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1 Issue 188, June 2021

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‘Save our docks’ plea

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Boaters hope to return to Bridgwater Docks if a town council plan is successful. PHOTO: BOB NAYLOR, WATERMARX MEDIA

Bridgwater Town Council in bid to save docks

By Di Harris and Bob Naylor

NEW life could be breathed into Bridgwater Docks in Somerset after Bridgwater Town Council stepped in with a plan to save the historic site.

The future for the boating community looked uncertain after the Canal & River Trust (CRT) said it would quit when its lease expired and the dock owner, Somerset County Council, said it was prepared to dispose of the site on the open market.

back to the county council at the end of its lease in July 2020.

In May 2020 CRT wrote to boat owners telling them that their mooring agreements would be terminated before the end of the lease and they had to move out of the docks. The trust also stated that it would not make any contribution to those costs. At that time there were 30 boats moored in the docks.

The county council said that the infrastructure supporting the moorings was unsuitable and insisted that all

boats must leave the docks before it would take the lease back from CRT. Boaters asked CRT if they could move on to the Bridgwater and Taunton (B&T) Canal temporarily but at that time the request was refused. The original deadline for the boats to move out was March 1, but Covid restrictions meant this wasn’t possible. So the county council gave CRT a licence to continue operating the docks until the boats could move.

• Continued on page 2

Wharf housing plan

Grantham van appeal

Hire boat code

REVISED plans have been unveiled for 15 flats and two houses on a derelict brownfield site next to the Grand Union Canal in Olton near Solihull. The proposed development at Lincoln Road Wharf is smaller than a 28-flat scheme eventually withdrawn last spring but more extensive than a previous plan for nine homes approved in 2019. Work to clear the site started in late April including the remnants of a former petrol station. The wharf dates from the late 19th century and a coal merchant operated at the site until the 1960s.

A CROWDFUNDING appeal launched in March by Grantham Canal Society for a van to transport equipment and tools used by its work parties has already topped £3000 thanks to supporters who contributed to the GCS GOFUNDME van fundraiser via Facebook or with direct donations. The van will be visible along the canal with the Grantham Canal Society logo for identification.

The society plans to continue with the fundraising so anyone wishing to contribute should visit its website at www.granthamcanal.org and follow the link to the van fundraiser or make a direct donation.

BRITISH Marine and the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) have launched a revised Hire Boat Code outlining standards for boats carrying 12 people or less. Measures include a new stability requirement, safety management procedures and improved handover before a boat leaves shore. Responsibilities to ensure the experience is safe and enjoyable do not solely rely on operators but also navigation authorities and users. The revised code will be rolled out and implemented over the next 12 months dependent on the navigation authority. It can be viewed on the British Marine and AINA websites.

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Now Bridgwater Town Council, determined to save the Grade I listed structure, has offered to take over the freehold once negotiations between CRT and the county council conclude.

Coun Kathy Pearce said: “The long term aspiration for the docks is to see them restored to a fully functional marina and a home to both liveaboard boat owners and leisure boats alike.”

Much confusion and rumour has circulated since December 2019 when CRT announced plans to hand the docks

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2 WELCOME

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WELCOME BEFORE writing this I had a look back at my Welcome column in the June 2020 edition and got an immediate sense of déja vu.

We are again on the roadmap to recovery and, as I write, started a new week with the reopening of indoor hospitality venues and an easing of restrictions on people staying overnight or on holidays.

But will concerns about the Indian variant prevent the final lifting of social distancing measures on June 21 – enabling face-to-face meetings and events to resume? We shall have to wait and see.

It is good to see some positive stories emerging out of lockdown such as this month’s ‘Characters of the Cut’, Jack and Gabby, who have started a new ‘tiny life’ on board and watercolour artist Wal Marsh who has drawn inspiration from cruising the canals in his brother’s narrowboat. See both features on page 9.

Our What’s On guide is starting to return to normal – albeit a new one – with news of trip boats back on the water and the return of diary dates, although at the moment these are just for walks. See page 17.

Although the pandemic has understandably dominated the headlines over the past year, climate change is never far from the front pages and the ever nearer deadlines for reducing carbon emissions.

Appropriately in this edition we have resumed our greener boating page and Phil Pickin’s boat review features an electrically powered boat from Ortomarine; see pages 48 and 49 for greener boating news.

We have also started a new section bringing news on the latest developments in commercial boating. To launch this, Jonathan Mosse takes a look at trials of diesel engine replacement fuels carried out by the Port of London Authority. See his report on page 7.

And a boater’s lucky escape following a gas explosion on his cruiser prompted him to write a cautionary tale which appears on our Technical page 50 alongside advice from marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies on gas safety.

Stay safe

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Bridgwater Town Council in bid to save docks • Continued from page 1

those who live around the docks. Boater Tim Gilbert said: “We were overwhelmed by the support we received from local people and the local IWA West Country Branch, which is being very supportive.”

The petition was strongly

supported by Bridgwater Town Council members, who But the latest deadline of the decided they had to step in to end of April has also passed and save the Grade I listed structure some boats remain in the docks. that encompasses so much of This has been a very stressful the town’s local heritage and time for boat owners although history and houses a vibrant they have been supported by boating community that they CRT which has put them in want to keep. touch with the council and Having offered to take over other agencies who can offer the freehold once negotiations further help and support. between SCC and CRT have Ten boats have now left the been concluded, the town docks, but most of the 20 council has now set up a boaters currently left want public liability company to take ownership of the docks and is to return when possible and they are continuing to in the process of setting up a negotiate with CRT about Community Interest Company moving on to the canal (CIC) to run them. But these temporarily. plans rely on the success of In December 2020 the a bid for £5 million from the boaters launched a petition Government’s Town Fund that called on the county and the timely and acceptable council to instruct CRT to resolution of dilapidation negotiations between CRT and rescind its notice to boat owners to move their boats the county council. until all other avenues have It is a condition of its lease that been exhausted. This CRT returns the docks in the petition ran for just three same state as when British weeks and gained more Boater Tim Gilbert: “Overwhelmed Waterways took on the lease than 1500 signatures from by local support.” PHOTO: BOB NAYLOR, in 1999. The town council local residents, including WATERMARX MEDIA is worried that this could

drag on for too long, putting its funding applications at risk.

But CRT Wales and South West director Mark Evans said: “This is normal landlord/tenant negotiations and we are not expecting any problems. We are looking at photos of the docks from when the lease was entered into to agree what CRT has to do and we have put money aside for this.

“There is no reason why the dilapidation work has to be completed before we hand back the lease once agreement has been reached.”

So it would appear that the biggest issue now is where the boats can stay before returning to the docks. The YMCA has offered mooring at its centre in the town for some boats, leaving others to moor elsewhere on the canal.

The question of whether boats can stay on the B&T temporarily seems to be moving forward since Tim Gilbert’s recent conversation with Gareth Stephens of CRT and since the town council

offered to take over the docks.

A CRT spokesman said: “We understand that Bridgwater Town Council remains keen to take over running the docks.

It would be a very welcome solution for those people with boats moored in the docks.

“The trust remains committed to the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal and looks forward to continuing our work with everyone to build on this positive development.”

The final fate of the docks and the boats currently moored there is not yet set in stone, but there is a clear commitment from town councillors, who are waiting to hear the outcome of the dilapidation negotiations between the county council and CRT and the all-important Town Fund bid, which they hope will be confirmed in June.

And the boaters are confident that they will be able to make a temporary move on to the B&T Canal, allowing them to return to the docks as soon as possible after the ownership is transferred to the town council.

Survey reveals lower boater satisfaction during lockdown THE Canal & River Trust has published the results of its Annual Boater Survey, which paints a picture of a year which has seen boating heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

As restrictions ease, with people now able to socialise indoors and boating returning to normal, the trust will be surveying cruising boaters over the summer to see if their perceptions have shifted. Last year, surveys taken while boats were able to cruise saw significantly higher satisfaction scores than reported in the annual survey, which was carried out during the winter lockdown.

