Towpath Talk April 2023 20-PAGE PREVIEW

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Issue 210, April 2023

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Ashby Boat Co hire boats Carlton, Measham and Bosworth are prepared for the forthcoming season at Stoke Golding Wharf. PHOTO: GRAHAM NUTTALL

IWA launches major campaign to protect Britain’s waterways

CARRYING ON A FAMILY LEGACY

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BOAT REFIT: DREAMER

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BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

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THE Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is calling on national and local government to fund all waterways.

This should be at a level that keeps them as major assets that can continue to contribute to the economy, enhance

people’s health and well-being and cope with the climate crisis, the IWA says in its new campaign.

IWA chief executive David Pearce stated: “Our waterways benefit millions of people in the country and it is essential

that government continues to invest in them to ensure that these benefits can be maintained and increased.”

IWA is deeply concerned about the threat posed by funding cuts, with Canal & River Trust and Scottish Canals’ financial

situations being especially critical.

Although recognised in the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, IWA says waterways continue to deteriorate while government funding is decreasing.

Continued on page 2

Cut for sale

Hasty replacement

Creek contractor

A POCKET of land beside the River Slea in Sleaford, Lincolnshire has been put on the market by the town’s civic trust for £12,500. The Cut is part of the original navigation system, with this small remaining stretch having been developed into a water garden in 1975. A slipway, mooring and lift bridge were installed by Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership acting with the Slea Navigation Trust which has been assured by the civic trust that all information regarding agreements will be passed on to any prospective purchaser.

DELAYS to the replacement of its boiler mean that historic steam narrowboat President has had to pull out of the Braunston Historic Boat Rally again this year. However the Friends of President report that they have been offered the use of Keith Ward’s steam tug Hasty for the weekend of June 24 and 25. The Friends plan to take the butty Kildare to Braunston, where the fore cabin will be painted.

Hasty will then take President’s place towing Kildare. Steam enthusiast and music mogul Pete Waterman is due to open the event.

A MAJOR contributor during the Well Creek restoration in 1975, Ralph Woolner has died peacefully at his home in Outwell, Norfolk, aged 91 years. He was the last of the local contractors who generously contributed so much to the Well Creek/ Old Nene restoration as soon as heavy dredging machines were allowed to work on the project.

Paying tribute, company secretary of the Well Creek Trust John Delaney stated that the contribution made by a few local contractors should never be underestimated.

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2 WELCOME/NEWS

April 2023

WELCOME AS I write the sun is shining and I’m sure many of you will be preparing your boats for the new season.

River Canal Rescue brings you some tips before you make that first journey on page 52 and if you want to visit somewhere special check out the details of Steve Haywood and Moira Haynes’ new book 101 Wonders of the Waterways which we review on page 49.

Phil Pickin went along to the NEC Birmingham where the second BoatLife Live event proved a great success, attracting 14,000 visitors. See his report on page 4 and comments from Robert Parton of Aqueduct Marina in the Business News on page 47.

We celebrate the longevity of two family-run businesses which have served the boating community for many years. In Characters of the Cut on page 9, Alice Griffin talks to Ashley Woodward, the fifth generation of the family which have owned The Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne since 1877.

And on page 22 we feature another Northamptonshire-based company, Union Canal Carriers Ltd, spanning three generations of the Hewitt family whose hireboat fleet has evolved from the camping boats of the late 1960s to 17 narrowboats today.

The National Community Boats Association makes a welcome return this month with Madhurika Walsh’s report on page 13 also featuring training for boat crews.

Les Heath visits a weekend work camp on the Beggarlee extension of the Cromford Canal at Langley Mill, see his report on page 6 and the Gallows Inn Lock open day on the Erewash Canal, featured on page 11.

The Northern Canals Association held its spring meeting at Bradley where members saw work carried out by local restoration society volunteers at three lock sites on the branch as well as a visit to the Canal & River Trust lock gate workshop – see the report and photos on page 10.

Have a happy Easter.

TOWPATH

TALK

Janet

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. Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456. Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd Tel. 01507 523456 Next issue – April 27, 2023

IWA launches major campaign to protect Britain’s waterways Continued from page 1 Canals and rivers are valuable assets which can contribute to the country’s economic recovery, help to mitigate the impacts of climate change and enrich the lives of local communities, as highlighted in IWA’s #WaterwaysforToday report. Ongoing funding is therefore critical not only to save the waterways for today but for the future too.

IWA’s press statement continued: “History tells us that without boats travelling along them, waterways silt up and become dirty rubbish tips. Without proper maintenance reservoirs, aqueducts and embankments deteriorate, resulting in communities being

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

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put at increasing risk of water damage from a failing infrastructure. The added threat of climate change will only worsen the situation as severe flooding and breaches become more commonplace.

“The waterways of today would not exist without IWA who, over many years, ensured that they were saved and enhanced. Millions of hours of volunteer time and effort along with lottery funding have been invested in revitalising the waterway network. IWA will not let that network fall into disrepair again.”

To join the IWA’s campaign and help to #ProtectOurWaterways, visit the IWA website or contact protect@waterways.org.uk

IWA will: · Raise awareness of the threat through national, local, and social media; · Petition to protect our waterways from the risks funding cuts will create; · Ensure Members of Parliament and local politicians are fully aware of the benefits of the waterways and the threats to them; · Arrange high-profile events and activities including waterways

festivals and towpath stalls; · Be ready to work with government to offer knowledge and expertise and solutions to improve and maintain our waterways both now and in the future; · Collaborate with communities and organisations that share our passion for the waterways to widen support for the campaign; · Continue to provide practical assistance in the maintenance and improvement of waterways.

Cause of fatal boat fire being investigated A MAN and a dog died following a fire on a boat moored on the Shropshire Union Canal near Pendeford Lock, Bilbrook, Staffordshire.

Fire and ambulance crews, plus Staffordshire Police, were first on the scene at 2.43am on Friday, February 24 and once the blaze was extinguished, a male body was discovered and a dead dog was found on the towpath.

River Canal Rescue was then called and asked to put together an emergency team to recover the wreckage due to it being a crime scene and the need to preserve evidence. On arrival the team assessed the location and vessel situation, but due to the severity of the blaze, pumping out the vessel was not an option.

RCR chief executive officer Trevor Forman, chief rescue co-ordinator, Pete Barnett, response team Kerry Horton and Andy Spencer and engineer Rob Turner instead opted to attempt to use air bags, compressors and lines to try and right the vessel before trying to raise it. Anti-pollution boons were positioned nearby to contain any spills.

Police temporarily halted RCR’s recovery so forensic teams could investigate further and survey the scene for other potential bodies/victims.

Once the search and aerial survey was completed, RCR continued the recovery but before it could be lifted out and transported, contents were taken away for forensic investigation.

RCR managing director, Stephanie Horton, commented at the time: “This is a very delicate job and we’re working to preserve as much of the boat and its contents as possible so the police and

The scene of the fatal fire. PHOTOS: RCR

fire brigade can try and piece together what happened.

“After the careful removal of the excess weight, the lift-out will take place. Our thoughts at this time are with the relatives of the deceased and anyone associated with the dog.”

At the time of going to press the man’s death was being treated as unexplained and his name had not been made public.

New lighting for middle Trent locks Report & photo: Alison Alderton

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WORKS have been under way this winter to upgrade the lighting of the River Trent locks between Nottingham and Newark.

“The current lighting has reached end of life as replacement bulbs are no longer available,” a workman said.

Improvements at Stoke Lock have now been completed and in March work began on Hazelford Lock. When complete the team are due to move on to Gunthorpe Lock. Boaters are being advised that delays of up to two hours at these locks may occur while workmen are present and that the existing lighting may not be working.

A Staffordshire police spokeswoman said: “Significant progress has been made and we continue to work with colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service as they continue to look to ascertain the cause of the fire.”

The River Canal Rescue team recovering the burnt-out boat.

PHOTOS: RCR

New lighting post being concreted in position at Hazelford Lock.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2023

NEWS 3

Water feed restored at historic Cromford weir

LAST summer, the water level in the Cromford Canal on the stretch between Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction became so low that the trip boat Birdswood could not operate.

Apart from the high temperatures, investigations into the cause found some leaks on the structure of the canal. These were addressed by Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service bringing in a contractor with Fitting the vinyl rubber sheet. specialist equipment, but another problem with the water feed from Arkwright’s Mill was also discovered at the Horseshoe weir.

This weir was originally built when Richard Arkwright built the mills, the main channel providing water to the wheel supplying power to the machines in the mill. The weir was the water level overflow device and discharged into the River Derwent through a tunnel under the mill.

The original weir chamber was stone built and was 10 feet in diameter, but when the Cromford Canal was built, it was Clearing the bottom of the paddle, the canal feed is on the right. modified to supply the canal through a side sluice in the chamber. This sluice also cafe. The paddle to the Derwent sluice was was to pack clay along the base of the gate. had a tunnel under the mill and fed the found on inspection to be leaking through A soft packer sheet was secured to the canal at the now abandoned feed near the the wood with a large volume of water gate which will prevent the vinyl rubber Arkwright cafe at Cromford Wharf. going straight to the river, thus there was being damaged with the water pressure Now called the Horseshoe weir, the a low flow to the canal. against the paddle; a vinyl rubber sheet shape of the weir chamber was altered A plan was drawn up by the Friends of was fitted and secured over the paddle when the supply sluice was installed in Cromford Canal engineers, John Boucher and tucked in the side guide slots.

