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1 Issue 191, September 2021

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The heat is on...

GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON IN OUR WORDSEARCH

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MUSEUMS REOPEN FOR VISITORS

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During the warmest week of the year so far, Liverpool was stripped of its UNESCO world heritage status. Many boats had made the trip through the Liverpool Link to enjoy some time in the city and are pictured in Salthouse Dock, overlooked by the Anglican cathedral and the Merseyside Police headquarters. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

NEW SKIPTON BRIDGE SWINGS INTO PLACE

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BOATING WITH THE BEEB

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Environment Agency consults boaters on ‘fairer and simpler’ registration scheme

BOAT owners who keep or use their vessels on Environment Agency (EA) waterways have until September 16 to have their say on proposed changes to registration charges.

As the second largest authority of navigable waterways, the agency wants to replace the current scheme, which can be inconsistent and complicated for customers, with a fairer and simpler charging regime.

Pathway to Zero

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Due to be introduced in 2022, the proposals across its three main waterway areas also include increased charge levels over a three-year period which will be essential for delivering the required service to its boating customers. This would see a 6% increase in the first year (from January 2022), 4% in the second year and held for the final year.

Alice Mayne, EA deputy director for navigation, said: “Boat registration

THE Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has launched its mission for a zero carbon recreational boating sector by 2050. Entited Pathway to Zero, the document outlines key actions and milestones that will need to be reached in response to the climate emergency. The report includes over 100 individual actions, many of which can be achieved at minimal cost, as well as recommendations for broad technology changes which will require funding by the sector, with Government support, over the coming years.

The full report can be downloaded at www.rya.org.uk

charges are hugely important for keeping our waterways open and making sure they are safe for both recreational boaters and those who rely on them for business.”

All boats kept or used on the non-tidal Thames, the Upper Medway or Anglian waterways (Rivers Great Ouse, Nene, Stour, Ancholme, Welland and Glen) must be registered with the agency, with registration charges contributing to the operation of the waterways as well as the

Green grant

THE Canal & River Trust has received a £1.7 million grant from the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund for green jobs and nature recovery. It will be used for environmental enhancements across the West Midlands including the creation of wildlife corridors reconnecting fragmented habitat for endangered species such as water voles. As well as linking seven nature reserves, a 20km community orchard will be planted between Birmingham and Wolverhampton and canals around the Commonwealth Games sites will be improved, helping to make it the greenest games ever.

upkeep and management of the rivers, locks and facilities.

Currently, funding from boat registrations does not fully cover the cost of services that the EA provides for boating customers and in the absence of revised charges from January 2022, the EA would see around £2 million of underrecovered costs over the next three years.

• Continued on page 2

Moorings contract ends

THE Environment Agency’s contract with mooring management contractor, District Enforcement, will cease from September 30, 2021. This decision follows a review that subsequently identified issues with internal procurement processes, rather than as a result of any fault by District Enforcement (DE). After ceasing operations under the contract on August 31, DE will spend the following four weeks removing signage from EA sites. The Environment Agency expects to look into options to re-tender for this work but in the meantime moorings will be managed by its waterways staff.

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2 WELCOME

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WELCOME WITH the boom in staycations and the hospitality trade slowly returning to normal – despite the recent ‘pingdemic’ – there are reasons to be cheerful as summer draws to a close.

It is great to see a report from an event again – Fenny Stratford Canal Festival – on the page opposite and the promise of more to come for next month’s issue.

One of the stars of the Fenny Stratford event was the new Milton Keynes community boat Electra which is, as her name implies, all-electric and also features in a report on page 10 together with the news that trips have resumed on the Friends of Cromford Canal’s vessel Birdswood.

Also welcoming back visitors are some of the canal museums and visitor centres, see Nicola Lisle’s round-up on page 4 and the diary dates are returning in what’s on, page 17. And boat horse Cracker is back in harness – see his Chat on page 78.

The emphasis on sustainability continues to gather momentum and Jonathan Mosse concludes his report on the Ortomarine Trials on page 46 while the chairman of the IWA Sustainable Propulsion Group, Bowman Bradley, looks at the pros and cons of hydrogen power on page 47.

If you have seen one of the boats called Savoy Hill over the years, did you realise it actually belongs to the BBC? Author and former BBC journalist Andy Griffee tells the story on page 71.

Have you had problems finding bottled gas while out cruising? NABO general secretary Mark Tizard reports on a general shortage in his column on page 78.

And don’t forget to enter our wordsearch competition on page 15, you could win a great prize.

Good word hunting

TOWPATH

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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 Advertising sales representative Chris Heaton – 01507 529354 cheaton@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 – September 23, 2021

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Local MP meets young ‘kickstarters’ LOUGHBOROUGH MP Jane Hunt has been meeting some of the young people helping the Canal & River Trust as part of the Kickstart initiative.

The visit was also an opportunity for the trust to explain proposals for improving sections of the River Soar towpath running through the town.

During the visit, Jane spoke to some of the trust’s Kickstarters to find out more about the work they’ve been doing to improve the county’s waterways for people and wildlife.

She said: “Not only are they gaining vital skills and experience but they are helping to protect and preserve our rivers and canals for future generations. They were a fantastic bunch and I wish them all the best in their future careers.”

Linny Beaumont, CRT partnerships and external relationships manager, added: “The River Soar has been so important to local people over the past 18 months, providing a green, tranquil place to escape to. The efforts of the Kickstarters, along with the towpath improvements we hope to deliver in the town, will help to make sure that it remains a welcoming, attractive place for the local community to enjoy.”

The trust has recruited 22 young people from in and around Leicester to help care for the River Soar and Grand Union Canal. The recruits, who started their six-month placements in June, will gain valuable work experience in waterway management and customer service, including canal and towpath care and a range of

Loughborough MP Jane Hunt, right, meets some of the young people taking part in the Kickstart programme with the Canal & River Trust in Leicestershire. PHOTO: CRT ‘green’ environmental projects.

Already the team have been busy building a special canoe access platform at Barrowupon-Soar, making it easier for people to get on to and out of the water. They’ve also got stuck in by working to improve sections of canal bank and erecting safety fencing.

Kickstart is a programme for young people aged 16-24

who are claiming Universal Credit and are at risk of longterm unemployment and is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. It supports young people to build up their experience and help them move into sustained employment after completing their Kickstart-funded role.

The Leicester roles are just some of the 69 placements the

trust is offering nationally, at an estimated value of £500,000.