The annual survey showed that satisfaction scores among boaters declined overall, with different responses from those living aboard, whose satisfaction improved on average, and leisure boaters, whose use was most severely impacted and where average scores fell.

Chief executive Richard Parry said: “We recognise that this has been a frustrating year for boaters, in line with the rest of society. With everyone looking forward to a more normal summer of boating this year, we would like to thank boaters for their patience during the pandemic. We are committed to doing what we can to deliver the experience that everyone using our waterways expects.”

With the trust communicating regularly with boaters throughout the year with updates on the latest government restrictions, familiarity rose to 62% (57% in 2020). However, boater satisfaction slid to 54% (60% 2020) and the number of boaters who would recommend the waterways stood at 56% (62% 2020).

Boaters’ happiness and satisfaction with life in general saw significant declines, which correlates to other Government research about the impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health.

The annual survey is complemented by a monthly Waterway Experience Survey that runs in the summer and is sent to a sample of boaters sighted out on the waterways. In 2020 the average boater satisfaction score for the months July to October, when boaters were able to cruise, ranged between 62% and 64%.

This year these surveys will be sent out in May, July and September to get a picture of boaters’ experience across the summer.

“While the bulk of the trust’s £220m+ annual expenditure goes on operating and caring for the waterways and supporting boaters, we’ve again heard from the survey that upkeep and maintenance, particularly dredging and cutting back vegetation, are

important drivers of boater satisfaction where improvements are requested,” Richard continued.

“With boaters contributing around £1 for every £5 that the trust spends on operations, maintenance and repairs, it remains a challenge to generate the wider income to support the level of spending the waterways demand, while keeping boating as affordable as possible.

“The feedback that boaters have shared in their survey responses reminds us that we need to clearly explain how we use our property investment to support the waterways and how we fund the bulk of spending on our towpaths via dedicated funding from third party partners, such as local councils.”

The results of the Annual Boater Survey are available here: https://canalrivertrust. org.uk/refresh/media/ original/43706-2021-boaterperception-survey.pdf The 2020/21 annual boater report will be available in the autumn.

The current 2019/20 Boater Report is available online here: https:// c a n a l r i v e r t r u s t . o rg . u k / enjoy-the-waterways/ boating/boatingblogs-and-features/ boater-report-2020

With boaters looking forward to a more normal summer, the canals are getting busier. A narrowboat and a widebeam are about to pass through the swing bridge at Crabtree Lane on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

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Montgomery Canal Triathlon to return with new format

AS ENGLAND and Wales emerge from lockdown, plans are being made for this year’s Montgomery Canal Triathlon on a later date – Saturday, September 4.

The popular event raises funds for the restoration of the canal. Until Covid struck it had taken place for eight years with entrants from across England and Wales – and further afield – travelling the 35-mile canal by bike, on foot and in canoes.

Last held in 2019, it featured in the BBC TV series Gareth Edwards’ Great Welsh Adventure when Sir Gareth and Maureen Edwards started the event at Newtown and then joined the participants at other stages later in the day.

Christine Palin, chairman of the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, said: “We had hoped that after losing last year’s triathlon we could run the event again this spring and we had set the date for May 4. Unfortunately, the continued spread of the coronavirus and ongoing uncertainty about restrictions led us to take the difficult decision to postpone the event.

“We have spent some time now watching the changing restrictions and have concluded that although there are concerns regarding Covid issues, there is nothing that cannot be overcome in some way so we can go ahead with the event on September 4 unless government guidance changes.”

Modified route

Christine continued: “We have also been faced with the long-running towpath closure in the Crickheath area. The Shropshire Union

Taking a break at Llanymynech Wharf during a previous triathlon. PHOTO SUPPLIED Canal Society have been working hard to catch up with time lost under lockdown on their project to reconstruct the canal to the restored Crickheath Basin.

“They have faced considerable subsidence on this length and restoration here means the towpath may still be closed on our triathlon date.

“We have therefore changed the arrangements for this year with cycling, canoeing and walking in different order and for a shorter distance – though at just over the length of a standard marathon this ‘marathon triathlon’ remains a challenging event.”

The restoration works in the Crickheath area mean that the towpath is closed between bridges 84 and 85.

With no suitable alternative

route, this year’s triathlon will be modified so entrants starting at Newtown will cycle about 11½ miles to the picturesque Belan Locks.

Then, reversing the previous order, the next section will be by canoe to Crowther Hall Lock, Pool Quay (about 5½ miles) with the final section of about 9½ miles on foot to finish at Bridge 86, just before the towpath closure.

Christine added: “Many entrants deferred their entries from last year, so if it had been possible to run the event in May we expected to have to limit places to those who had carried their bookings forward. At this stage we cannot be clear what the situation may be in September so at the moment we can’t definitely confirm that the event will go ahead

Information about the event – and any opportunity for future entries – can be found on https://themontgomerycanal.org.uk/friends/ montgomery-canal-triathlon

or how many may be able to take part, so we shall not be taking bookings at present.

“However, we are inviting anyone who would be interested in taking part if we should have the capacity to let us know at triathlon@ themontgomerycanal.org. uk so we can get in touch as the situation develops.”

She concluded: “The Montgomery Canal Triathlon is popular with families and the more seriously competitive and we hope that the decision to delay to the autumn may mean that more can take part.

“Anyone joining the event, or following people who are, will see rebuilt bridges, established canalside nature reserves and restored lengths of canal as well as bridge blockages and unnavigable sections that still have to be reopened.

“We are all looking forward to the day when the revived Montgomery Canal will bring visitors and boats back to mid-Wales. That is why we run the Montgomery Canal Triathlon.”

Public Spaces Protection Order secured for Earlswood Lakes S T R AT F O R D - O NAVON District Council, working in partnership with statutory partners, including Warwickshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and local councils, has implemented a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Earlswood Lakes, for three years from May 1, 2021.

Signs have been put up across the site to remind visitors that cycling and swimming is not permitted at the lakes, and to warn visitors of the dangers of walking on the mud when water levels are low.

The lakes at Earlswood, which are owned and managed by the Canal & River Trust, were built in the early 19th century to supply water to the Stratford Canal. They consist of three reservoirs: Terry’s Pool, Windmill Pool and Engine Pool, which together occupy 70 acres.

PSPOs are used to protect the public from behaviour that is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in a locality and which is (or is likely to be) of a persistent or continuing nature, and unreasonable.

The PSPO for Earlswood Lakes will deal

surroundings, free of criminality and nuisance caused by a minority.”

Adnan Saif, director for West Midlands at Canal & River Trust, said: “The lakes at Earlswood are a popular visitor destination for walking, fishing and sailing. But unfortunately there have been a number of criminal and anti-social incidents at the lakes, which we know is causing local residents concern.

“We welcome the implementation of a Public Spaces Protection Order for Earlswood Lakes. This will allow for earlier intervention and the prevention of antisocial behaviour.

“We will continue to work with Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council to try and tackle these issues and ensure the reservoirs continue to be a tranquil place for local people and visitors.”

To report crime or anti-social behaviour, dangerous parking and speeding drivers, people should call Warwickshire Police on 101.

To report double yellow line parking, people should call Warwickshire County Council on 01926 410410.

To report litter/fly tipping and night fishing, people should call the Canal & River Trust on 03030 404040 or email enquiries.westmidlands@ canalrivertrust.org.uk

Two-year project starts at Slaithwaite WORK is starting on a two-year maintenance and repair project at Slaithwaite Reservoir in West Yorkshire.

The reservoir, which supplies water to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, is a popular walking route for locals, so the Canal & River Trust will keep any footpath closures to a minimum. Signs will indicate if a temporary closure is necessary.

