1898 and was the work of Williams, Eliot and MeadeKing. It ran to 88 pages, included a fold-out map, and went under the hammer for £46.

Still on northern waterways, a carriage print featuring leisure craft on Yorkshire’s River Wharfe at Ilkley sold for £15 at a Great Central Railwayana auction on January 12.

It was painted by the acclaimed Derby-born marine and landscape artist Frank Sherwin (1896-1986), who illustrated posters for a number of railway companies.

Included in Sherwin’s CV was the rather unusual role of

The Wye Valley was the subject of this BR poster by marine artist Gyrth Russell that sold for £460 at auction.

PHOTO: GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAYNA

being an advisor to the War Office during the Second World War regarding the camouflage of airfields.

The second river scene, which went under the hammer for £460, was also sold by Great Central Railwayana at its spring auction on March 2.

It was a poster by marine artist Gyrth Russell (1892-1970) that was issued by British Railways in 1955 and illustrated the Wye Valley at Yat Gorge featuring

Leisure activities on the River Wharfe at Ilkley are a central theme of a carriageprint by renowned artist Frank Sherwin. PHOTO: GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAYANA

swans, leisure craft and a hand-pulled ferry that crossed the river.

Canadian-born Russell was an official First World War artist in northern France who moved to the UK after the conflict and also served in the Second World War. In the same auction, a Monmouthshire Canal Company 2½-mile post sold for £180. All three Great Central Railwayana prices exclude the buyer’s premium of 15% (+ VAT).

This circa 1860s map of the course of the River Thames from London to Oxford sold for £40 at auction.

PHOTO: PAPERCHASE

WILDLIFE/ENVIRONMENT 69

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2024

A honking tale Photos & story by Kevin Thomas

A FEW years back I wasn’t so sure if I liked Canada geese. I even wrote a rather disparaging article about them for a magazine; however, since then I’ve grown quite fond of them, so apologies to the geese for my slanderous words.

Granted though, they’re noisy when it comes to cranking up the decibels on the marina.

Along the canals and waterways, human-habituated Canada geese certainly aren’t shy. They’ll quite happily swim across to any boat dweller silly enough to feed them (like us). And then they’ll hang around the boat, or stand on the pontoon, leering into your boat while having a loud honk about it.

Most boat dwellers I’ve chatted to have a love-hate relationship with Canada geese, and it’s due to the geese’s habit of perching, or roosting, on boat cabins, and causing a mess.

When the bigger flocks used to roost in Caen Hill Marina, and before they’d paired off, they’d arrive with a lot of noise but tended to settle down once it got dark. In the pre-dawn darkness, the honking would kick off again. It’d build to a crescendo as they encouraged each other to depart. And then, in a welter of water, noise and flapping wings, they’d lift off. Where they were headed to I haven’t a clue, although it was probably to feed in wheat stubble or similar. Over the last three seasons, we haven’t had the big flocks settle in the marina overnight.

I’m not really sure why, as the big flocks aren’t intimidated by our resident swan who detests them.

Human-habituated Canada geese aren’t shy about visiting boats.

Deciding to delve deeper into Canada geese being in the UK, I did some online research and found they’ve been here for centuries. The fault lies with the monarchy. Apparently, King Charles II

A mature Canada goose, one of a pair, swimming between locks on the K&A.

imported numbers of them from the new colonies in North America in about 1665. He wanted them as ornaments in his London garden, normally referred to as St James’s Park.

Canada geese are larger than the UK’s native graylag geese and certainly more exotic looking. Known as colonial geese in King Charles II’s days, it wasn’t long before they were found in the gardens of many of the UK’s most stately homes.

Over time though, escaping became the order of the day and the escapees soon procreated to the point of establishing a resident feral Canada goose population. A small number of Canada geese apparently still migrate here each winter. However, the UK’s main populations are the descendants of those Canada geese which once graced the British aristocracy’s gardens.

The big flocks used to start arriving to roost in the marina during late August.

By then too, much of the wheat and barley on surrounding farms has already been combined. The inviting stubble left on the fields attracts the geese. By late March the females start incubating, normally 5-7 eggs. During the incubation period the somewhat protective gander stands by and after about 30 days the eggs hatch. The goslings are tended by both parents and it takes about 48 days before they can fly. They then remain with their parents until the following breeding season. During extremely cold winter weather, some birds will cross the English Channel to France, and there are reputedly 62,000 breeding pairs of Canada geese in the UK and more than 1000 in Ireland.

We no longer get the big flocks roosting overnight in Caen Hill Marina, and I’m not sure why.

The goslings remain with the parents until the next breeding season.

The parent geese seen here canalside are attentive to their young; however, mortality is at times quite high from predation.

Could canals help to divert water from flood-risk areas?

In view of recent weather-related incidents, Ivor Caplan, IWA nominated trustee for the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, asks whether canals can help to reduce flooding.

THE high levels of rainfall in early 2024 may have made you wonder how the inland waterways, and specifically the results of our restoration efforts, can contribute towards mitigating flood risk.

From my own experience, completion of the Droitwich Canals Restoration in 2011, partially utilising the River Salwarpe, contributed to reducing the flood risk in Vines Park and the town centre.

Our canals are artificial channels which cut through the natural drainage paths and with the right investment they could play a role in mitigating flood risk. They have the potential to intercept drainage, hold up flows and move even more water away from towns and properties at risk, to stop houses and businesses from being flooded.

There is also the potential for many of our structures in rivers (weirs, sluices and locks) to be modified to improve flood risk management.

Perhaps worth considering in the future restoration of Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust locks is whether weirs can be designed with a greater range

of outfalls to allow for varying flow conditions.

This construction may assist in alleviating surface water flooding through acceptance and conveyance of surface water discharge which would also provide a source of water to top up canal water levels when required. Appropriate sizing of new culverts for existing watercourses could be used for attenuation of water course peak flow rates.

Although our canal can help to alleviate flood risk, we should also be aware of the risk to the restored channel and towpaths from possible overtopping in flood conditions which has been experienced elsewhere. All issues for us to consider, as it seems likely that climate change will cause the UK to experience heavier rainfall and higher sea levels, leading to an increased flood risk in future.

This article, which first appeared in the L&HCRT’s newsletter Cut Both Ways, has been reproduced by kind permission of Ivor Caplan.

70 THE LAST WORD

April 2024

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Is the Government listening?

Continuing our ongoing series of interviews, Robert Parton, managing director of Aqueduct Marina and president-elect of British Marine, talks to Phil Pickin about the recent discussions with the Minister for Maritime at the Department for Transport A NUMBER of British Marine members recently attended a meeting with Lord Davies of Gower, the new Minister for Maritime at the Department for Transport, to outline the progress the industry is making to reduce carbon emissions as well as some of the challenges being encountered along the way. British Marine’s president-elect and owner of Aqueduct Marina, Robert Parton, took part in the meeting and has provided us with his views on what was discussed.

What must have been encouraging for the BM members who attended was that, in Robert’s opinion, “the minister was in listening mode” and that during a wideranging discussion, one of the subjects that would be of particular interest to the users of the waterways was that of HVO. He told us: “One of the most important points I wanted to make was that of the supply of hydrogenated vegetable oil for use on the waterways. With little, if any, HVO being produced in the UK combined with increasing demand as more diesel users look for low-carbon alternatives, there is always the potential for supply disruption.

“This potential problem, coupled with the significant price differential between HVO and mineral diesel, is not only putting off boat owners from buying the fuel but also causing marinas to think twice about investing in new HVO tanks and pumps, thus delaying the rollout of alternative fuels.”

Over the past two years, Aqueduct Marina has sold in the region of 50k litres of diesel against 2k litres of HVO, with the higher price and customers being unaware they can safely use HVO being some of the reasons for the lack of HVO sales. However, to help with the issue of

price, the Government has introduced RTFCs (Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates), which wholesalers can apply for to reduce the duty charged on biofuels. This, it is hoped, will be passed on to consumers. Diesel outlets such as marinas will then be able to sell HVO under the same self-declaration process as currently used with standard diesel.

This will help reduce the difference between the different types of fuel.

As Robert pointed out at the meeting: “We, like many other marinas, are having to consider the viability of the investment in the equipment needed to improve the provision of HVO to the boating community. We all want to do what we can to reduce carbon emissions, but we are concerned that the supplies of HVO that are coming into the country could well be swallowed up by the automotive and other industries, leaving little for us”.

With the use of HVO being just one way of reducing carbon emissions from the waterways, Robert reports that

Electric boat charging.

electrification was also discussed. “We highlighted the lack of infrastructure and the fact that marinas cannot make a profit from the electricity they supply to boats. This results in a lack of incentive to invest in new boat charging equipment.

We pointed out that this used to be the case in the automotive sector until the rules were changed. As a result, EV chargers are far more widespread than in the past. The same needs to happen in the marine industry, along with an improvement in grid connectivity.

These measures could well encourage more potential boat owners to opt for 100% electric sooner rather than later, especially in the shorter dayboat where electric propulsion works best.”

Robert added: “I felt that this meeting provided an invaluable chance for British Marine to get across the issues faced by the marina leisure sector and,

as part of that, for Aqueduct Marina to be a representative for the inland waterways on this critical matter. The decarbonisation agenda is a challenge that poses both a significant threat but also significant opportunities for the UK marine trade.”

Some of the questions that came from this meeting have to be: was the Government listening to the points raised, and if it was, what is likely to happen as a result? Perhaps more importantly for the minister, the question of whether he will still be in post this time next year remains to be seen. This could possibly have more impact on the outcome of the meeting than anything else.

With serious bushfires in Chile, a lack of snow in the Alps and record January temperatures in Spain, let’s hope it is not all too little, too late.

Lord Davies of Gower.

PHOTOS: BRITISH MARINE.

British Marine’s breakfast meeting with Lord Davies of Gower.

Will we leave things in a better state than we found them?

NABO general secretary Peter Braybrook comments on some more topical issues.

I CAME to boating fairly late in life at 50 years old. I started boating in 1999 on a 67ft hire boat with a crew of eight which included four teens and twenties who made short shrift of dealing with lock flights. Outside of the City of

Birmingham the Black Country was anything but that. It was green, verdant and pleasant to cruise.

In the city, we saw need and some parts were, shall we say, in need of regeneration and development.

Birmingham has been a city in flux for as long as I have known it. Sometimes termed the biggest building site in England, there have been tower cranes on the city skyline for decades. There is always a project going on. The principle is betterment, development, and making things better for future generations. Slums have been cleared, high-rise blocks have been replaced with more humanly scaled developments, industrial areas have been opened out to provide green spaces and new roads have been built to take the flow of traffic around the city centre.

The canal too has been transformed from an industrial transportation hub of basins and wharves to a tourist attraction in its own right. Beside it are restaurants and bars, meeting halls and music venues, pleasant walks, museums and other large attractions like the Sea Life Centre. It is a great place to visit; in fact, I would

recommend making it a destination for your staycation. But, if you are visiting by boat, you will find that the city centre has a four-day restriction. The moorings ‘trial’ of last year is now to be made permanent. Well, you wouldn’t want to spend more of the trust’s cash on another set of blue signs, would you?

You will need to ascend the Wolverhampton 21 out of the Trent Valley, at least 42 locks including the Hatton and Lapworth flights from the River Avon Valley or the Curdworth, Minworth, Aston and Farmers Bridge flights up from the Tame Valley. One route from the Severn Valley includes Tardebigge Flight and many, many more locks. There was no shortage of moorings last year. But then there was no shortage the year before either.

How can one measure the success of the trial? Boat movement data would suggest that fewer boats tried to get there at all.

Weather takes its toll

We have just come through the wettest February in history for many parts of the country. I think there have been 16 named storms since the start of September and it is now very evident

that climate change and weather events are here to stay. There have been two major landslips that have brought boating on the North Oxford Canal and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal to a halt. One was in a known unstable cutting. I have been boating very gently through it for almost 20 years. There have been signs encouraging boaters to slow down. It took many trees down with it when it finally collapsed.

But this has been an accident waiting to happen!

What a pity the trust could not have been proactive and shored the cutting up before it ended up in the canal. No doubt someone will put their thinking cap on and find that the trust in fact saved money by putting this work off.

I also wonder whether there has been a scrabble to reopen the navigation as quickly as possible or whether there has been a long-term engineered solution to ensure that it does not happen again in the near future. There has also been the first double paddle failure of the year, meaning that some work has had to be done on a defective paddle rather than covering it with a yellow bag.

As reported in the last edition of TowpathTalk, the 2023 lock usage data

has been published. Overall it shows that there have been two fewer lock movements than in the year before.

Active boating has shrunk. Does less activity indicate less interest?

In general, it has always been my intention to be part of a generation that leaves this world a better place for its children and grandchildren. I think that being actively involved in life is one way of keeping that aim at the forefront of my mind. Unfortunately, though, it appears that there is a dearth of volunteers to keep things going. This month I have heard that a region of the AWCC has not got enough people to keep it going, leading to a merger; an IWA local group that used to help in organising a large canal festival has too few members willing to become a committee and the national Inland Waterways Association has not been able to recruit organisers for its organising committee for the Festival of Water. We are fortunate in NABO to have an active council that is not just retired people coming to the end of their contributing years. We need to encourage many more people who are in their middle years to come on board and promote the boating way of life.