1792. The supply channel is now in a and Chris Broome, to fit a vinyl rubber New wooden side batons were fitted culvert which enters the Cromford at the sheet on the front face of the paddle to to the walls of the weir, using the original mooring point for Birdswood, behind the prevent leakage. holes in the stone wall, to hold the trash A small team from the FCC work screen in position near to the face of the parties was brought in to first of all clear paddle. A wooden baton was then placed the weir chamber prior to completing along the entire length of the paddle and the repair. The water level was lowered secured to the vertical wooden batons, the night before by removing a couple resting on the vinyl skirt and clay. of stop boards at a sluice lower down When work was complete, the water the main channel. The weir chamber supply was restored and the flow first of all had to be cleared of rubbish monitored. There was no water leaking and stones from around the paddle. The through to the river until the level trash screen in front of the paddle was reached the top edge of the gate; the flow also moved out of the way and the old into the canal sluice was much stronger wooden gate guides removed. The ballast than it had been for a long time. The was retained for future use when the vinyl following day the water level in the canal sheet was secured. was checked and found to be rising to a When the work party finally got to fix normal operating level.

The management of Arkwright Mills the repair, it was found that a large stone was jammed between the paddle and the were aware of and gave permission for the bottom lintel, causing a gap of one inch at repair and also gave valuable assistance the bottom of the gate, which didn’t help. with access to the weir and control of the Success: The finished job.

With the stone and other debris cleared water level in the main channel, for which and the gate lowered fully, the first job the FCC is very grateful.

PHOTOS: FRIENDS OF CROMFORD CANAL

Thames boater fined for failing to register vessel A BOAT OWNER from Gainsborough Green in Abingdon has been convicted of failing to register his boat for use on the River Thames.

At a recent hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, Trevor Cox entered a guilty plea to breaching the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010. He was fined £166, and ordered to pay costs of £250, a victim surcharge of £66 and his outstanding boat registration fee of £92.94 for 2022.

The court heard that during routine checks last August, Environment Agency officers discovered that there was no legal registration for the 4.4m vessel Zimalda and attached a warning notice to the boat requiring the owner to comply with the law within 14 days.

A month later officers found the boat had been removed from its Wilsham Road moorings and was still unregistered. EA sent a letter warning that enforcement proceedings would begin if Mr Cox failed to register the boat inside a week. During a subsequent phone call he refused to pay the fee.

EA environment manager Colin Chiverton commented afterwards: “If you don’t pay your car tax you get fined – it’s exactly the same with boats on the Thames. Our enforcement teams are out now along the river checking registrations for 2023.”

Similar to excise duty for road vehicles, boat registration fees allow the Environment Agency to manage and maintain more than 600 miles of inland waterways across England, keeping them open and safe for thousands of boaters.

4 NEWS

April 2023

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Successful second BoatLife Live attracts 14,000 visitors

By Phil Pickin

A LOT has happened in the 12 months since the first BoatLife Live event was held at the NEC. That first event couldn’t have had a more difficult start, with the country emerging from the impact of lockdowns and with visitors understandably being nervous of crowds. On top of this, the weather threatened to disrupt travel plans but the event was hailed a success and the organisers were looking to build on this in 2023.

For anyone who has not been, the exhibition covers almost all areas of the leisure marine market and includes an expanded inland waterways section which this year boasted 12 narrowboats.

The 2023 show had 25% more space booked than the previous year with, according to the organisers, “a trend of repeat exhibitors taking larger stands”.

Other noteworthy statistics included 175 exhibitors and 200 boats inside the NEC, including the 12 narrowboats mentioned earlier. In an era of social media, the organisers were keen to encourage the coverage by influencers, something that seemed to have been a success given the number of videos of the event that were posted online.

In all, 14,000 visitors attended the event and, as a result of the positive feedback, it would seem that many exhibitors are re-booking for 2024. In addition, there were 40 speakers across the main stage and angling zone and more than 200 boats were displayed, including power and narrowboats, dinghies, RIBs and water sports.

The range of boats on show that could be considered waterways craft was considerable. As with the first BoatLife Live show, the largest ‘vessel’ would seem to have been the water lodge from Yarmouth Harbour, with the smallest being a Glampboat from Marine Living.

This tiny Air BnB-style floating ‘weekend getaway’ is built in the historic docks at Chatham. An unpowered glamping pod, it is designed as a holiday let or even as a student studio and certainly attracted attention.

Oakum (with its 100% electric boat), Swan, ABC, Bickerstaffe and JF Boat Builders were among the 12 boatbuilders who took boats for the visitors to look around. As is often the case, these exhibits proved very popular, but despite this, the queues were well managed and moved quickly.

It was good to see the significant number of exhibitors who were publicising the environmental benefits of their products.

Plenty to see at SBS BoatLife Live 2023.

ABC’s holiday hire boat proved popular with visitors.

In particular, the number of businesses involved in propulsion: Mercury, Torqeedo and, for many of us, the new name of Propel. This Dutch company, which has previously exhibited at major events on mainland Europe, recently signed an agreement with Marathon Leisure, which will be marketing its range of products to the UK market. These highly compact electric motors are designed as a replacement for conventional diesel engines with the emphasis on small size and high efficiency.

Positive feedback

What is important for this type of event is the opinion of the companies that exhibit and, in doing so, do a considerable amount to support the exhibition. In the case of BoatLife, the feedback would seem to be very positive.

Ian Kinvig, director of Swan Boat Builders, was pleased with the interest shown in the company’s electric boat Capercaillie and added that the event had a good atmosphere. But it wasn’t just the boat builders with their shiny new boats that attracted attention. There were exhibitors from across the boating spectrum and included a wide range of products and services.

Young visitors on the water.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Probably the largest ‘vessel’ at the show – the water lodge from Yarmouth Harbour.

Oakum’s 100% electric boat.

One of these was Aqueduct Marina of Nantwich in Cheshire. The company ran a show offer of a week’s free mooring or use of the slipway to anyone who visited the stand and, as a result, was pleased with the number of visitors it saw.

MD Robert Parton said that the company ‘had a very positive show’. He went on to say that, in his opinion, it was good for the inland sector to attend an event like BoatLife, which combines both inland and coastal leisure boating.

What the visitors don’t see are the behind-the-scenes meetings and networking that take place between businesses and organisations at events of this type. During BoatLife, British Marine held a council meeting which, together with more informal gatherings, help to boost not only the connections between businesses but also the importance of events of this type.

Richard Dove, MD of BoatLife Events Ltd, said: “What has struck me is the definite beginnings of the community that we always wanted to create. To see this coming together in only year two is extremely positive. The team has worked incredibly hard on the show, and I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved.”

Looking ahead to next year, the show dates have been confirmed as February 15-18, once again at the NEC, Birmingham. Details of next year’s event will be found on https://boatlifeevents. com/ as and when they are released.

The Propel D1 10kW electric motor at the NEC for the first time.

The team of BoatLife ambassadors. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Collingwood’s 60ft Shearwater 2. PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN UNLESS INDICATED

Visitors to Aqueduct Marina’s stand.

NEWS 5

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2023

Braunston bridge works under way thanks to legacy

THE Canal & River Trust has started a series of improvements to the canal through Braunston, putting to good use a generous legacy of around £165,000 from the late waterways supporter and local resident Peter Andrews.

While it was not a specified condition in the will, the indication was that it was Mr Andrews’ wish for the gift to be used for the replacement of the stepped and narrow ‘ladder’ bridge, which carries the Grand Union Canal towpath over an entrance to Braunston Marina.

The trust has been working for some time to find an affordable design for a new bridge that’s wider and has access ramps. However, after an extensive tender exercise, the cost of doing so has proven to be well beyond the value of the legacy, at around £400,000.

Determined that Mr Andrews’ gift to the canal should be used in full to improve the waterway through Braunston, the charity has agreed a range of improvements with the executor of the will, with initial investigation works already started.

As part of the improvements Bridge 91A, at the entrance to Braunston Marina in Northamptonshire, is set to be refurbished. Works will include repointing of the historic brickwork, cleaning and repainting the cast iron elements of the bridge and resurfacing it with a resin bonded anti-slip surface. The trust would also like to resurface and raise the towpath and

improve access to Bridge 1A, relaying the bridge landing and ramps in a resin bonded surface to match Bridge 91A. Finally, the charity plans to ensure a lasting recognition of Mr Andrews’ generous gift by renaming Bridge 91A as Peter’s Bridge. A new bridge number plaque, reading ‘91A, Peter’s Bridge’, will be fitted, providing a lasting tribute to Mr Andrews’ remarkable contribution to his local canal.

Linny Beaumont, regional director at the Canal & River Trust, said: “As the charity working to protect and preserve the canal for this and future generations, the gift from Mr Andrews is a very welcome and generous legacy.

“While we had hoped to replace the ‘ladder’ bridge as originally proposed, it has been agreed with the executor of Mr Andrews’ will that the gift will fund other vital repairs to the canal through Braunston.

“We look forward to completing the works and celebrating the life of Mr Andrews when renaming Bridge 91A later this year.”

The trust has borne the cost of all of the investigative work to date, meaning that the full value of the gift remains intact and will be used entirely to benefit the canal at Braunston. Trust representatives presented the planned improvements to Braunston Parish Council on March 6 and it is hoped that works will begin in the summer.

The ladder bridge 1A which carries the Grand Union Canal towpath over the eastern entrance to Braunston Marina. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

Bridge 91A at the main entrance to Braunston Marina will be refurbished and renamed Peter’s Bridge. PHOTO: CRT

Good news for Dedham Lock project AFTER seven years of negotiations, the River Stour Trust has secured a 99-year lease of Dedham Lock.

Once the lock has been reopened andnewgatesfitted,itwillmeanalmost 40% of the River Stour Navigation will be accessible to those craft that require a lock for through passage.

The trust owns Great Cornard Lock which enables passage along 2.5 miles between Sudbury and Great Henny.