Maintenance works will initially see monitoring equipment installed around the reservoir to identify any leakages from the 200-year-old reservoir. Later this

year improvements will be made to the reservoir’s bywash channel to increase its capacity to carry water in a storm event.

The initial installation of monitoring equipment will see a temporary scaffold bridge installed at the side of the main footpath around the reservoir. Although no closure is planned, there may be small delays while equipment is transported to the site.

Sean McGinley, Yorkshire and North East CRT regional director, said: “Slaithwaite Reservoir is an important structure and we have

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specifically with: • possession and consumption of psychoactive substances in the area; • car cruising – antisocial use of vehicles that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life; • loitering – a person breaches the PSPO if they are loitering and causing, or are reasonably perceived to be causing, intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress to another person; and • alcohol consumption and anti-social behaviour associated with it.

S e rg ea nt Dav i d Ebbs from the Alcester and Shipston Safer Neighbourhood team at Warwickshire Police said: “Our officers will be actively enforcing the order to ensure that visitors and the local community feel reassured that they can safely enjoy the lakes and beautiful

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a duty to ensure it is safe and well maintained. The trust apologises for any inconvenience this may cause while essential work is carried out, but we will do our best to keep disruption to a minimum. Water levels have been kept low during the winter months, but following the installation of monitoring equipment, the reservoir will be allowed to refill again – helping to supply water to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal this summer.”

Details of further works, including the bywash improvements, will be available later this year, he added.

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Passage from Braunston Wharf to New York by way of Liverpool Tim Coghlan relates how an important emigration promotional leaflet from about 1830 was discovered, giving new insight into the role of the canals in assisting emigration to America.

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Susanna Sitwell holding the now framed copy of the Passage to America leaflet she found in the Old Library at Weston Hall, located on the ground floor in the gabled building behind her. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN HAVING taken an interest in local canal history since I acquired Braunston Marina in 1988, one thing has always struck me – just how little recorded history there is. So I was fortunate to be contacted by Susanna Sitwell, with an exciting new canal find.

Her late husband’s family had lived at Weston Hall near Towcester, Northamptonshire, since 1714 – the last year of good Queen Anne’s reign.

Her husband’s father, aunt and uncle, Sir Sacheverell, Dame Edith Sitwell and Sir Osbert Sitwell, had each been major players in the arts world around the first half of the 20th century.

With its magnificent rural setting, Weston Hall was very much on the cultural map but sadly, despite the family striving to keep the house going for many years, a final decision was made in 2020 that the time had come to sell.

As part of the enormous task of collating chattels collected over centuries, Susanna went through more than 2000 books in the old library and by chance she came across an amazing leaflet headed Passage To America which she drew to my attention, giving me a photocopy of it.

I, and none of the canal-cognoscenti I have since shown the leaflet to, were aware that Braunston Wharf had been used as the major point of embarkation ‘to save the Emigrant the trouble of providing conveyance to Liverpool.’ We were even unaware of the wharf being used for transportation of passengers on any significant scale, and all the other intriguing bits of information the leaflet revealed.

In 2012, Susanna enrolled on a course in history at Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, choosing as one of her subjects Emigration and Transportation from England in the 19th Century. This was deliberate, as from her own studies, Susanna was already aware of the massive social problems that occurred both locally in Northamptonshire and nearby Oxfordshire, and across England in the period after the Napoleonic wars.

Despite England emerging from those wars having never been invaded, this success was offset by great civil unrest among the working classes.

Unemployment was now high with the cessation of war production and the meltdown of the navy, to which was added the return of some 30,000 former soldiers from the Waterloo campaign.

Meanwhile the Agricultural Revolution, which had involved new farming methods and machinery, had continued throughout the wars apace, including an acceleration

A pair of T & M Pickford of Manchester’s narrowboats on the London Regents Canal in about 1820. PHOTO: CHRIS CLEGG

The Paddington Packet Boat on the Grand Junction Canal in about 1820.

It was broad beamed and only carried passengers. PHOTO: CHRIS CLEGG

‘An original portrait of Captain Swing’, the mythical leader of former farm workers who had been driven from the land by a combination of the Enclosure Acts and new agricultural practices.

PHOTO: BRITISH MUSEUM

of the enclosure of the common land. Vast numbers of agricultural workers lost their lands and livelihood with families living destitute in the countryside or being driven helplessly into overcrowded towns.

Pressures built up during the 1820s, coming to a head in 1830 when there were riots in Banbury. Gangs of former farm workers went on the rampage, supposedly led by the mythical Captain Swing, whose exact being was never discovered. Their targets were the new farming machinery, especially the new wooden threshing machines, despite the threat of being hanged or transported if they were caught.

Emigration schemes

One immediate answer for the government was the assisted emigration schemes. These were of some success, and by 1850 more than one million people had left, largely to be replaced by fast growing population and immigration from Ireland during and after the famine of the late 1840s.

There were many major emigration schemes and later enshrined in the still-controversial 1834 Poor Law, parish officers were also permitted to pay from parish funds for young unemployed families – mainly agricultural workers – to be transported free and of their own volition to the British colonies and America, which was the preferred destination for most of them. Hence this leaflet offering the prized New York, which was passed round the powers-that-be in Northamptonshire, including the Sitwells.

Several fascinating insights emerge from this leaflet, such as the whereabouts of the Rose and Crown Inn in Northampton.

We have found that it was located in the then prosperous Gold Street and that Mr E Billing was its landlord until he died in 1839. In 1832 he was also recorded as agent for two Liverpool shipping companies and his advertisement of that year stated: ‘N.B. Parish Officers having people to send, may be treated with on terms of great advantage.’

We also found three other press advertisements in the Northampton Mercury, all headed ‘Passage to America’, dated between January 1830 and February 1832. They all offer ‘passage from Northampton to New York’ – the Northampton Arm was opened to the

Grand Junction Canal in 1815 – so interestingly Braunston Wharf is not included, and only features once on Susanna’s leaflet. But the passage price remains at £6. 10. 0. for a much longer trip in these other advertisements which predate the 1834 Poor Law Act. The carrier, ‘Messrs Pickford’s Canal Boats’ is one of a handful of British companies still operating today that has been in continuous operation and under the same name for more than 200 years.

It began in Manchester as canal carriers in 1786 and probably opened its Braunston branch not long after the completion of the Grand Junction Canal in 1805. The wharf was chosen for its immediate proximity to the main London to Chester Road, so the company could deal with transshipment of goods, aided by warehouses adjacent to the canal. There were also the existing dry docks, which could be used for boat maintenance.

The first surviving reference to Pickford’s presence at Braunston that we have found was in 1821, when it was recorded that the company had three porters, and an agent and a clerk at the wharf. This staffing arrangement would have dealt with the emigrants awaiting passage to Liverpool in the early 1830s.

In 1820 the company had more than 80 boats in its fleet and by 1838 had risen to its peak of 138. Thereafter Pickfords saw the writing on the wall, and began moving its carrying on to the railways and finally ceased canal carrying in 1848.

Given that the passengers were penniless emigrants, and knowing of the rough conditions on the awaiting emigrant ship, it is most probable that on the narrowboats, they would have slept on planking in the base of the hold, under the rough canvas used for keeping cargoes dry. As seen from the leaflet, emigrants had to provide their own bedding.

As to the length of time the run took from Braunston to Liverpool, we know that Pickfords narrowboats travelled ‘fly’ –going non-stop day and night – with what were termed ‘precious cargoes’. Assuming emigrants fell into this category, we have estimated it would have taken only three to four days to make the journey into Liverpool Docks. This assumes the horses travelling at four miles an hour, and an average of five minutes per lock.

Much has been made of the danger of ocean passages at the time in sailing ships of about 500 tons – especially the so-called ‘coffin ships’ used for emigration during the Irish Potato Famine of the late 1840s.