It has also recruited young people to join its construction teams, where participants will learn heritage skills ranging from masonry, bricklaying and carpentry, to canal bank protection and towpath resurfacing. Two further roles have been created in the digital marketing team.

Wide range of topics covered in disabled boaters’ forum

By Phil Pickin

PAPERWORK and the information required was just one of the issues raised during the recent Canal & River Trust Disabled Boaters online forum.

The meeting was held to provide the opportunity for boaters and their carers to question members of CRT staff on the requirements of waterway users with a wide range of disabilities.

Welfare officer Sean Williams and national boating manager Matthew Symonds were among staff who answered a wide range of questions on the problems encountered, with paperwork being a reoccurring issue with many.

A number of those taking part highlighted what they felt to be the overly intrusive nature of the forms needed when applying for an adjustment to the terms of their licence. With a number of people having already gone through the PIP (Personal Independence Payment) assessment process, they felt that the level of detail needed for an adjustment was too much to cope with.

In reply, Sean Williams noted that the canal system is a unique environment

with many additional potential problems, both with access and use, over what would typically be expected in a conventional home. Both Sean and Matthew added that CRT didn’t want to miss anything that would add a delay to the application process.

Access to healthcare services was also highlighted as a potential problem for some although some of the issues people have encountered are not universal. Hospital appointments are a particular concern, with many hospitals insisting that a full address is needed to allow letters etc. to be sent to patients. Sean Williams pointed out that this instance could be seen as discrimination, something that should be pointed out to staff should the need arise.

One of the more unusual problems mentioned was that of the difficulty in finding a suitably qualified and willing boatbuilder to build a narrowboat for a charity that caters for disabled users.

With increasing numbers of boatbuilders streamlining their ranges, resulting in less choice than in the past, it would seem many are not interested in catering for these unique requirements.

One forum member noted that when they did find builders interested

Environment Agency consults boaters on ‘fairer and simpler’ registration scheme • Continued from page 1 Ms Mayne continued: “That’s why we are proposing a simpler, fairer and more transparent charging system that is consistent across our waterways. This is something our customers have told us they want, and following extensive engagement, we have now incorporated their feedback into our final plans.

“This additional funding will make us more financially resilient and ensure we can provide a more sustainable service.”

The EA has 18,000 direct boat

registration customers, mainly made up of private boat owners, with 160 small river businesses. Overall there are 28,000 registered boats on the EA’s waterways, with 98% private and 2% business; 80% are powered boats and 20% unpowered.

The new charging proposals are also part of the Environment Agency’s new Navigation Business Plan that sets out a sustainable future for its waterways. To view and respond to consultation visit https:// consult.environment-agency.gov. uk/environment-and-business/ nav-boat-reg-charge/

in building for them, the VAT issue appeared to be another stumbling block.

With the charities being zero-rated, some companies are not interested in what could be a more complicated accountancy procedure.

A wide range of problems were discussed during the meeting by the boater owners and, in many cases, boat traders. These ranged from access to GP services to the need to be better informed as to the accessibility of towpaths; all were fed back to the CRT team.

Tracey Clark was on hand to offer her input and the involvement of the IWAF, where much of the information needed and requested would be posted.

The CRT members who attended certainly seemed open to the ideas put forward and repeated their wish to be as accommodating as possible when trying to help those who need it.

If you would like to ask for help or support, contact your local support officer. Their details can be found on CRT’s website.

Milestone for Ashby Canal Buy a Brick campaign ASHBY Canal Association celebrated a milestone this summer when it reached £50,000 in its Buy a Brick campaign.

This will help fund the construction of the aqueduct over the Gilwiskaw Brook, on the length of canal being restored.

Chairman Peter Oakden was pleased to present the latest brick to the association’s patron, Andrew Bridgen MP, who is an enthusiastic supporter of its aims to get the Ashby Canal restored to Measham and ultimately to Moira.

Individual personalised bricks can be purchased for £100, and individual bricks for £10, which will all be included on the parapets of the Ashby Canal aqueduct to be built over

the brook as part of the Ashby Canal restoration project.

The bricks are on display at Snarestone Wharf, Quarry Lane, at the current terminus of the Ashby Canal.

This is the site of the Ashby Canal Association HQ, where its shop sells collectables; hot and cold drinks and ice creams are also available.

The Ashby Canal originally went from Bedworth to north of Moira, but the last eight miles was affected by mining subsidence up until the 1960s. Restoring the canal to Measham is being actively pursued, with plans to connect to the already restored length at Moira as the ultimate aim. www.ashbycanal.org.uk

Another brick in the wall – placed by Ashby Canal Association patron Andrew Bridgen MP, right, with chairman Peter Oakden. PHOTO: ACA

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Community boat Electra brings buzz to canal festival

Old Mortonian members are joined by Rugby borough councillor Kathryn Lawrence and the council’s place marketing officer Abi McCartney at the unveiling ceremony. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Old Mortonians celebrate new information board

WITH the 20-year-old information board showing signs of age at Hillmorton Locks on the Oxford Canal, the Old Mortonians set to work on a replacement.

The members of the Hillmorton canal heritage group researched local canal history, wrote the text and drew the location map for the new board.

Working in harmony with Rugby Borough Council who produced the design as a graphic, the Mo r t o n i a n s raised the money for Braunston-based Signzone Graphics to produce and install the board.

This is the second information board created and installed by this heritage group

at the locks and should hopefully last another 20 years.

The next project for the Mortonians is in September 2022, to mark the 250th anniversary of the death of canal engineer James Brindley who died as his last canal reached Mor ton Pound, just below Hillmorton Locks.

Could Walsall become a cruising destination?

By Les Heath

A BID by the Canal & River Trust to promote Walsall as an attractive cruising destination has the full support of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society which organised a cruise to the town’s basin earlier this year.

But the key to success lies in the hands of CRT according to Bob Fox, editor of the society’s magazine Boundary Post, who joined this year’s cruise.

“What is needed along the whole length of the canal is a number of local groups to adopt it, undertake litter picks and clean-ups with grappling hooks,” he said. “This is where CRT can and must

play a significant part if the stated goal of making Walsall an attractive destination is to be achieved.”

He said that the journey to Walsall is not to be undertaken lightly and boaters need to travel in groups to help each other out if necessary and also enjoy socialising with other boaters.

Hence the success of the society’s acclaimed Explorer Cruises, which take in the canal and the town’s little-used but surprisingly attractive basin.