It also owns and operates Flatford Lock and Roger Brown Lock (Stratford St Mary) so a lease for Dedham Lock was vital to reopen seven miles along the lower stretch between Langham Flumes and Cattawade, Suffolk.

Thanks have been expressed for the ongoing efforts of committed

BANISH T

volunteers Kevin Taylor, Emrhys Barrell and Paul Brewerton, for representing the River Stour Trust and getting the lease terms finalised and accepted by all concerned parties.

The lease was signed by Dedham Mill Management Company Ltd (DMMCL), on behalf of the owners of the 34 apartments in the mill and by Paul Brewerton and Emrhys Barrell on behalf of the River Stour Trust.

It had also required negotiations with the owners of Lock Cottage, who have a right of way across the leased land to their property.

The area covered by the lease includes the lock chamber itself, plus 3m-wide strips either side for access, an area at the downstream end of the

lock which will allow construction of a landing stage and the upper stream end of the lock island, which has been eroding away due to the water rushing through the lock.

It will be a major project which requires closing off the ends of the lock, pumping out the water, removing the old gates, then fitting the new ones.

The trust already has the new gates in storage for the project which was originally estimated to cost £105,000 with £85,000 in grants towards this, leaving the balance to be covered

by RST funds. Costs have risen significantly since original estimates four years ago and the Sudbury-based trust is now seeking additional grant support to meet the shortfall.

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6 NEWS

April 2023

Weekend work camp at Cromford Canal project Report and photos: Les Heath

A SECTION of the Cromford Canal, destroyed by opencast coal mining and the building of the A610 dual carriageway, is set to be reinstated thanks to the determined efforts of the Friends of Cromford Canal.

Over the winter they were joined for a weekend by members

of the Waterways Recovery Group whose skills and expertise proved invaluable on a particularly challenging section of the project.

The volunteers spent a weekend removing tree stumps from around a stream bed where a pipe will be installed to run the water underneath the new canal.

Much of the waterway, built in 1794, was completely abandoned

in the 1940s following the collapse of Butterley Tunnel at the beginning of the century. A large section between Langley Mill and the tunnel was filled in during the 1960s. Opencast mining then obliterated the section now being recovered.

Apart from the financial aspect the FCC has numerous additional problems to solve

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COLIN WAREING Lancashire in January 2019. PHOTO:

eams for 2019 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 Top Team award which has been k Top 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 head. short a by taking the title

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

are revealed

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 all and Braunston at Chandlers finalists will receive a £100 donation organisation volunteering their towards 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 a gone that extra ave 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 the Chesterton told reporters thatt shots, coming from at Browns moored boats at fired were river, side of the on for about five Field, Fen Ditton, and this went were injuries no said Police minutes. Cambridgeshire 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 bridge meeting point is 10am at the canal 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.

Talk went to press. tth Tal been identified when Towpath

11/12/2019 10:17:16

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including legal, ecological and planning. Two new locks will also be required on this section.

David Martin, chairman of the Friends of Cromford Canal, said: “To make matters more difficult the canal will go under an existing road bridge which marks the boundary between two county councils and two district councils.”

Once under the bridge the route will follow the original canal bed northwards towards Ironville.

Meanwhile the FCC is planning to make the most of the navigable section of canal through the Derwent valley in Derbyshire by, once again, running three-hour premium boat trips from Cromford Wharf starting in April.

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Friends of Cromford Canal chairman David Martin at the site of a proposed bridge marking the end of Langley Mill boatyard and the start of the reclaimed canal.

The short section of canal reclaimed in the 1980s.

After passing through two proposed locks the canal will take a sharp bend and run through the centre section of the A610 road in the background.

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The plan showing the proposed extension beyond Beggarlee Wharf.

IMAGE COURTESY FCC

Tree stumps being removed from around a stream which will eventually flow through a pipe under the canal.

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www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2023

Trust funds five benches for elderly and disabled THE Dulverton Trust Fund, managed by the Heart of England Community Foundation, has generously awarded a grant to fund benches for elderly and disabled people to sit and relax by water at Whitehouse Wharf in Selly Oak, in the West Midlands.

An independent grant-making charity, it supports UK charities tackling a range of social issues, protecting the natural world and preserving heritage crafts. Whitehouse Wharf is situated next to the Sense HQ building and will be a popular destination for disabled people, shoppers and students.

Sajda Atiq, Sense day manager, said: “Having a place to sit outside with a scenic view, being able to hear the water, watch the ripples, wave to the boaters going by or even just sitting and feeling the breeze or sunshine is brilliant for disabled people with sensory impairments. It gives them the chance to be outdoors and enjoy life.”

The Glasdon bench seats, which were installed by Lapal Canal Trust volunteers, are made from recycled materials. With cast aluminium ends and composite slats they should require very little maintenance.

Particular thanks go to Denis Pike who prepared the concrete bases and bolted the benches down securely, and volunteers who helped and also tested the final result!

NEWS 7

The five benches at Whitehouse Wharf.

These beautiful benches are the finishing touch to the wharf recently completed by Land and Water Ltd and funded by many donations to the Lapal Canal Trust.

The trust is seeking funding for the next stage across Sainsbury’s car park and under Harborne Lane Bridge.

Lapal Canal Trust has started a Just Giving fundraising campaign to open the Harborne Lane Tunnel.

If you would like to donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/ campaign/openharbornelanetunnel

Volunteers test the final result.

Denis Pike bolting one of the benches down. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Lifting one of the benches into place.

A Glasdon bench seat made from recycled materials.

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8 NEWS

April 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Canal-bank seats for the passer-by Words and photos: Tim Coghlan

TOWPATH

Happy times: Roy Sears as Captain Mainwaring with former Second World War ‘Idle Women’ canal volunteers Sonia Rolt, right, and Olga Kevelos. David Blagrove’s house, Wharf Cottage, is seen across the canal.

New hand on the tiller at LCC FOLLOWING Lichfield Cruising Club’s recent annual meeting, club member Joan Surplice was elected as its new commodore.

Joan, together with husband Les, joined LCC in 2015 and over the last five years has served on the club’s board as secretary.

Lichfield Cruising Club is based at Huddlesford just outside the city of Lichfield on the Coventry Canal at its junction with the former Wyrley and Essington canals.

It can trace its history on this site back to the 1950s, when a small group of early leisure boaters started mooring on the site with permission of the British Waterways lengthsman. This casual association eventually led to the formalised leasing of the site and the derelict silted-up arm of the Wyrley & Essington was dug out over the years to provide the excellent moorings now enjoyed by the club.

The LCC headquarters consists of two former canal cottages dating back to the opening of the Coventry Canal around 1790. It will be well known to many boaters as the venue for the Huddlesford Gathering. LCC currently has around 160 members, with some 60 boats moored on site.

Joan said: “I feel extremely privileged to have been elected by the membership and to be trusted with the ongoing care of the club. In my former role as secretary I have seen the club go through a period of considerable disruption and change due to the loss of some of our land and moorings.

“It is now time to settle into our changed environment and to restore the stability which the club has always enjoyed. I am very much looking forward to my new role and to the challenges and new opportunities which these changes have brought.”

TALK

TWO benches have been installed beside the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire, to commemorate the lives of two of its well-known canal and community activists, David Blagrove (1937-2016) and Roy Sears (1945-2018).

The funds to purchase the benches and pay for their installation came from the David Blagrove Community Trust, which was set up after David’s death in 2016. This followed a very successful appeal which raised a considerable sum to make it possible.

David’s daughter Sarah Borondy, chair of the trust said: ‘The trust’s vision was to enrich local communities and to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth through experiencing the UK canal and waterways network. Its aims were also to enhance the local landscapes and heritage, while encouraging and supporting the local communities.

“So for the trust to provide the funding for the two benches just seemed a fitting Smiling through: Sarah Borondy, daughter of David Blagrove, and end to celebrate all that the trust has Chrissy Sears on Roy Sears’ newly opened canal-bank seat. achieved over the last seven years. The trustees and its stalwart members have agreed early running of that trust. In 2018 he was tragically killed in a it’s now time to close it, in this final act of commemoration.” motor accident.

Some 40 people attended the Following the conclusion formal opening of the benches, of formalities, the party retired including Richard Parry, chief to The Boat Inn, where David executive of the Canal & River in times past was often to be e’s seat.

Trust, who only a few months The plaque on Daviid Blagrove found in the old bar, beloved before had attended the unveiling of the working boatmen. Here of the kingfisher mosaic at nearby he would hold informal jam Cosgrove. The bench ribbons were cut and as a newly qualified O-Level history sessions, with him singing songs – many

by Roy’s wife Chrissy and by Sarah. teacher with an appointment at a nearby of them his own – and accompanying himself on his accordion.

David’s is appropriately at the edge secondary school. of The Green, where the sitter can at By chance the semi-derelict Wharf In David’s funeral eulogy, I quoted that once see the canal museum, and then Cottage came up for sale at that time, line from Kitto’s The Greeks: “The Greeks across the canal, David’s former home which he and his wife Jean bought and regarded the greatest achievement in a Wharf Cottage and, when it is moored at did up. They lived in it for the remainder man’s life to be remembered after his Stoke Bruerne, the historic narrowboat of their lives, with various working boats death, with affection, by his friends.”

Sculptor, which David did so much to moored outside it.

This comment could equally have support. Roy’s bench is on the towpath Besides being a boatman, David applied to Roy. halfway to the tunnel entrance. was a canal author, musician, painter Prior to cutting their respective and event organiser. When the canal ribbons, Sarah and Chrissy both gave museum at Stoke Bruerne was in short tributes to the two men. danger of being closed in 2006, Following Sarah’s cutting of the he co-founded the Friends of the ribbon, a close friend of David, Tim Museum, which in 2008 organised its Coghlan, who had delivered the eulogy first of many successful annual Stoke at David’s funeral, read the Irish poet Bruerne At War events to raise funds Patrick Kavanagh’s poem, Lines Written for the museum.