But there is evidence that while there was loss at sea, the extent has been somewhat exaggerated. In the 19th century, more than one million British emigrants were successfully transported by sailing vessel to Australia alone.

So who were those penniless emigrants?

We did not need to look far from Braunston. In the 1829 Parish Account Book for the neighbouring village of Grandborough, there is an entry on March 14: ‘To James Labrum, Daniel Howkins & Daniel Hazelwood for support for their families to Liverpool £1. 10. 0. Paid James Labrum for the remains of his goods £1, Paid expenses at Braunston 14s, Paid for tea and sugar for families 4s 10d. To Mr Lea for the freight to Liverpool £9. 6. 3'.

So what happened to them? We have been able to pick up Daniel Hazelwood from the Mormon website, as born in England 1791 and dying in 1872, in Henderson, Jefferson Co. NY – so a good long life. Branches of both the Hazelwoods and the Howkins who remained at home,

still live locally. Howkins & Harrison are prominent local estate agents, while Ben Howkins is internationally known in the wine trade and is a recognised leading expert on sherry. He was born and educated locally, going to Rugby School and still lives within a few miles of Braunston.

Much as he has travelled the world, he says that Northamptonshire remains his home. “But nearly 200 years later, and we are still an impoverished family. Nothing has changed!”

PASSAGE TO AMERICA The leaflet stated: To prevent inconvenience and delay, and to save the Emigrant the trouble of providing conveyance to Liverpool, and stores for the voyage, the following arrangements have been made:Passage from Braunston Wharf to New York, by way of Liverpool, including provisions for the voyage (but not bedding): For Adults £6.10.0 All children under 14 Years of Age £3.5.0 Allowing one shilling a day for adults, and sixpence for the children from the time they leave Braunston Wharf till the ship sails, and thereby avoiding the expense and unpleasantness of being detained in Liverpool.

The above includes every expense from Braunston Wharf to America except for the charge of carriage of luggage by Pickford’s Boats from Braunston to Liverpool, and five shillings a head demanded by the American Government for Hospital Money.

By the above arrangements, Parish Officers having people to send are saved the expense and trouble of going to Liverpool, as the persons so sent will be delivered safe on board, and attended to in every respect as though they were present.

A Deposit to be paid at the time places are engaged, and the remainder before the ship sails.

For further particulars, and to secure a passage, apply (if by letter, post paid) to E. Billing, Rose & Crown Inn, Northampton. * * * * The following is a list of provisions for the voyage to New York.

For each adult: 56lbs Biscuit, 126lbs Potatoes, 30lbs Beef and Pork, 10lbs Dried Cod-fish, 3lbs Butter, 10lbs Flour or Oatmeal.

Half the above quantities for each child under 14 years of Age. * * * * N.B. Braunston Wharf is three miles from Daventry, 15 from Northampton, 15 from Towcester, 8 from Rugby, and 16 from Coventry.

The author would like to record his thanks to the following in alphabetical order who helped in piecing together this fascinating story: Chris Clegg, Alice Coghlan, Jenny Coy, John Forster, Ben Howkins and Susanna Sitwell. Also for literary sources: David Blagrove’s Canal History of Braunston and Alan H Faulkner’s The Grand Junction Canal.

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Bill to help clean up rivers fails to get through parliament

By Phil Pickin

A BILL aimed at reducing the amount of sewage being pumped into UK rivers has failed to make it through parliament.

The private member’s bill, introduced by south Shropshire MP Philip Dunne, was unable to make it on to the statute books due to a lack of parliamentary time. Had it been successful, The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill would have placed a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and other inland waters.

The bill would have also required water companies to set out plans to progressively reduce their reliance on combined sewer overflows, according to Philip Dunne’s website.

The bill had been widely supported by a number of charities and organisations, including the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, The Rivers Trust and British Canoeing; however, it was notable that the Canal & River Trust was not listed among those that had given support.

The Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP beside Dinham Bridge on the River Teme at Ludlow. PHOTO: © PHILIP DUNNE In addition, Mr Dunne had gained cross-party support for ‘the principles’ of the bill.

But the problems arising from the

pandemic’s impact on the parliamentary timetable caused the bill to run out of time.

Despite this, Mr Dunne has reported that on March 29, the Government had confirmed that it would legislate to bring in a number of measures from the bill.

These include the placing of ‘a duty on government to publish a plan by September 2022 to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows; a duty to report regularly to parliament on progress on implementing the plan; and a duty on water companies to publish data annually on storm overflow operation’.

Mr Dunne has also said that the Environment Bill, introduced in the recent Queen’s Speech, is being amended ‘to take forward the principles’ of his bill.

As chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee, he is ideally placed to monitor these issues and as such has announced an inquiry into measures to improve water quality in our rivers.

Taking a boat trip along the North Walsham & Dilham Canal. PHOTOS: NWDCT

MP supports work of canal volunteers

NORTH Norfolk MP Duncan Baker has expressed his support for a waterways restoration charity following a recent visit to the North Walsham and Dilham Canal.

The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust, which is working with local landowners to restore the ninemile-long canal between Antingham and Wayford Bridge, welcomed Mr Baker to the canal on May 14 with a trip on the charity’s environmentally friendly electric tour boat.

Trustees Graham Pressman and Ivan Cane also discussed the ongoing restoration of the canal’s lock gates at Spa Common and Ebridge Mill, just east of North Walsham.

“One of the great privileges of this job is being invited to see the phenomenal work volunteers do all over North Norfolk,” the MP said in a statement on Facebook.

“Yesterday I got to see that on the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust. The restoration work to the waterways and Ebridge lock was quite astounding.

“Just a few years ago this area

looked completely different. But a team of volunteers and enthusiasts have restored the canal,” he said, adding it was now enjoyed by people walking, fishing and taking part in watersports.

The North Walsham and Dilham Canal is Norfolk’s only sailing canal with locks and was built in 1825 for use by wherries to transport grain and heavy cargo between mills in the North Walsham area.

The last wherry sailed on the canal in 1934 before the waterway fell into disrepair.

“It’s fantastic to have the support of our local member of parliament,” a spokesperson for the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust said. “Much of our restoration work was put on hold over the last year due to coronavirus restrictions, while, at the same time, more and more people have been getting out and enjoying walking, canoeing, swimming and fishing on the canal.

As the hard work of our volunteers resumes, it feels like there’s now a real momentum behind the restoration project.”

Trade returns to the canals The trip boat passes The Wool Boat on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Burscough in West Lancashire.

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

WITH the further lifting of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England, day trips were able to resume as long as all the passengers were from the

same family group, writes Colin Wareing.

L a n ca s h i re Ca na l Cruises, based near Burscough, had their first groups out for a trip in

lovely sunny weather.

The reopening of non-essential retail enabled canal-based wool and knitting shop, The Wool Boat, to welcome

back customers for the chance to feel and see the yarns they may want to buy in real life instead of doing their shopping through a computer and the internet.

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MP Duncan Baker visits the restored lock gates at Bacton Wood Lock, Spa Common.

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Chesterfield Canal gets planning boost

PLANS to restore the Chesterfield Canal by 1.6 miles have been approved.

This will extend the navigable section in Derbyshire by a third from Staveley almost to Renishaw. It will include a 37m long aqueduct almost 10m above the River Doe Lea. There remains lots of preparation to be done, but there should be works on the ground by the end of this year or early in 2022.

The restored canal currently ends at Eckington Road Bridge in Staveley, where the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s volunteer work party has built a new lock and restored a further 300m of canal.

The new section will go through a disused railway line and across the Doe Lea Valley on the Staveley Puddlebank.

This is a huge embankment

Trust volunteers at work on the construction site.