Hopefully the society will be continuing its promotional cruises and it is confident that more boaters will take the opportunity to experience this little-used part of the BCN.

DESPITE changeable weather, visitors enjoyed browsing a floating market of trading narrowboats and land-based stalls at the Fenny Stratford Canal Festival over the first weekend in August.

The event on the canal towpath south of Watling Street was organised by the Milton Keynes Branch of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA).

At the IWA stand, visitors bought raffle tickets and association merchandise, viewed the huge waterway map and collected waterway information.

Electra, the new Milton Keynes community boat operated by the Bedford-Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, visited the festival on the Saturday. Four short return trips were offered along the Grand Union Canal to Water Eaton Mill, all booked to capacity and her voyages from her base at Campbell Wharf to Fenny and return were also fully booked.

Visitors enjoy browsing the floating market.

PHOTO: LES FRANKLIN

2020 to the Fenny Stratford Residents’ Association for a canal festival, but that event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The residents’ association kindly passed these funds to IWA for this year’s event, which assisted with publicity, facilities hire and other expenses.

Thanks go to Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council for help with publicity and equipment; Fenny Stratford Residents’ Association for funding and other help; the Electra team; Lorraine Andrews and Penny Holloway for liaison with land-based and floating traders; raffle prize donors; those including the traders who made generous donations to IWA; and to branch volunteers for organising the event and manning the stand.

Profits from the event are expected to exceed £700 and will go towards the waterway restoration projects supported by the branch.

Last passengers of the day embark for Electra’s return to her base at Campbell Wharf.

PHOTO: LES FRANKLIN

Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South, left, with IWA volunteers Diane Witts, Tim Armstrong, Athina Beckett and David Tucker. PHOTO: PAT DURHAM

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The boat’s operators also donated a raffle prize – a cream tea cruise on Electra. Jane Wolfson, chairman of the boat’s operations team, said: “We have had a fantastic day! Community events like this are just the sort of thing we want Electra to be involved in.”

Other Saturday visitors included riders of a three-person cycle, used in a film being shot over the course of a year in Milton Keynes, and Iain Stewart, Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South.

Volunteers discussed various matters with him, including East West Rail’s proposal to close the level crossing at Fenny Stratford and the impact this could have upon the community in general and upon the Grand Union Canal if pedestrian diversions were to be routed via the canal.

A grant from Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council was awarded in

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4 MUSEUM FOCUS

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The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne

Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre A monument to Victorian engineering, the Anderton Boat Lift was built in 1875 to raise boats 50ft from the River Weaver to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Designed by hydraulic engineer Edwin Clark – who went on to design a series of four boat lifts along Belgium’s Canal du Centre (now a World Heritage Site) – the original lift was operational until 1908, when it was replaced with a wire rope and pulley system.

Corrosion forced its closure in 1983, but a campaign launched by the Anderton Boat Lift Trust resulted in the restored lift being reopened in 2002. You can now watch the lift working in the visitor centre, which

also tells the story of the lift through a range of artefacts, interactive exhibits and film.

Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 9.30am-4.30pm, April to October.

Admission free; car park charge.

Cafe and play area. Boat trips aboard the Edwin Clark are currently operating at reduced capacity.

Advance booking required; tel.

01606 786777.

Nearby: Northwich Woodlands.

Anderton Boat Lift, Lift Lane, Anderton, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6FW. https://canalrivertrust. org.uk/places-to-visit/ anderton-boat-lift-visitor-centre

Canal museums spring back into life With many of the UK’s museums reopening after months of closure due to Covid, Nicola Lisle takes a look at some of the inland waterways museums that have once again thrown open their doors to the public IT’S been a frustrating couple of years for everyone, but now, at last, our towpaths are once again buzzing with activity as various museums and other visitor attractions reopen, all offering unique insights into the history and

Situated on the Grand Union Canal in the pretty village of Stoke Bruerne, this is one of the oldest canal museums in the country, having been established in 1963. Housed in an old corn mill, the museum is spread across two floors and tells the story of the Grand Union Canal from its construction to the everyday lives of the people who made a living from the waterways. There are working models of canal boats, displays of canal art and many other artefacts, and you can take a peek inside the narrowboat Sunny Valley taking centre stage on the top floor.

Moored alongside the museum is the 1935 boat Sculptor, which is currently being restored as close to the 1930s original as possible, thanks to funding by the Friends of the Canal Museum and the Northampton branch of the Inland Waterways Association. Also of interest in the village are the five working locks, the 19th century Boat Inn and the canal cottages.

Open Wednesday to Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.

Admission free; car park charge. Cafe, gift shop and

Tapton Lock Visitor Centre

The perfect place to start exploring the Chesterfield Canal, Tapton Lock Visitor Centre includes a display about the history of the canal as well as a shop selling a range of guide books and leaflets. You can also download a leaflet from the

heritage of our canals and other inland waterways. Some places still have Covid restrictions in place, but others are fully open. On this page are a few must-see attractions around the country to whet your appetite.

Kennet & Avon Canal Museum This lovely museum is housed in a former warehouse, originally used to store wine transported along the canal from Bristol Harbour and now the headquarters of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. The collection includes a range of artefacts and memorabilia, from models of locks and narrowboats to domestic and industrial implements, all reflecting life on the Kennet and Avon Canal and telling the story of its construction in the early 19th century, its decline in the late 19th and early

20th centuries, and its restoration and reopening in 1990 following a period of disuse.

Open Wednesday and Thursday 10am-3pm (reduced hours).

Admission by donation; car park charge. Cafe and gift shop.

Boat trips on the Kenavon Venture; pre-booking essential. Passenger capacity currently reduced due to Covid.

Nearby: Caen Hill Locks.

The Wharf, Couch Lane, Devizes SN10 1EB https://katrust.org.uk

toilets. Part of the Canal and River Trust collection.

Nearby: Blisworth Tunnel (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ places-to-visit/blisworth-tunnel) The Canal Museum, Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SE https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ places-to-visit/stoke-bruerne

website (see below). The towpath is part of the Trans Pennine Trail and the National Cycle Network.

Opposite the Visitor Centre there is an audio post telling the story of the Chesterfield Canal, with tales from those who have lived and worked on the canal.

Open every day except Christmas Day, 10am-4pm. Closed for lunch 1pm-1.45pm Monday to Friday.