Roy Sears had moved to the house on a Seat on the Grand Canal, Dublin.

This concluded appropriately with: next door to the Blagroves in 1981, “O commemorate me with no hero- achieving what he had always wanted, courageous tomb – just a canal-bank which was to have his narrowboat seat for the passer-by.” moored at the bottom of his garden.

He was a specialist printer, retiring Chance move in 2008. He helped design and David came to Stoke Bruerne by chance print various things for the village in 1963, when he was a ‘gentleman’ over the years, including the canal working-boatman, who had previously festival programmes and the village At the fi firrst Stoke Bruerne at War been an articled clerk to a firm of Christmas cards. event in 2008. David Blagrove (with London solicitors. He found himself He was a founder member of the bowler hat) as Minister for Inland frozen in there for three months in the Friends, and an active participant in Waterways Transport, with former Great Freeze of 1963, and fell for that its fundraising events. He held the post ‘gentleman’ working-boatman Ken canalside village. of the Stoke Bruerne representative on Roseblade as Winston Churchill.

He returned in 1966, by now married, the then CRT’s Museum Management David was very much a leading Board. Following David’s death, Roy light in making this very successful was very active in the formation and event happen.

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After the canalside commemoration, attendees returned to Stoke Bruerne for refreshment at The Boat Inn, next to the lock.

Lichfield Cruising Club’s new commodore Joan Surplice.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

NEWS 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2023

Characters of the Cut Ashley Woodward, The Boat Inn – a family legacy to be admired

Ashley Woodward, with guitar – part of duo Tu-Kay and Ryan. PHOTO: @

By Alice Griffin

The Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne with its thatched roof and tripboat Indian Chief moored outside.

GAVINWALLACEPHOTO

STANDING proud at top lock opposite the country’s first canal museum, The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne, is at the heart of the canal system. Independently owned and operated by the Woodward family since 1877, fifth-generation Ashley Woodward is rightly proud to be the current general manager.

Originally rented from the Duke of Grafton’s Wakefield estate in 1877 and purchased by the Woodward family for the grand sum of £1000 in 1919, they are thought to be the longest lineage of licensee in the country. “We have carried the same family name throughout 145-plus years and much of the family was born in the pub!” Ashley tells me.

Working alongside his father, Nick Woodward, and uncle, Andrew Woodward, Ashley shares with me what being born into such a business is like.

“It has pros and cons but ultimately I’ve always felt privileged to be part of the legacy. I also love that people from all over the world travel to Stoke Bruerne because of its rich history so you get to meet people from all walks of life. You’re never short of an interesting story!”

An intricate part of the history – not just of this Northamptonshire village but also the canal system – it’s fascinating to see how The Boat Inn has developed over the years. Originally a convenient stopping point for the working boats of yesteryear on their main route carrying goods between London and Birmingham, it’s now a popular

An old picturre of The Boat Inn. PHOTOS SUPPLIED UNLESS INDICATED

location for predominantly leisure and liveaboard boaters.

Ashley tells me that camaraderie is still alive and well, though: “There are still traders on the canal, together with private boat owners and holidaymakers, and they often meet at The Boat Inn for food, drink and discussions.”

Not only that, but it appears celebrities are not uncommon either!

“The most recent was Pete Waterman when he passed through while filming Celebrity Britain by Barge. But we’ve had Ross Kemp eating in the restaurant and Steve Coogan in the lounge bar.”

Perhaps most interestingly, though, is that during the filming of the 1945 film, Painted Boats, a young boy was required to cross the locks and as an actor was unavailable, it’s rumoured that Ashley’s grandfather – being of course on site – took the role instead!

Hive of activity

It’s encouraging to see that through the years this pub has remained such a bustling hive of activity. “As a family, we have always been quick to adapt, while also maintaining our principles and traditions.”

In the early 1960s when the decline

of working traffic began to take hold, The Boat Inn was the first outlet in Stoke Bruerne to offer tourists teas in its converted boat horse stables, along with ice creams on the towpath.

“Eventually boat trips were offered on our 12-seater passenger boat Castle Rose and in the 1970s we extended the pub with the addition of our lounge bar, followed by our first-floor restaurant.”

The growth in tourism has seen this public house go from strength to strength and to this day a boat trip aboard newer boat, Indian Chief, and a canalside ice cream are still popular for a summer treat.

This establishment is not just for tourists, though, as during lockdown it was one of the first pubs to start providing groceries to local residents.

“As we already had a small shop, it was relatively straightforward to expand our selection to cater for a wider preference of goods. This proved to be an extremely popular choice for people and we continue to provide groceries for residents and boaters today!”

Maintaining strong links with the local community is a top priority for Ashley, and even extends to the upkeep of this Grade II listed building.

“Whenever we need something building, we try to find a local artisan.

For instance, the new canalside windows for the traditional bar were

A canalside view from the first-floor restaurant. made bespoke by a local carpenter who has lived in the village at least all of my lifetime.” Ashley has also held open mic nights for charity and as part of multiaward winning acoustic duo, Tu-kay and Ryan, it’s clear that music features heavily in his life: “My passion is music so there could definitely be more events like this in the future!”

No matter what the future holds, though, commitment to the customer will be at the heart of everything for all the team at The Boat Inn. “We have had the privilege of looking after lots of people over the years from salt-of-the-earth types to many celebrities passing through and we intend to continue with this level of customer service,” Ashley said.

Facebook: @boatinnsb Instagram: @theboatinnsb Website: boatinn.co.uk Ashley’s Music: tukayandryan. co.uk Alice Griffin is a writer and yogi with a gypsy soul. She leads natureinspired journalling, yoga and meditation courses as she wanders by water and road.

Website: www.alicegriffin.co.uk YouTube: @wanderingalice

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10 NEWS

April 2023

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Simon Turner, CRT national workshop manager, outlining the leaf manufacturing process at the Bradley lock gate workshop.

Dave Pearson, BRCS chairman, addressing the NCA canal walk about the society’s work on Pound 8.

NCA canal walk at Bradley Canal Lock 9.

Bradley branch and workshop visit for NCA spring meeting MORE than 40 delegates from 22 restoration societies gathered for the spring meeting of the Northern Canals Association held recently at Bradley, in the heart of the Black Country.

Additionally, around 10 volunteers from the Bradley Canal Restoration Society helped the day run smoothly.

Their efforts ranged from car park duties to accompanying the groups retracing the Old Wednesbury Loop Line, Rotton Brunt Line and the Bradley Lock Branch itself, leading down towards the Walsall Canal.

On the tour, delegates heard about plans for restoration of the branch and admired the work being carried out by the volunteers at the three lower lock sites.

At the local primary school venue – Wilkinson School, itself built on the site of the former prosperous Wilkinson Iron Works – Dave Pearson, chairman of the BCRS, and Phil Clayton, renowned BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigations) canal author, outlined the history of the branch and looked at the place of its restoration within the BCN. The school was also the setting for the NCA’s update sessions, where restoration societies took the opportunity to give illustrated talks on their latest news.

These included contributions from the North Walsham & Dilham in the east, Shrewsbury & Newport in the west, the Somersetshire Coal Canal from the south and Manchester’s Underground Canal from the north.

The other key activity for the day was a visit to Bradley Canal & River Trust lock gate workshop. Here, Simon Turner, CRT’s national workshop manager, showed delegates the various stages of lock gate production. These included a description of the original technical site visit, technical drawings, timber selection and ironwork decisions.

They were also shown the manufacturing process itself, from

planing, cutting mortise and tenon joints to shaping the quoin posts.

Although some of the machinery used is more than 50 years old, visitors were assured that, although a crosscut saw and hand auger were on show, industrial-sized chainsaws and power tools are used nowadays.

The tour gave restoration groups the chance to ask questions about the leaves they will need for future lock restorations. However, the question still arises – where will private canal restoration groups source their gates in the future?

The NCA’s philosophy is to involve the local community, where possible, with its biannual meetings.

At Bradley, the opportunity arose.

Here, the Old Bush Inn is adjacent to the infilled line of the canal. The inn’s provision of an Indian lunch

and some liquid refreshment was much appreciated.

Next meeting of the NCA is to be held at Radcliffe on Sunday, October 8, 2023, close to the site of the infamous 1936 breach on the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal. Here, the local canal society will look at ‘Levelling Up and Unlocking Canal Development’, and examine two of its restoration projects, including repair to the breach.

Additionally, members of the group will show how their canal has become a focal point for art and community developments. As always, there will be walks along the project sites.

For further information, please contact NCA chairman Ivan Cane, at northern.canals2021@btinternet. com, or visit www.northerncanals.org

Tea and cakes were served throughout the day. PHOTOS: NCA

NCA canal walk, with visitors admiring the work recently undertaken by BCRS volunteers on Pound 8.

Simon describing the different types of pins used to hold the gate.

NEWS 11

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2023

PART OF MIDDLEWICH CANAL CENTRE

LD SO T A BO

Work being carried out on the new lock gates during the open day.

Gallows Inn Lock open day sees visitors flock to Erewash Canal Report & photos: Les Heath

ONE of the 14 locks on the 15-mile Erewash Canal became a tourist attraction over the winter when the Canal & River Trust invited the public to view a £204,000 major works project.

Despite a damp start an open day at Gallows Inn Lock attracted numerous visitors thanks to the lock standing beside the main A6007 road into Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

The work included new bottom gates for the lock,

repairs to the lock chamber brickwork, gate relining, paddle repairs and ladder modifications. Repairs have also been carried out on a 70-metre stretch of the lock mooring wall.