Home to the Chesterfield Canal Festival, Staveley Town Basin is now known as Staveley Waterside.

nearly 800m long and up to 10m high that was a wonder of the age when constructed in 1776. The canal then turns north and runs parallel to the Doe Lea to the borough boundary.

The towpath will be a 3m wide all-user trail alongside the canal, so walkers, cyclists and mobility scooter users will be able to join boaters, canoeists and paddleboarders in enjoying the new route.

The trust’s development manager George Rogers submitted the application. Although the plan was endorsed by lots of members of the public and numerous organisations including the Ramblers, Chesterfield Cycle Campaign and Chesterfield Civic Society, HS2 Ltd objected.

The canal runs underneath

Chesterfield Canal Trust’s headquarters at Hollingwood Hub.

HS2’s proposed line to a maintenance depot. However, negotiations with HS2 earlier in the year led to the objection being withdrawn, leaving the way clear for council approval.

Trust chairman Peter Hardy said: “We are delighted that our planning application has been approved. This is a substantial step on the path to achieving our ambition of reopening the canal fully by 2027. We would like to put on record our thanks to our many supporters and partners who have backed us so far and who we know will stick by us in the exciting years ahead.”

Rewatering Renishaw

The trust is hoping to start its Rewatering Renishaw project in the coming months, which

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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 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

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 Chandlers at Braunston and all donation £100 a finalists will receive 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 Chesterton the from told reporters thatt shots, coming moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats five about for on went Field, Fen Ditton, and this no injuries were minutes. Cambridgeshire Police said reported and enquiries were continuing.

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

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

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

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will bring a further 1000m of canal back to life. This will mean that there could be a total of 7½ miles of canal from Chesterfield to Renishaw by the end of 2023.

Once this has been achieved, lots of opportunities for tourism will open up including the hire of dayboats, weekend boats, canoes, paddleboards and cycles. There will be a need for more pubs and cafes; anglers too will be delighted by the new opportunities available.

At the same time, Staveley Town Basin, now renamed Staveley Waterside, will be developed by Derbyshire County Council and there are plans for a whole new village on the old Staveley Works site, including a hotel and small marina.

Rod Auton, publicity officer for the trust, said: “The next few years will see an incredible transformation along the canal which will bring a massive economic boost to the area. It is our hope that the Chesterfield Waterside development will also continue, including opening the canal basin.

This would connect the town directly into the beautiful, green and tranquil oasis that is the Chesterfield Canal.”

The Tapton Lock Visitor Centre at Chesterfield.

Bringing in the heavy machinery. PHOTOS: CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST

Dredging project starts in Solihull A FIVE-month project is under way to improve a section of the 220-year-old Grand Union Canal at Catherine De Barnes between Henwood and Tyseley.

The canal and towpath will remain open during the work, which will involve dredging sections of the canal and installing steel piles along the edge of the towpath, making it easier for boaters to navigate and moor.

Using a long-reach excavator, a team from the Canal & River Trust is expecting to remove

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Steel piles being installed along the Grand Union Canal at Solihull. PHOTO: CRT

around 10,000 tons of silt. The dredged material will be recycled along the canal and used to strengthen the canal bank, which is also being reinforced with 1.8m long steel piles.

Project manager Paul Fox said: “This section of the Grand Union Canal will be made deeper by the dredging, ensuring that boaters on this really popular waterway don’t get stuck when navigating. Removing silt from the edge of the canal bank will allow boaters to easily moor up and visit the local shops and restaurants.”

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Dispenser bunkering GBPS Vincia. PHOTO: GPS MARINE SERVICES

Commercial boats in alternative fuel trials Introducing a new section bringing us the latest freight developments on the inland waterways. Jonathan Mosse reports.

WITH the climate change clock now ticking in a countdown towards 2050, commercial boating in and around the capital is already taking the first steps towards zero carbon operation.

In anticipation of the demise of the internal combustion engine, Maritime Journal – in association with The Workboat Association – has been running a series of seminars since November 2020 under the Get Set for Workboat 2050 banner, culminating in The Future Fuel Race airing on June 15 and focusing on battery, hydrogen and ammonia propulsion: www. bigmarker.com/mercator-media/ Get-Set-For-Workboat-2050-Session5?show_live_page=true However, right now there are an awful lot of ICE (internal combustion engines) engines, with a great number of engine hours still to run, operated by companies that are, understandably,

reluctant to bear the expense of the plethora of retro-fit, post-combustion equipment, purporting to clean up the act of mineral diesel propulsion.

Interestingly, in an Americanimported marine diesel, under test by Beta Marine, emission results running on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) – without post-combustion equipment – were lower than those from the same engine, tested on mineral diesel, with these gizmos fitted.

HVO is one of two drop-in, diesel engine replacement fuels that have recently been trialled by the Port of London Authority (PLA). Gas to Liquid (GTL) – derived from natural gas by the energy-intensive Fischer Tropsch process is the other and, tested headto-head against mineral diesel, it was HVO (with its 90%+ carbon neutral credentials) that on emissions alone, came out convincingly on top.

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Fortunately, GPS Marine Services is well ahead of the game here, having been operating its extensive fleet of tugs and workboats on the tidal Thames on HVO for some time now. Its bunker barge Dispenser, collecting from the HVO terminal in Dagenham, not only bunkers the company’s own craft but also supplies other river operators and the first fuel boat selling the fuel on the inland waterways, nb Barnet, run

by Lee Wiltshire 07870 704532; lee@ londonwaterwaysprojects.co.uk It was, therefore, no coincidence that Dispenser was enlisted to deliver HVO into the tanks of PLA Harbour Service Vessel Kew – the subject of the alternative fuels trial! It is also interesting to note that GPS Marine Services is the recent winner of the inaugural Thames Green Scheme Silver Award.

It is encouraging to see interest in HVO spreading to the inland waterways

and the Commercial Boat Owners Association (CBOA) is already talking to its fuel boat operator members about the realities of stocking the fuel.

As always supply, price and availability form the underpinnings of a conundrum but fuel companies, having spotted the green agenda surrounding inland boating, are already engaging in constructive dialogue.

If there is a single fly in the HVO ointment, it is related to the supply of feedstock available on world markets from which to manufacture the fuel.

This is currently waste cooking oils and animal fats, responsibly sourced from robustly certificated origins and, as such, does not compromise food-growing, agricultural land or virgin forest.

This limitation is recognised by the Department for Transport who recently conducted a consultation exercise in order to identify which alternative fuels are best suited to particular sectors of the maritime industry – both domestic and international. In so doing they are seeking to establish support mechanism for both development and subsidy, as and where necessary.

By engaging in this exercise, CBOA and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) have been instrumental in helping to move the debate along in a constructive fashion.

Adopting a more global view,

members of the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering at Strathclyde University – under Dr Momchil Turziev – are working up a £1 million research project examining ways of decarbonising waterways transport in the UK. Backed by both IWA and CBOA, this ambitious and all-embracing undertaking has eight work packages and focuses on dredging, green propulsion technology and the development of a tool to ensure minimum emissions from inland boats.

This will also involve input from several other UK universities, bringing their individual expertise to bear on the challenge.

IWA has been at the forefront of charting the alternatives to dieselpowered leisure and commercial boating through its Sustainable Boating Group and disseminated via its vision paper published a year ago: www. waterways.org.uk/campaigns/listing/ sustainable-boating-campaign John Spencer – CEO of GPS Marine Services and a member of the HVO Sub-group – has provided valuable firsthand insight. His experience of using the fuel in his tugs and workboats on the tidal Thames has greatly helped to accelerate uptake and provides practical reassurance that we are not dealing with snake oil!

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IMAGE: UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

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Pushing the boat out to tackle plastic waste

Green for go at work in Pershore: Bonkers Activities Paddleboarding School’s Kim Bonk’s clean-up squad. PHOTOS SUPPLIED PADDLEBOARDERS are (but not literally) pushing the boat out to help keep the Avon riverbanks tidy and free of litter.