Admission free; on-street parking close by. Boat trips, picnic area, sensory garden, seasonal displays, year-round events. Fishing permits available from the visitor centre.

Tapton Lock Visitor Centre, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield S41 7JB www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/ countryside/countryside-sites/ country-parks-and-visitor-centres/ tapton-lock/tapton-lock-visitorcentre.aspx

Banbury Museum and Tooley’s Boatyard

Among the many displays at Banbury Museum relating to this historic market town is a section telling the story of the Oxford Canal, which reached Banbury in 1778 and helped boost the local weaving and brewing trades, transforming the town into a major industrial centre. Opposite the museum is Tooley’s Boatyard, which dates back to 1778 and is still in operation following a major restoration project during the 1990s.

The site includes a blacksmith’s forge, 1930s workshops, dry dock and chandlery, as well as a small museum and shop. It was from here that canal pioneer Tom Rolt set sail aboard his narrowboat Cressy in 1939 and his resulting book, Narrow Boat (published 1944), highlighted the deterioration of Britain’s canals

and led to the formation of the Inland Waterways Association.

A blue plaque honouring Rolt was erected on the boatyard entrance in 2010.

Banbury Museum open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm.

Admission free; multi-storey car park nearby. Cafe (currently closed) and gift shop.

Spiceball Park Road, Banbury, Oxon OX16 2PQ. www.banburymuseum.org Tooley’s Boatyard open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-1pm, but currently only two customers allowed in the shop in line with social distancing.

Admission free. https://tooleysboatyard.co.uk

River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames

The main focus of this lovely riverside museum is the sporting exploits on the Thames – notably the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, which was first held in Henley in 1829, and the Henley Royal Regatta, which was established here in 1839. There are also insights into the history and conservation of the Thames and its locks, and a special Wind in the Willows Exhibition that recreates the characters and some of the scenes from Kenneth Grahame’s famous story.

Open Thursday to Monday, 10am-4pm.

Admission charge; car park (small charge). Booking essential.

Wind in the Willows currently limited to one household group or support bubble (maximum of six people), with timed slots available on a first come, first served basis on arrival at the museum.

Cafe and gift shop.

Nearby: boat trips, boat hire, riverside walks and the historic town of Henley-on-Thames.

River and Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1BF www.rrm.co.uk

London Canal Museum

Situated on the Regent’s Canal, looking over Battlebridge Basin to its rear, this leading canal museum is housed in a Victorian ice warehouse that was once used by ice cream maker Carlo Gatti. The extensive collections capture the history of London’s canals and their contribution to the Industrial Revolution, as well as looking at the lives of the people who lived and worked on them, and how canals work.

Displays include examples of canal art, the narrowboat Coronis and a lifesize model of a bargepulling horse.

Outside is the 1950s tug Bantam IV, which was used in gravel pits in Kent and later on the Kennet & Avon Canal before being brought to the London Canal Museum in 2002 for restoration. There is also a Victorian ice well, used to store ice imported from Norway, and a history of the ice trade.

Open Friday to Sunday and bank holiday Mondays, 10am-4.30pm.

Admission charge. Gift shop and toilets. Hot and cold drinks and ice cream available; other cafes and restaurants nearby.

Online exhibitions and talks.

London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RT www.canalmuseum.org.uk

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Grantham Canal Society’s Three Shires trip boat is the first through Lock 14 in 90 years.

First boat through Grantham Canal lock for 90 years

VOLUNTEERS who have spent the past three years rebuilding a canal lock by hand are celebrating after it was used by a boat for the first time in more than 90 years.

The Canal & River Trust, Grantham Canal Society (GCS) and the Waterway Recovery Group have been working together on the formerly derelict Lock 14 near Stenwith.

Since 2018, the volunteers have been taking the crumbling walls down brick by brick, laying new foundations and rebuilding the walls. Volunteer works had to stop during the lockdowns of 2020 but that didn’t slow the progress too much, with the Canal & River Trust using the time to lift new oak lock gates into the restored lock chamber – the first new gates the lock has had in almost 90 years.

It has been part of a project – awarded an £830,500 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – to bring Locks 14 and 15 back into use. The project has already seen the full restoration of Lock 15 which was officially reopened in September 2019.

The locks were designed and built by renowned canal engineer William Jessop more than two centuries ago, but fell into dereliction after use of the canal declined in the face of competition from the railways. By the 1960s most of the locks on the canal were derelict and their lock gates replaced with concrete weirs to control the water levels.

The new oak gates have been hand built at CRT’s lock gate workshop at Stanley Ferry near Wakefield. Each of the bottom gates weighs 2.3 tonnes with the top gates weighing 1.1 tonnes each.

Phil Mulligan, regional director for the Canal & River Trust, said: “This has been a monumental effort from everyone involved and the official opening was an

emotional experience for them all.

“The events of the past year may have slowed progress slightly but it’s certainly not dampened the enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteers. The lock’s looking incredible, back to its best, and it was a real honour to see a boat using it for the first time.

“It’s a really inspirational project and we’re so grateful for all the efforts of the volunteers and the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.”

Mike Stone, chairman of the Grantham Canal Society, said: “The completion of Lock 14 restoration has been a real highlight of an otherwise difficult year for GCS. Our volunteers have worked with the trust and WRG to complete works despite Covid-19 restrictions and site closures.

“The volunteers have been completely focused and the result is fantastic with

the fifth of seven locks in the flight now restored. There was much learning from Lock 15 and we look forward to taking that learning to Locks 12 and 13, and we thank all involved in making this possible.”

The project has also involved training volunteers in valuable conservation skills and laying the groundwork for the restoration of a further two locks (numbered 12 and 13). In addition to the NLHF funding the project has also received support from WREN, Donald Forrester Trust, the family of Alan Applewhite, and Michael Worth on behalf of the Waynflete Charitable Trust.

As well as the physical works the aim of the project is also to raise awareness of the canal’s built and natural heritage and encourage more people to explore it through walking trails, archaeological activities, on-site information and online resources.

An aerial view of restored Lock 14. PHOTO: CRT

Things are getting busy in Wales

By Phil Pickin

LIFE getting back to normal would seem to have been the theme of the recent CRT Welsh boat users’ forum held online once again.

After a difficult 18 months, it looks like the Welsh canals are getting back to being as busy as ever with good numbers and a good mix of boats passing through sections like Frankton Locks, according to some who took part in the forum.