The lock was originally built in 1779 and named after the 200-year-old Gallows Inn which served the old boatmen of yesteryear and also provided refreshments on the open day.

Dams were created for the lock to be drained before work could be carried out and a

viewing platform above the top gates allowed visitors to look into the empty lock.

Stalls for education and entertainment were provided

by CRT and members of the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association manned their own stand.

The stoppage for the work to be carried out had to be extended by two weeks due to delays caused by flooding earlier in the year which prevented floating plant from reaching the site.

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WWW.CANALCENTRE.COM Visitors begin to arrive despite the wet start.

12 IWA ROUND-UP

April 2023

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AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH IWA’S AMY TILLSON

Steamship ‘Danny’ to be exhibition venue on the River Weaver THE Chester and Merseyside Branch of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has agreed with the team at the heritage steamship ‘Danny’ (Daniel Adamson) for the vessel to host a rerun of the successful Restoration Showcase promoting canal and navigable river projects.

This decision came about after the public gave great support to a similar event held in Canning Dock, Liverpool in 2019.

The event is to take place on the weekend of July 29-30, during school holidays, when the ship is berthed static at its Sutton Weaver Wharf.

The organisers hope that the exhibition, which will be free to attend, will attract waterway enthusiasts, the general public and families to see the

work of voluntary organisations across the North West and Wales bringing life back to long-abandoned waterways.

Launched in 1903, the Daniel Adamson is registered on the National Historic Ships register alongside the Cutty Sark and will be open to the public to enjoy its Art Deco lounges with hot drinks, snacks and alcoholic beverages being served from the galley. There will be adequate outdoor space for families to picnic.

The 2019 event attracted more than 500 visitors despite atrocious weather and had 12 organisations displaying while a Covid-cancelled event planned for 2021 had 15 organisations accepting invitations. The UK has more than 2000 Daniel Adamson moored near Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

miles of navigable waterways and restoration societies are committed across the country to expanding the network bringing many miles of neglected and abandoned waterways back to navigable standards.

IWA Chester & Merseyside branch chairman Jim Forkin said: “The navigable waterways in the UK contribute some £2.5 billion to the economy while providing a ‘green’ corridor free for people to enjoy and that figure can grow further if the system is fully restored to its previous glory. The work of these societies and their volunteers needs to be brought to the attention of the public and decision makers in society.”

‘Danny’ volunteer Les Green added: “The team was delighted when the showcase idea was put to us, both to support these wonderful societies and for the ‘Danny’ as a small exhibition space being able to fulfil its potential as a multi-functional asset for the local population.”

Sutton Weaver Wharf is on the A56 7-8 miles west of Warrington within a mile of junction 12 on the M56 motorway.

‘Danny’ is moored next to the swing bridge.

To find out more search www. thedanny.co.uk

Wendover Canal Family Camp returns FAMILY Canal Camps are back! Join us from April 14-16 for a weekend of fun environmental activities at Whitehouses Pocket Park on the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal, Buckinghamshire.

Activities will help enhance waterways for wildlife and teach children what it is like to ‘live like Waterways Recovery Group Canal Camps are open for booking. Find out more at: https://waterways. o rg . u k / w a t e r w a y s / s i t e s / waterway-recovery-group/ events

a navvy’! IWA will be working with Wendover Canal Trust.

Family camps are open to families with children aged between six and

14; each family camp costs £25 per person for the weekend. Email verena. leonardini@waterways.org.uk to book a place.

Youngsters helping to install a bug hotel at last year’s Wendover Canal Family Camp. PHOTO SUPPLIED

PLEASE contact the branch to register an interest if you would like to attend one of these work parties. It is advisable to wear stout shoes and old clothing, and take a waterproof. You may want to take a packed lunch and refreshments. parties are usually held one weekday and one Sunday a month, along the Arm, 10am-2pm. The tasks usually include vegetation clearance, weeding, litter picking and painting at locks. Contact: Geoff Wood at geoff. wood@waterways.org.uk for details.

Lichfield Branch offside vegetation clearance IWA Lichfield Branch has been busy this winter cutting back the offside vegetation in its area.

Starting at Willington, members worked their way along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction and had a little time left over to do some ‘spot’ trimming on the northern reaches of the Coventry Canal.

The offside vegetation operation began five years ago when IWA Lichfield Branch members got together with their local

Canal & River Trust office with the idea of a joint venture.

They begin each winter in October, and work stops at the end of February when the wildlife begins nesting.

CRT supplies the two workboats – a motor and a hopper/butty – all the equipment and the training. IWA Lichfield’s volunteers have this winter amassed more than 1600 hours.

V o l u n t e e r co-ordinator Neil Barnett said: “It’s a great way to get out in the

fresh air and get some exercise too. You work within your physical capabilities in that you do as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. The best aspect of it is the camaraderie and banter.”

There are also other volunteering opportunities throughout the year for both outdoor activities and for helping with the general running of the branch.

For more information please get in touch at Neil.Barnett@ waterways.org

Successful task day at Northampton Branch

Get involved – work party dates EAST April 2 and 18 IWA Northampton Branch: Work

Lichfield volunteers using CRT workboat Fazeley to reach offside vegetation. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Tuesdays IWA Milton Keynes Branch: Regular

work party at Fenny Lock on the Grand Union Canal. 9.30am-1.30pm. Work can include vegetation clearance, gardening, litter picking and painting.

Work parties are dependent on weather being agreeable. Contact: Pat Durham on 07510 195918; email pat. durham@waterways.org.uk

IWA Northampton Branch held a very successful task day on the Northampton Arm on February 24 with 27 volunteers attending.

They clocked up 131 volunteer hours and managed to get a lot done. Ten bird boxes were installed on mature trees in the area adjacent to locks 8 to 10 and towpath potholes were filled in with aggregate adjacent to locks 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Eight sapling trees were planted next to the laid hedge and its top was cut back and trimmed. Raised parts

of the access track were dug out by hand using mattocks, spades and rakes, which will now give adequate clearance for the underside of vehicles.

They also cleared an area for a passing place about halfway down the track.

On March 5, 22 volunteers attended and carried out vegetation work between lock 14 and road bridge 9B. They trimmed about 200 metres of hedge, picked litter from lock 14 to the green bridge after lock 15 and cut out three tree stumps on the offside below Lock 14.

WEST Tuesdays & Saturdays IWA West Country Branch (Taunton & Bridgwater): Work parties in

the Somerset area, 10am-1pm.

Contact: Mike Slade at mike.slade@ waterways.org.uk; 07977 263840.

Getting ready for work on the recent task day. PHOTO SUPPLIED

NEWS 13

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2023

Training crews ready for a new season National Community Boats Association press officer Madhurika Walsh keeps us up to date with the latest training activities.

WITH the new community boating season fast approaching, members of our senior training team are once again out on the water running instructor training courses for a variety of our projects. This will enable them to continue their excellent work in both training members of the public and volunteers at their projects to skipper boats on type A and B waterways.

We have managed to assist all our projects during the pandemic by removing all the NCBA membership fees, which we will be doing once again for the 2023/24 season; this was agreed at our recent annual meeting in Nottingham. Therefore, if you are a community-based project and not currently a member, now would be an excellent time to join us. In doing so, this will give you access to our website containing a wealth of waterways knowledge and training materials.

By becoming a member, and with the appropriate training, your project could train numerous courses from our boat handling course, through to our Certificate in Community Boat Management (CCBM) which is ideal for boats that carry 12 passengers.

You would also be able to offer both junior and senior Community Crew courses which start from the age of eight upwards.

The NCBA is run by a small group of volunteer trustees and currently we are looking for new members to join our board. We are interested in hearing from anyone, not necessarily from a boating background, although in some circumstances that could be useful.

If you would like more information about the National Community Boats Association or how to become a member, please contact its chairman, Paul Unwin, by email at: paul@national-cba.co.uk

Successful candidates after a training course on Cecilia.

Fire evacuation training.

Successful CCBM candidates with Mark Simmons from Hillingdon Narrowboats Association and its boat Spirit.

Community narrowboat Mary Sunley 2 winding at Marple Junction where the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals meet. PHOTOS: PAUL UNWIN

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14 FREIGHT

April 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

They’re not making them any more Jonathan Mosse’s monthly look at freight developments on the inland waterways.

“BUY land, they’re not making it anymore”; thus goes a well-known observation attributed to Mark Twain. Much the same thing could be said about ports scattered around the periphery of the United Kingdom.

So when confronted by a headline such as: ‘Councillors vote to close Perth Harbour as If only! a commercial port’ it’s clearly time to review all options, just as the good burghers of Perth are clearly reviewing theirs!

Now it should be remembered I don’t operate a commercial vessel, nor do I hold a current MCA Boatmasters ticket to skipper one. My sole justification for a deep commitment to promoting inland waterways freight lies in an overriding concern for the impact of global warming and the destructive influence it is having on this planet and its inhabitants.

Having neither the energy nor the youth of a Greta Thunberg, I Iook to the low-hanging fruit among the available means of redressing the problem and what jumps out at me are the benefits of moving as much freight on to the waterways as is humanly practicable, preferably aboard vessels powered by sustainable fuels – largely hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) at this stage of the game.

Perth harbour has only seen one ship so far this year.

Perth and Kinross Council employs Calmac as the Competent Harbour Authority at a substantial fixed cost regardless of shipping traffic.

While railways are an reality beggars belief ) but clearly the attractive proposition, council is up against a problem, whether iin terms of the fuel that be of its own making or otherwise. required to move a The Perth Harbour Business Plan tonne of goods over a published at the end of January, although mile, waterways – at a very comprehensive document, makes something rather less than a quarter of somewhat sorry reading, identifying a the fuel requirement when compared catalogue of costs and liabilities that, with a road-going lorry – clearly need to with current levels of freight traffic, are be given greater prominence. Of course light years away from being met.