Members of Bonkers Activities Paddleboarding School and Avon Navigation Trust’s ANT youth squad have been on a plastic and rubbish clearing mission.

As soon as the last lockdown allowed, Bonkers’ Kim Bonk, in partnership with the trust, organised a big clean-up of the Pershore reach.

In May, a flotilla launched a clear-up of Evesham’s award-winning Abbey Park.

“Paddleboards are the perfect platform for litter picking. You can ram them right into the bushes and get to the litter you can’t reach from the bank or from bigger boats,” explained Kim. The vanguard of volunteers are a mix of Bonkers’ customers and members of the trust’s youth squad, whose duties include keeping the Avon tidy.

ANT squad founder members include Thomas Welland and Kai Mellor, both 18.

They have already enjoyed British Canoe Rescue Training, a First Aid Course and Paddlesport Instructor schooling.

“They are a real asset to the squad and passionate about the river,” said trust chief executive Clive Matthews, who launched the youth group.

“The aim was to get the younger

generation interested in the future of the river, and Thomas and Kai are leading by example.”

An even younger chap enthusiastically joined in on board ANT’s River Rescue boat during the Pershore litter pick.

Six-year-old Arty Barkley, Bonkers’ mini mascot, is an avid paddleboarder alongside mum Hannah.

“He already has a good understanding of how important it is that we help to keep our waters clean,” Hannah said.

“He is always spotting plastics on the

river and so was over the moon to be able to ride on a boat and to be able to help.”

The trust invites clubs to adopt sections of the river: https://www. avonnavigationtrust.org/environment/ Bonkers has also notched up a first by adopting the Pershore reach as part of local authority Wychavon’s Adopt a Street anti-litter campaign.

Bonkers is part of the national campaign https://planetpatrol.co/ and monitors and records all the litter collected to help with the long-term strategies and prevention.

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THE Stafford Riverway Link has been awarded £735 from the 2020 Staffordshire EnviroGrant Fund.

This will be used to provide some of the environmental and ecological items identified in Stafford Borough Council’s Bio-Diversity Strategy, around the developing basin site at Baswich.

A spokesman for SRL said: “We are committed to ensuring that environmental protection and enhancements are undertaken in the project’s basin area and, eventually, along the route of the River Sow into Stafford.

“The natural habitat of the basin area – nesting

birds, bats, insects and bees – will benefit from the bird and bat boxes, hedgerows, shrubs and fruit trees this funding will provide as well as enhancing the appearance of the basin and towpath area for the benefit of walkers from the local community.”

G re at p ro g re ss

has been made with Covid-safe work on the construction of the east basin wall and the walls approaching the proposed lock entrance since November 2020.

But there is still a lot of work to be done and funding is required to complete this phase of the project.

Stafford Riverway Link is happy to welcome new members, volunteers and helpers to the regular work parties.

Details about these events and the history of the Riverway Link can be found on the SRL website and Facebook sites: www.stafford-riverway-link.co.uk www.facebook.com/StaffordRiverwayLink or you can email: srl2010@hotmail.co.uk For donations, the SRL Crowdfunding site link is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/staffordriverway-link-basin-amp-bridge-project

Dozens help with canal clean-ups

Some of the volunteers taking part in the Renishaw clean-up.

Let me at that litter. Six-year-old Artey Barkley helped his mum Hannah on the big April Bonkers Paddleboard Club and ANT Squad spring clean in Pershore.

Riverway Link secures cash grant towards Baswich Basin project

TWO groups have been busy cleaning up the Chesterfield Canal.

Fifteen volunteers from the Chesterfield Litter Picking Group and the Chesterfield Canal Trust, including several canoeists and paddleboarders, did a superb job clearing the towpath and the canal above Tapton Lock in Chesterfield on Saturday morning, April 24.

They even removed debris that had got stuck on tree branches in floods.

The volunteers saw lots of newly hatched ducklings and even a newt that was found under an old mattress along the bank.

They intend to make contact with the companies backing on to the water to encourage them to refrain from dumping their rubbish on to the banks.

In the afternoon, a second group totalling 35 people of all ages tackled the currently unrestored section of the canal in Renishaw. They cleared a huge amount of rubbish, mostly drinks bottles and cans, but also a tyre, a road sign, a fire extinguisher and a garden seat. A large elm tree that had collapsed into the canal was cut up and cleared.

This group also cleared vegetation along half a mile of towpath stretching from Main Road Bridge right back to Hague Lane. This is usually impassable in the summer because it gets smothered in brambles, but it is more pleasant for walkers than the adjacent Trans-Pennine Trail.

This clear-up will be repeated on the last Saturday afternoon of every month. The Chesterfield Canal Trust is keen to set up a group of local volunteers in Renishaw who will eventually manage their section of the canal and look after the adjacent woodland and fishing pond.

In the autumn, the trust is set to start a major project at Renishaw, making good a previous restoration attempt and extending it to a total of 1000m. This will eventually link up to the Doe Lea Valley restoration section for which the trust has recently received planning permission (see page 6 for full story). When all these works are finished, probably sometime in 2024, it will extend the restored canal in Derbyshire from five miles to 7½ miles. The highlight will be a 37m long aqueduct, nearly 10m above the River Doe Lea. Besides providing a wonderful towpath for walkers, cyclists and mobility scooter users, it will give new fishing grounds. Opportunities for the hire of boats, canoes, paddleboards and cycles will be created. There will be a need for refreshments and it will attract people to the area, thereby benefitting local businesses.

Kath Auton, the trust’s membership secretary, said: “Today has been wonderful. We have met so many local people who are keen to help get the canal restored and back in water. It will be a real asset to Renishaw. I can’t wait for the next clear-up on May 29.”

An aerial view of the Baswich Basin site. PHOTO: KEVIN DEGG

Canal link will benefit Stafford area, says new chairman THE new chairman of the Stafford Riverway Link is Mike Price. He succeeds Ivor Hind, who has stood down as he is moving to the Bedford area.

A committee member since 2016, Mike was appointed as a director of SRL, a community interest company that exists to benefit the community rather than shareholders, in March 2020.

He said: “As a boat owner for more than 20 years, with the northern section of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal as my ‘home waters’ I have a keen interest in the canal, in terms of both its history and its future.

“I believe in the importance of re-establishing the link from the canal into Stafford, not only for the benefit of the local area but also the town itself. It is my belief that it has a part to play in the economic and environmental regeneration of Stafford Town Centre in years to come.”

Mike said that over the past 12 months, under difficult circumstances, a great deal of work had been done at the basin site due mainly to the efforts of the building team. When it had been safe to do so,

the volunteer work parties had also made an important contribution.

Following planning approval last November, the next two or three years would see the provision of moorings, a new bridge and landscaping around the site.

“Hopefully, with the easing of restrictions, we can look forward to seeing more volunteer working parties on site,” he continued.

“There is also a need to increase awareness of the project among the wider community.”

Mike paid tribute to Ivor Hind for all the work he had put in over the last 13 years. Ivor will remain for a while as a director in order to help if needed with information regarding the early stages of the project.

He said: “My time as chairman has been interesting and challenging at times, but never dull. I will have fond memories of the early days when a few of us would keep cutting the weeds down at each work party, hoping some day we could start to build. And now we are!

“I would like to say a big thank you to all of our members for their support and interest. Please keep visiting and helping on the site whenever you can.”

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Characters of the Cut

Jack and Gabby, this tiny life

By Alice Griffin

A CHANGE in circumstances, and the desire for a different way of life more in tune with the environment, is what led Jack Miles and Gabby Barrett – a freelance radio presenter and TV producer, respectively – to a new life on the water along with their faithful fourlegged friend, Tilly.

“We were living in Devon when Jack got made redundant and so we found ourselves packing our lives into a hire van and moving into my parents’ loft. Not an

Jack and Gabby love life aboard.

ideal situation when you’re in your late 20s with a dog!” Gabby told me.

However, it wasn’t long before they started to look for an alternative and knowing they wanted something a little different, they soon settled on a narrowboat advertisement on Gumtree.

“On a bit of a whim we arranged to look around it. We fell in love and decided that life on the water was for us. Living on a boat seemed to provide everything we were after – a slower life with time to appreciate the smaller things and be closer to nature.”

Now firmly settled aboard their 58ft cruiser-stern narrowboat, Flora, they are certainly living their dream.

“The environment and the planet are really important to us. We’ve always been aware of the footprint we leave behind on the world but living on a boat has heightened our awareness.”

Peppered with low-waste and foraging tips, their Instagram feed certainly demonstrates that they walk their talk. Dandelion honey, banana skin ‘pulled pork,’ wild garlic salt, DIY deodorant and teabag firelighters – their journey to living a more planetfriendly life is inspiring.

Their desire doesn’t stop with small things either as their latest project is centred around a big subject that many boaters like to talk about – toilets! Gabby explained: “We had a pump-out loo fitted in Flora and at first it was fine but over winter we found ourselves stuck a few times with a dangerously full tank, not to mention the ongoing expense of having it emptied.”

Being aware of conversations

Jack with some seasonal produce they love seeking out from local greengrocers and farm shops.

Gabby on board narrowboat Flora. floating around the boating community about composting loos, they decided to read up and see if this might be an option for them. “The best reviewed composting loos were nearing the £1000 mark, but following a lot of narrowboaters and vanlifers on YouTube, we knew some people who had made their own. It didn’t look too hard so we thought we would give it a go!”

Having a compost loo myself, I can confirm the concept is simple. A divider splits waste into two compartments kept hidden away in a box of your choice that’s topped with a loo seat. You then allow your waste to sit for 12 months in containers, which for Jack and Gabby means three or four boxes on the roof. “After that we’ll be approaching community orchard projects and friends who are happy to take our nutritious humanure! Or ideally, by then, the Canal & River Trust will allow us to feed the trees!”

Great support

This summer their roof will also be home to a roof garden, having tracked down some old apple crates and galvanised

Jack foraging with Tilly. buckets to get their veggies and herbs on the go. They will supplement this bounty with produce from independent greengrocers and farm shops, which they love seeking out.

“We’ve also been into foraging for a while now and want to do more of it.

It’s currently wild garlic season and we really can’t get enough of the stuff. Soon we’ll start seeing the elderflower heads appear so it will be time for a cheeky home-made champagne!”

Considering Jack and Gabby had zero experience of boats when they first stepped aboard, it’s impressive to see how far they have come on their journey. From ripping the inside out with their own hands and creating an interior to suit their individual style, to getting to grips with how to drive their boat; they are testament to the fact that when you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything!

Of course, YouTube and the online community helps, but equally they have

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

found great support in fellow boaters on the towpath. “The boating community is incredibly warm.

“If you’re stuck with something, you can just ask one of your neighbours!”

Currently continuously cruising the waterways happily embracing their tiny life, it’s clear that Jack and Gabby are firmly set on their path. “We love moving every couple of weeks and have seen so much more of the country and met so many lovely people along the way, which would never have been possible without this lifestyle. It’s a great way to live and we have no regrets whatsoever!”

Instagram: @thistiny.life Alice Griffin is a freelance writer, intermittent boat dweller, and longtime wanderer, currently living a low-impact life in the Highlands of Scotland. www.alicegriffin.co.uk Instagram: alice_is_in_wanderland

Canals revive artist’s love of watercolours

Capturing the industrial past. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Wal Marsh steering Iolanthe II.

An atmospheric watercolour featuring a boat horse at work.

By Amanda Heath

A CRY of help triggered an artistic journey that was unforeseen, a lifetime as a commercial artist having taken its toll.

It took an SOS from his brother during lockdown to set Wal Marsh on a new path that led to a resurgence of his love of painting and in particular of watercolours.

His brother had recently joined the ‘liveaboard’ community that travels continuously along the British canal system. But when illness struck during the first lockdown, he was unable to move the boat and collect supplies.

While he was in hospital, Wal was introduced to a life away from the developing pandemic; continuous news coverage and

social media that was becoming overwhelming.

Coming from the south coast, an area almost devoid of canals, Wal discovered a new watery world with its own code of conduct and language.

A world which was quietly and peacefully going about its own business, hidden from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Waking up on the canal in late winter, with the mist and fog hanging over the water, created a light and mood that demanded to be captured.

Wal was immersed in a calm, gentle, leisurely pace of life… with the aid of his phone he endeavoured to capture the industrial past of the canals through the lens of his camera.

He found beauty in the old working boats, the well-oiled locks evidence of the uniquely

quintessentially British past, a life mostly forgotten. Who could fail to admire the ingenuity of the well-engineered lock gates, swing bridges, lifting bridges and the derelict factories and discarded narrowboats that lie abandoned along the towpaths?

Wal passed through historic cities and canal villages and magnificent open countryside at one with nature, standing on the stern with tiller in hand and wind blowing through his hair as the

Watercolour artist Wal Marsh.

canal weaved its way through the spectacular British countryside.

He glided along the waterways with their idyllic tranquillity; the quality of light, often dappled by the overhanging trees creating wonderful shadows and tonal contrasts, away from the hectic traffic and noise that afflicts modern life.

Duck’s eye view

Living on board a narrowboat provides an interesting perspective on canal life. Sitting low in the water, instead of a bird’s eye view, Wal was treated to a duck’s eye view. He found himself surrounded by stunning wildlife, submerged in the world of swans, geese and ducks who regularly gathered outside the hatch, knocking on the side of the boat for their breakfast.

The elusive kingfishers darting along the canals, often just spotted as a blue streak across the water. Red kites catching the thermals high above the treetops, elegant egrets proudly displaying their dapper daffodil-yellow feet; the opportunist herons standing

maj e s t i c a l l y like sculptures wading among the reeds, partially camouflaged and invisible, motionless, ready to strike.

Wal was forced to slow down and evaluate; he was struck by the pure beauty and the canal dwellers’ display of old-fashioned friendliness and sense of community, always there to offer help and advice.

There is an openness and willingness to share skills and knowledge, the slower pace of life provides opportunity to relax and chat, listening to the plethora of reasons for opting for a life on the water.

Gradually Wal found his attitude changed; preconceptions and a wariness of strangers ebbed away and was replaced by a more relaxed and generous nature.

When Wal returned to his land-based home, he reflected on his time on the canals and after a gap of 40 years, was inspired to open his watercolour tubes and renovate his paintbrushes.

Being on the canal has resurrected his love of all things nautical and living by the coast in Mudeford, Dorset, provides an abundance of references.

Wal’s portfolio is a mixture of current local Dorset scenes and paintings inspired by historic black and white photographs of harbours and canals; indulging his passion for boats of all shapes and sizes, new and old.

This summer he intends to return to the narrowboat and continue not only with his meanderings through the canal network but also gathering inspiration for future paintings.

Obviously, none of this would have been possible without the incredible ingenuity and skill of the early engineers, navigators and photographers whose work has left such a rich legacy.

Wal’s artwork can be seen online at www.saatchiart. com and www.walmarsh. co.uk

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Affordable boating for youth and community

We continue featuring NCBA community boats, with more about the work of the Hillingdon Narrowboats Association.

Hillingdon Narrowboats also supports a group with the rare skin disorder XP (Xeroderma Pigmentosum), for which the windows of the narrowboats have to be covered with an ultraviolet blocking film.