Despite the good news, it would seem that Wales is having much the same issues as many other areas in that this summer has provided ideal growing conditions for offside hedges and towpath margins. A number of users highlighted the need to cut back on this growth, including on the Montgomery Canal.

Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, was understandably concerned about the Montgomery Triathlon being held on September 4. With anything between 100-150 entrants, he felt that there was an urgent need for vegetation management to take place on many sections.

Canal & River Trust area operations manager Roger Birch assured the forum that this issue was being addressed with some urgency both on the Monty and in other locations. Similarly, issues surrounding overstayers are being addressed now that life is getting back to normal.

According to Georgina Wood, business boating manager for Wales, there has generally been a noticeable increase in the number of boats that might be considered as overstaying. This could possibly be due to Covid or associated problems, but she went on to say

that CRT is looking into cases that have been brought to its attention.

The majority of business participants reported that bookings were up and that despite the recent weather being less than ideal, locations like the Trevor Basin are busy. Lynda Slater, Trevor Basin visitor centre manager, said that to help with visitor numbers, she was pleased that five new volunteers are joining her team.

She added that the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct had been featured in a number of TV programmes recently, which has helped to boost its profile. In addition, questions were asked about the relocation of Anglo Welsh at the basin. Georgina Wood said that the new base is still at the planning stage and, given that the area is a World Heritage Site, this process is likely to take some time.

It would seem that a number of locations in Wales could be in line for substantial windfalls in the form of levelling-up funds on offer from the UK Government. If successful, both the Monty and the Llangollen canals will benefit. Together with possible additional funding heading towards south Wales, these funds could make significant impacts on the work being done on a number of Welsh waterways.

Concerns were raised regarding the reduction of staff at locks, something that isn’t unique to Wales. Roger Birch pointed out that increased numbers of volunteers are coming forward, and it is hoped that these will help make up the shortfall.

Despite the summer season being in full swing, at the time of the meeting, many staff pointed out that they, and their teams, were drawing up plans for winter works. A stark reminder that although life on the waterways is getting back to something like normal, time is marching on, and it will, all too soon, be time for winter closures again.

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Skipton swing bridge back in place

By Colin Wareing

OVER nearly three weeks in July contractors working for the Canal & River Trust replaced a well-used swing bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool canal in Skipton in North Yorkshire.

The bridge, No 176 on the canal, carries a public footpath

to Aireville Park and the local college and is swung out of the way by boat crews when they want to navigate along this stretch of canal.

On Sunday, July 4, a large crane was set up in the yard of the Magnet kitchen store in Carleton New Road alongside the canal and the existing bridge – believed to be about 40 years old and which had become difficult to operate – was removed by the crane.

The following weekend on Sunday, July 11, the new swing bridge, weighing around 20 tonnes, was lifted into place following the Left: The Pirtek van stands with the Baldwins crane and support van as the fitter works on repairing a hydraulic pipe on the crane.

A hireboat passes contractors getting ready to replace the Gawflat swing bridge in Skipton. preparations carried out during the intervening week to enable it to fit.

Work took place on Sundays to enable local roads to be closed to get the crane and bridges in and out safely.

However due to hydraulic and mechanical problems with the crane on the second Sunday, the

job took longer than anticipated.

The bridge arrived on site at about 10.30am but it was well into the evening by the time it was in place, with the contractors only getting away from the site at

about 00.45am on the Monday morning. Final commissioning was done over the next few days with the bridge being opened to pedestrians and cars on Tuesday, July 20.

While the crane was broken down two members of the Canal & River Trust team had time to buy ice cream from the roving traders who sell cakes, coffee and ice creams from the side hatch of narrowboat Kindred Spirit.

Work continues on the replacement of the Gawflat swing bridge in Skipton on July 14.

At the time this photograph was taken, the canal wasn’t closed to navigation, with the engineers working on the bridge moving it out of the way for boats to pass. PHOTOS: COLIN

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COLIN WAREING Lancashire in January 2019. PHOTO:

eams for 2019 are revealed k’s TTop TTeams T k’s Towpath Talk a s, we bid farewell awn AS A new decade dawn t th to 2019 with the results of our Towpath 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 Society Canal the Grantham taking the title by a short head.

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

Award presentations to our finalists

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

Talk. tth Tal 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 from coming hots, s t that reporters told moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats on for about five went this and Ditton, Fen Field, no injuries were minutes. Cambridgeshire Police said reported and enquiries were continuing.

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

878361 or peterkillan@hotmail.com

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

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

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Abseiling conservator Columba Strachey working on the Dundas Aqueduct. PHOTO: ANNA

BARCLAY/CRT

Hanging around the Dundas Aqueduct A SPE CIAL IST abseiling team has been working with the Canal & River Trust to repair the historic Grade I listed Dundas Aqueduct on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Bath.

Suspended on ropes 12m (40ft) above the Avon Valley, the team of stone masonry conservators are carrying out specialist conservation repairs to the Georgian Bath stone mouldings of this iconic structure.

Decades of exposure to the elements have left their mark, with some mouldings showing signs of cracking caused by freeze and thaw damage.

Extensive restoration work was carried out in the early 2000s but the elements continue to take their toll on the fragile carved and decorative stonework of the

classical detailing.

Morgan Cowles, Canal & River T r u st h e r i t ag e and environment manager, explained: “For decades this elegant structure carried narrowboats bearing coal, timber, Bath stone and other goods between Reading and Bristol.

Commenced in 1796 it was built to take the canal across the Avon Valley, thus allowing a nine-mile long stretch from Bath to Bradford on Avon be completed without locks.

“In 1954 it developed a leak and was taken out of use.

In the 1960s and 70s it was completely drained, meaning people were able to walk along it. It was reopened, complete with water, in 1984 and since then has taken on a new life, welcoming hundreds of leisure and lived-on boats to

gently cruise along its 140m length.”

He continued: “The Canal & River Trust is conserving the aqueduct for future generations and

ensuring it survives another 200-plus years to give more people the chance to enjoy life by water on this stunning piece of canal history.”

Dundas Aqueduct was named after Charles Dundas, the first chairman of the Kennet & Avon Canal Company. In 1951 it became the first canal structure to be designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is also designated as a Grade I Listed Building.

Built c1805 by John Rennie, the aqueduct is a classically designed masterpiece on a monumental scale carved from local Bath limestone. It is an iconic landmark of the waterways, carrying the Kennet & Avon Canal over the River Avon Valley below.

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Finsley Gate Wharf c1900.