In essence, Perth is an inland port, not it goes without saying that a quarter of the fuel consumed means a quarter of dissimilar to Howden on the River Ouse, the harmful, global-warming emissions capable of handling ships up to 90m in produced – far less where biofuels such length with a 2500-tonne capacity. At as HVO are employed. its peak in 1990, more than 300 vessels used the Meanwhile, what exactly is going on in port. Access is restricted locally by a sand bar the chambers of Perth that builds across the and Kinross Council? harbour entrance and by And why do politicians the dredged depth of the – both local and national – struggle to acknowledge approach via the River the unassailable Tay, which is in turn environmental benefits of restricted by pipelines laid under its bed. waterways freight?

The yellow buoy Shipping had Sorry reading delineates the entrance dwindled to 24 vessels I’ll not attempt an answer channel, only 50% of in the 2020-21 financial to the second question which is available due year (just four last (although the current to silting. year) when the council

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Tug and barge collect 1500 tons of aggregate from a ‘virtual quarry’ (supplied from Scotland) in the Thames Estuary for delivery into London.

PHOTOS: JONATHAN MOSSE

identified a £192,500 operating deficit, while acknowledging that the harbour operation supports 54 jobs, contributing £3.9 million Gross Value Added (GVA) locally. Projected ship numbers of 59 in 2025-26 would reduce the deficit to £131,000 and 120 ships would be required to break even.

Modal shift

Within a strict financial arena, council reporting is strong and even goes as far as recognising the port’s wider impact, supporting £5.5 million GVA and 74 jobs Scotland-wide. With a clear preference for closing the harbour it goes on to point out that these financial benefits would still accrue following closure, as goods would simply undergo a modal shift to road. Which, in environmental terms, is where it shoots itself in its proverbial foot. By its own accounting, 33,000 tonnes of cargo passed over the quay in 2020-21, representing around 1650 lorry loads cluttering up local

roads, impacting the health (short- and long-term) of its local council tax payers.

Modal shift, as a government-funded initiative, is actually designed to work in the opposite direction, getting freight off the roads and on to railways and waterways! At no point has anyone considered sustainability and how the River Tay, in conjunction with Perth Harbour, could be developed in a bid to combat global warming.

Coasters, capable of penetrating as far inland as Perth Harbour, are steadily becoming a thing of the past, giving way to a combination of large vessels discharging at deep-sea ports in conjunction with tugs and barges completing the final leg, Thames-style.

A successful formula is to major on bulk aggregates, throw in a concrete batching plant and suddenly one has the basis of a workable blueprint for survival… and the rationale behind this feature finding its way into an inland waterways freight column!

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16 FAMILY HISTORY

April 2023

Exploring your canal ancestry: finding toll and gauging records Nicola Lisle continues her family history series by looking at how toll, gauging and other similar records can help you discover more about your ancestors.

BEFORE nationalisation in 1948, canal boats plying their trade on Britain’s canal network were subject to tolls, which were based on the weight of a boat’s cargo. The tolls were payable to the canal companies and formed a significant part of their income. Additional tolls were levied for the use of boat lifts, inclined planes and tunnels.

All working boats had to be fitted with calibrated gauging plates, placed on either side of the bow and stern, then calibrated by taking measurements of the height of the gunwales at water level both with and without the boat’s normal cargo. Toll tickets were then issued to the boatmen showing the type and weight of their cargo, and gauging certificates were sent to every toll office on the boat’s trading route so that the toll collector could check the cargo and

collect the appropriate toll.

Cargoes were usually checked with a gauging stick, and an example of one used on the Birmingham Canal Navigations can be seen at the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester.

Some canals used weighing machines, but this was comparatively rare. The only surviving example in the UK is at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, having been transferred there from The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne in 2013.

The machine was designed and built by the Pontypridd-based Brown, Lennox and Company in 1834 and was used at various points on the Glamorganshire Canal for more than 100 years.

Toll points were generally placed at significant points on the canals, such as canal junctions and busy locks, to ensure tolls were paid to the correct canal company and to make toll avoidance as difficult as possible.

Finding toll and gauging records

The good news for family historians is that this toll system has left us with a variety of useful records, all of which can help link ancestors with specific boats and canal routes, as well as providing other useful information.

Details on the gauging certificates typically included the boat’s name and number, owner’s name (either

an individual or canal company), dimensions, weight when loaded and date of recording. Toll tickets included the name of the boatman and his steerer, the type and weight of cargo, canal route and the name of the owner.

Between them, these records can help you to discover or confirm more details about your ancestor. The unique gauging number can clarify the identity of your ancestor’s boat and perhaps lead to other information about the boat’s origin and history, while other details can help piece together your ancestor’s trading routes and the type of cargoes he carried.

A good place to start your research is The Waterways Archive (https:// canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoythe-waterways/canal-history/ the-waterways-archive).

The collection includes gauging books, registers, tables and certificates, as well as toll tickets, loading tickets and other associated records, mostly from the mid-19th century onwards, and there is lots of information to be gleaned from these.

‘Through traffic’ records for Paddington Toll Office (pictured), for example, include details of the boat owner, steerer, the route taken, and the type and weight of the cargo. The daily ‘passings of boats’ records noted when

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The old Paddington Toll House, Little Venice. PHOTO: NICOLA LISLE boats passed significant points on the canals, such as tunnels, locks and toll houses, and these include the names of the boat owner and crew, while tonnage books recorded the boat name, steerer, date, cargo and destination.

Local archives may also hold gauging, toll and other canal traffic records.

Family history societies are worth checking out too, as they may have transcribed and published some of these records.

Another very useful resource is The Eureka Partnership (https:// eurekapartnership.com), which has transcribed and published gauging records for several counties, including Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.

In Oxford Canal Miscellany, for example (published 2014), there is a

transcription of a gauging certificate book for the Oxford Canal Company from the early 20th century. An entry for the boat Three Sisters (boat number 5059) notes that the owner is George Grantham of Banbury, the boat’s size is 74.6 x 7.1, the draught when laden with 40 tons is 49.83, and it was weighed on January 22, 1906.

The National Archives (www. nationalarchives.gov.uk) also holds some information relating to former canal companies, including some gauging registers. These are mostly to be found under RAIL, as many canal companies were taken over by rail companies.

Toll records for the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company, for example, can be found at RAIL 623/64, while gauging, tonnage and traffic registers for the Birmingham Canal Navigation Company can be found in RAIL 810.

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HERITAGE/PETS 17

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Heritage under the hammer A cast iron registration plate and a guide to the Norfolk Broads dating back at least 100 years are two items that make the headlines in Geoff Courtney’s bi-monthly round-up of canalia sold at auction in recent months.

THE registration plate was BCN1461, which sold for £70 in a live online Great Central Railwayana auction on February 18. It was from Birmingham Canal Navigations, one of the world’s most intricate canal networks that comprises 100 miles of navigable canals connecting Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the eastern part of the Black Country.

In the same auction, a framed British Railways carriage print of the River Wharfe in Yorkshire, illustrating leisure craft and a rowing pair, fetched £30. It was the work of Frank Sherwin (1896-1986), a respected Derbyshire-born maritime and landscape artist, and included in the lot was another carriage print, of the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate

by Jack Marriott. The registration plate and carriage print prices exclude buyer’s premium of 15% (+ VAT).

Transport collectables specialist Paperchase frequently includes in its quarterly email and postal auctions items that appeal to enthusiasts of inland waterways, especially those whose interest is in their development and history, and its 800-lot auction that ran from January 14-31 continued that theme.

Five such items of canalia went under the hammer and, as ever with Paperchase, the realisations could definitely be regarded as bargains. Top

of the selection at £42 was a coloured eight-page leaflet titled How to Arrange a Holiday on the Norfolk Broads, published by the Great Eastern Railway.

The cover featured a photograph of a wherry that epitomises the Broads and the date of publication was estimated by Paperchase to be circa 1900s, and would certainly have been pre-1923, as the GER became part of the LNER on January 1 that year following the creation of the ‘Big Four’ railway companies.

At £22 came an Act of Parliament dated 1791 for building a canal from Birmingham to join the River Severn near Worcester – now the 29-mile Worcester & Birmingham Canal – while 50 black-and-white negatives of the railways of the Manchester Ship Canal taken in 1969 went under the hammer for the same price.

Barge Beagle – sniffing out good finds for crews with canines Words and photos: Alison Aldertoon

The River Wharfe carriage print that sold at auction for £30.

PHOTO: GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAYANA

Spring in Saxilby

Holidays on the Norfolk Broads was the subject of a Great Eastern Railway booklet that realised £42 at auction. PHOTO: PAPERCHASE AUCTIONS Finally for canalia collectors there was a Severn Navigation Company prospectus from the 1820s that sold for £19, and a second Act of Parliament, for building a canal from the River Dee in Chester to Middlewich dated 1772 (£13). Prices exclude buyer’s premium of 12.5%.

Paperchase principal Brian Moakes told Towpath Talk: “There are signs of increasing interest in inland waterways memorabilia, possibly due to the historical links between canal and railway companies. The auction prices are generally not even close to some of the heady railwayana realisations, but I am delighted to be offering them through Paperchase.”

THE village of Saxilby, on the Fossdyke Canal around six miles from Lincoln, is a popular stopover for boaters.

Famed for its fish and chip shop, this village has much more to offer if yyou delve a little deeper.

Saxilby has long been a popular port of call for Barge Beagle and we have visited in all seasons. However in spring, when the cherry trees lining the waterfront are in blossom and the daffodils and tulips are bursting into life, the village is at its most delightful.