Santa trips run over the three weekends up to Christmas Day. They are completely manned by volunteers putting in approximately 1100 hours and taking around 800 to 900 passengers, and are virtually fully booked as soon as tickets go on sale.

However, like many other businesses and charities, the impact of Covid-19 has been severe.

“We closed our doors in March 2020 and briefly opened up in August, but were only able

Ex-working boat Pisces is the flagship of the HNA fleets. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

SYSTEMS

SOLUTIONS

to hire out two of our six boats at this point,” Kathy continued.

“By December, the doors were closed once again, and no one was allowed on the premises.

“We offer so much more than a narrowboat experience. Our boathouse is open to anyone who needs a chat or a cup of tea.

“Last year we successfully supported an elderly gentleman living on a narrowboat with chronic health issues and severe sight difficulties to obtain a flat in sheltered accommodation through Hillingdon Borough Council.”

Restoration project

At the beginning of 2020 the association was successful in a two-stage process to secure a grant from the Heathrow Community Trust.

The plan was to employ a part-time project co-ordinator to oversee the restoration of narrowboat Theo. The project was based around using volunteers who were ex-servicemen, teaching them new skills and enabling them to gain employment.

“We managed to continue with this on a scaled-down basis due to Covid-19 restrictions in the early part of 2020,” explained Kathy. “However, during this last lockdown, we have had to put the project on hold until it is safe to allow volunteers back

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HILLINGDON Narrowboats Association, operating on the Grand Union Canal from its base at Harefield, is one of the largest volunteer-led community boating charities in the country.

Providing a service to around 2000 people per year, it operates six narrowboats for use by community groups of all ages and abilities at a price that they can afford. The charity supports a diverse range of groups, regularly providing narrowboats to the Scouting community, and also runs a dedicated five-day centre for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award scheme.

Narrowboats and skippers are provided for residential school trips, teaching them about the history of the canal and the environment. A fully adapted open-plan narrowboat, Spirit, has hydraulic ramps, enabling wheelchair users to access the delights of the canal.

Vice-chairman and fundraiser Kathy Robinson told us: “We take out groups with sight difficulties, special educational needs, and those living in care homes with dementia.

“We also work alongside Hillingdon Borough Council supporting young offenders. As part of their rehabilitation and reparation, they participate in a weekly programme of structured work at the Boathouse Wharf, learning new skills.”

Contact: Kathy.robinson@hillingdonnarrowboats.org.uk www.hillingdon-narrowboats.org.uk HNA’s 45ft narrowboat Reg is mainly used as a self-steer day boat. on the premises. We are very much hoping to continue with Restoration Theo in the next few months.”

Other activities include training courses for boat handling skills, crew and CCBM (Certificate in Community Boat Management), which are required by volunteers in order to support skippering the boats and crewing for the community groups the association supports.

The project manager oversees training for the National Community Boat Association (NCBA), who sets the standards

for these qualifications (see www. national-cba.org.uk).

Kathy said: “We are also affiliated to the RYA as a training centre and through Canal Experience (www. canalexperience.co.uk), RYA instructors provide helmsman training.

“We su pp or t lo cal boating festivals, providing narrowboats for trips, including Rickmansworth Boating Festival, Slough Festival and Hayes and Little Venice Cavalcade plus others.”

The loss of income over the last year has left the charity in a

perilous position and a fleet of run-down, tired-looking boats unsuitable to hire out.

Kathy added: “We desperately need to get our boats back into a suitable condition to be able to continue to serve the community as we have done since 1991.

“Our board of trustees have been working very hard in the background to secure funding to keep us going until our income returns. However, we need more help and support.

“Any donations or time given to our charity would be gratefully received, however small.”

Geometry to the fore as final shaping begins

SHROPSHIRE Union Canal volunteers have made further progress with the restoration of the 330m dry section of the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath.

April work parties were predominantly large machine-based activities concerned with building up the third and final 25m section of towpath that has suffered from subsidence.

This was due to be finished in May, however, a significant development took place when

The profile used to calculate the angle.

PHOTOS: SUCS

Preparing the channel slope.

the upper part of a 25m stretch in the middle of the dry section of channel embankment was shaped to the correct angle using a triangular profile and spirit level – to set an exact degree for final scraping by a digger.

This practice will become a constant feature from now on so the waterproofing lining process can start in June, in readiness for eventual rewatering.

To compensate for time lost due to Covid-19 restrictions, there are now two work parties per month until Christmas.

Further on down the canal towards Llanymynech, advanced plans are in place to restore School House Bridge, in Long Lane, near Crickheath, in 2021, a project being run by the Restore The Montgomery Group. Initial work began in September 2020.

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Apprenticeship first for Wey & Arun Canal Trust

THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust has become the first independent canal trust in the UK to take on a water environment worker apprentice.

Nineteen-year-old Adam Rayner has begun work with the trust on the level 3 apprenticeship, run in tandem with Bridgwater & Taunton College.

The course was developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with the National Trust, the Canal & River Trust and Somerset Drainage Board in conjunction with the Canal & River Trust in 2019.

During the 18-month apprenticeship scheme, Adam will work with Wey & Arun Canal Trust employees and volunteers to gain on-the-job training while studying remotely and in person at the West Country college.

Adam said his background working with the Girlguiding and Scouting movement and interest in the outdoors made the role an appealing one.

“I’m looking forward to learning many new things and being able to work with all the volunteers.

“The apprenticeship scheme means I get some real hands-on experience alongside my classroom work and a professional training qualification at the end of it.”

With no shortage of projects on the go and ongoing canal maintenance tasks, he will receive a thorough grounding in many elements of canal restoration through the trust, from site work, health & safety to habitat management and more.

“The trust has achieved so much already and I am keen to be a part of their future success,” Adam added.

WACT vice-chairman and training director Margaret Darvill said: “This is a bold move for an independent canal trust and we are really proud to have been able to offer Adam this opportunity to learn about waterway management and show how rewarding canal restoration can be.

“The trust already employs two full-time maintenance and restoration staff and so we are well placed to take on an apprentice, offering

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Boats Wanted!

Water environment apprentice Adam Rayner, who has started work with the Wey & Arun Canal Trust. PHOTO: WACT on-the-job training alongside structured collegebased learning.

“It is a particularly exciting time for Adam to join us, too, as we have begun a major project at Tickner’s Heath in Alfold in Surrey, where we are constructing a road and pedestrian crossing to allow restoration of the canal there, and plenty of projects in the pipeline.

“I’m sure he will be a real asset to the trust and enjoy working with our volunteers to restore London’s lost route to the sea.”

Trevor Basin Visitor Centre gets lockdown makeover THE Visitor Centre at Trevor Basin, which welcomes thousands of visitors and tourists each year to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, has been given a lockdown makeover by volunteers from Glandwr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales.

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They have installed new hanging flowerpots and tree planters as well as giving the centre itself a refurbishment both inside and out.

The visitor book at the refurbished centre shows it has attracted tourists from more than 50 countries but this year the team at the trust

The entrance to the refurbished visitor centre at Trevor Basin. PHOTO: CRT

is expecting a bumper season with domestic tourism set for a boost as people take staycations within the UK. Lynda Slater, destination supervisor, said: “With the visitor centre closed during lockdown, we decided it was the perfect time to give it a makeover.

“The aqueduct provides a major boost for the local economy and the visitor centre gives those arriving a warm welcome as it tells the story of the site and how the aqueduct was built more than 200 years ago, and the work we do today as a charity to look after it.

“Now the centre is back open, we can’t wait to have a lovely long season of welcoming local people and visitors to the area and introducing them to the canal and the UNESCO World Heritage site.”

The Trevor Basin Visitor Centre is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm. Pay and display parking is available.

For more details go to https:// canalrivertrust.org.uk/ places-to-visit/pontcysyllteaqueduct-world-heritage-site

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