Finsley Gate Wharf directors Glen Davidson and Lee Shepherd with CRT North West regional director Daniel Greenhalgh.

Restored wharf boost for Burnley A £2.9 million restoration of a historic Burnley canal wharf by the Canal & River Trust is set to bring major benefits to the former textile town.

Over the last 18 months, the derelict stone buildings at Finsley Gate Wharf, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, have been transformed into a new community heritage and learning hub, cafe bar, restaurant, function room, guest house and garden.

The complex also includes a working forge which will be firing up for regular demonstrations, thanks to two local blacksmiths. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a wide variety of activities from yoga, paddleboarding and canoeing sessions to craft classes, school visits, heritage tours, light refreshments and fine dining.

Opened in 1801, Finsley Gate was an important regional boating centre in the 19th century, fuelling the Industrial Revolution. Known locally as Mile Wharf, it is located on a sharp bend next to Burnley’s famous one-mile-long embankment across the Calder Valley, one of Britain’s Seven Wonders of the Waterways.

Funded by grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the European Regional Development Fund and supported by Burnley Borough Council and the new site management company Finsley Gate Wharf Ltd, the restored complex is set to bring major economic and cultural benefits to the town, just as the arrival of the canal did more than 200 years ago.

In the 1880s, the Lancashire

Two local blacksmiths will demonstrate their work in the forge. PHOTOS: CRT Ready to reopen: The restored Finsley Gate Wharf. town of Burnley was the largest cotton-producing town in the world and by the turn of the century it boasted more than 100,000 looms, with 90% of the town’s population employed in the industry.

This thriving economy was supported by the canal which brought cotton from America, coal from the nearby pits, water to power the steam engines and a route to world trade.

By the mid-20th century, the majority of the cotton mills had closed and commercial traffic on the canal

had declined. The Finsley Gate site continued to be used as an operational office and yard for the canal, but was closed in 1995 and has remained empty ever since.

Daniel Greenhalgh, North West regional director of the Canal & River Trust, said: “It has been a longheld dream to create a new use for these fantastic Grade II listed stone buildings, so it is wonderful to see the wharf brought back to life in such spectacular fashion.

“The buildings have been sensitively

restored to modern 21st century standards while carefully conserving their unique heritage value.

“Finsley Gate promises to be a huge community asset and this opening is just the beginning of a long-term commitment from the trust to ensure the canal continues to make a vital contribution to the life of the town.”

Burnley Council leader Coun Afrasiab Anwar said: “The canal is a major asset for our borough and it’s great to see this investment in its future.”

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Bid to replace iconic Cornish signpost

A long-standing landmark on the route into North Cornwall, the fingerposts went missing in April.

PHOTO: ROBIN JONES

A CROWDFUNDING appeal has been launched in a bid to replace a Cornish signpost close to the Bude Canal.

The historic Red Post marking the crossing of the A3072 and B3254 roads at Launcells is the first waymarker encountered by people entering the county from the direction of Holsworthy in Devon.

It points in four directions and has become popular with travellers stopping for selfies.

In April, all four directional

fingerposts were removed and are presumed stolen.

Launcells Parish Council launched the Crowdfunder appeal to meet the costs of recasting and erecting new fingerposts.

In the early 19th century the area around Red Post was home to a brick and tile works and a wharf for the Bude Canal.

Nearby are the Red Post Inn and Tourist Park and the Red Post Service Station.

Factor 50 flowing on the Monty!

SHROPSHIRE Union Canal volunteers working on the restoration of the 330m dry section of the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath experienced a dramatic contrast in climatic conditions during two weekends in July.

The first was punctuated by torrential downpours and the second was played out in scorching temperatures. Despite varied outcomes from the ‘wet and dry’ experiences, significant progress was achieved.

A dedicated pair of volunteers cut many metres of the lining material into huge ‘carpet strips’ in readiness for the lining process due to start in August and 60m of channel was given a final scrape, to prepare for the waterproof lining process to start.

The last section of canal bank subsidence was finally built up, one metre

above the actual height to allow for 100 bulk containers, all filled with 1000 litres of water, to be placed there to compress the area for a period of six months.

The movement of the empty vessels over a distance of 200m was no mean feat in the prevailing scorching temperatures.

Work began, using a fleet of dumpers, to bring in thousands of tonnes of earth which will be needed to narrow the distance between the towpath and the offside bank. Historically, this 60m stretch had become twice as wide as today’s traffic will need.

These loads were compacted with a huge whacker plate attached to a large digger arm and then grout was spread to stabilise the mass.

When finished, this will link the national network to the winding hole at Crickheath, which is in water.

Earth being added to reduce the width of the channel. PHOTO: FRED BARRETT To compensate for time lost due to Covid restrictions, there are now two work parties per month until Christmas. New volunteers are always welcome, anyone interested should visit www.shropshireunion. org.uk for details.

Canal revealed for first time in a century HARDWORKING volunteers are rediscovering a former waterway which has been hidden for more than a century.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is clearing a new section of the abandoned line which once passed between Pewsham and Derry Hill, to the east of Chippenham.

The stretch at Green Lane Farm, leased from a local landowner, is more than 760m long and reaches from the A4 to Pudding Brook.

Work parties had to cut their way through dense undergrowth to reveal the route used by narrowboats carrying coal, grain and other cargo in the 1800s.

Volunteers have been busy clearing the towpath, removing rubbish, laying hedges and planting trees, and now hope to recruit more people to support their latest project.

The charity would like to create a valuable new amenity for the local community, similar to the popular stretch which has already been restored between Pewsham and Lacock to the south.

Melksham, Chippenham & Calne

branch chairman Dave Maloney said: “When we first started work on this site it was completely impassable and we had to use chainsaws to clear our way through the hawthorns and brambles.

“There was also a great deal of rubbish which had accumulated over the last hundred years, including rubble, glass and metal, all of which had to be carefully removed.”

The charity would like to create a valuable new amenity for the local community, similar to the popular stretch which has already been restored between Pewsham and Lacock to the south.

Dave continued: “We’re currently improving the towpath and using a habitat management plan to create a new wildlife corridor and then we’ll start removing obstacles from the water before looking at the possibility of dredging.

“Longer term, we would like to bring it up to the same standard as the Pewsham stretch which is now hugely popular with walkers, runners and cyclists, and clearly demonstrates the benefits and beauty of a restored canal.”

Chainsaw massacre on the Ashby Canal

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DURING the weekend of July 10-11, a picnic table and Ashby Canal Association information sign by Bridge 37 on the Ashby Canal at Far Coton, near Market Bosworth, were the victims of a chainsaw-wielding attacker.

ACA members were devastated by

the damage caused. Chairman Peter Oakden said: “Our volunteers and other supporters spend a lot of time and hard-earned money providing facilities for users of the canal towpath and have provided a number of benches and signs throughout the length of the canal. This kind of criminal behaviour cannot be tolerated.”

Ashby Canal Association’s Friends Facebook page has been alive with criticism. Several commented that

it seemed to be pre-planned, rather than random vandalism.

The matter has been reported to the police as a case of criminal damage and to the Canal & River Trust. There were boats moored nearby and a chainsaw is noisy, so the association believes someone must have been aware of what was going on. Anyone with information is asked to contact Leicestershire Police.

Branch chairman Dave Maloney, third from right, and fellow volunteers clearing the former Wilts & Berks Canal at Green Lane Farm east of Chippenham.

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The information sign and picnic table following the attack.

The damaged benches are strewn with sawdust. PHOTOS: ACA

A stretch which has already been restored near Pewsham.

PHOTO: ALISON GUY

Work parties are normally held on two Saturdays each month. Email dave.maloney@wbct.org.uk The section at Green Lane Farm was part of the main line and included the Derry Hill wharf. A junction to the south took the canal into Chippenham, while a junction to the north took it into Calne.

Visit www.wbct.org.uk The aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is to restore the waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon.

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Canal life – cut and dried

By Deena Ingham

CANALS were originally transport routes, around which an entire supply industry built up to meet the needs of the boats and boaters. The usage of canals is different today and those operating the supply industry have adapted too.

One continuous cruiser who’s got working and living afloat cut and dried is Joanna Embley, 26. She has set up The Cut, a hairdressing salon currently floating around the north-west of England.

Joanna, who hails from Burnley, believes the experience of welcoming her customers to have their hair cut outside

Joanna Embley on board The Ruff with her dog Stanley. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

and on water adds significantly to their sense of well-being.

From her floating home she offers boaters, holidaymakers, walkers and canalside dwellers the opportunity to have their hair cut, styled and/or coloured while sitting on the bow of her boat in the fresh air.

For many it’s their first experience of sitting on a canal boat on the water, and one they find incredibly relaxing. Some say because of the fear of Covid, they feel far safer having a haircut in the open air than in an enclosed salon. It’s certainly a unique experience, and customers enjoy meeting her dog Stanley too.

Jo bought her narrowboat The Ruff just over a year ago and inspires with her passion for the delight she has found living afloat, closer to nature. She shares her enthusiasm via her Instagram @ theruffnarrowboat.

She’s invested in solar panels to ensure sufficient power, fixed new mirrors inside and out to give customers views of their ongoing transformation and created a specific Instagram account so boaters and other customers can find The Cut’s latest location and contact details via .the_cut._288 Jo got into boating and hairdressing by chance, having trained at the University of Central Lancashire as an actor. The roles she kept getting and enjoying were as a hairdresser’s model so she decided to retrain.

After completing her qualifications she’s worked in several salons, until setting up her floating salon. Her

Joanna applying a colour in the open air.

Joanna in The Ruff’s colourful interior.

enterprising business has seen her, her boat and the canals promoted on BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/ uk-england-lancashire-56902100 Since lockdown has lifted Jo can also offer cuts and a cuppa inside The Ruff if the weather’s against sitting outside!

The Ruff moored and open for business at Pennington Flash on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

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Canal Connections and the NCBA

In the latest of our regular features on the work of the National Community Boats Association, Canal Connections project manager Peter Forrest writes about the doors which were opened for him through the Leeds-based community interest company.

BACK in the early 2000s I was a young man struggling with education and growing up. I was on the edge of losing my education and struggled to find a

way in life. I was given a six-week opportunity to join a community boat project, this was my life ring and it opened the lock gates to life. After the programme I was

hooked; I begged and begged for the project to let me continue and volunteer, knowing this was the perfect opportunity for me.

The project director made me a deal. I would have to finish school and stay in education, then I would be supported by the project and trained with a recognised qualification in boat management. I would also go on to learn other life skills that were presented by the project.

After I finished school and had settled into volunteering with the project, I was going to college two

or three days a week. I started to move fast and to understand the community boat life, a life not just accepting opportunities but also showing and giving them to others that are in need.

Just one year after leaving school and being in a very similar situation, a young man attended the six-week programme; he too loved the project and the support it gave young men and women.

After the programme I returned to the school that I had left but this time I was an adult fighting for a young man’s education and negotiating his future and how a community project can support alternative education.

After this I got more involved in the development of the project, being given the chance to travel down to London and see the then home office of the NCBA; it was my first solo-ish adventure, visiting projects like the Richmond Adventure, Pirate Boats and Camden and meeting the board of trustees of the NCBA. Soon after this I was involved in the development of the community leadership programme, again heading to London to join a meeting with Dream Achievers, as it was called then. It was one of a few community boat projects to

pilot one of the NCBA-funded programmes that have been a solid structure to our community boat project. Most young and old participants start with the CBLP (Community Boat Leadership Programme).

Being part of a community boat project gave me the skills and confidence to move forward in life, reaching for the future.

As time went on, I attended a number of national and international conferences and volunteered for two international volunteer projects, one in Italy and the second in Finland on a three-masted sailing ship promoting wind power and fair trade.

After all this and so much more I went on to start a family with good family values; yes, some came from my parents but a lot came from my family of volunteers and community boat staff. I have now been given the opportunity to be project manager here at Canal Connections to help lead the next generation of community boat project workers and volunteers.

This is not a task I take on my own here at Canal Connections; we have a very good and willing development team that’s always looking at how we can keep

improving and developing the project to keep the interest of today’s community with people of all ages.

We are more than a community boat project, we are Canal Connections, connecting the waterways and local green space to the wider community.

Over the last 12 months Covid19 has destroyed businesses and altered many people’s way of life, we have all seen or suffered the effects of it. Canal Connections have supported the NHS; we have joined the Leeds Community Champions in spreading the word on vaccination and we’re helping to get them supporting people with the right information and how to get their vaccinations.

We are working with socially prescribed members of the public, helping them get used to the ‘new normal’ and supporting families in affordable days out on our inland waterways.

The NCBA gives us and other boat projects the ability and confidence to talk and share ideas as part of a national development team. Canal Connections is proud to be an accredited training centre for the NCBA and is proud to have skippers and crew trained to a professional community boat standard.

Birdswood is back in regular action

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THE Friends of Cromford Canal have resumed operating their popular narrowboat trips at Cromford in Derbyshire.

Narrowboat Birdswood is now running at regular times on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. There is, at the time of writing, a reduced capacity due to Covid-19 regulations and a slightly shorter trip due to the failure of Browns Bridge at High Peak Junction.

Birdswood has been successfully operating as a floating shop at Cromford Wharf during the restrictions and after a period of cleaning inside and out by the volunteers who operate her, she is now operating once again.

Browns Bridge, the swing bridge at High Peak Junction, has had a new bearing support designed by FCC engineers which is due to be installed in late September.

Weed clearance in the channel at the bridge has started and will be carried on all the way to Leawood winding hole in time for Birdswood to be able to operate a full trip successfully as before.

A new GPS system gives a new commentary as each location is reached on the trip, giving an efficient interaction with visitors. This system

was designed and programmed by one of the volunteer crew.

Booking for a trip is advised before arrival, email bookings@birdswood.org or ring 07552 055455.

Back in business: Friends of Cromford Canal trip boat Birdswood.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Green light for all-electric community boat

FOLLOWING the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions and successful ‘sea trials’, Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust’s new trip boat Electra is now open for business.

Cruises are currently planned to run from August until October on the new fully electric 54ft narrowboat, built

by Colecraft Engineering.

Lead cabin host James Clifton said: “Guests may now choose from several public trip and private charter options, cruising along the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes.

These include family cruises in the school holidays, cream tea cruises on Wednesday and

New trip boat Electra is now open for business at Milton Keynes. PHOTO: BMKWT Sunday afternoons, Friday afternoon ‘relax on the art trail’ cruises, plus a Friday night fish and bubbles cruise. Two-hour morning or afternoon private charters are available on Thursdays and Saturdays.

“Electra is well-ventilated and designed for up to 12 guests on board, but we accept government advice to ‘proceed with caution’ with regard to Covid-19 and will start by taking a maximum of eight guests per cruise,” James explained.

Crewed by trained volunteers from the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, Electra is accessible, with a lift and lavatory that can accommodate a standard size wheelchair.

Cruises depart from Campbell Wharf and full details, including booking instructions, can be found at https://www.bmkwaterway. org/mkcommunityboatelectra/

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Engaging with the boating community

Healthwatch Cheshire and the Waterways Chaplaincy report on spring initiative

THE April edition of Towpath Talk reported on an initiative

by Healthwatch Cheshire and the Waterways Chaplaincy team to raise awareness of a new GP access card and Covid-19 vaccinations.

Building on three years’ experience of partnership working, the two organisations engaged with the boating community between March and May 2021 and a report has now been published on this work and feedback from boaters.

Senior chaplain Martin Buck said: “This work enables comprehensive coverage of the Mark Groves of Healthwatch Cheshire and Waterways network that will give boaters the confidence to register at Chaplain Martin Buck at Aqueduct Marina near any surgery, despite being miles Nantwich. from home or without the luxury of having a home surgery.” guidance on a variety of subjects. These included The teams were aware that some boaters queries about the vaccination process as well as received good support from GPs with no problems feedback on subjects from GP access to mental registering at practices, while others experienced health support. difficulties in registering at certain practices due Staff were able to provide information about to postcode issues. the GP access cards, which allow people to The report stated: “The boaters we spoke to register with a GP practice without having to recommended that signage at key points along provide proof of address, something that can be the canals indicating local services and how to an issue for boaters who often travel from place access them, leaflets and online information to place on the canals. Information was also given regarding emergency numbers, local GP practices about how these cards can help with being able to that will accept boaters as patients, and other receive a Covid-19 vaccine, and the vaccination support information, would be useful to them.” programme taking place throughout Cheshire.

The Cheshire ring of canals consists of 97 Healthwatch Cheshire would particularly like miles of canals with more than 35 marinas and to thank the Waterways Chaplaincy, who provide many private moorings, with an extra 30 miles pastoral support to the boating community, of canals and eight marinas in Warrington and for their excellent support, enthusiasm and Halton. Figures provided by the Canal & River knowledge that has enabled Healthwatch to reach Trust estimate that there are about 700 people so many members of this community. living permanently aboard boats for 12 months Thanks were also expressed to the Canal & of the year in Cheshire, Warrington and Halton.

River Trust and marina managers for allowing Visiting 45 marinas, designated moorings, it to display posters on noticeboards along the canals, towns and villages on foot across this area, canal system and in marinas and canalside shops.

Healthwatch Cheshire teams were able to talk Tracey Cole, executive director strategy to 89 members of the boating community and & partnerships at NHS Cheshire Clinical marina staff who have offered support, advice and Commissioning Group, said: “By using their existing links with the residents of Cheshire’s waterways, who may often be overlooked as a hidden community with unique social, health and well-being needs, Healthwatch and the Waterways Chaplaincy were intrinsic in helping us to ensure WATERWAYS Ireland (WI) has that this community were able to access both GP commissioned a feasibility study for services and the Covid-19 vaccine. sustainable on-the-water living in Ireland.

“I have no doubt that better relationships were The study is expected to include built and lives were saved. Thank you Healthwatch an in-depth analysis of international for continued meaningful collaboration which makes a difference.” residential on-water living and its associated development, suitability of application to the Irish canal network, the environmental impact of any recommended solutions as well as a comprehensive overview of the resource requirement for implementation.

Announcement of the study comes following a promise made last year by the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, to look into the continuing increase in numbers of those wishing to live aboard despite there currently only being 28 residential moorings, the majority of which are situated at Grand Canal Dock in Dublin and already oversubscribed.

Dave Crosthwaite of Healthwatch Cheshire Meanwhile, the Inland Waterways at the Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich.

Association of Ireland (IWAI) is currently PHOTOS: HEALTHWATCH CHESHIRE in the process of producing its own policy The report and feedback can be viewed at on ‘living on board in Ireland’ which, on completion, is to be presented to WI www.healthwatchcwac.org.uk/wp-content/ and will, no doubt, prove an invaluable uploads/2021/07/Supporting-the-BoatingCommunity-Final-Report-May-2021.pdf addition to the feasibility study.

Living aboard in Ireland

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