At the 72-hour moorings there is plenty to discover. The footbridge is on the site of a former swing bridge and, prior to that, a drawbridge.

The interpretation boards offer fascinating glimpses into the history but to fully explore more of the village, pick up a History Trail leaflet (available from a dispenser at the picnic area adjacent to the moorings) and enjoy a walk.

The trail guides you around the village, pointing out sites of interest.

Twenty of these are marked with blue plaques depicting the buildings in old black and white photographs so you can see how they have changed over the years.

Although starting at the railway station, a short walk from the moorings, the trail can be picked up from any of the marked waypoints to create your own route. There are

Tall ship Glenlee moored alongside Glasgow’s Riverside Museum. The £1.8 million grant will keep her afloat and open to visitors.

Narrowboat on the moorings at Saxilby. iinteresting insights into th he former use of many bu uildings in the village as well as name changes. For iinstance, t The Anglers public house was previously the Railway Hotel but following an influx of anglers from Yorkshire during the late 19th century, when as many as 1000 would arrive for weekend matches, the landlord changed its name.

Most of the walk is alongside the road, so time your walk to avoid peak traffic periods. The footpaths are a good width and most have grassy borders, ideal for your dog to snuffle.

The War Memorial Playing Field is a good size where a walk around the perimeter, perhaps pausing to watch the children playing football, will make a pleasant diversion for your canine companion.

Saxilby has more than the usual number of pubs, cafes and takeaways for a village of its size and Barge Beagle recommends dog-friendly Scrummies Cafe, originally a butcher’s shop, as a delightful place to sit outside, enjoy a drink and bite to eat, before heading back to the waterfront.

Useful information To discover more, listen to oral history and download a copy of the history trail, visit the Saxilby and District History Group at: www.saxilbyhistory.org

Saxilby’s famous ‘chippy’.

The old bridge.

Tall ship shipshape thanks to £1.8m grant Words and photos: Hugh Dougherty

GLASGOW’s tall ship, Glenlee, has been handed a lifeline with a £1.8 million grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund’s Covid-19 Response Fund.

The cash will ensure that the 126-year-old Clyde-built cargo sailing ship faces a secure future after doubts were raised about the boat’s viability because of the need for extensive repairs.

Fiona Greer, the Tall Ship Glenlee development director, said: “The £1.8m funding is a lifeline for maintaining our beloved Clydebuilt vessel. The tall ship epitomises the last epoch of sailing ships in the world and has become an iconic part of the Glasgow skyline and of the city’s cultural heritage.”

Work will be carried out on the ship over the next two years when repairs to the cargo hold, main and mizzen masts and fo’c’sle deck will be carried out, while the chartroom will be refurnished thanks to additional support

from Museums Galleries Scotland and The Friends of Glasgow Museums.

Dr Simon Thurley, National Heritage Memorial Fund chairman, said he was thrilled for the fund to be able to make the grant, while Hannah Cunliffe, National Historic Fleet director, said: “Glenlee is a highly significant vessel on our register, being a symbol of global trade and a rare surviving example of her kind.”

Built at Bay Yard at Port Glasgow in 1896 using Lanarkshire steel, Glenlee carried cargoes all over the world and returned to the Clyde 30 years ago in 1993 after being saved from scrapping in Seville, following several years in service with the Spanish Navy as a sail training ship.

She was originally docked on the Clyde at its harbour pumphouse, before being moved downriver to dry dock in Greenock for repairs in 2010. Glenlee was moved in 2011 to her current berth outside the Riverside Museum where she complements the museum’s transport collection and welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

The Anglers.

Heritage Trail blue plaque.

Under the cherry trees along the waterfront.

History Trail leafl fle et.

18 WHAT’S ON

April 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

More to enjoy at Moira festival

A variety of visiting boats on the Ashby Canal for the Moira Canal Festival.

THE annual Moira Canal Festival will take place over the weekend of May 20-21 on the banks of the Ashby Canal, Leicestershire, looked over by the impressive Grade II-listed Moira Furnace.

Last year was the most successful yet, so the organisers have high hopes for this year’s event. There will be a wide variety of attractions with boats, of course, and the Military Wives Choir, Hey Beatles tribute band and trad jazz. Also the

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flypast, 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.

Further information is available from moiracanalfestival@outlook.com

Moira Canal Festival’s Mother Duck and ducklings. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Land ahoy for glass artist Kathryn YOU can now visit canal glass artist Kathryn Webley in her new land-based Micro-Gallery by the Chesterfield Canal in Worksop’s Creative Village.

Many of you will be familiar with Kathryn’s canal-inspired fused glass windows, portholes, pictures and sculptures. She regularly exhibits at Crick and the IWA’s August Festivals.

She has also been featured in TV programmes for the windows she made for Rachmaninov, known as The Piano Boat, which featured in Channel 4’s My Floating Home in July 2021 and she was a winning artist on BBC’s Home is Where the Art Is. Kathryn makes all her glasswork from a purpose-built 28ft narrowboat called The Pod at her own mooring on the Chesterfield Canal.

“When I viewed it, I immediately realised that it would not only solve my storage problems, but it could also be an exhibition space where customers could visit.”

Kathryn started running open days at the Micro-Gallery before Christmas and was delighted with the interest.

She was able to catch up with boaters who had commissioned her work in the past plus also to meet local people from Worksop who, when walking on the towpath, had seen Kathryn working on The Pod and were intrigued to see what she had been making.

She added: “One of the best things about having my own exhibition space is that I can sit, have a chat with customers and even make them a cuppa.”

What’s next

Kathryn is currently working on a new range of sculpture based upon the Chesterfield Canal, including some

more outdoor pieces. She explained: “In 2020 I received an Artists Information Company and Arts Council England bursary to develop garden sculpture and now with the gallery I’m thinking big, but just not too big or else I’ll be running out of space again!”

She will be exhibiting at a series of open days at her Micro-Gallery starting

Why the new land base?

“I’m still making all my glass afloat aboard The Pod,” said Kathryn. “But boaters can no doubt relate when I say I was running out of space!

Space for storing work, space for packaging web orders and the final straw was when I started making large outdoor sculptures.”

She started looking for storage options and thought it was a long shot when she enquired with Bassetlaw District Council about space at Worksop’s Creative Village.

“I was really lucky that a studio had just become available,” Kathryn continued. “The location is perfect. It is canalside and just 10 minutes’ walk from my mooring.

Kathryn with a commission canal boat door panel. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Open days: April 7-9; May 13-14; June 10-11; July 8-9; August 12-13; September 9-10.

Events: Crick Boat Show, May 27-29; Belvoir Castle Flower Show (July 15-16); IWA Festival of Water – Pelsall (August 26-28); Art in the Gardens – Sheffield Botanical Gardens (September 2-3).

Kathryn with her Micro-Gallery display.

on the Easter weekend and continuing on the second weekend of each month until September.

Nearer the time, she will publicise dates from October-December for the lead up to Christmas.

For full details of open days and other events she’ll be attending, visit www.pod4art.com

WHAT’S ON 19

www.towpathtalk.co.uk April 2023

WHAT’S ON IN APRIL April 1 Newark Heritage Barge: Leicester

Trader – first open day of this year will be part of a fundraising day for our local hospice Beaumond House . It will be an afternoon of music and fundraising stalls and at the end, project leader Les Reid will be taking part in a sponsored beard chop-off. 24 The Weavers, Newark NG24 4RY. Facebook: Newark Heritage Barge Leicester Trader.

April 4 Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society: Roger Butler makes a

return after almost nine years with a new talk entitled Wonders of the West Country. The meeting room behind The Weighbridge, Alvechurch. Meeting starts at 7.45pm. Free admission. Small charge for hot drink and biscuits. All welcome.

April 7-10 Newark Heritage Barge: Leicester

Trader – Easter public open days.

Museum barge of River Trent history.

Newark Riverside Park NG24 1BN. Facebook: Newark Heritage Barge Leicester Trader.

Canal & River Trust: Easter Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port CH65 4FW. To register a boat, call 0151 355 5017 or go via the link from the events calendar at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk RCTA: Easter floating market on the towpath of the Grand Union Canal 1000ft from The Globe Inn towards Leighton Lock, Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire LU7 2TA. For more details: https://www.rcta.org.uk April 8 Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust: Eric’s All-day Easter

Coffee Morning in memory of Doreen

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

Wood with proceeds going to the trust.

Barbecue and refreshments; plants, books and bric-a-brac and a sale of paintings by local artist. 6 Swan Cottages, Burton Road, Whittington (by the canal bridge) WS14 9NP, 10am-4pm; free admission. www.LHCRT.org.uk April 10 Erewash Preservation & Development Association: Open day at Sandiacre Lock

Cottages, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5LA, 10.30am-3.30pm. www.ecpda.org. uk – also April 16.

April 11 IWA Northampton: A century of

boatwomen – one-woman theatre show with Kate Saffin. The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne. 2.30pm.

April 14 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire: Challenges to our waterways

of climate change with speaker from Canal & River Trust. Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club, Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 9DU, 7.45 for 8pm. Admission free, donations to waterway causes welcomed, refreshments available. Non-IWA members welcome. Contact socialsec. nssc@waterways.org.uk April 16 Friends of Montgomery Canal: Spring

walk with two separate walks (2.5 miles and 6.5 miles) both starting from Redwith Bridge Cottage at Morton SY10 8BG, parking available.

April 19 IWA Lichfield: Chasing the boats –

presentation by renowned waterways photographer Kev Maslin. Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane, off Walsall Road, Lichfield WS13 8AY, 7.15 for 7.30pm.

April 20 IWA Milton Keynes: Hana Wilson talks

about the Bata Canal, largely financed by the Bata shoe company in the Czech Republic. Severely damaged during the Second World War, much of it has now been restored. Bletchley Conservative Club, 105-111 Queensway MK2 2DN, starting at 7.45pm.

April 23 Drifters: National Open Days at

various locations, see www.drifters.co.uk April 26 IWA Chiltern Branch: Essex Waterways

by John Pomfret. RWT Heritage Centre, Batchworth Lock, Rickmansworth WD3 1JJ, 7pm. Admission: IWA members £3; guests £5, refreshments included.

Contact john.brice@waterways.org.uk for full programme.

April 28-May 1 Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society: St Richards Canal

Festival. Live music and real ale bar Friday 5-11pm; Saturday-Monday 10am5pm, also traders. Food stalls throughout the event at Vines Park, Droitwich Spa WR9 8LB. www.wbdcs.org.uk April 29-May 1 Norbury Canal Festival: Free event

raising money for local charities with historic canal boats and traders moored along the canal as well as stalls on the towpath and a funfair. Norbury Junction, Shropshire Union Canal, Staffordshire ST20 0PN, 10am-4pm each day.

IWA Canalway Cavalcade: Annual celebration with colourful craft of all shapes and sizes, illuminated boat parade, children’s entertainment, numerous stalls, a real ale bar and variety of cuisine. Brownings Pool, Little Venice W9 2PF/W2 6NE.

Easter gathering at Ellesmere Port DOZENS of historic boats from across the country will congregate at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port for the annual Easter Boat Gathering Festival over the April bank holiday weekend (April 7-10).

Hosted by the Canal & River Trust, the four-day festival offers visitors the opportunity to get up close to fascinating old working boats as well as the latest leisure narrowboats and enjoy a range of waterway-themed activities and music.

New this year will be the chance to board a historic bus to ride to the museum’s off-site store of old boats, not normally open to the public. And waterway bookworms can dig for new treasure in a fabulous collection of canal, maritime and coastal volumes donated for sale by the family of prolific waterway researcher and writer Terry Kavanagh, with proceeds going to the National Waterways Archive.

Located at the junction of the Manchester Ship Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal, the museum site will stage a wide range of special attractions from craft workshops, produce stalls and lock demonstrations to children’s activities and steam engines working in the Power Hall. There will also be a chance to see fascinating rare canal treasures at the archive, giving visitors

The children’s play area.

the potential to track down their own long-lost family connections to the nation’s historic canal network.

Foot-tapping music will be provided by costumed buskers and the Mersey Morris Men and visitors will also be able to enjoy short boat trips along the Shropshire Union Canal, run by volunteers from the Wirral Community Narrow Boat Trust.

The weekend celebration starts on Good Friday morning as the 40-strong boat convoy travels down the Shropshire Union Canal, setting off from Chester city centre early morning and arriving at the Waterways Museum between 11am and 1pm.

Chris Done, visitor services manager with the Canal & River Trust, said: “The 2023 Easter Boat Gathering promises to be bigger and better than ever. For families, there is a special children’s trail, boat-themed playground and face painting.”

The museum will be open 10am-4pm over the Easter weekend and then seven days a week for the rest of the season.

Another special event during the month is Steampunk Sunday on April 16.

Volunteer Diana Skilbeck on board Gifford. PHOTOS: CRTA

The Roving Canal Traders Association (RCTA) is a non-profit making organisation run to help support and promote the diverse array of existing and potential Canal and River Trust (CRT) registered Roving Traders on our waterways.

If you have a boat, why not become a trader!

Traders sell anything from cheese, pizzas, cakes, beers, some boats are even therapy boats plus beautiful wood/leather work, crochet/knitting plus arts, homemade crafts and much more.

Visit our website to find out the extra benefits of becoming a member, like our new trading deals with 25 Aquavista Marinas & Mercia Marina, free advertising space and our featured trader monthly write up. Also for details, dates and locations to visit our floating markets for a fun day out! https://www.rcta.org.uk/events

20 BRAUNSTON

April 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

A winter walk – Bristol fashion

By Tim Coghlan

I AM of the view that the old floating dock of Bristol Harbour offers probably the very best of city-based waterside walks.

It is sort of circular, mostly along the ancient harbour walls and is full of interest, with watercraft of all sorts to spy. There are many old buildings and alleyways which somehow survived the Bristol Blitz and hostelries that splice the mainbrace at almost every couple of hundred yards.

Importantly it is almost free of traffic and is dog and buggy friendly. There is also good public parking near the SS Great Britain, which is well signposted from the end of the motorway – so easy to get to in what is not the easiest of cities to navigate through.

And that car park is where our walk began.

I have done bits of that walk many times over the years since my days at a boarding school nearby, which I attended in the 1960s. But amazingly enough, it wasn’t until after last Christmas that, aged 75, I finally fulfilled my ambition to circumnavigate it all in one go. At a good pace, the whole exercise could be done in an hour, but with so much to stop and stare at and a good lunch at The Pump House, we took nearly five, returning with two overexcited and exhausted young boys, ready for an early supper and bed.

Ready to swan off. The author’s niece-in-law and family in winter woollies on the old slipway that now forms part of Bristol Marina. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN The reason for making this winter walk was that my wife Liz’s niece and her young family now live in Bristol and had invited us to stay for a few days after Christmas. All agreed to my suggestion, over tea following our arrival, that taking that walk the following day would be the ideal way of getting some good exercise and shaking off the Christmas overindulgence – especially as the weather stood fair, with a forecast of a few degrees above freezing, windless, and with the prospect of winterblue skies.

At about 11am, our two cars had mustered in that car park.

Nearby, I spied the former Braunston-based Willow Wren

working butty the Greenshank, now converted to form part of a floating cafe combined with the former Dutch hopper Robert H, on which a steel deck had been fitted with the two linked by a gangway. The Greenshank, with my Braunston connections, was sort of home from home, but I decided to move on as quickly as possible and, if time permitted, take a closer look on our return and learn more of its unfortunate sinking in 2021 that made the headlines.

Ahead of us was Brunel’s SS Great Britain, now brilliantly restored and permanently on display in the dry dock in which it was built, being completed in 1843. In every

way the ship’s recovery and restoration is a remarkable story, with a small cameo role being played in the latter by Sonia Rolt, a former working boatwoman in the Second World War and afterwards at Barlow’s Yard, Braunston – so another Braunston connection here.

She was later the second wife of Tom Rolt, the author of Narrow Boat. In the 1990s Sonia had helped choose the fittings to recreate the SS Great Britain’s interior rooms as they originally might have been – something she had already done for some of the Landmark Trust’s acquisitions of historic properties.

Amazingly the SS Great Britain was open to the public that midwinter’s day, and better still, attracting visitors. Perhaps to encourage this, it was ‘dressed overall’ with colourful bunting on its masts and spars. But we needed to move on, giving the good ship little more than a passing glance from outside the perimeter fencing. It certainly looked shipshape and Bristol fashion and a credit to all who had worked on it in the various stages of its recovery from the Falkland Islands and its restoration to one of our greatest historic maritime treasures.

Traditional boatyard

Our first port of call was to the Underfall Yard, about a quarter of a mile away at the western end of the floating dock. This survives as a traditional working boatyard – focused very much on wooden craft, so a constant change in boats to look at. Visitors can see boat building, rigging, blacksmithing and more going on, though obviously not at the time of our visit.

In recent years, the yard has had a pedestrian footpath

Underfall Yard – in continuous service since it was opened in 1809. Today it specialises in wooden craft construction and maintenance, and is accessible to the public. In the background is the former Wills tobacco factory.

PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

put though it, only yards away from the piles of wood and other materials and working machinery.

It is amazing that such a close connection is allowed – we could never consider such a thing in our historic yard at Braunston – but it makes for hands-on viewing. Before that footpath, there was something of a long detour around the yard, through scruffy streets away from the harbour – so this change is very welcome to pedestrians enjoying the floating dock experience.

Underfall Yard was built on what was once Spike Island – all place names here seemed to have a poetic resonance – in conjunction with the construction of Bristol Floating Dock, the first engineer for this being William Jessop.

It was opened in 1809, four years after the completion of Jessop’s Grand Junction Canal from the Thames at Brentford to Braunston, so another Braunston connection here. Brunel went on to make improvements to the floating dock and its locks in the 1830s – only a small distance from the yard. So itt is something of a surprise th hat he miscalculated the build spec of the SS Great Britain. The result was the ship, having just managed to clear the top lock, got stuck in the second lo ock when attempting to exit downstream from Cumberland Basin, the

basin below the floating harbour.

It required the lock-wall copings to be removed, allowing the ship to finally escape on the next spring tide.

On exiting Underfall Yard, we passed through some ancient streets that somehow seemed to have survived both the Nazi bombing and the urban destruction of the 60s. I gave a nod to the Nova Scotia Inn, a favourite watering hole of mine from times past, and a glance at the now saved and restored former Wills tobacco factory building completed in 1901, which amazingly also survived the Blitz.

We crossed the floating dock top lock swing bridge, and looked down into Cumberland Basin, where the actor and canal enthusiast Timothy West used to like playing truant from Bristol Grammar School in the mid-1940s, after a falling out with the headmaster. In his very readable autobiography A Moment Towards the End of the Play... Tim writes: “Sometimes I would go to watch the ships unloading timber at Cumberland Basin… on these illicit jaunts I used to imagine how it would feel to be in the company of the great men of Bristol’s past.

“I rehearsed conversations with John Cabot on board the Matthew bound for Canada, with Isambard Kingdom Brunel standing with his hat and cigar in front of those massive chains… of course I was expelled.”

The Nova Scotia Inn, one of the author’s favourite watering holes – but time did not permit more than a passing glance on this walk. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

The SS Great Britain dressed overall – even in midwinter. The ship is now preserved in the original dry dock from where it was launched in 1843. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN