Towpath Talk August 2023 issue

The UK's Number ONE read for all waterways users

Issue 214, August 2023

FOR Jill YOUR WATERWAYS NEEDS

SIZZLING BRAUNSTON HISTORIC RALLY

WORK IN PROGRESS AT TODDBROOK

BOATS LINE UP AT BRADLEY

TV DOCTOR PLANTS POCKET PARK TREE

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IRADER

BOATS FOR SALE

Starts on

P23

Visitors to the Gnosall C'Fest dodge the showers but there was some sunshine too. Report and more photos on page 5. PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN

Government funding cuts put future of nation's historic canals at risk

THE Canal & River Trust has issued a stark warning that government funding cuts mean the nation's muchloved canal network is at risk of closures.

The warning comes as the growing impact of climate change is increasing the cost

of maintaining historic canals.

CRT chief executive Richard Parry has urged the public to show support to keep canals alive and join the call in lobbying their MPs for the Government to change its decision as well as backing the trust's campaign to

keep canals alive at https:/ / c a n a l r i v e r t r u s t . o r g . uk/ keepcanalsalive He warned that, unless a more realistic funding settlement is secured, it will turn the clock back on one of the nation's greatest heritage regeneration stories and lead

to the Joss of substantial public benefits. "We are tasked by government to care for and manage safely this important and historic infrastructure.

Government has confirmed the value and importance of the nation's canals and their vital role in our health and

Diamond Soundings

Sponsor a rivet

THE Residential Boat Owners' Association (RBOA) celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special glossy covered edition of its magazine Soundings. In his opening remarks, chairman Charles Foster referred to the move of the usual bi-monthly edition to an online emailed version. Thanks go to editor Beryl McDowell and the staff at Anchor Print for the production of the anniversary magazine - first of many annual editions. As well as the usual association news, it features members' accounts of their travels, making for very interesting reading.

THE Friends of President launched its Sponsor a Rivet appeal at the Braunston Historic Boat Rally. As the Friends now have the drawings for the boiler, they know exactly how many rivets there are - more than 200. If all the rivets were sponsored for £10 each, this would raise more than £2000 towards the appeal's £20,000 shortfall. Rivets can be sponsored via the Black Country Living Museum website (bclm.com). If you would like to sponsor a specific rivet email fopsecretaryl95@gmail. com and you will be sent a numbered certificate.

well-being, for wildlife and nature, and in supporting jobs and the U K economy.

Yet, at the same time, it has announced a funding decision which puts the very future of canals at grave risk:'

Bridge rebuild

• Continued on page 2

THE Canal & River Trust has completed the project to rebuild the Grade II listed Hazlehurst Bridge across the Caldon Canal near Endon in Staffordshire. The 12-month project, costing £2 million, was enabled by an award from the Postcode Earth Trust. The bridge has been rebuilt in its former location with the same form, scale and character as before, with many of the original stone copings reused. Described as an accommodation bridge, it provides access across the canal for farmers and residential boaters and to the trust for maintenance work.

INSTANT 0 FUNDS FOR YOUR BOAT

NO OBLIGATION VALUATION BROKERAGE FROM 5%+VAT

2 WELCOME/NEWS

August 2023

WELCOME IT’S come at last – the longawaited announcement by Defra on future funding for the Canal & River Trust.

With the current economic climate it’s hardly surprising that cuts are on the horizon but the waterways are such a vital part of our heritage, economy and wellbeing agenda that the #KeepCanalsAlive campaign has started to urge the Government to change its decision.

In our front page story which continues on this page, CRT chief executive Richard Parry warns of the risk of closures following years of restoration and regeneration efforts and the public benefits they have brought.

The Inland Waterways Association was also quick to respond to the decision. Its report on page 12 refers to the estimated 80,000 jobs directly linked to Britain’s waterways from canalside cafes to major housing,sportingandleisuredevelopments, which collectively contribute £1.5 billion annually to the economy.

In line with CRT, it is urging people to write to their MPs, national chairman Les Etheridge adding that at a time like this with adverse weather events, the Government should also be protecting nature and wildlife, it having accepted evidence that blue-green spaces also deliver substantial benefits to the economy.

And NABO (National Association of Boat Owners) general secretary Peter Braybrook joins the debate in his column on page 78 highlighting the campaign group FundBritainsWaterways which has been formed at the initiation of organisations including NABO, the IWA, British Marine, Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs and Royal Yachting Association alongside about 30 other waterways business and leisure organisations.

The first main event will be a campaign cruise to Birmingham on August 11 and 12 to raise awareness of the problem and continue to lobby the politicians to bring about a reversal of what is described as the ‘shortsighted policy of Defra’.

And the protest about the exclusion of liveaboard boaters and others without a permanent address from receiving the Government Energy Support Scheme (EBSS) and alternative fuels grants is also reported on this page.

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Government funding cuts put future of nation’s historic canals at risk Continued from page 1 The reduced grant from 2027 will almost halve the value of public funding for canals in real terms compared with recent years and comes at the same time as the costs of maintaining historic canals are increasing, due to the growing impact of climate change, with more periods of drought and extreme storm events taking their toll on ageing 250-year-old infrastructure.

This comes despite a Government Review, shared with the Canal & River Trust and expected to be published, confirming that its funding is ‘clear value for money’, with canals shown to deliver substantial benefits to the economy, to people and communities, and to nature and biodiversity.

Richard continued: “By sharply reducing their investment in the critical work to care for and safely manage this vulnerable national canal infrastructure, the Government is failing to recognise the full cost of sustaining the vital benefits they provide.

“Our industrial canal heritage is as vital today as it was in the past, and

will continue to be in the future, by bringing the benefits of green space and nature corridors into urban areas, as well as contributing to flood defences and transferring water to areas of shortage. It is a critical part of our national infrastructure, and its decline would impact communities across the country.”

At a time of increasing costs, the proposed cuts would see the value of public funding for canals reduce in real terms by more than 40% – or more than £300 million in total – compared with recent levels.

He added: “The nation lost many hundreds of miles of waterways in the 20th century, but in the past 50 years they have experienced an extraordinary renaissance. Today there are more boats on the canal network than at the height of the Industrial Revolution and the network provides vital green space by water and access to nature to more than 10 million people each year.”

Fund Britain’s Waterways

The announcement by Defra came less than a fortnight after the launch

of the Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW) steering group. While the Government’s plans are welcomed which will at least continue the provision of grant funding to CRT beyond March 2027, which is when the current grant comes to an end, FBW members are concerned that this marks a further dramatic cut.

The current funding, which has been fixed at £52.6m per annum since 2021, is already failing to keep up with inflation and the physical toll that more frequent severe weather is having on the waterways’ infrastructure.

In a press statement, FBW described Defra’s offer as simply not enough to avert the decline of CRT’s network, particularly given the charity already faces a deficit of £12-15 million. The grant it currently receives from Defra makes up almost a quarter of its income and is critical in helping it lever in other sources of income and fund its essential maintenance programme.

FBW, which already represents the major inland waterways organisations and hundreds of thousands of users and supporters, is campaigning to ensure that beyond this parliament

Cost of living petition presented at No 10

Boaters joined a flotilla to take their Energy Bills Support Scheme plight to the capital.

Sally Clifford finds out more.

SLOW cruisers took their campaign to the doorstep of Britain’s political power.

The boaters travelled to London to protest the continued exclusion of itinerant boat dwellers and others without a fixed address from receiving the £400 Government Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) and £200 Alternative Fuels Grants, which the Government promised to every household in the UK last May. Led by flotilla organiser and retired teacher Anita Weedy, who lives aboard her 57ft fully electric narrowboat, Watt Way, the cruisers handed in a petition to No 10 Downing Street on Monday, June 19. The petition, which currently has 5437 signatures, was started by the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) which has been supporting the flotilla protest and campaigning for the inclusion of itinerant and off-grid communities to the scheme since the grants were first announced in May last year. After mooring up in Paddington Basin on Saturday, June 10 where they were greeted by a group of supportive boaters in the area, many of whom have also been campaigning for the Government to follow through on its promise to provide financial support during the spiralling cost of living and fuel crises in the UK, they set off for the capital.

Anita explained she had the idea for the flotilla while moored in Nottingham and set off for London from Loughborough at the beginning of March. Averaging around eight miles a day, she was joined by fellow continuous cruisers Kim and Dave Marshall, who left Huddersfield in their narrowboat Porticeri in April to join the flotilla.

Messages of support

Anita said meeting people along the way helped to raise the profile of their plight.

They also received many messages of

The flotilla heads to London to raise the profile of the campaign for boaters’ access to the Energy Bills Support Scheme. PHOTO: DAVE MARSHALL support through social media.

“People have been asking about it and people are following me on the Facebook page,” said Anita, who set up a profile on Facebook and TikTok. “There is a general consensus of the unjustness of it. I felt supported all the way, it has been great.”

She said having the opportunity to hand the petition in at No 10 Downing Street was ‘amazing’ and hopes that it will be read and action will be taken.

“It’s only fair – they said help for all UK households – I want us to be recognised as a UK household.

“It was great to be able to finish it with a knock on the No 10 door

and handing over the petition – that was the perfect end to what we have been trying to do. We have all had very expensive bills and we are all households so we were supposed to get help and some of us didn’t.”

Retirees Kim and Dave, who swapped bricks and mortar for their floating abode in 2022, say last year they were paying £16 for a 13kg bottle of gas. “Through the winter we were paying £48 for the same bottle of gas – that has tripled, and that is just the gas. Diesel has easily doubled.

Recalling the petition handover at No 10, Kim explained: “We have put a voice forward for all those who couldn’t go. We have to keep our fingers crossed they come up with something.”

Financial burden

Kim knocks on the door of No 10 Downing Street to hand in the petition. PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY KIM

MARSHALL AND ANITA WEEDY UNLESS INDICATED

The increased cost of living has placed an immense financial burden on many people in the country. Many itinerant boaters are on low incomes or pensions, with 48% earning less than £20,000 per year.

Most itinerant boaters – who move their boats around Britain’s inland waterways without a permanent ‘home mooring’, changing location roughly every 14 days – rely on diesel engines to navigate, bottled LPG gas to cook and heat water and other forms of fuel to heat and light their boats.

Pamela Smith, chair of the NBTA which supported the petition, said: “The fact that boaters have travelled halfway across the country to deliver this petition shows the strength of feeling that continues to animate our community on this issue.”

For more information visit Not all Households on Facebook.

there will be sufficient grant funding to retain the benefits that Britain’s inland waterways provide, the CRT network alone contributing £6.1 billion per year in economic and social value.

Les Etheridge, chairman of FBW and the IWA said: “The Government must take heed of CRT’s warnings.

Otherwise, these proposed cuts will result in the closure of waterways, harming businesses and placing communities at risk as the condition of CRT’s waterways inevitably deteriorates.”

IWA chief executive, Professor Sarah Niblock, added: “The waterways renaissance has been one of the UK’s biggest success stories of the past 50 years on all levels.

“It is actually hard to find the words to express how devastated we feel and how fearful we are for the future in the wake of this decision. I urge everyone to express their concerns to their MPs as a priority.”

For more about of the responses of IWA and NABO (National Association of Boat Owners) see the reports on pages 12 and 78.

More good news for the Monty Canal THE Shropshire Union Canal Society has received a £14,600 restoration grant from the Association for Industrial Archaeology towards the cost of restoring the historic tramway wharf on the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath.

It was the terminus of a 2½ mile horse-drawn tramway from the limestone quarry at Porth-ywaen. Built by navvies during the construction of the canal at the end of the 18th century, it is constructed as a wide rubble stone wall using local limestone.

The wharf wall is being restored as it was originally built, with members of the Dry Stone Walling Association contributing their expertise to ensure durable and high quality repairs. The wall is topped with large copings of buff and yellow sandstone/gritstone that supported the tramway rails and wagons from where stone was tipped into moored narrowboats.

It is thought even back in the 18th century the copings were repurposed from elsewhere due to some variation in materials and different stonemason dressing marks. Many have crumbled and will require replacement.

SUCS project manager Tom Fulda said: “We are very grateful for this generous grant. It will substantially help the project with the cost of plant hire, volunteer welfare and materials as well as promoting the work of the Association for Industrial Archaeology which has supported the study, preservation and presentation of many sites since the 70s.”

The AIA promotes the study and appreciation of industrial archaeology through a programme of awards and grants and promotes its aims through broad engagement with people in their early careers.

NEWS 3

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

Development manager George Rogers talks about Chesterfield Canal restoration plans.

The speakers at the Chesterfield Canal business event, from left: Peter Storey, George Rogers and Coun Alex Dale.

The vision for the Staveley Waterside development.

Part of the audience at the business event.

Up for the challenge on the Chesterfield Canal Report & photos: Janet Richardson

EXCITING plans for the Staveley Town Basin were unveiled at a business event hosted by the Chesterfield Canal Society on the eve of its recent canal festival.

A new hub – Staveley Waterside – is to be created for start-up and existing businesses, building on the success of the Markham Vale Environment Centre.

Head of MEGZ (Markham Employment Growth Zone) Peter Storey said that the idea to create something along the canal corridor was first mooted some 17-18 years ago and the basin was created with the help of funding.

A planning application for the two-storey building was submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council in March and it is hoped to invite tenders for its design and build in the autumn. Construction could start early next year for a projected opening in September 2024.

It will comprise flexible office and workshop units for small businesses along with units for high quality food and beverages with indoor and outdoor dining, other retail use and mooring space.

The aim is to attract up to 10 businesses on the site and create 40 new jobs; cycle storage for 36 bikes and parking for 71 cars including electric vehicle spaces.

It is projected that it could also attract over 30,000 visitors a year as a dining destination.

Peter explained that the £4 million project will be funded from the Staveley Town Deal fund and Derbyshire County Council – a catalyst for wider regeneration vision for Staveley Town Basin and to act as an incentive for future investment and growth.

Legacy

The audience, which included the chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, Richard Parry, and the national chairman of the Inland Waterways Association, Les Etheridge, was welcomed by Chesterfield Canal Trust company secretary Rod Auton.

He introduced the deputy head of Hollingwood Primary School, Lois Clarke, who explained the meaning of LEGACY – Language, Empowerment, Global citizenship, Authenticity Community and You. She was accompanied by four children who used these headings to outline what the canal means to them: “Empowerment: This outdoor classroom is a short walk away from our school and helps to give us understanding of the world around us.

“Global citizenship: We recognise that our work with the Chesterfield Canal Trust teaches us to respect the canal which is a lasting bond for our community.

“Authenticity: Our collaboration with CCT has provided us with some opportunities. Experiences of the school becoming a fond memory.

During local history week we studied the development of transport on the canal.

“Community: We are proud to be a member of the whole community in our work with the trust. We can do this work. It teaches us to understand about our history and heritage.”

Chairman of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership, Coun Alex Dale who represents the Dronfield East and Unstone ward on Derbyshire County Council, explained how this regional multi-agency group works.

A forum for members to coordinate across their representative organisations, it includes local authorities which have the Chesterfield Canal running through their areas. The forum comprises: Bassetlaw District Council, Canal & River Trust, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Canal Trust, Derbyshire

Deputy head Lois Clarke and the young speakers from Hollingwood Primary School.

County Council, Inland Waterways Association, North East Derbyshire District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

Coun Dale said: “Our vision is to secure a revitalised Chesterfield Canal improving the quality of life for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Rotherham residents. We want to restore the canal to full navigation and create a link between the canal and Sheffield – the Rother Valley Link.

“We are acutely aware of the last economic study that was done – actually this is about 20 years old and we are living in a very different world now.”

He added that they needed to ensure the canal is sustainable and fit for purpose with a clear vision statement to help bid for government funding.

Obstacles

Chesterfield Canal Trust development manager George Rogers said: “I don’t need to inspire you to restore the canal, the previous speakers have already done that.”

He referred to IWA’s Waterways in Progress study quoting: “What has the Eden Project got in common with a coffee shop on the Chesterfield Canal?

They are both prime examples of the vision to turn unfinished business to everyone’s advantage.”

George explained that the 8.5 miles of the 37-mile canal still to be restored between Staveley and Kiveton Park presents a challenge with engineering obstacles along the route such as Norwood Tunnel and the motorway (M1). “But there are solutions.”

He said that Kiveton Stakeholder

Group is looking at opportunities there and National Highways in respect of the M1. Killamarsh is another big obstacle with a diversion needed around houses built over the line of the canal. Two houses bought by the trust a few years ago are currently rented out.

“There are two main projects at present. Renishaw was partly restored about 15 years ago but has dried up; we want to start a long-standing ambition to sort that out and there is a bit of design work to do.” Funding for the £425k scheme includes pledges from IWA and Derbyshire County Council.

Another major obstacle to restoration is from Staveley Basin through the Staveley Puddle Bank where the canal was built on an embankment and there are a lot of earthworks to do.

It was also hoped that help from the Staveley Town Deal project would pave the way from Eckington Road towards the railway. George pointed out that it was originally planned to get all the way to the borough council boundary but the cost makes that a bit out of reach, so additional funding is being sought.

He concluded by asking: “Are you up for the challenge?”

Staveley Town Lock and Basin.

4 NEWS

August 2023

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Boats lined up, waiting for the procession to start.

Hot weather greets visitors to Braunston Historic Boat Rally

MANY of this year's outdoor events have been blessed with good weather and this year's Braunston Historic Boat Rally was no exception.

The event was opened by music mogul Pete Waterman, whose longstanding support for heritage railways and the canal close to Braunston is well known. Given his love of steam, it was only right that he should open the rally at the tiller of Hasty, a 60ft steam tug.

Other notable attendees included Sir David Suchet, who enjoyed a short trip on 70ft butty Raymond with his wife Lady Sheila and a number of other VIPs, including Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry.

As always, the focus of the day is on the boats, but in all 28 traders, including a number of charities, had stalls offering a range of goods and services to visitors.

Tim Coghlan, Braunston Marina’s managing director, said: “Despite the economic situation, the rally attendance by both historic narrowboats and the public was very close to last year – just slightly ahead, which was very encouraging. We had, in the end, 82 boats coming versus 81 last year – a few late breakdowns or we would have been ahead.”

Organisers hope to see a few more trade stands in future years to offset those that were lost as a result of the pandemic.

This year’s ‘best in show’ boat went to Dory, winning a £250 Midland Chandlers voucher and the Nurser Award Buckby can. The 70ft 1934 Fish Class motor, built for FMC by Yarwoods of Northwich, has been owned by David Ray of Norbury Junction since 2018.

In addition to this prize, a number of boats and charities also received donations, including: All Saints’ Church,

Just some of the 82 boats registered to attend.

No moorings free!

By Phil Pickin

Braunston, Friends of Raymond, Friends of President, The Narrowboat Trust, Melton & Oakham Canal Society, the IWA, Cotswold Canal Trust, Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust, Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Society and Buckingham Canal Society. Some £5000 was donated to canal and local causes.

Tim added: “Pete Waterman did a brilliant job opening the rally, and it was obvious he was in his element, all steamed up on the historic narrowboat Hasty. We were helped with brilliant weather, with record attendance on Sunday and the punters not wanting to leave.

“The Essex-based mobile bar Best Bar – Bar None stayed open until 7.45pm – well past the scheduled closing at 5pm, having one of its best days this year.”

For those who missed this year’s event, the team at Braunston tell us they will be holding the rally again next year in its usual slot, the last weekend in June.

There were plenty of canine visitors.

Pete Waterman presents a £1000 cheque from Braunston Marina to the Friends of President. Also pictured are, left, CRT chief executive Richard Parry and, right, IWA national chairman Les Etheridge.

PHOTO: VICKY KETTELL

Stands inside the marquee.

Jaguar – One of the many boats on show.

Pete Waterman at the tiller of Hasty opening the Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally.

Sir David Suchet on board butty Raymond.

NEWS 5

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

You don’t often find pirates on the canals!

Some of the boats on show at C’Fest.

Dodging the showers at C’Fest Hasty, with Pete Waterman at the tiller, gets under way to open the rally.

Crowds watching the boat procession. PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN UNLESS INDICATED

Report & photos: Phil Pickin

IT DOESN’T seem a year since the last Gnosall Canal Festival or C’Fest on the Shrophire Union Canal in the Staffordshire village that gives the event its name, and what a difference a year makes.

Last year was hot and dry; however, this year’s event, which encompasses a number of venues in the village, was hit by poor weather over the three days of the festival. The focus of C’Fest is the floating market, with around 15

boat traders moored between bridges 34 and 35.

It was, therefore, a shame that those who did attend had to dodge blustery showers and gusty winds.

The impact of the poor weather wasn’t confined to the boats, it also hit car parking with the usual field, used by visitors to the event who travelled by car, not able to be used, recent rain having stopped the farmer from harvesting the crop it contained. Alternative options included the use of a local bus route and a small number of parking

options in the area.

Despite this, the hardy souls who braved the sometimes inclement weather enjoyed the atmosphere of the event and visited the traders and around nine historic boats that were moored close by. A number of land-based stands were on offer to provide visitors with information on the work of groups, including the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust, the RNLI and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to name just a few.

Food and entertainment

was on offer throughout the event in the adjacent pubs, which seemed to be doing good business.

The hard work of the local restoration group, who have resurfaced sections of the towpath, may have gone unnoticed by the majority of visitors but helped to keep the towpath accessible. With some of the three-day event being blessed with sunshine and drier weather, the hope is that the good days made up for the not so good. Fingers crossed for better weather for C’Fest 24.

Dory was voted Best in Show.

PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

Sarah Edgson, who chairs the Historic Narrow Boat Trust, is presented with Best in Show awards by Tim Coghlan. She received them on behalf of the crew of Dory, which had left before the winner was announced.

PHOTO: GRAHAM NEWMAN

Towpath improvements were of benefit to a number of visitors to the festival.

The historic boats boats, including Shroppie fly-boat Saturn, proved popular.

ONLY ELSAN TOILET FLUIDS ACHIEVE THE BRITISH STANDARD For your nearest dealer visit www.elsan.co.uk Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

G R E AT B R I TI S H P R O DU C T S

6 NEWS

August 2023

Holding the flag fast are, from left: Chris Bonner, Simon Stephens, Victoria Bonner, Peter Claxton, Sue Grafton and Ann Simpson.

All together: Chris Bonner, Peter Claxton, Victoria Bonner, Sue Grafton and Ann Simpson pictured on board Marjorie R – now home to Hold Fast Bookshop.

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Marjorie R’s namesake, Marjorie Reed. PHOTO: REED FAMILY COLLECTION

Flagship award for floating bookshop

By Sally Clifford

“I PLAYED cricket where we are stood when it was empty without coal.”

For Peter Claxton, stepping aboard the former coal barge his father Norman skippered for a decade or so evoked fond memories of school holidays spent on the vessel.

“In the school holidays it was compulsory I went with my dad on the barge. This is one of the later ones my dad had,” Peter continued.

Today the barge has been lovingly and sympathetically transformed and repurposed, originally into a floating home and now as a floating bookshop.

Standing in the now bright and airy interior in the spot where as a teenager he and his father would take it in turns to bat and bowl in the then roofless vessel

while waiting for the barge to be loaded with coal, Peter took in the surroundings.

“It has changed radically from its working life. It is amazing

Spot on: Peter Claxton pictured in the area where he and his father played cricket while waiting for coal to be loaded on to the former coal barge during its working life.

PHOTOS: SALLY CLIFFORD UNLESS INDICATED

because by the time they had finished their working life they were in very poor condition,” said Peter, referring to the barges that were often scrapped at the end of their working life.

“I was surprised this still existed and to find it is a bookshop – what a great use for it.”

Peter’s presence on the barge was brought about by publicity profiling the presentation of a special flagship award.

Launched in November last year, Hold Fast Bookshop, which takes its name from the nautical saying often tattooed on sailors’ knuckles to hold on in stormy seas, has given the 57ft by 14ft widebeam a new lease of life.

Christened Marjorie R, the trendy waterside setting where she is moored in Leeds Dock is a sleek and polished contrast to the industrial cityscape around which she once travelled transporting 75 tonnes of coal

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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 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

probe Boats gunshot investigating damage to narrowboats

POLICE are Officers were after gunshots were fired in Cambridge. a December 5, at around 10.15pm, ay, called on Thursday, f m shots fro after nearbyy residents reported hearing near boats on the what was believed to be an air rifle the window of one River Cam. Photographs off holes in a since been published. One resident ave of the boats have Chesterton the told reporters thatt shots, coming from moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats five about for on Field, Fen Ditton, and this went no injuries were minutes. Cambridgeshire Police said reported and enquiries were continuing.

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

alk.

Tal tth T publisher of Towpath Our thanks go to the readers who rose of to the challenge of finding a group 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 Action Network (UCAN) THE bodies were called UPPERMILL after starting 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

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

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

Tal tth T been identified when Towpath

11/12/2019 10:17:16

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each journey between Fall Ings, Wakefield and Thornhill Power Station, Dewsbury.

Natural move

Marjorie R has been part of the Bonner family for almost a decade after her owners Victoria and Chris purchased her for a floating abode.

“We lived on her for four or five years but we wanted a way of keeping her so she can be looked after,” said Victoria.

Book lover Victoria had worked as a librarian so transforming Marjorie R into a floating bookshop was the natural move to make.

Built in 1946 by Harkers of Knottingley for Hargreaves, Marjorie R now has another string to her bow – an accolade from National Historic Ships (NHS-UK).

National Historic Ships UK has appointed six vessels from around the UK to act as its Flagships of the Year and ‘fly the flag’ for maritime heritage. The awards provide an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the value of historic vessels to the wider public.

Marjorie R was chosen in

recognition of her unique offer as an independent bookshop and community base.

She was bestowed with the flag for ‘Flagship of the Year 2023’ by Simon Stephens, a member of the Council of Experts for National Historic Ships UK and curator of the Ship Model and Boat Collections at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich at a special presentation in Leeds Dock.

“The bookshop idea is a fantastic way to repurpose a historic vessel,” said Simon. “Creative approaches like this offer a realistic means of funding long-term preservation and are great to see.”

Also in attendance were the families of Marjorie R’s namesake – Marjorie Reed, the wife of Reginald Reed, who was a consultant director of Hargreaves and worked for the coal board after nationalisation, along with Leeds councillor, Asghar Khan.

Interestingly, Marjorie Reed’s son, Dr Stuart Reed, and daughters, Ann Simpson and Sue Grafton, visited the boat last year after reading a newspaper article about her new lease of life. It was the first time they had seen her in 70 years.

“We are thrilled to bits. It’s wonderful and it’s a wonderful

use for it,” said the sisters, who attended the presentation with their families.

Victoria said opening Marjorie R as a bookshop has not only secured her future, it is also providing an income to help with her maintenance.

“It’s also a way to help us, and hopefully our customers – a little retreat to pop into as we all navigate life’s ups and downs. Our bookshop stocks a wide range of styles and genres, both new and second-hand. We are proud to be members of The Booksellers Association. We also sell online as part of bookshop. org,” said Victoria.

“We have always loved Marjorie R – she means the world to us and we love sharing the stories of her past and her working life with our customers. This award is a fantastic recognition of just how important it is that we keep those stories alive – and what better place to share stories than a bookshop?” said Victoria.

Visit uk.bookshop.org/shop/ holdfastbookshop. For more information visit https:// holdfastleeds.co.uk.

Electra’s spruced up for summer season HAVING carried more than 4000 guests in her first two years, community boat Electra has had her spring service and is now back in the water, spruced up and ready to start cruising for the rest of 2023.

The all-electric boat has been back to Colecraft, the Wa r w i c k s h i r e boatyard where she was originally built. More than 20 maintenance items were carried out, to keep her looking as good as new, together with enhancements to her battery and electrical management systems to keep her at the forefront of environmentally friendly boat technology.

Other works included replacing the bow thruster propeller, relaying the cabin floor and painting the hull.

And after being driven 50 miles down the M1 on a low-loader, she was craned back into the Grand Union Canal at Willowbridge Marina on Stoke Road, Bletchley.

Denise Taylor, volunteer

Electra safely back in the water at Willowbridge Marina.

PHOTO: JAMES CLIFTON

chair of Electra’s management team, said: “We are delighted to welcome Electra back to Milton Keynes. She looks in such good condition, following her ‘makeover’ at the boatyard. The boatyard team has done a great job, as have our own volunteers, Malcolm, Stuart, Kevin and Jerry.”

“We are looking forward to greeting our guests on board for the rest of the season,” added Sue Morrison, volunteer lead cabin host.

Volunteer co-ordinator Gill

Kirkup said: “We still have opportunities to join the team, particularly volunteers to help with shore-based roles including marketing, community engagement and training administration. If you are interested, please email me on volunteers.electra@ bmkwaterway.org.”

Bookings can be made by visiting www. bmkwaterway.org/electra

NEWS 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

The view from the walkway on the top of the dam down to the working area along the northern side of the reservoir.

New valves and pipework will eventually control the flow of water from the refilled reservoir to the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals.

Beyond this information board a group of visitors are asking questions of Tom Greenwood, the project manager.

Sunny open days at Toddbrook as job progresses Report and photos: Colin Wareing

THE Canal & River Trust and Kier construction company have once again offered members of the public a behind-the-scenes view of the two-year, £15 million restoration project of Toddbrook reservoir that will bring the reservoir back into active use.

A number of groups were hosted over the two days in early July on an hour’s visit to view the construction site from the safety of the walkway along the top of the dam, with about 10 people in each group.

They were accompanied by members of the Kier or Canal & River Trust project team to explain what is going on around the site near Whaley Bridge, including driving piles into the ground to form the new spillway and channel along the north side of the dam, with work below the dam to remove any excess water that comes over the spillway.

A good mix of folks took the chance of the visit, with locals well represented, enjoying the sunny weather.

These visits were a bit more relaxed than previous open days with all visitors given a safety briefing but there was no need for hi-vis jackets, and with it being a warm couple of days bottles of water were provided for refreshment.

Following steel sheet pilings being driven into the ground to form the new tumble bay, the earth in the area is being excavated before concrete piles are driven into the ground. There will be about 500 piles driven in across the site, some going down 22m into the earth.

The tumble bay and its weir will then be constructed from concrete and while the steel piles will remain in place, they will not be visible, being buried under the concrete.

Once the project is complete any excess water in the reservoir will flow over a weir alongside the tumble bay and into the new spillway which will run along the bottom of the tumble bay, thus avoiding any waters flowing over the main dam as happened in the overtopping event in summer 2019.

Further public open days are being planned as the work progresses, but if you can’t make these, there is a fly-through video of what the completed project will look like at https://canalrivertrust.org. uk/restoring-toddbrook-reservoir The aim is to have the water back in the reservoir by the end of 2024, when it will once again be available to feed the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals as it was built to do.

Steel pilings still to be driven into the ground around the site to form areas of the new tumble bay, spillways and stilling basin.

Looking up the face of the dam to the walkway with a group of visitors.

The bags of aggregates that were dropped by helicopter in the days following the breach are still in place.

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8 NEWS

August 2023

Historic Thames locks receive £9.5m investment

New fence at Romney lock made from hardened softwood.

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These include improvements to public safety, resilience and amenity works to make visiting locks an even more pleasant experience for boaters out on the non-tidal Thames this year.

EA waterways manager, Maria Herlihy said: “These projects are financed by Defra Grant in Aid funding, that allow us to manage and maintain more than 600 miles of inland waterways across England”.

“In total we invested in over 20 projects in 22/23 and look forward to delivering this year’s investment programme, that will further improve our customers’ experiences on the Thames.”

Work has recently been completed at Rushey Lock, on the upper stretches of the Thames, beside the old lock house, a refurbished guest

A spider crane used to lift equipment and materials on a floating pontoon at Rushey Lock.

New timbers at Caversham lock.

PHOTOS: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

house frequented by Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn.

The lock chamber has had a complete refit with old, worn-out concrete repaired, a new egress ladder installed and the old timbers on the walls

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Waterways are focus of Chester Heritage HAVING launched at Chester Racecourse in 2023, the annual Chester Heritage Festival took place from June 17-28.

Events for all ages included walks to explore the city, opportunities to learn more about the people and history of Chester through talks, films and online events, activities at Chester Cathedral, The Castle, and New Chester Market, along the Rows and City Walls, and on the streets.

The 2023 festival had a special focus on Chester’s waterways and the Rows. The Inland Waterways Association, Chester & Merseyside Branch took an active part

in the festival with committee member John Herson taking people on a fascinating walk around Chester's historic waterways.

He talked about the waterways from their inception – and why Chester became an important Roman port – through the industrial ages until the present day.

The canal walk, took them along the Shropshire Union Canal, formerly the Chester Canal.

They went past the Northgate Locks and arrived at the canal basin, Tower Wharf and Taylor's Boatyard.

From there the short Dee Branch Canal links the canal system to the tidal River Dee and the old Port of Chester.

It is this part of Chester's waterways that formed the core of an application in April 2021 to have the city's waterways designated a heritage port.

The proposal has been accepted as the first Canal and River System Heritage Port and is recognised by the Maritime Heritage Trust, National Historic Ships and European Maritime Heritage. The ultimate designation

by Historic England is now awaited.

Details of the proposal can be found at https://www.chesterheritagefestival.co.uk/ chester-heritage-port

replaced with new beams, especially hand-crafted on site. The old cesspit has also been broken out and exchanged for a state-of-the-art replacement.

At Romney Lock near Windsor, the site of a historic weir back in the 1400s and where an old pound oak lock was first built in 1797, the side fencing has been replaced with long-lasting, environmentally friendly, treated posts.

A new dwarf wall that curves around the lock gate has been built and all uneven surfaces have been repaired to improve safety across the whole of the site.

Other locks where there have been

key projects over the last 12 months include: Caversham, Marlow, Bray and Goring.

Boat owners need to register or licence boats if they want to keep or use them on the River Thames and all inland waterways. ‘Boats’ include any vessel with or without a motor, such as sailing boats, river boats, canal boats or houseboats, as well as ‘open boats’ such as canoes, paddle boards, rowing boats or dinghies. More information is at www.gov.uk/register-a-boat

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NEWS 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

Characters of the Cut

The Narrowboat Family Foster

By Alice Griffin

WHEN Craig and Ellie Foster found themselves relocating to London for work, they knew they were at a crossroads that required some creative thinking.

Ellie shared with me: “When Craig took a new job at a furniture and lighting company in King’s Cross, we knew that either I would have to quit my freelance digital illustrator work for something more financially stable so our combined income could afford the rental prices, or we would need to get creative with our living situation in order to keep our freedom.”

The couple, along with their dog, Gruff, thankfully decided there was nothing for it but to get creative. “We looked into things like property guardianship, van life and renting a narrowboat, and then realised that if we could secure a personal loan, we could buy our own – albeit small and humble – boat.”

Soon after they bought Clover, a 30ft Springer. “Clover was the only boat we could get hold of at that time and was a project inside and out, which meant a few weeks showering at the gym and burning candles after dark!”

However, despite believing that Clover would be a fairly short time escape from the rental market, or perhaps even an asset for a future house deposit, when Ellie fell pregnant in 2019 the couple were as shocked as anyone that their choice of family home turned out to be another boat.

Narrowboat Victoria, a 1994 Pinder 60ft cruiser stern, was hurriedly bought just before baby Thea was born in autumn 2020 but, just like Craig and Ellie’s first boat, was never intended to be kept forever. “We’ve always said Victoria would be our last floating home, that by the time we outgrow this space we’ll surely want a garden and never-ending water supply, but we just keep finding ways around these things!”

It seems that five years on the water continuously cruising is a way of life that has well and truly got under Craig and Ellie’s skin and despite initially having reservations, is also proving to be a beautiful option for little Thea, too.

“At first it was safety concerns – we imagined dropping her into the canal somehow or her escaping the boat! But now she’s two the worries are more about what we’ll do about school and whether we’re giving her enough sense of ‘home’.”

Nature-inspired childhood

As someone who has also raised a child on the cut, I completely understand these reservations, however I am able

Life on board.

Looking out to sea at Anvil Point.

The al fresco dining area.

The Foster family: Craig, Ellie and Thea.

Tilly Whim Caves.

Craig with baby Thea. to reflect on the benefits of this unique nature-inspired childhood now my own daughter is 16 and I’m heartened that Craig and Ellie have opted to embrace each challenge with positivity.

“I think all parents worry they’re doing everything wrong sometimes, it’s part of being a good caregiver! But we try not to let that worry define our lives too much, and instead do all we can to offset those concerns, like taking Thea to consistent playgroups and making friends with other boat families.”

Considering a realistic alternative for this family right now would be a flat, possibly without access to a garden, it seems boating life wins out, for the time being anyway. “There are such bonuses to this life,” Ellie shared with me, “for instance, it’s wonderful when we are able to moor right outside Craig’s office so he can enjoy the 30-second commute as well as lunchtime cuddles with Thea.

And we love how easily she can get outside and access nature.

“We open the side-hatch whenever possible to allow her to watch the water birds from her seat at the breakfast bar and aim for parks and nature reserves when cruising.” This summer the family are even planning to leave London altogether so that Thea can live like a wildling for a few months. “We intend to travel with a few other boat families up the River Lea to Cheshunt where we can step straight off the boat into nature and be surrounded by more trees than buildings.”

While this freedom to move is one of the factors that attracted Craig and Ellie to narrowboat life, they have been pleasantly surprised by the sense of belonging in this transient community.

“Despite often not knowing our neighbours, we’ve found that boaters tend to look out for each other. We always feel safe and it’s lovely seeing a boat we recognise pulling up nearby.”

It seems taking narrowboat life one step at a time, along with a good splash of creative thinking, is working well for family Foster and I for one will be following along to see what surprise opens up for them next!

Alice Griffin is a nature-loving writer who has spent a large part of the past 15 years living afloat.

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

Dancing Ledge tidal pool. PHOTO:

HUGH CHEVALLIER/ COURTESY OF GEOGRAPH.ORG.UK

Swanage Steam Railway at Corfe Castle. PHOTOS: ALISON ALDERTON UNLESS INDICATED

Barge Beagle’s summer holiday – lighting the way

By Alison Alderton

Sniffing out good finds for crews with canines AROUND for centuries, lighthouses have adapted with technology. Now fully automated, what was once considered the lonely life of a lighthouse keeper no longer exists.

However, the buildings they once called home remain and it’s possible to take holidays in some of them where, for a short while, we can all experience the life of a lighthouse keeper.

Anvil Point Lighthouse stands in the grounds of Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve, high on the cliffs above Swanage, on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Flashing every 10 seconds, the light is visible for nine nautical miles. To the west it provides a clear line from Portland Bill and to the east, warns of the Christchurch Ledge and guides vessels into the Solent. Built in 1881, a paraffin vapour burner originally illuminated

Instagram: @thenarrowboatfamily Ellie’s website: www.elliefoster.com Digital Illustrator: @ellie_foster

A mobile office for digital illustrator Ellie. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Anvil Point light lens.

Rowena Cottage.

the light until the 1960s, when it was converted to mains electricity. Further modernisation ensued and now the lighthouse is fully automated, controlled from the Trinity House Operations and Planning Centre at Harwich.

Rowena Cottage is one of two at Anvil Point Lighthouse but the only one which allows dogs (only one dog permitted per booking and an extra cleaning charge applies). It is a roomy cottage sleeping up to five people in three bedrooms.

The outside space is shared and incorporates car parking for both cottages; it is walled and in the main secure, though the entrance gate cannot be seen from Rowena Cottage. Mostly laid to lawn with a gentle slope towards the front, there is an area for al fresco dining affording views out to sea.

A walk along the cliff path provides excellent views across the water to the Isle of Wight. Seek out the huge limestone globe, Durlston Castle and the Tilly Whim Caves or head westward to Dancing Ledge, a natural shelf of flat rock jutting out into the sea, once

used by shipping collecting stone from the local quarry.

The nearby schools blasted out a swimming pool at the beginning of the 20th century which is cleansed by the tides and now popular with wild swimmers.

The area is steeped in history, with tales of smuggling, fossil finds and royal visits. A word of caution though – due to the rocky precipices, it is vital that your dog is supervised and best kept on a lead to ensure no accidents occur while visiting these areas.

If you wish to explore further afield, dogs are welcome to travel on the steam trains of the Swanage Steam Railway. A visit to Corfe with its selection of small independent shops and the magnificent

National Trust site of Corfe Castle (dogs permitted) will not disappoint.

If you have transport visit Tyneham, a coastal ‘ghost’ village evacuated during the Second World War to allow training for D-Day. This is a great dog-friendly location where you can combine history with some lovely walks and perhaps a swim.

The limestone globe at Durlston Country Park.

Useful information:

Discover more about staying at a lighthouse here: www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouse-cottages Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve: www.durlston.co.uk For Swanage steam train services visit: www.swanagerailway.co.uk More information about Corfe Castle can be found at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle Further information and opening times for Tyneham: www.tyneham.org.uk

10 NEWS August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Opening the way for boats and tourism benefits Volunteers are the lifeblood of many organisations.

Sally Clifford chats to members of Pocklington Canal Amenity Society about their ambitious plans for the future.

THEY are the silent workforce. Without volunteers, many organisations throughout the country would struggle to survive or, at least, get anything done.

Canals and towpaths are just some of the places to benefit from the dedication and commitment of volunteers who give their time for free to keep these networks clean and tidy and preserve them for generations to enjoy.

Preservation and maintenance were, in part, reasons for the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society being established in 1969.

This nine-mile stretch of waterway, joining the River Derwent to Canal Head around one mile away from Pocklington town centre in East Yorkshire, is a terminus built between 1815 and 1818 and understood to be one of the last canals in England to be dug.

“Pocklington used to send market produce and farm produce and they would send grain to West Yorkshire,” explained the society’s vice-chairman, Tim Charlson.

By 1845 commercial traffic on the water was dwindling. “By then it was superseded by the railways,” he added.

During the intervening years, the canal’s rural aspect proved to be a natural attraction for wildlife, flora and fauna.

Discovering its beauty through birdwatching prompted Tim to get involved in the society which has worked hard over the years ensuring the canal is accessible to boats and visitors.

It is with this in mind that the society is embarking on an ambitious project – to eventually open the quarter of the canal remaining to be made accessible.

“A lot of the early work was to clear the canal, dredging,” said Tim, referring to the groups of 40 to 60 people who would turn up on weekends to help.

Around seven and a half miles of the section is now accessible and navigable but the society’s aim is to re-open the remainder, enabling them to travel within a mile of Pocklington centre.

New Horizons

Society chairman, Paul Waddington, explained that opening up the remaining few miles would benefit tourism and enable them to extend the route of the day trips they run with their 40ft narrowboat – New Horizons.

Christened after the charity that helped to fund its build, the boat is proving a valuable asset in the society’s strive to fulfil its ambitious project.

Paul explained that donations made from the public boat trips they run on Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter to October, and chartered boat trips, will help to fund repairs at Sandhill Lock and other necessary work to re-open the remaining stretch.

But with an estimated £1 million cost, the society will have to rely on support to achieve its ambition by the next decade.

Interestingly, it is almost a century since the part of the canal which they

Sandhill Lock on the Pocklington Canal in 1959.

The New Horizons narrowboat.

IMAGES: PCAS ARCHIVES

A map of The Pocklington Canal. are keen to re-open has been accessible.

“Progress is dependent on getting some support or support in principle,” explained Paul.

“We have been working on this since 1969 – in that timescale another 10 years isn’t a huge amount.”

Paul, whose interest in canals began in his childhood, believes the project will bring great benefits.

“I think it is a community spirit thing where there is a lot of support to have the canal restored and it is almost a publicspirited thing to do. It is very much used by walkers who find it a fascinating part of the landscape and it is nice to see part of our history preserved.”

A spokesman for the Canal & River Trust said: “We would love to see the Pocklington Canal restored and we are supportive of such projects. To coincide

with the 200th anniversary of the Pocklington Canal we secured a threeyear National Lottery-funded project to support ambitions to restore the canal and as one of our top canals for wildlife in the country, with three Sites of Special Scientific Interest this waterway is an idyllic gem.

“Looking after and maintaining a 250-year-old historic infrastructure in an increasingly challenging financial environment is difficult, and our charity is facing tough decisions about how we maintain the waterways and keep them open for all to use and enjoy.

“We support projects where we can, by providing training and guidance in areas such as restoration, environment, health and safety, to help ensure the works are carried out to the high standards required on this historic network.”

The patron of PCAS, the Earl of Halifax; Paul Waddington, chairman of PCAS and Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust.

For more information about Pocklington Canal Amenity Society visit www.pocklingtoncanalsociety.org.

To find out more about the work of the Canal & River Trust, or to get involved, visit Get involved in restoration | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust. org.uk)

Shropshire volunteers earn award for restoration work Report & photo: Phil PIckin

THIS year it was Oswestry’s turn to host the Montgomery Canal Forum, which was held in the Aico Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of the town.

The impressive and modern venue saw a number of speakers outline the work carried out over the past year, which saw the official opening of the Crickheath basin just a few weeks before.

Shropshire Union Canal Society chairman David Carter outlined the work that had taken place that saw the basin opened to boat traffic and Tom Fulda, project manager, talked about the next phase of the project that will see a 750m section of canal restored.

Richard Harrison, the Canal & River Trust’s principal project manager, told attendees about their involvement in the next phase and outlined some of the difficulties still to be overcome, including some major engineering issues.

The local IWA branch chairman, Michael Haig, gave a presentation focused on the role of the association and the IWA’s Protect Our Waterways project and how its key objectives are being met with the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.

To recognise this work, Mr Haig went on to award the 2023 Tetlow Cup to the volunteers of the Shropshire Union

Canal Society for their outstanding efforts in reconstructing 600m of canal channel across former peat bogs.

The award citation states: “Both have been multi-year projects requiring enthusiasm, dedication and tenacity. The extension of the navigation by around two kilometres has also required very high levels of skill by the many volunteers who have given hundreds of hours to the project and has extended the boundaries of

works normally considered suitable for volunteers.”

Michael commented: “We had a difficult decision this year, as the Montgomery Canal has played host to two massive success stories – the raising of almost £1 million to rebuild Schoolhouse Bridge and the re-opening of the restored navigation through to Crickheath Basin.”

The award is made by the northwest region of the Inland Waterways

Shrewsury District & North Wales IWA branch chairman Michael Haig presents the Tetlow Cup to David Carter, chairman of the Shropshire Union Canal Society with project manager Tom Fulda and Oswestry Town Mayor, Coun Olly Rose.

Association, and this year had been nominated by the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch of the IWA. David Carter responded: “Our volunteers have worked tirelessly for eight years on a very complicated piece of construction work of a type not normally done by volunteers. In doing so, they have overcome a whole range of ecological, construction and logistical challenges. That they managed to complete the work to deadline, on budget and safely is to their very great credit.”

The Tetlow Memorial Cup, named after a former commodore of the Lymm Cruising Club, is an IWA regional trophy awarded to recognise the efforts of those who have gone above and beyond to ensure work continues to restore the waterways of the UK. What was very evident at this year's meeting was the emphasis on the environment and the environmental benefits to be enjoyed by reopening the canal. These sit alongside the economic and well-being benefits that will hopefully be on offer to the local community as work progresses. With the recent outcry by many wildlife organisations regarding the opening of further sections of the canal still in many people’s minds, the need to highlight the environmental benefits was essential.

August 2023 NEWS 11

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

PART OF MIDDLEWICH CANAL CENTRE

D OL S AT BO Mike McDonald ex-commodore, with current Lichfield Cruising Club commodore Joan Surplice and the defibrillator. PHOTO: RAY HARTSHORNE

Boating tragedy brings community benefit IN SEPTEMBER 2022, a hire boater died on the Coventry Canal close to Huddlesford Junction and the moorings of Lichfield Cruising Club.

It is believed the man was taken ill while steering and there was a minor collision with a moored boat, following which he went into the water.

A small gathering of Russell Newbery Club boaters was on site and, after recovering the man to the bank, two of the members carried out CPR until the arrival of emergency services, but sadly the man passed away.

It is a fact that boaters spend a great deal of cruising time in remote locations, and the tragedy prompted much discussion amongst LCC members surrounding the likely difficulties and delays in getting emergency help to these locations.

The Coventry Canal is a popular cruising route, forming a vital link to the Trent & Mersey at Fradley Junction, the Birmingham Canal Navigations at Fazeley, as well as the Ashby and North Oxford canals.

Many boats a day pass

through Huddlesford Junction or visit the nearby and popular Plough Pub, and the club members’ discussions centered around the fact that the man’s life might have been saved had a defibrillator been available nearby.

A plan was put together that cruising club members would raise the money to buy a defibrillator, by diverting profit from some of the club’s social events, and this was actioned and led by club commodore Joan Surplice.

Sadly during early 2023 one of LCC’s ex-commodores, Mike McDonald, lost his wife Sheila, a very popular lady who along with Mike had been a club member and active boater for many years.

Thanks to a generous donation in memory of Sheila, the club was able to bring forward its plans and a further donation, plus money raised by the club, enabled a second machine to be purchased.

The first of the defibrillators has now been located on the public side of the footbridge outside the Lichfield Cruising Club premises, and this is

available should it be needed for anyone using the canal or for residents of nearby Huddlesford or Whittington who are being advised by leaflet of its presence.

There is a small ongoing cost for an electrical supply to the machine and this will continue to be met by the cruising club.

The second machine, which will be for use within the club, has been located in one of the mooring areas furthest from the club house near the club’s dry dock.

Commodore Joan said: “We are delighted to have been able to take this initiative to support network users and local residents; it would be good to think that other clubs or canalside businesses may be prompted to consider their own purchases and make the network a safer place.”

Should anyone be interested in pursuing the provision of a machine, excellent advice and guidance is available via the internet from heart care organisations, or Joan at LCC will more than pleased to chat about the process and costs involved, which are not great.

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BUCKINGHAM Canal Society has been awarded a Natural Environment and Climate Champion Award, recognising its commitment to preserving and protecting the natural environment Awarded by Buckingham Town Council it was presented by Mayor Anja Schaefer to society trustees, volunteer leader and work party organiser Athina Beckett, accompanied by executive officer Terry Cavender.

The society has worked tirelessly to restore and revitalise the canal, its vision extending beyond restoration to create thriving ecosystems that benefit the local community and the abundant wildlife that calls these waterways home.

A vibrant hub of biodiversity, its educational programmes, community events and collaborations with environmental organisations have helped instil a sense of environmental stewardship, encouraging sustainable practices For more information about the Buckingham Canal Society and opportunities to get involved, visit www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk

You can find all of our companies at Kings Lock Boatyard, Middlewich. CW10 0JJ The award presented to Buckingham Canal Society. PHOTO: SHIVANSHI MARWAH

WWW.CANALCENTRE.COM

12 IWA ROUND-UP

August 2023

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AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH IWA’S AMY TILLSON

IWA responds to Defra funding announcement

THE Inland Waterways this will be at the cost Association is concerned of the hundreds if not about the thousands thousands of businesses of jobs, health and that rely daily on waterways users.” wellbeing benefits plus nature habitats that could He emphasised that be lost if our canals and Defra has cut Canal rivers fall into disrepair & River Trust funding due to government at a time when the funding cuts following bill for maintaining Defra’s announcement these precious assets (as reported on page 1). Les Etheridge: The work of is actually growing IWA volunteers tireless campaigners and exponentially, not stopped the canal volunteers could soon be falling, due to climate change and inflation. network from being consigned to history.

“Adverse weather concreted over in PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON events such as hot dry the 1950s and, since then, have supported and helped the spells and storms have already damaged restoration of 500 miles of navigable heritage buildings and structures and waterways with the opportunity to resulted in alarming rises in fish deaths transform another 500 miles. in canals, where still water is particularly It’s estimated that 80,000 jobs are vulnerable to oxygen depletion. At a directly connected to Britain’s waterways, time like this, the Government should from canalside cafes to major housing, be protecting nature and wildlife, not sporting and leisure developments, turning its back on it.” which collectively contribute £1.5 billion Defra’s reduced grant allocation to annually to the UK economy. the Canal & River Trust has come in The IWA is now urging members of the spite of much evidence accepted by the public to write to their MPs to object to Government showing that blue-green the Government’s announcement that it spaces deliver substantial benefits to the will reduce its maintenance and repair economy, to individuals and communities, grant funding by more than £300 million and to nature and biodiversity. in real terms over the next decade.

National chairman Les Etheridge Solution to challenges said: “Our waterways system is in very IWA chief executive Professor Sarah real danger of disappearing. If parts of Niblock, said: “We’re representing the the network fall into disrepair or close, needs of millions of people in the UK who

rely on the waterways for ageing infrastructure average grant reduction of £12.6 million their mental and physical and the growing impact per year, the funding cuts would mean health as well as for work, of climate change will being unable to do winter maintenance commuting and leisure. lead to increasing repair on 586 miles of waterway; being unable “Among the people backlogs and inevitable to operate, maintain and repair 156 miles who will be worst hit closures of sections of and that 50% of the spend on reservoirs the waterways.” will be unfunded.” by any decline will be Mr Etheridge added: He concluded that the renaissance those who are already most vulnerable such as “We’re already seeing and popularity of the waterways is due those living in deprived increasing and extended in no small part to the work of tireless areas, most of which levels of closures and campaigners and volunteers over the have waterways running Prof Sarah Niblock: “We’re each one of those past 75 years-plus, but that could soon through them. representing the needs of impacts businesses be consigned to history.

“In urban areas, the millions of people in the relying on passing trade.

IWA is also a founding member of Fund waterways offer some UK.” PHOTO: IWA The Defra offer of £400 Britain’s Waterways (FBW), a coalition of million over 10 years organisations representing hundreds of of the only glimpses of nature we get as well as a space for averages out as grant funding of £40 million thousands of users and supporters of different parts of the community to per year from 2028-2037, compared with inland waterways. FBW is campaigning interact.” the current £52.6 million per year. At the for national and local government to She continued: “The Environment level of spend on operating, maintaining act now and protect the public benefit Agency, which is funded mainly by Defra, and repairing waterways reported by CRT and natural capital of our waterways. received less than half the expected grant in for 2021/22, IWA estimates that with an www.fundbritainswaterways.org.uk aid funding which pays for its operational staff, maintenance work and major asset improvement or replacement projects.

“Our inland waterways offer an incredible solution to many societal IWA Milton Keynes Co Ltd will be there, giving crafts, and refeshments.

Branch is proud to host you the opportunity Come and say hello at challenges – economic regeneration, its annual Fenny Stratford to step onboard a the IWA gazebo, where addressing the mental health crisis, building community cohesion as well as Canal Festival on Saturday hireboat and take a members will be eagerly mitigating the effects of climate change. and Sunday August 5-6, look around, gaining an waiting to greet you. Find The cost-benefit analysis of investment is between 11am and 5pm. insight into holidaying, out more information irrefutable but it’s as if the Government is The branch invites or day-tripping on the about the important work now turning its back on this. you to attend and canal. Younger visitors the IWA do, buy raffle “All of Britain’s waterways require spend some quality time can take part in a fun tickets and enjoy various considerable investment to maintain but, exploring its amazing quiz, with a small prize children’s activities. with some canals dating back 250 years, waterways. Admission for the winner.

Please note there is is free but donations are An array of items will no parking at the festival gratefully accepted on be available to purchase site. Due to the rural the day. Importantly, from trading boats in location of this event, you help support local the floating market. use of public transport waterway restoration Additionally, various is strongly encouraged. schemes by donating. market, craft and charity Equally encouraged is their way to the IWA Festival will be no entry charge for So, if you are looking stalls will sell gifts, parking considerately of Water at Pelsall two boats but an application form for something to do in clothing, handmade elsewhere in Fenny, and arriving at the festival on weeks later. Plans have to be must be completed.

Milton Keynes, come along and see what the foot, reducing impact on finalised but, in brief, boats Please register your waterways have to offer. local residents. will gather on the Saturday interest now to fbw.

Attractions include The festival is less than at various locations around birmingham@waterways. the MK Community a mile’s walk from the Birmingham city centre and org.uk and you will be kept nearest railway station – Boat Electra which will progress early on Sunday to informed and forwarded an Fenny Stratford. provide five short free gather at the Mailbox. There entry form in due course. trips each day, limited Access the festival is via the towpath from spaces available. The Watling Street, Bletchley Electra team has also An array of items for kindly donated £30 gift sale from one of the (opposite Milward Drive). vouchers as raffle prizes. trading boats.

What3Words location: The Wyvern Shipping PHOTO: IWA \\\final.wrong.stone

Fun for all the family at Fenny Stratford

Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign cruise IWA is a founding member of Fund Britain’s Waterways action group, which is organising a campaign cruise to Birmingham on the weekend of August 12-13.

It’s supported by members of IWA’s Birmingham Black Country

and Worcestershire Branch and others.

Join the campaign cruise and help et the message across to government that increased funding for Britain’s waterways matters.

The date has been agreed to enable boaters to attend on

Get involved – work party dates

IWA branches are getting back to work to improve waterways across the country.

Work parties have been risk assessed and mitigating measures are in place. Please contact the branch to register an interest if you would like to attend one of these work parties. It is advisable to wear stout shoes, old clothing and take a waterproof.

You may also want to take a packed lunch and any refreshments.

EAST August 6 and 15 IWA Northampton Branch: Work

parties are usually held one weekday and one Sunday a month, along the Arm, 10am-2pm. The tasks usually include vegetation clearance, weeding, litter picking and painting at locks. Contact: Geoff Wood at geoff. wood@waterways.org.uk for details.

Tuesdays IWA Milton Keynes Branch: Regular

work party at Fenny Lock on the Grand Union Canal. 9.30am-1.30pm.

Work can include vegetation

clearance, gardening, litter picking and painting. Work parties are dependent on weather being agreeable. Contact: Pat Durham on 07510 195918; email pat.durham@ waterways.org.uk WEST Tuesdays & Saturdays IWA West Country Branch (Taunton & Bridgwater): Work parties in

the Somerset area, 10am-1pm.

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

MIDLANDS IWA Lichfield Branch members will

soon be resuming their canal towpath volunteering days. Held at various times throughout the year, they will be undertaking a variety of tasks along the towpaths, starting soon in the Rugeley and Great Haywood areas, and in various locations along northern section of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.

In due course they hope to undertake some similar days in the south of the region.

If you are interested in joining, please email Neil Barnett (lichfield@ waterways.org.uk) for more details.

New mural on the Northampton Arm MEMBERS of the Northampton Nene Angling Club juniors and their parents got creative painting a fish-themed mural under Bridge 6A of the Northampton Arm, with support from IWA Northampton Branch, who prepared the walkway and primed the background.

Everyone had fun painting the fish.

Fifteen participants plus members of the Northampton branch completed the mural, which began with branch volunteers painting four layers of undercoat. Everyone had fun painting the fish with some drawing extras such as crayfish, cans and shopping bags, to give the mural some extra features.

The completed mural under Bridge 6A. PHOTOS: NORTHAMPTON NENE ANGLING CLUB

13

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

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14 FREIGHT

August 2023

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When roads don’t cut it Terra Marique heading downstream empty to Rosyth, having just cleared the Clackmannanshire and Kincardine Bridges.

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

and Sons Ltd – www.robertwynnandsons. co.uk – has built an enviable reputation for finding new and innovative solutions to the specific problems posed by the transport of Abnormal and Indivisible Loads (AILs) involving all modes of transport, but today its focus lies solely on using the waterways.

Back in the spring – and by pure coincidence – the company was presented with two challenging contracts in Scotland. One involved moving a 190-ton back-up electricity transformer from a sub-station north of the Clyde to its new home near Paisley, south of the river.

The other revolved around the transport of some rather large components to form a new oxygen manufacturing plant at a glassworks on the outskirts of Alloa which, fortunately, just happened to be situated right beside the River Forth.

The all-up weight of the transformer and its road-going trailer plus ‘tug’ was a tad shy of 370 tons and movement by road was in the capable hands of Mammoet – www.mammoet.com – well known for its tricky bridge moves and the like, where the structure is fabricated alongside its final location and then ‘wheeled’ into position.

All well and good, that is, until the roads

PROMOTING the role of the inland waterways as significant carriers of freight is the usual theme of this column, so getting the opportunity to laud two Scottish rivers as the only option is a real, not to mention rewarding, bonus for both myself and the environment!

In one instance a major, freightcarrying navigation got in the way; in the other it was, literally, the only way!

So let me introduce Robert Wynn & Sons’ purpose-built barge, the Terra Marique. While Robert Wynn can trace its origins back to horse-drawn wagons delivering flour and steel, operating in Newport in the late 19th century, Terra Marique is a modern and highly sophisticated vessel – built at Damen in Ukraine, fitted out and launched in Holland in 2004 – capable of carrying up to 1350 tons, which can be loaded either from a quay or beach.

Over the last century, Robert Wynn

Preparing to load the 190-ton transformer at Clydebank.

authority (under Transport Scotland) was consulted, only for Scottish Power to learn that none of the Clyde bridges are now cleared to carry such heavy weights!

Not a problem when the transformer arrived in Scotland some 15 years ago, but everything weakens with age and our highways infrastructure is no exception: a fact that may well play in favour of future inland waterways transport.

With the combined experience of these two companies in unison, it’s hardly surprising to learn that the move from Clydebank up the river to King George V Dock, near the centre of Glasgow, went without a hitch, although a second road ‘tug’ was required for a steep ascent near Paisley.

Now Terra Marique has limited selfpropulsion capability and relies in the main on hired-in tugs. At 80m in length, she is far too long to fit through the locks of the Caledonian Canal so, with her next job on the east coast of Scotland little more than a week away, it was something of a dash up the west coast, around the Pentland Firth and down the coast to Rosyth, in the Firth of Forth.

Again she loaded and unloaded at a quay utilising her unique hydraulic roadway

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and ballast system to adapt to the different heights involved, although her specially strengthen hull also allows her to beach with minimal need for site preparation.

Incidentally, her ‘party trick’ is to carry Wynn’s smaller 300-ton Inland Navigator barge, using her ability to semi-submerge to embark and disembark, thus saving transshipment following a sea passage.

On this contract the real challenge lay in the form of the adjacent – and fixed – Kincardine and Clackmannanshire Bridges, with a tide window of just half an hour when there was sufficient water under the vessel and enough headroom above!

To move the entire oxygen-making plant

required a total of five loads, shipped in the docks at Rosyth and carried up the Forth on the tide to Alloa. Unloading and turnaround had to be carefully orchestrated so that the strictures of water- and air-draught were again met on the return journey, while two tugs (bow and stern) were required for safety and manoeuvrability.

As with the Clyde contract, this flow ran like clockwork and is a testimony to the planning that went into the operation and the skill of the various crews involved.

Working around the tides brought with it extra challenges and there was even a week’s stand down to accommodate an especially low neap tide.

The transformer heading up the River Clyde aboard Terra Marique for unloading at King George V Dock, Glasgow. PHOTOS: JONATHAN MOSSE

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16 HERITAGE

August 2023

Red wheel unveiled on Wigan g lock flight

Barge carries fuel can for historic journey

Report & photos: Colin Wareing

The barge on display at Leeds Waterfront Festival. PHOTO: LAURIE POOLEY THE 500-tonne tanker Fusedale H was on display at the recent Leeds Waterfront Festival, writes David Lowe.

Organisers invited Humber Barges Ltd to participate reflecting the association of Canal Connections, who were closely involved in the event’s organisation and support, with the local barge operator.

Leeds Lock marks the absolute limit for craft of this size – the last time a 500-tonner arrived was for the IWA National Rally in August 1981 when tanker Humber Enterprise discharged

at the Esso wharf just downstream of Leeds Lock. It then proceeded the few hundred yards or so to Fearns Island, Leeds Lock for display – many other smaller freight craft were able to pass through Leeds Lock and moor near Leeds bridge at that 1981 event.

Fusedale H was one of six tankers built specifically, though not exclusively, to carry petroleum product from Saltend, Hull, to the Esso terminal at Leeds as part of a contract to move 2.5 million tonnes over 10 years from 1967, for which the Aire & Calder was enlarged and

Fusedale H at Leeds Lock. PHOTO: DAVID LOWE

deepened and a new wharf and pipeline provided.

Prior to that the smaller tankers passed through Leeds Lock to access Leeds New Dock to discharge.

The contract was extended, finally finishing in 1982, by which time the navigation had been further enlarged to its present 600-tonne limit, with new craft of that size built.

Fusedale H commemorated the Esso traffic by pausing at the former Esso wharf, now a visitor and services mooring, and by carrying an Esso fuel can, before moving on to Fearns Island where more than 100 visitors were able to view and board the vessel over the two days of the festival.

Thanks are due to Canal Connections for providing the services of a tug to assist arrival and departure – Fusedale H had to drop astern all the way down to Knostrop depot to turn – to the Canal & River Trust and volunteer lock keepers for permitting and facilitating the movement and to IWA West Riding branch for local support and assistance.

Heritage under the hammer

Early canal construction paperwork and a reminder of a Victorian navigation trust are among the highlights in Geoff Courtney’s bi-monthly report on the canalia auction scene.

THE paperwork went under the hammer at the quarterly email and postal sale of transport collectables held by auction house Paperchase from April 14-May 2. Among the lots was the 76-page Act of Parliament dated 1777 for building the Erewash Canal from Long Eaton to Langley Bridge which sold for £24.

The canal of nearly 12 miles was completed in 1779 for the transportation of mainly coal, and is described by the Canal & River Trust as a “wonderful route for exploring the Derbyshire countryside that inspired D H Lawrence.”

In the same auction were two ornately designed Leeds & Liverpool Canal Co share certificates for 3½% debenture stock that each realised £15.

This 127-mile canal was authorised by a Parliamentary Act in 1770, and

A Leeds and Liverpool Canal Co share certificate that sold for £15 at auction. PHOTO: PAPERCHASE

This Manchester Ship Canal Railways wagonplate fetched £160 at auction on June 3.

PHOTO: GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAYANA

was considered a tremendous feat of engineering due to its challenging route over the Pennines rising to a maximum height of 487ft above sea level. It took nearly 50 years to construct, opening in stages up to 1816.

It was the longest single canal in the country, and its main cargo was coal from the the Yorkshire mines to Liverpool docks, with more than a million tons being carried per year in the 1860s. It is still navigable today and has become a popular waterway for boating holidays.

A collection of 10 Port of Gloucester Sharpness New Docks & Gloucester & Birmingham Navigation Co directors’ reports for the years ending 1937-46 fetched £16, and at £13 came a 1790 Act of Parliament for building a 25-mile canal from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff that became the Glamorganshire Canal.

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Running along the valley of the River Taff, it was completed in 1798 primarily for iron ore traffic and included 50 locks, but was closed in stages up to 1951 and so was consigned to history, with few traces remaining today.

Finally within the canalia selection of the auction were five Calder & Hebble Navigation directors’ reports and accounts for the years 1937/38/4446 (£11), and a statement of local mill owners dated 1804 on the projected Portsmouth and Croydon Canal concerning potential damage to their businesses if the canal were to be built.

The statement ran to four pages, and the lot, which sold for £9, included a five-page reply from the canal’s owners.

On June 3 Great Central Railwayana held its quarterly live online auction that included a £480 realisation for a worksplate from an 0-4-0ST built in 1891 by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co of Kilmarnock for Clyde Navigation Trust of Glasgow, which was established in 1858 to develop and manage the river and its trade. The locomotive, one of whose subsequent owners was J Best, contractor for a new docks project at Leith in Edinburgh, was withdrawn in 1959.

Another railway artefact in the auction linked with a waterway was a Manchester Ship Canal Railways’ wagonplate numbered 2717 that sold for £160. Prices in the Paperchase auction exclude buyer’s premium of 12.5%, and those at Great Central 15% (plus VAT).

IN GLORIOUS sunshine the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Melanie Bryan, unveiled the latest National Transport Trust red wheel on a wall alongside Henhurst Lock (86) of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

It recognises the significance of the Wigan flight of locks which carry the canal up from the town to the next level of the canal on the hillside above Aspull – the final link that enabled the complete opening of the canal 207 years ago.

Melanie unveiled the red wheel after Canal & River Trust North West heritage advisor Bill Froggatt outlined a brief history of the canal

Parry, praised the efforts of the volunteers and local CRT staff who maintain the 21 locks of the flight and offer assistance to boaters using the locks. The National Transport Trust’s deputy chairman Jeremy Swift had travelled across Deputy Lord Lieutenant from York to oversee of Greater Manchester, proceedings and Melanie Bryan, unveils explain the workings the wheel. of the trust, which has and the locks, including now sited more than passages from George 150 red wheels around Orwell’s The Road to the country.

Wigan Pier though it was After watching the pointed out by former unveiling, guests had volunteer lock keeper of the opportunity to take the year, Peter Baxter, that drinks and sandwiches he hadn’t gone quite far aboard the restored Leeds enough with his quote! & Liverpool short boat Both Bill and the trust’s Kennet moored close to chief executive, Richard the nearby dry dock.

National Transport Trust’s deputy chairman Jeremy Swift and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Melanie Bryan with volunteer lock keepers from the Wigan flight of 21 locks.

Heritage harbour recognition for inland port Report & photo: Les Heath

SHARDLOW could hardly be further from the sea but this historic inland port at the start of the Trent & Mersey Canal has now been officially recognised as a Heritage Harbour.

The Maritime Heritage Trust, National Historic Ships and Historic England have joined forces to launch a new status of Heritage Harbours and Shardlow, in Derbyshire, is one of 10 to be nationally recognised. The trust aims to make more people aware of, care for and share the rich maritime heritage of UK harbours.

In a joint statement the three agencies explain: “Affording recognition to Heritage Harbours offers a way to breathe new life into these places as hubs of heritage-led regeneration and venues for events, open days, activities and trails, providing opportunities for wider public engagement.”

The initiative, which also includes local groups, seeks to recognise the

The iconic Clock Warehouse at Shardlow inland port, now recognised as a Heritage Harbour.

value of ageing ports and harbours, coastal or inland, including their historic buildings, moorings, maintenance facilities and even waste land.

Heritage Harbours is not a form of legal designation like a listed building. Rather the term underlines the historical importance of potential harbours identified with this label.

The first 10 locations chosen for the new status are where local groups are already helping to save their heritage, such as Shardlow with the Shardlow Inland Port Steering Group. Its members have already organised two successful festivals and have another arranged for September.

Seven of the ‘ports’ to be recognised are on the coast while Stourport and Chester, along with Shardlow, are on inland waterways.

Shardlow is considered to be Britain’s most complete surviving example of a canal village and has the best-preserved examples of canal architecture going back to the 1770s.

Sue Hampson, who chairs the festival steering group, said: “Shardlow could not be further from the sea, but we are thrilled to be recognised alongside the other locations. We hope that this recognition will prompt the local county and city councils to give some thought as to how to preserve this historical treasure on their doorstep and that investment will be forthcoming from private owners to help restore this important corner of our heritage.”

FAMILY HISTORY 17

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

Exploring your canal ancestry: pictures Nicola Lisle looks at how pictures can assist your research and help bring your family history to life.

IT’S all very well searching through records and documents to uncover your family history, but pictures can add a whole new dimension to your research.

They flesh out the bones with images that show not only your ancestors but the people, places and events that helped shape their lives, evoking a bygone era in a way that no document can ever do.

For canal families, photographs of ancestors’ boats (possibly with the boat name and canal company visible as well), the canals they travelled along, the places they travelled to and the work they carried out are all interesting and valuable additions to your research, revealing or confirming useful details and helping to build up a picture of your ancestors’ lives.

You probably already have a good collection of family photographs, hopefully with names and dates inscribed on the back. Group photographs might include family members you haven’t come across before, prompting a new avenue of research. Older relatives may be able to help identify unknown members in group photos and possibly put a date and place to a picture as well. It is also worth asking other family members if they have duplicates of any photographs or are willing to make copies for you.

Family photographs are just the start, though – there are many other ways of adding to your photo library. So, where to begin?

The Imperial War Museum in London.

The canal museum at Stoke Bruerne.

Following in their footsteps

There is no better way of feeling a connection to your ancestors than by seeking out the places that featured in their lives and taking your own photos.

By now you have hopefully gleaned plenty of details from census returns, BMD (birth, marriage and death) certificates, school records, company records, and so on. Make a list of all the places you have found so far with connections to your ancestors – churches, schools, houses, social clubs, hospitals and places of work, for example, as well as the canals they travelled along.

Photographs of any of these places will make wonderful additions to your family history collection.

It is also interesting to see how much these places have changed over the years.

Some buildings may no longer exist, while others may have been repurposed – it is not unusual for old schools, for example, to have been turned into private residences

– but they are still of interest, especially if the exterior has been preserved.

And while many canals have been renovated and are now thriving, others have become neglected and, in some cases, have disappeared altogether. In Wantage in Oxfordshire, for example, there is now a housing estate on the site of a former wharf, the canal having closed in 1914 after just over 100 years in operation. The Sack House – the former headquarters of the Sack Hiring

Company Ltd, which was responsible for the transporting of flour from a local mill along the canal – escaped demolition when the houses were built but is currently standing empty.

Canal museums, such as those at Stoke Bruerne, Gloucester, London Docklands and many more, are full of interest and can reveal much about your ancestors’ working and domestic lives. Relevant local history museums are also worth visiting. Most museums are happy for you to take pictures for non-commercial use. You can also search their online collections for pictures, which are usually available to purchase.

online. Search at https://historicengland. org.uk/images-books/photos/ For canal and boat pictures, search the vast collection at the Waterways Archives at Ellesmere Port (https:// collections.canalrivertrust.org.uk/ home) and National Historic Ships (www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk).

Other important collections include the British Library (https:// imagesonline.bl.uk), the National Maritime Museum (www.rmg.co.uk/ national-maritime-museum), Geograph Britain and Ireland (www.geograph.org. uk) and Adobe (https://stock.adobe.com/ uk), which features royalty-free images.

For ancestors who served in the armed forces, try the Imperial War Museums website (www.iwm.org.uk).

Another major resource is Wikimedia Commons (https ://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page), which has more than 94 million images, all freely available to use. Most of these are current or recent views – useful if you are unable to visit a place yourself – but there are some historic images as well.

As always with archives, the more you can narrow down your search the better.

Try searching by canal, canal company or boat name for the best results.

Searching online

The lovely canalside Holy Cross Church at Shipton-on-Cherwell near Oxford.

Online resources are particularly good for historic images – useful if a building of interest no longer exists, or if you want to include ‘then’ and ‘now’ pictures in your collection. Historic England has more than 12 million photographs, drawings and publications relating to listed buildings, and around a million of these are available

The Sack House at Wantage, Oxfordshire. PHOTOS: NICOLA LISLE

The new low-energy design hull allows for full solar electric power with an extended range or serial hybrid option.

Lloyd's Register Rules-based design provides a choice of alloys, Aluminium, Stainless Steel or Mild Steel with the confidence of the highest standards.

CALL TODAY 01908 686 796 Ask for George or email info@avalonmarine.co.uk

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Bridge

100 Festival Bridge 100 Festival with Marquee Friday 25th - Saturday 26th August

Friday 25th

Open mic night starting at 6pm till late, All musicians welcome

Saturday 26th

Cheshire Fire Brigade with fire engine demonstration 12 – 3pm Magician, Face Painting, Pizza’s, Hog Roast, Burgers and Bratwurst all day and evening

Live music from 2pm to late

Paul Larkham and Craig Moores John Darlington, Bob Perrins, Audiosonix, The Bas Cats

Beardsmith

For more information, please call 01270 528327 or visit www.thebarbridgeinn.co.uk Old Chester Road, Barbridge, Nantwich, CW5 6AY

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Open day at Barton Marina Retro on the Water returns to Gloucester Historic boats will be moored during the two-day event on August 26 and 27.

HELD during the late summer bank holiday weekend, Retro on the Water will link on the Saturday (August 26) with Gloucester Goes Retro with around 500 classic vehicles filling the historic central Gate Streets and Gloucester Docks.

Music and dance enthusiasts can visit the Mariners Square Stage in the docks to enjoy vintage acts and join in with swing dancing.

There will be interesting and historic boats moored over the weekend, events on the water and stalls from local waterways charities including the Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust, Cotswold Canals and the Canal & River Trust.

Neilson’s yard will be displaying some key historic artefacts, Dockside Atlas TableTop Gaming

will be offering children’s activities and refreshments and there will be a treasure trail for visitors to complete as they tour the many attractions around the docks.

Options for boat trips include rowing in the Crossings art installation, being taken on the captain’s launch from the 1921 RMS Mauritania, self-drive electric boats from Gloucester Boat Hire and trips aboard the Dunkirk Little Ship Queen Boadicea II. Events on the water will include radio-controlled boats from Gloucester Model Boat Club, many being replicas of famous ships, and a return of the race featuring 3ft cardboard replica Severn pilot sailing cutters. These are built by dockside businesses and

individuals from kits available from the Waterways Museum.

Details are subject to weather and last-minute changes but the event promises a full two days of interest in the historic docks, with restaurants, Gloucester Brewery, Quays Outlet Centre and hotels. For visiting boats passage from Llanthony Bridge direct to Gloucester Lock or reverse will continue, but mooring or manoeuvres in the dock will be limited, especially during events taking place between 10.30am to 4pm.

For details of how to take part contact Tony Aldridge, email tony@matilda1102. co.uk

HOME to more than 300 boats, Barton Marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire will be hosting an open day from 12pm-9pm on Saturday, August 5.

Following recent refurbishment and significant investment, the event will be a great opportunity to explore the marina, meet the dedicated team and take a look at

available boats and moorings.

There will be entertainment too, including food and drink,

a charity raffle and live music from Shaun Foster-Conley (ITV’s Benidorm), plus more!

The open day is free to attend, and if you pre-register online you will be in with a chance of winning a year’s mooring at Barton Marina at Barton Turn, Burton-on-Trent DE19 8DZ. It will also be offering complimentary mooring from Friday to Monday, August 4-7. Find out more at https://www.bartonmarina.co.uk/

Ireland’s inland waterways celebrated in photographs

By Alison Alderton

THE Goodly Barrow museum and cafe are housed in the former warehouse buildings at Goresbridge on the banks of the River Barrow in Co Kilkenny which has long associations with the navigation and former working barges which

once plied these waters.

Those bygone days are being celebrated in an exhibition at the museum of beautiful archive photographs taken by the late Robert Shorthall (until Sunday, August 13, free admission).

Robert Shorthall was born in New Ross, Co Wexford, in 1918 and became involved with

photography at an early age. Throughout his lifetime he captured, in both photography and film, some of the last canal barges to work the Irish inland waterways.

He died in 1981 but he left behind a legacy which continues to enthral those with an interest in the heritage of our waterways.

Robert’s photographs have been used in numerous publications and proved a useful tool in the essential research of heritage craft and bygone trades.

Find out more about The Goodly Barrow at www. goodlybarrow.ie

Bank holiday bonanza at Overwater Marina

Boat trips will be taken on the captain’s launch from the 1921 RMS Mauritania. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

WHAT’S ON IN AUGUST August 3 River Foss Society: 7.5

mile circular walk, Mill Green to Pond Head (Oulston reservoir). Meet 6pm Durham Ox pub, Crayke. Contact Anne Bednarski to confirm: annebednarski@hotmail.com August 5 Barton Marina: Open Day

at the marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Barton Turn, Burton-on-Trent DE19 8DZ, from 12pm-9pm with boats on show, food and drink, entertainment and live music. https://www. bartonmarina.co.uk/ August 5-6 Gardner Engine Forum:

Gardner Rally at Samuel Barlow’s pub and marina on the Coventry Canal. All types of engines including marine, stationary, trucks and industrial. Contact Mike on 07719 034583.

Roving Canal Traders Association: Floating market at

Fenny Stratford Canal Festival.

August 6 IWA Lichfield: Fundraising

lock wind at Barton Turn Lock from 10am-4pm followed by

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

barbecue for the participants.

Contact helen.whitehouse@ waterways.org.uk August 13 Canal &

River

Trust:

Heritage-themed Canal Town Sunday featuring characters in traditional costume.

National Waterways Museum, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 4FW.

August 16-17 Friends of Montgomery Canal: Lock wind.

August 19 River Foss Society: Riverside

Litter pick around Foss Islands/ Rowntree Wharf. Contact events@river fosssociety. co.uk for information prior to attending as numbers need to be known in advance.

August 19-20 Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust:

Brownhills Canal Festival.

Silver Street will be the venue for floating traders from the Roving Canal Traders Association, historic narrowboats and trade stalls.

See events calendar at www. lhcrt.org.uk

August 20 Erewash Preservation & Development Association: Open

day at Sandiacre Lock Cottages, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5LA, 10.30am-3.30pm. www. ecpda.org.uk August 23 River Foss Society: 5-mile

circular walk, Coxwold via Husthwaite. Meet 10am outside the Fauconberg Arms, Coxwold. Contact Derek Chivers to confirm: derek@ chivers.plus.com August 26-27 Gloucester Docks: Retro

on the Water with boat trips, activities, stalls, refreshments, music and dancing. Events between 10.30am and 4.30pm each day.

August 26-28 IWA: Festival of Water at

Pelsall Junction on the Wyrley & Essington Canal.

Roving Canal Traders Association: Floating market

at Milton Keynes.

August 27 Grantham Canal Society:

Open Day at Woolsthorpe Depot.

IT WILL be a busy August bank holiday at Overwater Marina, near Audlem, as it plays host to a weekend of local charity events.

On Friday, August 25, Overwater is hosting a charity quiz and hog roast. From 7pm quizmaster and marina manager David Johnson will act as an auctioneer for a wide-ranging promise auction – lots already include a two-night stay in one of Overwater’s luxury glamping wagons, a three-night stay for four in the beautiful Ash Lodge at Overwater, a gin tasting trip to the local Three Wrens Gin Distillery and a meal for two at The Lord Combermere in Audlem.

Last year’s event raised £2599.85 for the Audlem Lass Boat Service, which supports the RNLI and Overwater Wheelyboat Services who offer a wheelchairadapted minibus and boat service. Tickets are £10, including the hog roast – with veggie and vegan options on request – and can be bought from Overwater Reception (cash only) or online at

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ charityquiznight On Saturday, August 26, Overwater will once again support the Audlem Music and Arts Festival by hosting Music at the Marina. This year live bands will kick off from midday and play throughout the day and evening.

There will be plenty of food on offer, with both Overwater’s Café at Bridge 80 and the festival volunteers cooking up a storm and the bar is also open from midday. Entry is free, with car parking at just £5 a car. Overnight field camping for tents, caravans and motorhomes can be booked at https://www.audlemfestival. live/marinafestival And on Sunday, August 27, the festival will be presenting its first comedy night. Comedians include Steve Royale, a previous finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, as well as Karen Bayley, Chris Washington and the evening's compere Dave Twentyman.

Tickets are available at: https:// www.audlemfestival.live/events/

comedy-at-overwater-marina and are priced at £15 each, or tables (for six people) at £90 for a table.

It is hoped that this year’s events will once again raise muchneeded funds for the festival to take place again in May 2024.

Bratch Locks rally THE Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society hosts its Autumn Rally of Boats at Bratch Locks on Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3. Entry fee is £15 inclusive of commemorative plaque.

Contact Steve Bingham on 07964 151552 or email ste.bingham1954@ gmail.com

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Technician Zurek, left, giving Neil some guidance on handling the boat.

Welcome to Days Lock.

Ollie taking to the paddleboard.

Lewis prepares to enjoy his full English.

River Thames revisited

Janet Richardson and family enjoy a weekend’s cruising from Le Boat’s Benson base.

MY PREVIOUS cruising holiday on the River Thames was around 60 years ago with my parents. Then we hired a wooden Maid Line cabin cruiser on two consecutive years, enabling us to visit everywhere between Thames Ditton and Oxford.

So it was with a mix of excitement and nostalgia that I travelled to Le Boat’s Benson hire base with my son-in-law Neil and grandsons Ollie, 15 and Lewis, 12 to pick up a Calypso comfort cruiser for the weekend. Designed for lovers of traditional river cruising, this 43ft boat certainly dwarfed what I’d been on before with its three cabins and spacious saloon.

Having stopped at Wallingford for a quick stock-up at the Waitrose store, we arrived on the Friday afternoon in glorious sunshine. After unloading our luggage and parking the car in the secure compound, we were ready for the handover with technician Zurek.

He went through all the mechanics with our captain Neil and explained how everything worked inside, fetching an adaptor to convert one of the lighter points for additional charging for our phones and iPads.

Inside Days Lock with another cruiser and a narrowboat.

There are two steering positions at the front of the saloon and on the upper deck which Neil opted to use. Following some tuition from Zurek including turning the boat and reversing into a berth, we were on our way.

I said that we were planning to head north towards Oxford and asked where we would find our first mooring for the night; Zurek said he was more familiar with the river heading south towards Le Boat’s other Thames hire base at Chertsey but we should able to find something suitable.

Having downloaded the River

A lineup of craft at Le Boat’s Benson hire base.

Thames app on my iPhone I saw there were Environment Agency short-stay moorings at Days, Clifton and Culham locks but we were on the lookout for something before we got there as we just wanted to relax after a long car journey from Lincolnshire.

We eventually found a small space on the north side of the confluence with the River Thame near Dorchester-onThames where another Le Boat cruiser was moored on the south side.

It was a lovely quiet spot where the boys had a quick dip and their first try of the paddleboard we had hired with the boat. The only noise was the birdsong and we even saw a kingfisher darting past. It was beautiful.

Locks and lighter

We had a leisurely start to Saturday, the boys swimming and getting far more proficient on the paddleboard before brunch. Our we enjoyed a full English brunch

neighbours had already headed south and the only other signs of human life were the dog walkers and joggers going over the bridge along the riverside path passing through Hurst Water Meadows.

We then set off upstream for Days Lock and on to Clifton Lock. We had somehow managed to get our box of matches wet so couldn’t light the gas rings. We moored on the short stay moorings while the boys went to fetch ice cream from the lock office. office I then walked down

The Calypso cruiser moored above Clifton Lock.

Clifton Lock: A lovely display of flowers plus ice creams and a friendly lock keeper – what more could you want.

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Early morning ‘self-service’ at Culham Lock. to see if they had any matches and the lock keeper very kindly gave me a lighter which he said was a spare.

In the baking sunshine we carried on through the glorious countryside where we could hear church bells ringing – possibly for a wedding – to Culham Lock where there was another very helpful and friendly lock keeper.

We carried on to the outskirts of Abingdon where we decided to turn and head back downstream. The sky was threatening with the thunderstorms which had been forecast so we were looking for a mooring for the night.

Going back through Culham Lock the keeper pointed the way to some short stay moorings just under the bridge.

We then ordered our meal from Pizza Express in Abingdon which was promptly delivered to the lock car park by the Uber delivery man. After a sharp shower and some rumbles of thunder it cooled off and the sun returned for a lovely still evening.

One thing which surprised me during the day was how quiet the river was compared with the canals. However there were a variety of different river users from wild swimmers and paddleboarders to rowing boats, small motor launches, narrowboats and cruisers. And the wildlife with birdsong accompanying us on our way.

Homeward bound

Sunday morning promised another sunny day and I had a stroll up to the

lock at around 7am to see a cruiser heading for Windsor and a narrowboat going through using ‘self-service’, the keeper not due to start till 9am. I then sat on deck enjoying the song-filled stillness broken only by traffic crossing the bridge.

It was soon time to start heading back to Benson as, although on a weekend break we were due to return the boat by 9am on Monday, we needed to return home on the Sunday evening ready for work and school the following day.

The temperature soon started to rise and with the suncream applied we headed back downstream – again enjoying an ice cream at Clifton Lock.

We then passed through some more open countryside where cattle had gone down to the river for a drink and hay bales stood in the distance. There was again the sound of church bells ringing across the fields.

We moored alongside a water meadow for a brunch stop and the boys again took to the paddleboard, dodging an inquisitive swan and families of Canada geese with their broods. We then carried on through Days Lock before stopping for a break at the same place as we had moored on the Friday night.

The river got busier as we cruised along the final stretch back to Benson, managing to avoid a young kayaker having steering problems by going through the outside arch of a bridge and missing moored boats the other side.

We again encountered paddleboarders

and kayakers as Neil tried to manouevre and reverse into the only gap between the moored hire boats. With lots of spectators sitting outside the waterfront cafe watching our every move, he decided to go in forwards which we had been told we could do.

Neil and the boys summed it all up perfectly by saying they wished they could have stayed for the week – perhaps next time.

The tranquil moorings below Culham Lock.

About Le Boat on the Thames

Le Boat is a leading provider of inland water boating holidays, bringing together 50 years of experience, expertise and memories. It has a fleet of large self-drive cruisers, allowing entire families to stay on board and to explore their chosen region. A selfdrive river cruise from Chertsey or Benson allows holidaymakers to explore the western section of the River Thames. Here moorings are easy to find and the distance between locks is greater than at the river’s eastern end, which means more cruising.

There’s the dreaming spires and universities of Oxford out to the west of Benson, or head east and boaters can be in Henleyon-Thames, the home of British rowing. The whole family will love Legoland Windsor Resort with its fun rides and live shows! Or take a family audio tour of Windsor Castle or an information trail around Hampton Court. Perfect for those seeking an affordable staycation and with no previous experience necessary, Le Boat’s Thames holidays can be whatever guests want them to be, from a full-on action-packed adventure to a slow-paced, relaxing chance to unwind.

Sample price

A three-night self-catered stay on board a Calypso, which sleeps up to eight people, departing October 21, starting and ending at the Benson base, costs from £909 per boat, £114pp based on eight people sharing. No boating licence or experience necessary.

The season runs until the end of October.

Le Boat (023 9222 2177, www. leboat.co.uk) Cattle wander down to the river for a drink. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON

A narrowboat has the river to itself as it heads downstream.

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RED HILL MARINA RATCLIFFE-ON-SOAR, NOTTINGHAM, NG11 0EB

TEL: 01509 672770/07760 627421 • EMAIL: enquiries@redhill-marina.co.uk Leisure and residential moorings Boat land storage, boat repairs and fitouts Slipway and boat hoist to handle up to 60 ton, 70ft x 14 ft BOAT BUILDING, BOAT PAINTING, REPAIRS, SALES AND CHANDLERY.

RED HILL MARINA OPEN DAY - AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY SATURDAY 26TH AUGUST TO MONDAY 28TH AUGUST 2023 INCLUDING VINTAGE & COLLECTABLE TRACTOR DISPLAY VARIOUS TYPES OF FLOAT HOMES AVAILABLE AT RED HILL MARINA UP TO 40FT LONG X 14FT WIDE.

THESE CAN BE MOVED BY ROAD TRANSPORT. VARIOUS MOORINGS ALSO AVAILABLE AT RED HILL MARINA LEISURE, RESIDENTIAL, OFFICE SPACE MOORINGS AVAILABLE ALSO PROJECT BOATS AND FLOAT HOMES AVAILABLE.

For all enquiries, please contact the Marina office on: 01509 672770

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

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24 MARINAS & MOORINGS

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Kings Bromley

Have you seen some of the recent upgrades to Aquavista marinas!?

They're not just a pretty picture you know.

This is Kings Bromley, a quiet spot on the Trent and Mersey Canal, where our customers now enjoy luxury ensuite bathrooms and laundry rooms with modern washers and dryers – all open 24/7. Outside is a refreshed customer lounge and sun terrace with a shiny new island gazebo and BBQ. And for the dogs, a brand new dog wash (with lovely warm water). All these and other upgrades help make life by the water that bit more special.

Call us on 0115 907 7444 to chat about our leisure moorings and to arrange a tour – we’d love to show you around so you can see why our marinas are so special.

Alternatively, visit aquavista.com to learn more.

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FRADLEY MARINA

07941 167 087

Moorings available • 3 mooring locations • Long term non-residential moorings only • For further information and availability please email us at: info@basingstoke-canal. co.uk or call 01252 370073

Holland Moorings Farnborough • •

Car park facilities Nearest water point, refuse disposal 2.5km

Canal Centre Moorings Mytchett •

•

Water point, refuse disposal, elsan, pump out, car park facilities Situated next to Visitor Centre, Campsite and Cafe

Bridge Barn Moorings Woking •

Water point, refuse disposal, elsan point and situated next to canal-side pub

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

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

www.fradleymarina.co.uk |

fradleymarina | 07941 167 087

Forest Bank Moorings

New flood-safe moorings on the River Avon in the Heart of England Forest For more information contact Mark on 07500 700718 or mark.waterson@heartofenglandforest.org heartofenglandforest.org/moorings

Also visit our website: www.basingstoke-canal.co.uk

Welford Road, Barton, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire B50 4NP

.0 0$) $)320 5' 0$) +$2541$"2) (6"56

'Touring /),"0% Park .-,!

4/3"(-# 1Wagons /(%&+ Glamping

1/0% -0( +$/,* *&,2 2//,"0%+

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+##1: .0%:* ,4"1:&* +7:8759:* +/- ),; 6:1:!7#%: &"!$& #"!%$$

'/88# 1)2,"-)* 7552"6%1 )6%"6))2"6% &52!1$54 -3')

26 MARINAS & MOORINGS

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Hill Farm Marina

South Stratford Canal The View Restaurant is now fully open www.theview-eat.co.uk • Enjoy private access to a traditional 200 acre beef and sheep farm • Dogs run free in designated areas.

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

A marina that offers you a choice

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

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

It goes without saying....

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

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

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

KNOWLE MOORINGS BAKERS LANE, SOLIHULL

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

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

OFF-LINE NON-RESIDENTIAL 20 BOAT MOORINGS NOW OPEN. GRAND UNION CANAL, BETWEEN BRIDGES 68 & 69 ALONGSIDE ‘THE BLACK BOY’ PUB & RESTAURANT WATER & ELECTRIC PER BERTH, OPEN ALL YEAR, VERY PICTURESQUE & TRANQUIL SETTING, SAFE & SECURE, COMPETITIVE RATES.

TELEPHONE 07813 156950

www.droitwichspamarina.co.uk Tel: 07970 626807 or 01905 317250

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

MARINAS & MOORINGS 27

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

Blisworth Marina Cruising mooring - Go cruising for 3 months and get 20% discount Pay for 2 years and get a discount of 10% on 2nd year Widebeam berths available

For Boat Sales please visit our website Blisworth Arm NN7 3FG www.blisworthmarina.co.uk info@blisworthmarina.co.uk 01604 879827

HAREFIELD MARINA HAREFIELD MA ARINA

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

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

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

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

WWW.TEWKESBURY-MARINA.CO.UK Follow Us

The ideal location for exploring East Anglia’s Waterways with easy access to the canal network

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

One days cruising from the Thames.

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2 B E DR OOMS | 2 BAT HR OOMS 775 SQ F T

H OMES AVAI LABLE FR OM

£295,000

ENJOY LIFE AFLOAT WITH A HOME ON THE WATER Nestled alongside the mighty River Severn and just a stone’s throw away from the enchanting market town of Upton-upon-Severn, Waterfront Living is a pioneering project that sets the standard for floating homes. Offering two bedroom luxury homes with spacious decking and modern interiors, you can continue life afloat with more space to live, relax and entertain.

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

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

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

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

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

! QUIET AND SECURE MOORINGS ! BOAT REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

! GAS, DIESEL AND PUMP OUT

Boat engine service £225.00 Single day empty and refill £250.00 V bottom boat extra charge (at the time of booking you must inform us if your Boat is V-Bottom £100.00 Extra days in the dock if already booked in for blacking or service will be charged at £70 per day Blacking consists of jet washing the hull of the boat down and making sure area is clean and dry, should we find anything of concern we will contact you to inform you. We can offer various blacking products please call us and speak to us.

Anodes are £150 per pair and fitting/welding is £60.00 per pair if purchased from us.

All other works are charged at £60.00 per hour

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

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

CONTACT US ON 0121 455 6163 FOR ANY ENQUIRES

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

Services:

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

Facilities:

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

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

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

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

Fenny Marina Finding peace away from home

www.thefennymarina.co.uk

moorings@fennymarina.co.uk | Fenny Marina Ltd Station Fields Southam CV47 2XD

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

Open Monday – Saturday 9am until 3pm.

Everyone welcome!

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

30 MARINAS & MOORINGS / PRODUCTS & SERVICES

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.LimekilnChandlers.co.uk Boat Yard Services Dry dock & Wet dock available for full 7 day bookings.

Now booking for 2023!

Dry dock services: ! DIY dry dock – free pressure washing included. ! Clean off service available; wire brush etc. ! Blacking service available ! Over-plating, welding, repairs, maintenance & servicing ! Anode fitting ! Checking stern gear ! Hire for surveys ! Shot blasting to white metal including 3 coats two-pack (hull only)

Marina & Moorings

Marina Services Coal – Chandlery - Diesel - Calor Gas Pump out – Engine Servicing – Boat repairs - Temporary moorings Second hand narrowboats purchased for cash, please call for details.

Chandlery Shop Monday to Friday - 9:30am – 4:00pm Closed Saturday and Sunday

Canal Yard, York Street, Stourport - on – Severn, DY13 9EH TEL: 01299 821111 Spring into the season with our special offers available now British Made anodes available from stock

Fire accessories

Chimneys from £30 in stock Black or Stainless steel.

Elsan Products

International Intertuf 16 & two pack products

Hillmorton Wharf Marina

NEW 57FT CRUISER STERN BOAT FOR DELIVERY IN AUGUST 2023 For sale due to cancelled order!

We have just started a build, so avoid our long waiting list and jump the queue for a brand new narrowboat with wet room and bow thruster. £129,950

For spec reference, please look at our facebook page for Renee, Megan or Lucy.

Call or message for more information on: 01788 543570, Option 0 or email: enquiry@hillmortonwharf.com

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 31

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

Kingfisher Marine Electrical

CALL FOR A FREE SAMPLE NOW!

Live it – Install it – Sell it – Support it

Live aboard Narrowboaters British Marine Trained (BMET) Installations in Gloucestershire Nationwide Delivery Specialist advice Victron, Sterling, Solar Batteries (Sealed, AGM, Gel, Lithium) and so much more!

Free delivery over £75

Check out Narrowboat Electrician on Youtube

info@kingfisher-marine.co.uk www.kingfisher-marine.co.uk

Woodworks Boat Fitting Bespoke boats to any stage of completion • Repair and alteration service Wheelhouses and dogboxes made to order

HANDMADE WOODWORK (WORCESTERSH HIRE)

Bespoke dinette furniture delivered to your boat with reaady assembled units that are easy to install.

ORDER YOUR BESPOKE DINETTE NOW! 01562 540204 www.okkjoiinery.co.ukk orders@okjoinery.co.uk

al Join us for our annu l. stiva Waterside Music Fe 23 20 t s u g u A th 2 1 & th 1 1 , Utah Saints, Dario G more d n a ’s 0 0 s v ’s 0 9 ra Ult e.co.uk

nthorn Visit www.bargein

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.boat-fitting.co.uk PHOTOS - VIDEOS - INFORMATION Unit 72, Road B, Boughton Ind. Est. New Ollerton, Notts. NG22 9LD 01623 860 553 email: info@boat-fitting.co.uk Proprietor: Andrew C. Hooke B.A. (Hons)

Call us about our Hull Epoxying Deals. Dry Dock, Shot Blast & 2 Pack Coating from only £1995.00 +VAT Fully serviced berths available up to 60’ at fantastic rates ● On-site Chandlery & Brokerage ● Narrowboat services including Re-plating, Fabrication and Fit-Outs ● Diesel, Gas & Solid Fuels ● Full boat shot blasting and painting services ● Covered dry-docking available up to 70’ x 16’ ● Narrowboat & Cruiser lifting & Hardstanding Storage ● CCTV & WiFi on site ● Pub & Restaurant on site ● Boat Sales (new and used) ● Outboards ●

Now taking drydock bookings for 2024!

Sttaniland aniiland d Marina, Lo Lock Hill, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 5EP

Tel: 01405 816992 • www.stanilandmarina.co.uk

On the Stainforth & Keady Canal, convenient for all waterways in the north

32 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

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

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

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

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

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

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 33

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

TRAVELSAT

GO TO:- www.tankbusters.co.uk - for full details of Fuel Cleaning Services and Equipment.

Call 07974 808277 or email: bruce@tankbusters.co.uk

07914 401 036

! smhicks@btinternet.com

www.travelsat.me.uk

WHAT'S IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR FUEL TANK?

INTERNET CONNECTION ON THE MOVE

The Problem…

Poor 3G/4G/5G and £799 Wi-Fi signals on your travels?

Used one micron filter bag & 100ppm water removal filters with saturated diesel being filtered

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“

I have just had the Maxview Roam system installed and it is brilliant! I now get download speeds comparable to being in a house, and that’s a 500% increase in speed. The device is discrete and expertly installed with a test before I bought to ensure the device was worth having. All I can say is, I wish I’d known about this along time ago. Absolutely brilliant and recommending it to all my friends!

Magnet filter bowl

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Tankbusters filter first by magnet removing larger particles of rust! Fuel/other contamination is then filtered to a micron filter bag. Water filters remove water to 100 parts per million (ppm) using tankbusters own filtration equipment.

More & More customers are frequently complaining they have had there tank cleaned by a competitor, only to break down again. They call Tankbusters who attend and take samples from the tank and find the fuel still has water / diesel bug and rust in the tank. Clearly a COWBOY JOB. Tankbusters filter to One Micron & Removes water to 100ppm CALL TANKBUSTERS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

NARROWBOAT AND WIDEBEA M WINDOWS

Your needs . . .

Seagoing

Saildrives

Inland Waterways

Marine Generating Sets

Spares & Support

• 5 year self-service warranty*.

• 36 years of customer centred focus, listening to needs & delivering long term value solutions.

• Full hydraulic drive and hybrid propulsion options available.

• Specialists in customer advice & support at all points of a products life.

• NEW Beta 14 E-Drive, 14kW constant electrical propulsion power.

• Superb after-sales service via our network of approved engine installers and service centres.

• Super silent acoustic housings, 3.5 or 5.0 kVA travel power & bow thruster options available.

• Extensive range of 14 to 98 HP keel cooled propulsion engines with mechanical or hydraulic gearboxes.

• Keel cooled Generating Sets 4 to 58 kVA with or without super silent acoustic housings.

. . . our tailored solutions

delivering reliability and peace of mind

• REDUCE CO2 BY 90%! Having conducted performance tests on HVO fuel Beta Marine have concluded it is compatible and can be safely used continuously without engine modification. If other FAME bio fuels are used or mixed we strongly advise to make use of our alternative fuel kit option. Available for new or retro fit-able to existing engines. *Recreational use, terms & conditions apply.

www.betamarine.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1452 723492 Email: sales@betamarine.co.uk

34 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

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

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

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

ALVECOTE MARINA GROUP Narrowcraft Brokerage - Alvecote Marina - South Midland W.T. BOATYARD SERVICES

The No.1 choice for hull blacking

• Engine and Heating Servicing • Breakdown Callout and Repairs • Gas, Electrical and Plumbing Specialists • BSC’s & Safety Examination Work • Engine Sales and Installation • Traditional boat painting • Specialists in Historic engines and craft • Boat Brokerage

MOORINGS

• Marina Moorings • Long and short term Moorings • Coal, Gas, Diesel & Pumpouts

DRY DOCK

• Bottom Blacking • Anode Replacement • Cabin Painting • Welding • Surveys GREAT DEALS ON EBERSPACHER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT

SEE OUR BOATS FOR SALE ON PAGE 65 Taking full boat painting bookings for 2024

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

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

www.AlvecoteMarina.co.uk

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 35

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

L R I N A arine E T m S

FOR ALL YOUR BOATING NEEDS NB “A DREAM COME TRUE”

We are pleased to offer this beautiful 2004 58’0” “READY TO GO” Narrow Boat.

Built by JL Pinder with cruiser stern and exceptional fit out including Barrus 40 engine, solar panels, oil fired CH, washing machine, spin dryer and Satellite TV.

HiQ

MARINE SERVICES UK LTD

Based in Nottingham, offering quality services across the Midlands

With over 50yrs experience we provide quality workmanship at sensible prices.

• Engine and gearbox servicing and repairs • Stern gear servicing and repairs • Electrical system design, installation and repairs for both 12 and 240V, including batteries and inverters • Solar panel system design, installation and repairs • Diesel heating system installation and repairs • Bow thruster repairs • Installation of the latest SMART technologies • Free estimates • Prices per job not per hour Tel 07741 650559 Email enquiries@hiqmarine.co.uk www.HiQmarine.co.uk

One owner from new, this is an opportunity to acquire a much loved boat.

Price: £61,950 Call Terry on 01299 877223

THE BOSUNS LOCKER KIT

A Multi surface polishing & cleaning kit for larger marine craft up to 75 ft. long. The Bosun’s Locker Kit has all the products in one kit to deal with most marine surface problems and restore them to how they should look & quickly.

The different surfaces of your boat tend to suffer in differing degrees from weather. It does not matter if your boat is in England, Scotland, Wales or overseas, weather is the key to 90% of boat surfaces breakdown.

The Bosun’s Locker Kit has all the products in one kit for you to deal with most marine surface problems and restore them.

Engine Service – Fixed Price £125.00 inc VAT Call 01299 877223 for details

DISTRIBUTORS & STOCKISTS FOR MAJOR BRANDS FULL BOAT YARD SERVICES

DIESEL, GAS, SOLID FUEL & PUMPOUTS ENGINE REPAIR, SERVICING, REPLACEMENT ALL MARINE ENGINEERING SERVICES INTERNAL REFITS, IMPROVEMENTS, REPAIR ELECTRICS, WATER, GAS, HEATING INSTALLATIONS

THE BOSUNS LOCKER KIT IS JUST £56.00 Plus P&P Do you have questions about this kit?

Call James on 01299 896117 Or Order directly on www.bulletpolish. co.uk (In the Marine dropdown menu)

www.bulletpolish.co.uk

ON BOAT HAVEN T R E H T O DIESEL TREATMENT PRODUCT

FOR YOUR CHANDLERY NEEDS

OIL, FUEL, AIR FILTERS & BELTS ENGINE SPARES, ANTIFREEZE & COOLANTS BATTERIES, INVERTERS, ELECTRICAL SPARES FULL RANGE OF DECK & CABIN FITTINGS ALL SPARES & CONSUMABLES

FIRST FOR WINTERISING YOUR BOAT

HANKOOK BATTERIES

ELSAN PRODUCTS

ENGINE LANE, STOURPORT, WORCS DY13 9EP 01299 877223 enquiries@starlinenarrowboats.co.uk Open: Mon/Fri (8am-5pm) Sat/Sun (10.30am to 2pm) Emergency breakdown: 01531 632003 - 7 days a week

Facilities include:

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

Opening Hours:

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

Mobile: 07581 459309

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

36 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Hempsted Historic Dry Dock 50% OFF UP TO

DRY DOCK SPACES E AVAILABL !

W O N CALL

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

F.O.C. no obligation measure & sample viewing at your boats. Centrally located for your convenience.

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

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

PLEASE NOTE:

Our standard curtain lining includes a Teflon finish for added protection from moisture and soiling

01827 313334

info@elitefurnishings.co.uk

338 BRISTOL ROAD, GLOUCESTER GL2 5DH

01452 415430

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

moorings • boat sales chandlery • marina services

Stock Boats

at www.eveshammarina.co.uk

New Eurocruiser £174,950 ex Vat • 60’ x 12’6” • 2 Berth • 2023 A 2023, 60ft, One bedroom, Euro cruiser from Collingwood Boats, In addition to the standard features this boat has, A Rear Canopy Fitted, A Dishwasher, A Wine Chiller and A Bow Thruster.

This boat is available with a mooring, subject to terms and conditions.

New Shearwater

£148,950

• 60’ x 6’10” • 4 Berth • 2023

MOORINGS THAT ARE SAFE & SECURE WITH EXCELLENT FACILITIES FOR BOTH LEISURE & RESIDENTIAL Contact Marc or visit www.eveshammarina.co.uk today!

Evesham Marina Kings Road • Evesham • WR11 3XZ info@eveshammarina.co.uk

01386 768500

A 2023 Shearwater Narrowboat from Collingwood Boats, in addition to the standard features this boat has, an Upgraded 42hp Engine, Long Cruiser Stern with Cushions, Pram cover, L Shape Dinette and a Washer Dryer.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 37

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

Dry Dock available - Normally a weekly turn around (5 days). Mainly for blacking, fitting anodes and minor repairs - £110 per day Crane, lifting out boats for storing and work on open hard standing - £230 each way.

Hard Standing polytunnel for more extensive work requiring more than a week out of water.

Well stocked shop, as well as diesel and gas available in most of the popular sizes

Book any of the above and receive a 10% discount.

Quote TPT10 Q uote rreader eader offer offer T PT10

PREMIUM BITUMEN FOR THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION Hull Blacking with high volume solids smlmarinepaints.co.uk 01285 862 132

01442 872985 www.hemelmarina.com

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

DIESEL HEATING FOR BOATS Servicing Spare parts Technical Help System Design

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

Kits from £1695.00

LEADING UK SUPPLIER OF EBERSPACHER HEATERS & SPARE PARTS

HYDRONIC D4WSC EXCHANGE SERVICE For only £535.00 receive one of our factory reconditioned units when you send us your old, non functioning D4WSC or D5WSC*.

*Service exchange T&Cs apply

CALLSTART APP

Control your heater through your phone

Easy installation. Simple on/off.

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

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

38 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

August 2023

CLEANING’S A PLEASURE WITH MIRACLE LEISURE! LADDER-MATE

COMBINATION RESCUE LADDER/GANGPLANK

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

Most accidents happen in or around locks.

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

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

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

A FULL RANGE OF CLEANING PRODUCTS

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

Choice of sizes.

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

from

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

users

PROP-MATE

Keeps your weedhatch clear

£20 + p&p

Half cleaned mushroom

TOWPATH Issue 204, October 2022

Issue 203, September 2022

AND WEEKEND LEISURE MIDWEEK COURSES NOW AVAILABLE!

01902 544329 k www.midlandmarine.co.u

80 PAGES

80 PAGES

RALLY CELEBRATES CANAL MILESTONE

BOATERS BATTLE WEED INVASION

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waterways users

and Safety, Rescue, Access For all your Training,Equipment needs.

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The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

Issue 202, August 2022

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P7

A moment

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Cornish lock row

BOATS FOR SALE

Bridge No On a warm August evening – Foxwell’s

changes, canals have seen great visited the Kelpies and from the gradual fading of their use 8,1990, Philip, she Elizabeth II Canal. & Avon Canal on July routes and subsequent of opened the Queen The Queen Kennet the National as freight their rebirth for leisure the narrowboat Rose THE death of Her Majesty Other visits included to an era for the boarding to break a ceremonial tape at Ellesmere Port decline, wildlife and is not only the end of Lock Waterways Museum on the Leeds & boating and as cherished for the inland Hungerford nation as a whole but also the Caen Hill flight, where a boat trip spaces.” paid several across Lock in in 1979 and as part of her well-being expressed by waterways to which she 43 is named Queen Elizabeth Liverpool Canal at Burnley Condolences were also 70-year reign. tour in 2012. official visits during her to King Charles III and II Canal in her honour. she opened the Falkirk Diamond Jubilee monarch, Scottish Canals Royal Family.

The Queen Elizabeth In Scotland Paying tribute to the late the Kennet & recent “Over members of the Scotland and a lock on in 2002 and her most Continued on page 2 Canal & River Trust stated: name and are a Wheel in 2017 when, the Kingdom’s Avon Canal carry her waterways visit was her lifetime, the United by her husband Prince lasting legacy of these connections. the restored accompanied She officially reopened will be hosting a Let’s Chat Trust River & Canal website, THE Bath on Monday, of past meetings for its Bradford-on-Avon near sea COLLATING a list Ivan Cane, event at be on the towpath of the to ‘flush’ out the historic Association chairman October 5. The team will 2pm and CANAL water was used was Northern Canals Keith Gibson and Chris Hayes, Kennet & Avon Canal between 11am and built-up sand. The work helped by past chairmen lock gate at Bude to clear customer or Council following the driest has found some interesting facts and trends, particularly inviting anyone, whether an existing No carried out by Cornwall societies to call and find out more. caused some controversy the way that many groups have changed from of The new to the waterways, August in 40 years and this event, which is part who were concerned about to trusts and how their names have evolved. booking is required for among local residents supported by the People’s wildlife and claimed the Canal has hosted most meetings on the free Let’s programme the effect on fish and other with diggers. However Huddersfield Narrow and 2013. NCA’s meeting Postcode Lottery. with six between 1991 sand could have been cleared sluicing as ‘essential’ and Sunday, October 9 at Chesterfield will be its 80th. the council described the almost immediately. said water levels recovered

Let’s Chat

NCA fact file

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t accoun

By Phil Pickin

BOATERS are being urged to conserve the water after drought conditions left canal system struggling to cope.

Already difficult situations have been to made worse by the lack of water due & weeks without rain, resulting in Canal River Trust having to impose restrictions on a number of stretches of waterway.

While navigation closures currently mostly affect northern waterways, that he nationwide drought means restricted opening times are now being

Licence fee rise

Boaters to than usual to conserve water. repair works at our reservoirs possible introduced in some parts of the South, safeguard them for the extreme weather can help by sharing locks where are the and making sure gates and paddles on the Grand Union Leicester Line, that is likely to become more common north and south Oxford and Coventry due to climate change, coupled with far fully closed after use. a “We appreciate what an impact this canals. To help canal users CRT has less rainfall than we needed, have meant and we are page on its website to provide up-to-date that there just isn’t enough water for has on boaters in the area cruising plans information to boaters on the situation, navigation. We will be carefully watching sorry that this will affect experiencing which will hopefully improve after some how the reservoirs refill and will open this summer. If anyone is any problems please get in touch.” significant rainfall. at the locks as soon as possible.

Stoppage information is available is CRT chief operating officer Julie She continued: “While this the www.canalrivertrust.org.uk and drought Sharman said: “The heatwave is currently mainly affecting our northern using the last thing we wanted. We’re incredibly waterways, we’re asking boaters across information can be found to search facility. disappointed that we are having the country, with the help of volunteer Continued on page 2 introduce further restrictions. lock keepers, to be even more careful “Unfortunately, the ongoing essential

will rise by a CANAL & River Trust boat licences increase this further 4% from October 1. The second is in conjunction year, following a 4% rise in April, it to increase with cost-saving measures and actions the trust to income from other sources. According inflation current this will still be some way below further. Full story of 9.4% which is predicted to rise turn to page 77. and reaction from IWA and NABO,

01270 528251

www.venetianmarina.co.uk

www.whiltonmarina.co.uk

IWA meeting date

Business as usual

remains open, THE Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre for the rest of the despite the lift being closed to boats the closure was season. A fall in visitor numbers since gates prompted announced for repairs on the caisson it is still business the Canal & River Trust to stress that Boat trips are as usual at the centre near Northwich. between the now available along the River Weaver lift and town centre twice a day.

bank

t accoun

01327 842577

www.whiltonmarina.co.uk

01902 544329 www.midlandmarine.co.uk www.midlandmarine.c www .midlandmarine.co. o.uk uk

The magnificent seven

PORTABLE AIR COOLER

WORTH £340

Canal closures could impact on summer cruising plans THE unprecedented high temperatures and prolonged dry spell has resulted in the Canal & River Trust taking action to manage the very low water levels, particularly in the north of England.

These have included the closure of the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals until these have recovered enough for safe navigation, plus the temporary closure of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between the Wigan Lock Flight and Gargrave.

Reduced operating hours have also been introduced on the Rochdale Canal to manage the limited thirdparty water supply and should there

63rd Annual THE Inland Waterways Association’s 24 at The General Meeting is on Saturday, September on Waterways for Guildhall in Lichfield. A presentation for the waterways Today – IWA’s comprehensive vision of awards – at 10.30am will be followed by presentationbe able to will before the AGM at 11.30am. Members link), as well as in attend the sessions remotely (Zoom person. For more details visit www.waterways.org.uk

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RTHAMPTONSHIRE NOR NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

LEISURE MIDWEEK AND WEEKEND COURSES NOW AVAILABLE!

CRICK COMES ALIVE FOR ROYAL JUBILEE WEEKEND

Historic Narrowboat the motor Nutfield into Braunston Marina to formally open the 2022 Actor and canal enthusiast Timothy West (right) with Nick Lake steering TIM COGHLAN being towed behind. Full report and more photos on pages 4-5. PHOTO: Rally. His wife Prunella Scales co-opened it on the butty Raymond

be no improvement in the position, the trust may be forced to close the canal at short notice.

Unless there is a significant improvement, temporary closures will come into place from August 1 of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Caldon Canal, Hazelhurst Flight. The trust is also keeping an eye on riverfed stretches of navigation which are subject to river flow.

A spokesman told Towpath Talk: “The rest of the network is largely holding up well. A huge thank-you goes to the teams out managing resources – including, of course, our

British Marine moves

WAVE International and Aycliffe Filtration MD Paul Gullet has been appointed the new president of industry trade association British Marine. He takes over from Ian Cooke, who has served in the position since 2020. Alongside Paul, Robert Parton, MD of Aqueduct Marina, has been voted in by the council as British Marine’s president-elect.

01270 528251

www.venetianmarina.co.uk

the ongoing essential repair works at our reservoirs to safeguard them for the extreme weather that is likely to become more common due to climate change, coupled with far less rainfall than we needed, have meant that there just isn’t enough water for navigation.

“We appreciate what an impact this has on boaters in the area and we are sorry that this will affect cruising plans this summer. If anyone is experiencing any problems please get in touch.”

To find out more about stoppages and water levels affecting navigation, please visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/ notices.

Hazelhurst bridge project

THE 2023 Waterway Restoration Conference run

by IWA and the Canal & River Trust will be held in Chesterfield on Saturday, March 18. The event, from 10am-4pm, will focus on the sustainability of your restoration and explore your journey to operation with keynote speakers from Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Canal Trust.

THE Canal & River Trust is starting an 11-month £2 million project to rebuild the historic Grade II Listed Hazelhurst Bridge on the mainline of the Caldon Canal, near Endon in Staffordshire.

Construction work by engineering contractor Kier is planned to start in early August and should be completed in July 2023.

After a three-year absence the Tall Ships Festival returned to Gloucester Docks. Seven ships enjoyed a safe passage along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to be welcomed by more than 150,000 visitors over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend. More on page 5. PHOTO: PAUL BOX

Disappointing delay to grant review decision PUBLICATION of the review into future grant funding for the Canal & River Trust has been delayed until the autumn.

It was due on July 1, which would have coincided with the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Canal & River Trust as a charity on July 2, 2012, when it took over the functions and properties of the former British Waterways Board in England and Wales. Its patron is HRH the Prince of Wales.

Government department Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the trust have been gathering the information necessary for the review into funding beyond the end of the current grant period in 2027.

A CRT spokesman said: “While we are disappointed at the delay to the review, we are continuing to work with Defra to achieve a successful outcome that will ensure the waterways have the funding

to your

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bank

account

RTHAMPTONSHIRE NOR NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

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Regent’s 200th

FOR the whole of July, visitors to the Anderton Boat Lift at Lift Lane, Northwich, Cheshire, can buy a 10am boat trip ticket for £10 per person. The ‘All 10’ promotion is being held to celebrate the Canal & River Trust’s 10th anniversary. The trips, on the glass-sided boat The Edwin Clark, last one hour and usually cost £14.50 for adults and £12.50 for children aged 3-15. Tickets can be bought at the venue and only apply to the 10am trip. For more information email info@andertonboatlift.co.uk or go to www. canalrivertrust.org.uk – click on places to visit.

GUIDED kayak tours on the Birmingham Canal Navigations are available during July from 10.30am-12.30pm on available dates, enabling visitors to see the city from a different perspective. No previous experience is necessary and guides will lead the journey through the city’s heart on sit-on-top kayakswhich arestable forbeginners andexperienced kayakers alike. For information and to book on a Bustling Birmingham kayak tour which costs £30, concessions £25, under 18s to be accompanied by an adult, visit roundhousebirmingham.org.uk

THE East End Canal Festival over the weekend of July 16-17 will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Regent’s Canal. A free community event in Mile End Park, Clinton Road E3 4QY and on the canal, the festival will be open each day from 11am-5pm. Activities will include boat trips, an art exhibition, entertainment, stalls, five workshops, carnival costumes, a floating cinema, pond dipping and much more. Refreshments include an East End WI tea and cakes. For information visit www. regentscanalheritage.org.uk

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date set in the current grant agreement.”

It expects to publish the review in the autumn.

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has been campaigning for continued Government funding for the publicly owned waterways, including the 2000 miles managed by the Canal & River Trust, 630 miles of waterway run by the Environment Agency and those operated by Scottish Canals.

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they need so that they can be cared for and continue to be safe and available for the millions of people who enjoy and benefit from them for years to come.”

A statement by Defra confirmed: “Due to extenuating circumstances, including the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government is not yet in a position to reach a decision on possible future grant funding for the Canal & River Trust by July 1, 2022, the

All 10 ticket

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amazing volunteer lock keepers.

“A combination of a dry spring that has continued into a hot, dry summer and essential reservoir repairs across the region, meant the amount of available water was already less than usual.

“Restricted use was introduced at several lock flights in April and volunteer lock keepers have been helping to manage boat traffic at lock flights to ensure water supplies are used as efficiently as possible.”

CRT chief operating officer Julie Sharman said the heatwave was the last thing they wanted. “Unfortunately,

Restoration conference

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of England. PHOTO: GRAHAM NUTTALL

26 on the Ashby Canal in the heart

bite NA ONAL AW Boaters urged to save water as restrictions

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BUSINESS NEWS 43

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

Promotional features Book reviews

Aqueduct Marina event hailed a great success

VISITORS, exhibitors and organisers agreed that despite the somewhat blustery conditions, this year’s Aqueduct Marina Boating Event was a great success.

The aim was to provide an event that was a ‘boat show for boaters’ and, as a result, around 500 visitors took the opportunity to visit the Nantwich marina, speak to staff and visit 19 trade stands. In addition, more than 200 people attended the evening's entertainment, much of which was provided by Elvis tribute Paul Larcombean and singer Josh Whittall.

Both exhibitors and marina staff commented on the levels of interest shown by visitors, the majority of whom were genuinely interested in discussing their boats and their boating experiences.

Robert Parton, Aqueduct Marina’s MD, said: “I am very grateful to the exhibitors who supported us and had a stand at the show, some of whom stayed until late and enjoyed the lively Elvis night as well. Also, well done, Hannah (Aqueduct marketing), who successfully managed to target the right people and get boaters and aspiring boaters here.

“I spent most of the day by our brokerage boats and had plenty of excellent conversations with existing and soon-to-be boat owners.”

Kevin Peart, MD of Aegina added: “It was good to meet everyone, we enjoyed the day and had many interesting conversations about solving water supply and making safe drinking water for the canal boat community. We will be back next year.”

Anyone interested in visiting or exhibiting at next year's event should keep an eye on the Aqueduct Marina website and social media channels where the next Boating Event, expected to take place in July, will be publicised.

Visit www.aqueductmarina.co.uk

P44 Holidays & Leisure P45 Technical

P46-47 P48

New Midlands agent for Silver Boats UK

A new delivery of Silver Boats at Farndon Marina. PHOTO: ALISON ALDERTON Narrowboats on the brokerage at Aqueduct Marina.

The Silver Fox,

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Chatting with visitors at one of the trade stands.

A line-up of narrowboats.

Enjoying the sunshine at Aqueduct Marina’s Boating Event. PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN

By Alison Alderton

FARNDON Marina on the River Trent at Ne wark in Nottinghamshire has become the new Midlands agent for Silver Boats UK. Silver Boats is proud to be the sole United Kingdom distributor of Silver Boats, Finland, a brand with a reputation for quality and innovation spanning over 30 years.

The Silver Fox and Silver Hawk models, both now in stock at Farndon Marina, are manufactured using the AluTech process, a construction of a very robust aluminium hull bonded to a GRP insert deck resulting in a beautiful, finely crafted interior, especially well-suited to the harsh conditions of Northern Europe.

The hull sides are foam fi fillled, making the boats unsinkable, with both the Silver Hawk and Silver Fox delivering an outstanding balance of design aesthetic and practicality ty. y Silver Fox is a sleek,

Interior detail of the Silver Hawk PHOTO SUPPLIED stylish and extremely safe all-rounder, great for coastal waters and lakes. The hull is of a brand new design with a spacious interior. The two consoles, together with a two-part middle door, makes the passenger area in the stern well sheltered from spray.

Silver Hawk is an ideal boat for fishermen or for use as a generalpurpose runabout with well-placed railings to ensure safety even in rough water. This boat has all necessary accessories to make your time on board both safe, comfortable and enjoyable.

The family-owned and managed Farndon Marina is delighted

Farndon Marina moorings. PHOTO: ALISON ALDERTON

to add the Silver Boat models to its sales portfolio and looks forward to a longlasting relationship with this innovative brand.

Package pricing on stock boats start at £33,995 inc VAT. To find out more contact Alex Boden on: 07809 340 771 or email: alex.boden@ farndonmarina.co.uk As well as boat sales, Farndon Marina offers over 300 berths in 25 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds b o rd e r i n g t h e R i v e r Trent, an ideal location to explore the inland waterways of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Discover more at: www ww ww. w farndonmarina.co.uk

44 PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Discover the space, beauty and true functionality of Mothership Marine

Dave Harrington with his narrowboat Cornerstone.

The long view from the tiller.

Every day is a school day at Derbyshire training centre

By Paul Harrington at DCB Tuition

DERBYSHIRE Canal Boat Tuition is a small family-run business and a RYA recognised training centre that operates from Swarkestone and Shardlow.

We find one of the best parts of canal boat training is meeting so many like-minded people who want to gain that bit more confidence and skill in boat handling and, as every day is a school day for us all, even experienced boaters can benefit.

Rather than saying there is a right or wrong way to do things, I say there is safe way and an unsafe way; the safe way will be more comfortable and ultimately be the correct way. Our courses are laid back and enjoyable with the aim to make boating a safer and more enjoyable experience with less strenuous work.

I have 50 years’ experience in the commercial and leisure industry covering seagoing, rivers and canals. As a retired harbour and river pilot I hold the MCA Master unlimited and the RYA Instructor certificates.

After retirement I still wanted to play with boats and to pass on my experience to help those boaters who get a bit flustered and make things hard for themselves... plus my wife said my boat was a rather expensive armchair. So before she got any ideas, I decided to start passing on

my experience and coach students for the RYA Helmsman certificate.

Our canals and rivers are great places to be and once you have increased your confidence, they can take you to the next level of canal boating.

from other builders.

MOTHERSHIP Marine tries very hard to One outstanding unique feature conceal its greatest strengths, according to of Mothership director Tim Knox.

Marine's design is The sophisticated the solar array. electrical infrastructure Unlike an required to power an afterthought, the exceptional electric entire roof of the boat remains very boat b is covered hidden, allowing the with w solar panels, adding to its overall a boat's exterior and Interior design tri tricks k aesthetic appeal. exquisite interiors to create a feeling of space. PHOTO SUPPLIED take centre stage.

The majority of the Mothership Marine boat’s power (propulsion truly understands the significance and leisure) comes from of creating a visually pleasing and the large solar arrays. Difficult in the inviting atmosphere within the winter, but it does help. In the winter boat. While narrowboat interiors the batteries can be charged from the can sometimes feel claustrophobic shore or by the onboard generator. and confining. Mothership Marine With such a limited resource tackles this challenge head-on. its necessary to carefully manage Its layouts challenge the norm power consumption and this is made and use a whole host of interior possible by a very sophisticated design tricks and cleverly monitoring system developed designed furniture to create a real in-house. However, you don’t have feeling of space. to be a genius to understand the There’s a real warmth and display, in fact it’s where a lot of cosiness to the interiors too, made non-electrically minded people have possible with the use of reclaimed ‘a-ha’ moments. timber. Tim likes to say that they If you are intrigued and borrow history and patina with this would like to learn more about wood, and although it’s a lot more Mothership Marine please visit time consuming to work with, it sets mothershipmarine.com and the interiors of Mothership Marine immerse yourself in some beautiful and very functional narrowboats. narrowboats very much apart

How to sleep in hot weather Safety first – using the throwline.

PHOTOS: DERBYSHIRE CANAL BOAT TUITION

A wave from Dave.

The eBoats will carry three passengers.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

WHILE enjoying the sun during the day is a dream for many in the UK, sleeping in the heat can be a nightmare.

With this in mind, experts at Mattress Online have collated their valuable tips to help alleviate the discomfort of sleeping in the heat this summer: Use hot water bottles to lower your core temperature

Using a hot water bottle might sound like a strange way to combat heat, but James the Sleep Geek recommends raising your core temperature slightly by placing a lukewarm hot water bottle on your feet 30 minutes before bed; that way, when you go to sleep your core temperature will drop.

Falkirk Wheel launches eBoat hire fleet powered by ePropulsion THE Falkirk Wheel now has a hire fleeet of four eBoats as part of its visitor fl attractions, powered by ePropulsion’s silent Spirit electric outboard motors.

First opened in 2002 and managed

by Scottish Canals, the Iconic rotating boat lift links the Forth and Clyde with the Union canal and is one of Scotland’s top visitor destinations.

The eBoats were tested in association with Ashton Marine Services, the ePropulsion specialist dealer based near Glasgow. A Spirit electric outboard was loaned to Scottish Canals as part of the hire boat trial.

As a result, the new fleet of four stable Polycraft 300 Tuffy boats can be hired by the public and will carry three passengers.

Visitors can spend 90 minutes peacefully exploring the canal between The Falkirk Wheel and Bonnybridge on their own, free from any outboard noise.

“The eBoats have proved incredibly popular already. The ePropulsion Spirit outboards are simple to use and the perfect way to introduce people to getting on the water and experiencing the canals,” explained Ross McMillian,

head of destinations at Scottish Canals.

“O Ou r v i s i t o r s n ow e x p e c t c l e a n , eco-friendly experiences. With these outboards, there’s no noise, no pollution and no risk of fuel spills into the canals either.”

The project is an important part of Scottish Canals’ goal to develop more environmentally friendly, family-based experiences, as part of its goal to reach zero emissions by 2035.

Use separate covers from your sleeping partner

Use different covers if you are sleeping with a partner; although it might still be tempting for some to snuggle up to a significant other, their body heat will only transfer to you, so use separate covers and if you can and swap your duvet for a thin cotton sheet.

Avoid daytime naps

An eBoat powered by an ePropulsion Spirit outboard motor.

Hot weather can make us sleepy; as tempting as it is to have a daytime nap in the glorious sunshine, don’t.

Multiple sources, such as weather presenter Abbie Dewhurst and

Doctor Azmain, recommend saving your precious sleep for night time by staying in your normal routine.

Put your feet in a bowl of lukewarm water

Much like a lukewarm hot water bottle, putting your feet in a bowl of tepid water offers a longer-lasting cooling process. It also avoids the shock of using ice-cold water, which can jar you awake and make it harder to get to sleep.

Use Aloe vera

Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh states that using aloe vera before bed can be even better than taking a cold shower because it absorbs into the body four times quicker than water. Apply it to your skin just before bed for a cooling effect.

Shut out the sunlight

James states that one of the main things to help alleviate the comfort of a hot night’s sleep is to keep your home cool during the day. To do this, ensure you are shutting out the sunlight, particularly in your bedroom, by keeping blinds and curtains closed.

Swap your sheets

Lastly, why not replace your sheets and pillowcases with ones made from natural materials such as linen, bamboo and cotton.

Not only are they soft and breathable – perfect for the summer heat – they also draw away moisture more effectively.

Visit https://www.mattressonline. co.uk for more information

An all-round device for your tablets and tyres

NEW from Machine Mart is a great accessory for those on the move.

It’s increasingly important to stay powered up, charging phones and tablets to keep connected as we attend events or spend days away from mains power.

When travelling, it’s also vital to be prepared and be able to deal with flat tyres on cars, motorcycles or bikes, to ensure that we travel safely at all times.

The Clarke RI150LI Rechargeable Tyre Inflator and Power Bank is a lightweight, hand-held unit which

combines an air compressor with a rechargeable Li-Ion battery to make an all-round device It is ideal for inflating tyres and general inflatables up to a maximum pressure of 150psi with 20l/min flow rate. It features four pre-set values and also has a setting for variable pressure adjustment. An air pressure detection with automatic shut-off feature is also included.

Elsewhere, the 2Ah rechargeable battery acts as convenient power bank suitable for charging portable devices via the USB port.

This device has a clear digital display and even an LED light function.

Priced at £56.39 inc VAT, the RI150Li is supplied with storage bag, USB-C charging cable and presta, ball and inflatable adaptors.

PRODUCTS & REVIEWS 45

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

The comprehensive guide to Britain’s canals Reviewer: Janet Richardson

THE fourth edition of Stuart Fisher’s Canals of Britain brings this massive overview of the network bang up to date.

Lavishly illustrated with superb colour photographs, not only of the canals and their users but also of products associated with each one, book covers and even stamps, it is described by the publishers as the most comprehensive and absorbing survey of Britain’s canal network ever published – and I don’t doubt that claim.

Some of the canal connections would make great quiz questions; for example, what has HG Wells’ The War of the Worlds got to do with the Basingstoke Canal, or a USA Old Glory stamp with the Lancaster Canal – I’ll let you read the book for yourself to find the answers.

There are 65 canals on the UK mainland covered, from the bestknown waterways – ‘England’s spine canal’, the Grand Union, its Leicester Line and the various arms along the way to those isolated from the system like the Neath and Tennant canals in South Wales and those which are the subject of current restoration projects, such as the Grantham and Cromford canals in the East Midlands.

But there are some exceptions such as the North Walsham & Dilham Canal in Norfolk and the Bude Canal in Cornwall, also the ship canals such as the Exeter and Chichester although

the Manchester Ship Canal does get several mentions.

The other thing that struck me when I looked at the map showing all the canals covered was how the majority seemed to be concentrated into the middle of the country, with vast areas left blank – but then I realised that this book is solely dedicated to canals and the navigable rivers are not included.

There is however one canal which I hadn’t previously been aware of – the Royal Military Canal from Sandgate near Folkestone around Romney Marsh to Winchelsea.

Each canal gets its own chapter and most of them some quotations or lines of poetry to set the scene for the reader. These vary from excerpts from the works of Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Chesterfield Canal), WH Auden (Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal) and Rupert Brooke (Wendover Arm) to more contemporary observations.

This book is not one to be devoured in one long session but to be dipped into and enjoyed whenever planning your cruising programme, a day out gongoozling or to read about the history and folklore of the canals and the surrounding sites of interest. Whichever canal you would like to learn more about, a full index at the back of the book will guide you with the page numbers devoted to each shown in bold type – enjoy.

Canals of Britain, The Comprehensive Guide by Stuart Fisher published by Adlard Coles (Paperback, 345 pages, £30 (eBook £27).

ISBN: 9781472994929 (paperback); 9781472994912 (eBook)

Tales of four families seen through the eyes of the boatwomen

THE classic canal book Ramlin Rose – The Boatwoman’s Story, Sheila Stewart’s intensively researched novel based closely on the lives of four real boat families, has been re-released by the CanalBookShop.

By the late 1950s, horse-drawn narrowboats had become a rarer sight on Britain’s canals. Carrying a wide variety of cargoes to such destinations as the Potteries, the textile mills of Lancashire, the papermills of London and the colleges of Oxford, they struggled on against increasing competition from rail and road traffic to maintain their place in the country’s economy.

Yet little has been written about the families who lived and worked on these boats – in particular the women. Drawing on recorded interviews with the few boatwomen left who were born and bred on horsedrawn boats, Sheila recounted their experiences as seen through the eyes of an illiterate boatwoman, Rose Ramlin, travelling mainly on the Oxford Canal through the First World War, the Depression, the Second World War and the

decline of the canals. It is a poignant account of astonishing courage and resilience, capturing a unique way of life during the first 60 years of the 20th century. This book has been recognised by many canal historians and former boaters as being a particularly accurate depiction of life on a working narrowboat.

Ramlin Rose – The Boatwoman’s Story by Sheila Stewart with illustrations by DC ‘Dusty’ Miller. Published by CanalBookShop, an imprint of Audlem Mill Ltd (paperback, 264 pages, £13.95).

ISBN: 978-1-7399896-3-7

An in-depth look at a forgotten trade Reviewer: Janet Richardson

FOR those of you interested in the historical connections between the canals and the railways, especially in the area of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, The Industrial Canal – The Railway Interchange Trade provides an in-depth look at this freight traffic.

Painstakingly researched by former working boatman Tom Foxon, this is the second volume in a series on industrial canals in the Midlands although it is a quarter of a century since the first volume was published in 1998.

In the preface, canal historian Ray Shill writes that the aim of this study is to examine the traffic patterns for the different goods carried. The first book concentrated on the coal trade while this volume tackles the subject of railway basin traffic until its decline when the waterways were nationalised.

Industry was already established along the canals which make up the BCN when the railways arrived in the West Midlands, particularly in the Black Country.

Railway companies found that working with the canal proprietors increased traffic on their lines and operated a boatage service which worked to a strict timetable. These boats were once a common sight on the canals. Most of the horsedrawn craft were open wood or iron boats, this type of boat and service continuing through to 1958.

The final mile

Cargoes were transported to and from the district by rail but were transshipped on to the waterways for the short journey to the factories, nowadays described as the final mile in freight parlance.

Hence the development of the interchange points where goods could be transferred between boat and railway wagons at the various basins and wharves.

During the peak years between 1900 and 1910 more than a million tons passed through these transshipment points each year, accounting for about a seventh of the total tonnage carried by the Birmingham canals at that time.

Illustrated by contemporary black and white photos, advertisements and maps backed up with diagrams and statistics, Tom Foxon explains the factors responsible for the establishment

of this trade, its development and final decline.

Based on Ackerman’s lithograph of Birmingham, prepared in 1845, a fascinating artist’s impression

by Edward Paget-Tomlinson depicts the West Midlands’ first railway interchange at Curzon Street. It shows a horse-drawn Pickford’s boat passing the London & Birmingham Railway wharf, station and engine shed.

Fast forward by more than a century to 1949 for an aerial view of the Tipton factory and Bloomfield Basin by Aerofilms Ltd and subsequently in 1958, the last boat to Bromley – GWR NO 9 leaving Pearson’s firebrick works at the Delph on the Stourbridge Canal by A T Smith.

Although interchange basins existed elsewhere in the country, the largest concentrations were to be found in the West Midlands. As well as a couple of dozen railway basins there were some 10 boatage depots and wharves. There are details of each basin including the dates between which it was in operation, the railway companies and, in many cases, timetables and maps.

This is not a book to be read in one go but to be delved into for reference whether it be purely out of interest or while researching the Birmingham area’s industrial heritage, the atmospheric photographs bringing to life a forgotten era.

The Industrial Canal – The Railway Interchange Trade

by Tom Foxon (published by CanalBookShop, an imprint of Audlem Mill Ltd, paperback 156 pages, £15.95).

ISBN: 978-1-7399896-2-0

What happens when everyone knows the truth?

Reviewer: Colin Wareing

WHAT could happen if everyone knows everything about the big organisations, corporations, companies and governments that rule our life? That is the question posed in The Times of Malthus: The Prequel to 2089

by Miles M Hudson.

Once people know about the corruption and exploitation how will they react?

The secrets are out, it’s not good, and the folks aren’t happy. Civil unrest follows with breakdown of the organisations, corporations, companies and governments,

so law and order go out of the window – but also go the services and supplies needed for what was our ‘normal’ way of life.

It then becomes a fight for survival; with everyone watching their backs, and their families and friends, it becomes tribal. A few systems still work; word gets around there are better places to be than Brighton.

Following years of fighting to live and losing folks to violence it’s time for the two heroines to make the long trek to a safer place…

Hereford!

It’s not easy and there are more losses on the way but

some of them do make it into 2089.

It’s another good read from the author that brought us 2089 : a Future with no Secrets? which we reviewed in the March 2019 Towpath Talk, but there’s not quite as much boating in this one.

It seems a bit odd to bring out a prequel to a book that has been out for a few years; though if you’ve not read 2089 you’ll want to after this journey, to see if Hereford and the Cotswolds are better than the south coast city of Brighton.

The Times of Malthus

by Miles M Hudson is published by Penfold Books

(paperback £9.99, Kindle £2.59); ISBN (Paperback) 978-1-83812-587-5

46 HOLIDAYS & LEISURE

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Cheers! as brewery steps up to support the Monty Canal

Why canal boat holidays are a well-being tonic

01606 833668 Middlewich, Cheshire Enjoy a peaceful and tranquil holiday on the pictureseque Fenland waterways

Bridge Boatyard Ely, Cambridgeshire

www.bridgeboatyard.com

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

Cheryl Howes of Kate Boats with the latest news from Drifters – a consortium of independent self-drive hire boat companies set up to promote enjoyment of canal holidays.

IT’S well known that spending time in green space connecting with nature is good for our mental health and well-being.

Research by the Canal & River Trust confirms the combination of green and blue space with wildlife experienced by visitors to the inland waterways gives an extra boost.

The research was carried out by King’s College London, Nomad Projects and J&L Gibbons using Urban Mind, a smartphone-based app to collect thousands of real time audits about participants’ location and mental well-being.

In reviews posted by canal boat holiday-makers, the words ‘relaxing’ and ‘friendly’ often feature.

Journalists reviewing the experience frequently use phrases such as ‘life in the slow lane’, and describe it as ‘an antidote to modern life’.

Gareth Butterfield, in his recent article in the Manchester Evening

Enjoying life in the slow lane.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

News reviewing a Drifters holiday on the Ashby Canal, wrote: “There’s something incredibly cathartic about slowing yourself down to canal pace… a week at walking pace is just the tonic for people who need to put the brakes on from time to time.”

In her 2022 Sunday Mirror article ‘Slow-go zone’, Fiona Whitty described her narrowboat holiday on the Grand Union Canal as: “An antidote to fast living, travel is all about going slow nowadays – and

MONTY’s Brewery launched Navigation Pale Ale to support the ongoing restoration of the Montgomery Canal, which recently celebrated the opening of another restored section to Crickheath Basin.

Schoolhouse Bridge, another 300 yards along the course of the canal, is currently being rebuilt – so it’s all go down on the cut.

Russ and Pam Honeyman run Monty’s Brewery and have always been interested in the canal and its history.

Russ said: “It’s great that we can help the volunteers with their work to bring the canal back to life by making a donation from every pint of Navigation Pale Ale sold.

“We launched it in late May to coincide

Celebrating with a glass of Navigation Ale are, from left: Tom Fulda, Shropshire Union Canal Society; Russ Honeyman, Monty’s; Rich Hamp, SUCS; Pam Honeyman, Monty’s and David Carter SUCS. PHOTO SUPPLIED with the grand opening at the beginning of June and the response has been really good so far and, of course, the more people enjoy the ale, the more canal can be restored – it’s a win-win situation.”

you don’t get much slower than a canal boat with a speed of 4mph.”

Dixe Wills in his 2020 Guardian review of one our holidays on the Shropshire Union Canal wrote: “The sedateness of our progress up to Shropshire, coupled with an almost

Nav i g a t i o n Pale Ale is now available in many pubs near the Montgomery Canal and the reviews have been excellent, with the Navigation Inn in Maesbury reporting selling-out of Monty’s on the day of release.

complete absence of intrusions from the modern world, created a bubble that we were reluctant to burst.”

We hope many more people will take the opportunity to relax and experience a slower pace of life on the waterways in August.

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

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

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

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

HOLIDAYS & LEISURE 47

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

‘Proper pub food’ by the Shropshire Union

Reviewer: Andrew Shephard, nb Upton

THE Shroppie Fly at Audlem Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal recently re-opened and at the helm (sorry) is Mike Ager, a fellow boater who keeps his boat just above Lock 12.

And quite an improved place it now is, after what has been a fairly chequered history. A good selection of food, ‘Proper Pub Food’ as the sign outside assures, with a decent selection of real ales.

And it’s very dog friendly.

Quite what constitutes proper pub food these days is, however, an interesting question. In ‘the olden days’, pubs were drinking establishments, and food such as it was might have been just baps and bar snacks.

In the postwar years, things started to change and we might have been offered a pie and a pint, a ploughman’s lunch, or the ubiquitous chicken in a basket. Remember them? Not any more.

Proper pub food? Probably a full menu with starters, mains, desserts and a lunchtime menu of sandwiches or, more often now, ciabattas which, as Mike explained, are an easier and more reliable option for the kitchen now that decent fresh bread is almost impossible to find.

The Shroppie Fly menu has

Dog friendly.

Proper pub food! a good range of choices to suit most tastes and all at reasonable prices, and includes fish and steak pies, burgers, plus fish and chips (when the fish order is delivered!). No curries though, or ploughman’s.

The food we ordered with our friends for our evening meal was brought out quickly even though the pub was quite busy and was all very tasty.

The steak and ale pie (gluten free) was reported to be good.

We weren’t sure about the ‘garden peas’ with our fish

and chips – a large portion of dry petit pois. We thought that traditional mushy peas would have been more ‘pub grub’ and might have been easier for the kitchen, but the actual fish and chips were good.

Earlier, for lunch, we had all tried out their ciabattas.

A brownie point was gained when they happily agreed to serve one of their standard ciabatta fillings on brown bread instead, white bread being a problem for my wife Debbie. All in all, good value.

The Shroppie Fly is not a ‘gastropub’ and it clearly isn’t aiming for Michelin Stars.

It’s just great to have the pub open again and to be able to sit outside and watch the boating world go by, while consuming a decent pint and some tasty unpretentious grub.

“It’s the best it’s ever been since we’ve been here over the last 17 years,” said Peter Silvester, proprietor of Audlem Mill.

We would agree with that.

There are, of course, two other pubs in Audlem. The very good Bridge Inn, adjacent to Bridge 78 which was reviewed in the February issue of Towpath Talk and The Lord Combermere in the centre of the village.

Sadly, The Lord Combermere is currently closed, but we are told that it has changed hands again and will be re-opening at some point.

The Shroppie Fly at Audlem. PHOTO: ANDREW SHEPHARD

Fox Narrowboats

Enjoy a break on the Cambridgeshire Waterways Day Boat Hire

Our day boat hire lets you meander along the Fenland Waterways. The boat can hold up to 10 people.

It has a galley complete with hob, fridge, cutlery and crockery, along with a toilet plus indoor & outdoor seating areas. Collection from 9:30am, returning by 6pm.

Cambridgeshire Narrowboat Holidays

On our Narrowboat holidays, you can relax on board in the cosy living space and discover the beautiful Fenland countryside. Visit Peterborough, Ely, St Ives, Huntingdon or Cambridge.

Our Narrowboat holidays can be taken as a week, weekend or mid week break. We can also supply :#%BGD 6#8? @#:>"8&A. !:G8AG $8:: =A 8? ?@G #E3$G, C=D 6#8?A D8%BG ED#' 7-1 6GD?@ 8%" 8DG 8<8>:86:G through Spring, Summer & Autumn.

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C=D '8D>%8 @#:"A 7** 6#8?A, 0#%-DGA>"G%?>8: :G>A=DG '##D>%BA $8% 6G let on a daily or long term basis. We can accommodate boats up to 70ft.

We also offer a range of services from slipway, with hoist and cradle E8$>:>?>GA 8A (G:: 8A E=::& F=8:>3G" G%B>%GGDA E#D AGD<>$G. DG!8>DA ) '#">3$8?>#%A. 8 $@8%":GD& 8%" DGE=AG ">A!#A8:,

;G:+ *9524 127//* Email: holidays@foxboats.co.uk Web: www.foxnarrowboats.com Fox Narrowboats Ltd. 10 Marina Drive, March, Cambs, PE15 0AU

Keep your cool and follow the Towpath Code AHEAD of the busy summer holidays, the Canal & River Trust is appealing for people to remain friendly and courteous on towpaths – as figures show the nation’s canals are benefiting more people than at any time in history.

In the last financial year, a record 885 million visits were made to the charity’s often narrow towpaths across England and Wales by walkers, cyclists, boaters, paddlers, anglers and runners, with visits having increased by over 30% in the past four years.

As the summer temperatures rise, the charity is asking people to keep their cool and has published a new Towpath Code to help people better enjoy their time on towpaths, avoid tension between visitors and respect the wildlife and pets along the canal network.

CRT chief executive Richard Parry said: “With the nation’s 250-year-old canals more popular than ever, the summer months are set to draw even more people to visit these much-needed spaces. But with so many people sharing them and with waterways bringing nature and biodiversity into our towns and cities, it is important that we are kind to each other and to wildlife.”

Speaking about the rise in popularity of canals, Richard continued: “We saw a huge rise in visits to our waterways during the pandemic and they have remained important places for many people who discovered them during that difficult time.

“Today canals are playing a key role within society. They are vital links for walking and cycling and help Government hit its targets around access to nature and the outdoors.

But canals are old and vulnerable and need continued investment. By sharing the space responsibly, we can all look forward to enjoying our local canals this summer.”

The Canal & River Trust’s Towpath Code is a simple, easy-to-understand guide for how to share towpaths thoughtfully and considerately. Remember: Share the space; Drop your pace; It’s a special place. · Pedestrians have priority. · Cyclists must slow down for others. · Take extra care when passing people, pets and wildlife. · Respect people who are using the waterway for activities such as angling,

boating or paddlesports. · Wheelchairs, mobility aids, cycles and legal e-bikes are allowed. · E-scooters, motorbikes, modified e-bikes and other unauthorised vehicles are not allowed. · Keep dogs under close control and clean up after them. · Take litter home.

THE BRIDGE INN Helen and her staff at The Bridge Inn, offer a warm welcome to Boaters.

Dog Friendly, Food Served 12pm – 8pm daily.

Brewood, Bridge 14, Shropshire Union Canal.

Function Room available.

Coin operated laundrette available.

01902 903966

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

Serving Real Ales and Home Cooked food all day 14 Guest Rooms suitable for one night or more and ideal for visiting friends and relatives

01453 890306 enquiries@thetudorarms.co.uk www.thetudorarms.co.uk

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

www.leigharms.co.uk

48 TECHNICAL

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Steering and propulsion Here River Canal Rescue covers everything you need to know about steering and propulsion.

Steering

THE steering mechanism on a narrowboat is very simple; a tiller connected to a curved S-shaped steel bar, known as a ‘swan neck’, that fits into a flat rudder protruding out the back of the boat. In order to stop the tiller wobbling, there’s a top bearing at the base of the ‘swan neck’ where it joins the protruding rudder.

What can go wrong?

Rudder – one of the more common

and frustrating issues encountered by boaters today is catching the rudder which in turn, often results in the vessel becoming difficult to steer. At River Canal Rescue, we call this ‘popping out of the cup’ as it refers to the rudder lifting out of its locating joint.

While such lifting out is rarely damaging, it can be difficult to re-insert the rudder once dislocated. If damage does occur it usually affects either the skeg (the support beam extending from the bottom of the boat), or the top bearing (responsible for ensuring your steering has a smooth operation).

Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to avoid damaging the skeg, apart from being diligent and ensuring you position your vessel correctly in the lock.

However, you can avoid damage to the top bearing by removing the retaining or ‘grub’ screws. The function of these screws is to stop the shaft slipping inside the bearing; however on a narrowboat this requirement is not necessary.

If you leave these screws in and catch the rudder, the shaft will not be allowed to travel freely which may result in the bearing being smashed or the whole rudder assembly becoming warped. If this occurs, the steering will be permanently damaged. By removing these screws, you not only stop the pressure caused by an impact transferring to other components, but you may avoid a large bill in the process.

The shaft in particular can wear out if it’s a split shaft design. A split shaft design consists of two sections; a hollow square profile tube fixed to the bottom half and a solid square profile shaft fixed to the top half. If you experience lots of play in the steering (having to move the tiller a bit before it moves the rudder), the shaft may be worn and need replacing/repairing.

Tiller – this may wobble or vibrate when cruising, indicating the top bearing is worn and needs replacing.

Swan neck – this may become loose from the rudder assembly, meaning that when it moves, the rudder doesn’t. To put right, locate the central bolt at the base of the swan neck.

This bolt pinches the swan neck into

Stern gland – you can test if it is overheating.

a tapered shaft. Centralise the swan neck to where the rudder’s pointing and tighten down the bolt (do not overtighten as if the bolt shears the costs to repair can be extensive).

In general if there’s an issue with steering, it’s either a replacement job or the boat needs to come out of the water for further investigation.

Propulsion

Propulsion components comprise propeller, prop shaft, stern gland, a thrust-bearing coupling, gearbox and engine mounts.

Propeller – if you hear odd noises, experience vibration or lack direction, the chances are the propeller is bent, chipped or damaged. If you hit something and hear a humming/ whistling/grinding noise this suggests the prop is misshapen in some way. The vibration can cause the stern gland to leak or be damaged if left undiagnosed.

Prop shaft – if damaged (bent) it allows the propeller to oscillate, putting pressure on the stern gland, potentially causing excessive wear or damage beyond repair. The shaft can become bent if you hit something.

The propeller and prop shaft should not protrude out the back of the boat more than the width of the shaft. To help you work out the right distance, the measurements we give in this example, in mm, are not actual sizes, but make it simpler to explain the calculation.

If, for example, the prop sticks out 5mm and the shaft is 2mm, this leaves 3mm susceptible to damage. If it’s more than the width of the shaft it will need adjusting (it’s best to ask an engineer to do this as it usually requires a coupling adjustment to resolve).

We know prop shafts are bigger – 30mm or 1.5in – but it’s harder to work out using figures such as 1in and 1.25in etc.

Stern gland – also known as the stern gear. There’s a general misconception that stern glands stop water coming in, so naturally people want them as tight as possible. But there needs to be a small amount of water in order to cool the prop shaft. If the gland is overtightened it causes friction on the turning shaft which leads to overheating. If left undiagnosed this will cause the ‘packing’ to wear away sections of the shaft, which in turn will make the stern gland leak more, increasing the chance of prop shaft damage (this only applies to traditional stern glands, not stern seals).

To test if your stern gland is overheating, after an hour’s cruising, check if it’s hot – if it is, the gland’s too tight.

Couplings – if the bolts connecting the propeller shaft to the engine are loose, any movement will either shear them off, resulting in loss of propulsion, or make the coupling bolt holes oblong, resulting in delayed drive. Eventually the coupling will need to be replaced, and you may even have to change your prop shaft or gearbox if the coupling has damaged them. A simple check before each journey will stop this happening.

Gearbox/drive plates – if you hit an underwater object, the drive plate is usually the first victim of this underwater collision. However, if you’ve damaged the drive plate, it’s unlikely you’ve damaged the gearbox. General wear and tear appears to be another cause – and because canal boats don’t have a clutch arrangement, gearboxes tend to receive a fair bit of abuse, so go easy and regularly service them.

Engine mounts – Engine mounts affect all the above-mentioned components and if left without maintenance can

cause extensive damage. These can be checked by observing from above whether the top nuts are touching the engine legs. The top nuts are set to the correct alignment and should not be touched/tampered with. If there is a disconnect between the top nut and the engine leg then this needs maintenance.

There will be another nut below the engine leg which is used to make adjustments. Tighten the BOTTOM nut until it compresses the engine leg on to the top nut.

This has now realigned the engine and no further damage is being caused.

Check regularly and if in doubt ask an engineer to look it over for you.

Common problems

People often catch their mooring ropes around the propeller, so if they drop into the water, take the boat out of gear to prevent them being swallowed.

Avoid shallow water and be mindful what can be lurking beneath you – we’re often called to remove industrial fencing, barbed and razor wire, mattresses and tyres from propellers.

The prop shaft and gearbox. PHOTOS: RCR Be aware of the dangers of rudders – if you clip the rudder while turning, it will swing the rudder around which in turn impacts the swan neck, causing it to change direction. If you’re standing to the side of the tiller, rather than in front where you should be, you could be knocked off your feet by the

sudden movement, leaving you wet and embarrassed – or it could crush you between the tiller and the obstacle, which can cause serious injury.

Worse still if the vessel is in gear, as the boat will then drive over you. Always stand forward of the tiller when making tight manoeuvres.

Grounding advice from River Canal Rescue

WE ALL enjoy the warmer weather, but it can be a double-edged sword.

While it prompts more of us to cruise the waterways and take in some much-needed vitamin D, it also reduces water levels, increasing the risk of grounding.

During the peak season, our rescue co-ordinators regularly give phone assistance to people who have become stuck and although many callers are then able to move their boats, around 40% require support from a rescue team.

Low water levels, sand banks, silt build-ups and navigational errors (such as going the wrong way down the Grand Union Northampton arm, where it joins the River Nene), are key grounding contributors. We’ve also seen cases of debris and weed-filled rivers and canals causing problems for propellers and ledges jutting out between locks posing a risk to boaters.

Grounding can occur anywhere if you stray from the middle of the water course, cut a corner to take the shortest route or fail to check water levels before setting off. It’s therefore really

important to find out, where possible, the protocols and what’s happening in the area you plan to navigate.

Situations will develop all the time, so be aware of the risks around you and be cautious while cruising.

If you run aground, put on a lifejacket and put your boat in reverse to see if you can move away from the obstruction. If this doesn’t work, walk around the vessel testing the surrounding water depth with a boat pole. This will pinpoint where the water’s shallower and where the problem is. On rivers you can usually see it – rocks or gravel for example – as the water’s clearer.

If the front of the boat’s grounded, move some of the ballast that may be holding it down. The water tank is always at the front of a narrowboat so turn on the taps to empty it and move heavy items such as gas bottles, the anchor and any chains to the rear – this will give the boat more buoyancy at the front and potentially lift it a vital few inches which may be all it needs to clear itself. Half a ton of water can create a six-inch difference. If it does

clear, put the boat in reverse.

If the boat’s grounded on one side, it’s a similar scenario; move anything that’s weighing it down in this area to the opposite side. Do this in cautious stages – if you over-balance, the vessel will list and it could end up taking on water.

If there are people on board, position yourself at the helm and ask the remainder to rock the boat gently; the momentum may move it.

If the rear of the boat’s aground and the propeller’s lifted (which is a rare scenario), you’ll probably need a tow.

While it’s tempting to ask a passing boater for a tow, this should only be undertaken by an experienced boater.

We’ve had cases where the person towing the vessel has got into trouble and we’ve ended up rescuing two boats. Also, anyone on a hire boat will invalidate their insurance if they try to tow you, so it’s better not to put them in that position in the first place.

If you are able to free your vessel, check it thoroughly at the first possible opportunity – particularly the hull – as this could have been damaged.

Grounded: the front of the boat is stuck in the mud so the stern is being lifted. PHOTO: RCR

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

49

50 BUILDERS

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

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BUILDERS 51

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

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52 BUILDERS

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Tel: T el: 0151 0151 298 298 9602.

9602. sales@collingwoodboatbuilders.co.uk sales@collingwoodboatbuilders.co.uk www.collingwoodboatbuilders.co.uk www.collingwoodboatbuilders.co.uk 72 7 2 St St JJohns ohns R Rd, d, L Liverpool iverpool L L20 20 8 8BH BH

ONLY £1K DEPOSIT TO SECURE YOUR BUILD SLOT

THINKING OF BUYING A BOAT? VISIT OUR FACTORY AND SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF BOATS!

AVAILABLE NOW

EURO 60 X 12’6

HOXTON 70 X 12’3

SHEARWATER 60 X 6’10

SAL 60 X 12’6

BUILDERS 53

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

t intmen n appo ndle. a e k a u M us in O to visit

Mothership Marine

Clever exteriors with beautiful interiors

• • •

Stunning reclaimed timber 2.1kW solar array Silent 15kW PMAC electric motor

• • •

Inventers of Drawbridge Bed Inventors of CBD Chaise Dining Bed Power management display and Solar Dump

• • •

Spacious interior design Creative furniture solutions Lithium or Lead Carbon battery

mothershipmarine.com or 07496 574434

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

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

Now you can find us on facebook, search

‘X R&D Boatbuilders’

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

50 years combined experience

54 BUILDERS / BROKERAGE

August 2023

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

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

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

Our welders are coded to meet MCA requirements.

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

01788 822 115 • admin@abnb.co.uk t

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

Bespoke Boat Builders Narrowboats & Widebeam

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

Why not come and see what we can do for you OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 8.00-4.30 Sat 9.00-3.30 Sun By Appointment

Sailaways  Full Fit  Repaints  Repair  Servicing Dobsons Wharf, The Wharf, Shardlow, Derbyshire DE72 2GH

3

We have

boats in build

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

BROKERAGE 55

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I N T R O D U C I N G

T H E

FA R E H A M Let's go

NEW for Summer 2023, The Fareham is the first in our range of brand-new, fully-fitted boats, exclusive to us – for you.

This 60ft narrowboat – we call it The Fareham – features the classic reverse layout with the galley at the stern and a really beautiful interior finish. Fitted with a Canaline 42HP diesel inboard engine, it comes with an impressive spec and includes 4 berths, bow thruster, pram canopy, stern cushions, Morso Squirrel solid fuel stove, L-shape dinette and a washing machine.

Look out for more brand-new boats in our range coming soon or come and see this shiny new boat for yourself at Sawley Waterside & Marina now or view it online at aquavista.com – we're sure you'll agree it's really special.

56 BROKERAGE

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

David Mawby Ltd NOTTINGHAM LANE, OLD DALBY, LEICESTERSHIRE, LE14 3LX

T: 07721 382619 E: davidmawbyboats@gmail.com W: www.davidmawbyboats.co.uk

Quality River and Canal Motor Cruisers are available to view by appointment at our Leicestershire indoor showroom. Over 20 years experience and 2,500 boats sold.

VIKING 23

£18,995 VIKING 26 CENTRE COCKPIT £18,995

Length 23ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 1991, 4 Berths, cooker, shower, toilet, hot and cold water system, 12 and 240 volts electrics, CREAM LEATHERETTE CUSHION COVERS WITH BLUE PIPING, NEW FLOOR CARPETS, NEW HEADLINING, powered by a Honda 15Hp 4 stroke outboard engine, Bsc 2027, all original gelcoat (not painted), hull polished and new antifouling, includes new mooring ropes, clean fenders, etc, FREE DELIVERY within 250 miles or local mooring available

Length 26ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 1991, 6 Berths in 2 cabins, cooker, toilet, shower, hot and cold water system, 12 and 240 volts electrics, NEW CANOPY, NEW CREAM LEATHERETTE CUSHION COVERS WITH BLUE PIPING, NEW SIDE AND FLOOR CARPETS, powered by a Honda 15Hp 4 stroke outboard engine, Bsc 2027, original white gelcoat (not painted), hull polished and new antifouling, includes new mooring ropes, clean fenders, etc, FREE DELIVERY within 250 miles or local mooring available, LOVELY CLEAN BOAT

New Viking Cruisers

Show Boats Now Available to view at our indoor showroom.

Prices From £39,995.

Including Outboard Engine PLEASE CALL FOR LATEST OFFERS

VIKING 20

£22,995

Length 20ft, Beam 7ft4ins, Built 2003, 4 Berths, cooker, fridge, cassette toilet, shower, hot and cold water system, 12 and 240 volts electrics, recent new canopy, powered by a Tohatsu 15Hp 4 stroke outboard engine, Bsc 2027, all original gelcoat (not painted), hull polished and new antifouling, includes new mooring ropes, clean fenders, etc, FREE DELIVERY within 250 miles or local mooring available,

Wanted

Modern Inland Waterways Cruisers, Viking, Atlanta, Shetland, Mayland, Dolphin, Norman, etc, must be in original condition.

Cash waiting for right boats.

Please call David on

07721 382619

As the Viking Motor Cruisers Premier Agent we are delighted to announce the arrival of the NEW VIKING 26 WIDE BEAM GOLDEN CROWN EDITION to celebrate 50 years of Viking Motor Cruisers. With new easy access lift out cockpit sides, new open plan cabin layout, 2 tone cockpit upholstery and warm air heating as standard, along with the usual fittings including cooker with hob, grill & oven, fridge, hot and cold water system, shower, cassette toilet, 12 & 240 volts electrics, 6 berths, and a 30Hp 4 stroke outboard engine.

Priced at £79,995.

Book your viewing now on 07721 382619.

David Mawby Narrowboat Sales are open by appointment at Shardlow Marina, London Road, Shardlow, Derbyshire, DE72 2GL

ROBIN

£27,995

Length 33ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 1989 by Alvechurch Boats with a cruiser stern, powered by a Isuzu inboard diesel engine, 3 Berths, Bsc Feb 2026, galley with full size cooker, stainless steel sink, fridge and microwave, dinette which converts to single berth, cross bathroom with toilet, sink and shower, forward living area which converts to double bed, Aldi gas boiler with radiators, victron battery charger, 12 and 240 volts electrics

GRANDE CULO

£198,500

60ft by 12ft Dutch Barge style Wide Beam, Built 2018 by Soar Valley Boats and fitted out by Andrew Taylor, Classed as cat C, powered by a Beta Marine 115hp Diesel engine (only 670hrs from new), Bow Thruster, over 800w of solar panels, 5 Berths with 3 bedrooms. Spacious, light and airy living accommodation, along with the benefit of a large collapsible wheel house which gives a superb additional dining area. Multifuel stove and Diesel central heating, Bsc Feb 2024. This boat would provide a superb home on the water. Lying away from our sales offices, so viewing by appointment

LITTLE TINKER

£51,995

Length 57ft, Beam 6ft10ins, Built 2008 by Elton Moss, Trad Stern, powered by a Beta Marine 38Hp diesel engine, Standard layout, open plan living area with free standing furniture, solid fuel stove with back boiler, galley with stainless steel sink and drainer, fridge, full gas cooker, microwave, bulkhead mounted cabinets and ample storage, side hatch for additional light and ventilation, the boat has a cross bathroom with shower over corner bath, cassette toilet, and vanity unit, bedroom with 2 single berths, built in wardrobes and drawer units, central heating radiators, 12 and 240 volts electrics, Bsc June 2025,

Narrowboats URGENTLY required for brokerage or outright purchase.

(Free valuation, free storage, fast payout on completion, competitive rates, terms apply) Please contact David on 07721 382619

Website: www.davidmawbyboats.co.uk

Email: davidmawbyboats@gmail.com

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NORBURY WHARF

New stock arriving shortly

Limited

Traditional boatyard, with traditional values BOATS URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR BROKERAGE OR PURCHASED OUTRIGHT HERMANOS Here we have Hermanos, a 36ft Cruiser built by Springer. With a Lister SR2 engine to provide propulsion. Hot water will be supplied by a Morco Gas Boiler which is yet to be fitted. Solid fuel stove located within the saloon. Brand New electrical systems comprising of a 12v, 240v landline, 5kw inverter, 1 starter & 4 leisure batteries. Within the galley area we can find a 2 burner hob with glass cover. The bathroom offers a Thetford Cassette toilet, vanity basin and a shower cubicle in need of finishing. With accommodation offered as a sofa bed and convertible dining table area. BSC 2027.

Blacked January 2022.

JUST ARRIVED REF 10516 - Duchess 69 foot cruiser stern narrow boat. £42,950.00.

REF 10526 – Hedgepig 50 foot tug style narrow boat. £34,950.00.

£24,950

TOOTING III a wonderful 54ft Trad built by Branson in 1991. Propulsion provided by a Isuzu

28hp engine. Hot water supplied by a Morco and Calorifier whilst central heating is supplied via a backboiler, along with an onboard Morso Squirrel stove. Electrical systems comprising of a 12v, 240v, Pure Sine wave 600w inverter, 1 starter, 3 leisure batteries and 3 solar panels. Within the galley you can find a Vanette cooker and a Waeco fridge with freezer compartment. Following onto the walkthrough bathroom you can find a shower with potential for a toilet and sink to be fitted. 2 berths in the form of a double bed with potential for additional berths in the saloon. Side Hatch. BSC 2026. Blacked 2023.

REF 10529 - Defiant 60 foot tug style narrow boat. £63,995.00.

REF 10532 - John Henry 50 foot traditional stern narrow boat. £39,950.00.

Arriving shortly: 40 foot cruiser stern narrow boat. £41,500.00.

Please visit our website for a full list of boats currently For Sale

Boats urgently wanted for brokerage to fulfill current demand.

We have clients waiting to purchase your boat!

- Six month rolling contract.

- Free mooring.

- No CRT license required (conditions apply).

- Brokerage fee £1670 + VAT. - Boat collection and relocation service available.

- Boats also purchased for cash.

Contact us now

The Wharf, NORBURY JUNCTION Staffordshire ST20 0PN Tel: (01785) 284292 • E-mail: info@norburywharfltd.co.uk

www.norburywharfltd.co.uk

£39,950

TRANQUILLITY a stunning 58ft Semi-Trad built by Heritage. Propulsion is provided by a

Barrus Shire 45hp engine and a Vetus Bow thruster. Hot water is supplied via a calorifier / immersion /Webasto and central heating via a Webasto. Within the saloon we can find a Hamlet solid fuel stove.

Electrical systems comprising of a 12v, 240v landline, 3000kva 120amp charger /inverter, 1 starter, 4 leisure and 1 bow thruster battery along with 2 solar panels each with 150kw. In the galley we can find a Stoved cooker and hob along with a Fridgemaster fridge and Microwave. The walkthrough bathroom offers a Cassette toilet, vanity basin and a shower. 4 berths over an extendable double bed to the stern and a sofa bed within the saloon. With a side hatch, cratch and pram cover. BSC July 2023. Blacked 2020.

£89,950

BLUE FINCH 57ft by 10.6ft Widebeam Cruiser built by ABC Boats with a professional fit out in

the popular reverse layout and with the benefit of 2 cabins. Hot water by Rinnai. Solid fuel stove in the saloon. Barrus Shire 50hp engine and PRM 150 gearbox. Electrical systems comprising of a 12v, 240v landline, a Victron Energy MPPT 100 150 inverter, 2 x 1100w solar panels, 1 starter & 8 leisure batteries.

6 berths over a fixed double in the first cabin, a fixed double in the second cabin and a sofa bed in the saloon. The bathroom contains a cassette toilet, a small urinal, a shower and a vanity basin. The galley is equipped with a Candy LPG cooker, 4 ring hob a fridge and solid wood worktops. BSC May 2027.

Blacked 2022. Serviced April 2023.A spacious boat with a fantastic layout. An ideal live aboard

£110,000

NOW OPERATING FROM 10 MARINAS NATIONWIDE BOAT SALES LTD

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

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

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

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

58 BROKERAGE

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT

INLAND WATERWAYS

BROKERAGE

APPROVED PRE-OWNED

- We are the largest independent inland waterways broker selling both wide and narrowbeam boats ranging typically from £35,000 - £235,000.

- We are founding members of the Boat Retail Brokers association.

- Friendly and approachable service.

- Large range of boats on site to view plus virtual tours via out website.

FOR PEACE OF MIND SELECTED BOATS COME WITH THE FOLLOWING AS STANDARD:

Comprehensive Multi Point Check

Reassuring 3 Month Warranty

Thorough Intensive Deep Clean

VISIT ONE OF OUR FOUR LOCATIONS:

See our web site for our full range of new and used boats:

DERBY Mercia Marina T: 01283 890 888 E: mercia@newandusedboat.co.uk

HANBURY Hanbury Wharf T: 01905 953 888 E: sales@newandusedboat.co.uk

NORTHANTS Dunchurch Pools Marina T: 01283 890 888 E: mercia@newandusedboat.co.uk

DROITWICH Droitwich Spa Marina T: 01905 953 888 E: sales@newandusedboat.co.uk

NEWANDUSEDBOAT.CO.UK

BROKERAGE 59

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

DEMONSTRATORS SALE

UNMISSABLE OFFERS! Hoxton WAS £218,600 NOW £198,600 SAVING £20,000 Eurocruiser WAS £195,500 NOW £185,500 SAVING £10,000 Shearwater WAS £154,950 NOW £139,950 SAVING £15,000 SOLD Richmond WAS £225,000 NOW £209,950 SAVING £15,000 Sailaway WAS £62,500 NOW £59,950 SAVING £2,500

There’s never been a more affordable time to get on the water.

DON’T MISS OUT!

For more information: Hanbury Office 01905953888 Mercia Office 01283890888

NEWANDUSEDBOAT.CO.UK

60 BROKERAGE

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Reliable central heating and hot water for boats of any size

www.dieselheating.com

JACK FROST

£47,000

2004 45ft - M+P Steelcraft hull with first owner fitout. Boat Safety Until August 2026.

BEATTY

D L SO

£45,000

1991 50ft - R & D Fabrications hull and fitout. Powered by a Beta 43 with a PRM150 Gearbox. Beatty is nicely fitted out boat with plenty of bed space. It has gas cooking and water heating in a well spaced galley. The Beta 43 was fitted by Cowroast Marine in May of 2018 Boat Safety Until August 2026

ALICE MAY

£27,000

ED C U RED Alice May - 1984 51ft - Arkwright Hull and owner fitout. Powered by a BMC 1.5 with a PRM160VR2 Gearbox. Boat Safety Until April 2023

SINE NOMINE

£80,000

D L SO

Sine nomine 2016 52ft S.M. Hudson /Wharf House Narrowboats Ltd this Tug style boat was one of the last S.M.Hudson Built and was unfinished at his death the fit out was subsequently completed by Wharf House Narrowboats. Powered by a Beta 43 engine with a PRM 150 Gearbox.

OLD ROSIE

£55,000

D L SO

2004 49ft 10 - Liverpool Boats hull and fitout. Powered by an Barris shire 3 Cylinder with a PRM150 Gearbox. Boat Safety Until November 2023

Peaceful Canal Boat Moorings in the Heart of the Country

Facilities include: Water points, electrical outlets, pump-out, sewage disposal, perimeter lighting, floodlit car park, 24hr security, picnic/barbecue area, uploading at your boat, fuel, repairs, chandlery.

MARINE ENGINES

BMC Specialists

Specialists in servicing, rebuilding and spare parts for BMC. Our respected quality re-manufactured BMC 1.5 and and 1.8s marinised for keep cooling from £2820 If it’s BMC we have what you need Call us now!

GEARBOXES

• PRM 125 D2 • PRM 150D2 • PRM 280 D2 A range of high quality re-built gearboxes are also available.

ORDER ONLINE FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY

www.calcuttboatsshop.com

Open 24/7 for all your BMC and Hurricane spare parts and all your other chandlery needs online.

T: 01926 813757 E: boats@calcuttboats.com www.calcuttboatsshop.com

Tomlow Road, Stockton, Southa m, Warwickshire. CV47 8HX

BROKERAGE 61

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

LARGE CHOICE OF

WIDEBEAMS NARROWBOATS DUTCH BARGES

NEWLY LISTED WIDEBEAMS AVAILABLE FROM £100,000

COLLINGWOOD 65' X 12' 06" Price from £185,500 | thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

WIDEBEAMS

NARROWBOAT 62' X 12' 06"

COLECRAFT 70' X 10'

'The Jupiter' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Skylark’ thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Sunflower' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

‘Sewin Du' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

£199,950

£174,500

£159,950

£114,950

COLLINGWOOD 60' X 12'

COLLINGWOOD 64' X 12'

HERITAGE BOATS 62' X 12'

SEA OTTER 40' X 10'

'Den Within Willows' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Mamatunde' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

'Geanna' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

'Moondance’ waltonboatsales@tingdene.net

£139,950

£139,950

£119,950

£89,950

SEA OTTER 46' NARROWBOAT

NARROWBOAT 58' CANALCRAFT

NARROWBOAT 45'

SEA OTTER 21' NARROWBOAT

‘Wey Otter’ pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

‘Windlass Girl' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

‘Calliope' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

‘Tranq'ille' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

£71,950

£51,950

£29,950

£32,950

NOTTINGHAM BOAT CO 70' X 12'

AQUALINE 57' X 10'

£89,950 NARROWBOATS

NEW AND USED BOATS AVAILABLE FROM 10 UK LOCATIONS

BERTHING AT ANY TINGDENE MARINA GUARANTEED* WITH ALL CRAFT SOLD!

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

Tel: 01933 551622 boatsales@tingdene.net www.tingdeneboating.com

62 BROKERAGE

August 2023

Find out more on our website Lakeland Leisure Estates are proud to support the Canal & River Trust. All proceeds from our charity raffle will help fund their invaluable work protecting our waterways.

Barton Marina, Barton-under-Needwood, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE13 8DZ

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BROKERAGE 63

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9

BOAT SALES OFFICES

Buy, sell, or part exchange today!

Featured Boat of the Month...

lakelandleisureboatsales.co.uk

NEW - BEATRICE | 58’ CRUISER STERN | £199,000

Saul Junction Marina

Roydon Marina

WHAKA NUI | 60’ TRAD STERN | £67,500

Meet Beatrice, 3rd place boat winner at Crick 2023...

Beatrice, the stunning Kingsground boat and Crick Boat Show runner-up is back from her adventures and ready to view at Roydon Marina. A luxurious 58’ cruiser stern narrowboat crafted for Lakeland Leisure Estates by the renowned boatbuilders Kingsground. This elegant vessel features a reverse layout, with a stylish kitchen boasting solid oak units. Enjoy cosy meals in the dinette, unwind in the lounge area complete with a multi-fuel stove, and retreat to the bedroom featuring a fixed double bed. Additional amenities include side hatch doors, a walk-through bathroom with a pump-out Vetus toilet, double-glazing, and a 3kW Victron inverter, all powered by a reliable Beta Marine 43hp engine. Call 07534 655702 to arrange a viewing.

Introducing the wonderful Whaka Nui, a stunning 60ft Traditional Stern boat built in 1999

by GT Hull with a Bruce Gavin fit out, reblacked in May 2023 ready to embark on new adventures. 2+2 berth encompassing a double bedroom and comfortable living area with large L-shaped sofa bed, plus well-equipped kitchen. Powered by a Beta 1505 PRM 150 for a smooth and reliable ride, whether cruising along serene canals or moored in picturesque locations, this boat ensures that every moment is cherished. Available for viewings now at Saul Junction Marina, Gloucestershire. Call 07748 036638 for more information.

Barton Marina

NEW - LOUIS JOSHUA | 58’ SEMI TRAD | £190,000 Introducing the brand new Louis Joshua, a stunning vessel that is sure to turn heads. With a Barrus engine powering this beauty, you can be assured of a smooth and reliable ride. The layout is perfect for those who appreciate a modern and stylish design, thoughtfully designed to create a comfortable and inviting living space. Located at Barton Marina with the option of a residential mooring, the Louis Joshua 58ft Narrowboat is a true gem, offering all the desirable features you could imagine. Call 07513 708099 to arrange a viewing.

Featured Marina of the Month...

Great Haywood Marina

TATTENHALL MARINA | CHESHIRE

LILI BELL | 52’ SEMI TRAD | £89,995 Introducing Lili Bell, the exquisite 52ft Semi Trad, 2014 (2016 water) narrowboat that combines luxurious living with exceptional performance. With its well-thought-out design and impressive features, Lili Bell offers an unparalleled boating experience that will leave you enchanted. Experience the joy of cruising the network with a boat that not only looks amazing but also delivers on its promises. For more information call 07354 902086.

Experience the beauty of Tattenhall Marina, situated in a serene setting along the picturesque Shropshire Union Canal. Discover a host of convenient amenities on-site such as a well-stocked chandlery, a fully-equipped workshop, and a delightful café bar. You’ll be enchanted by the allure of the surrounding area, featuring attractions like the historic walled city of Chester, Chester Racecourse, Chester Zoo, and the Cheshire Ice Cream Farm.

Tattenhall Marina offers you an ideal haven to indulge in the pleasures of boating, while enjoying the splendid cruising routes that this premium countryside location has to offer.

lakelandleisureboatsales.co.uk

07534 655702

07354 902086

07585 956804

07748 036638

07513 708099

64 BROKERAGE

August 2023

Tel: (01788) 891373 Fax: (01788) 891436

Braunston Marina Ltd The Wharf Braunston Nr. Daventry Northamptonshire NN11 7JH

On the Internet: www.braunstonmarina.co.uk Email: sales@braunstonmarina.co.uk

FOR SALE CHISWICK

REDUCED £78,000

71ft 6” /21.82m Trad Style, Hull by Harland and Wolf –1937, F/O 2006, 2/4 Berth.

POETRY IN MOTION

VICTORIA

UNDER OFFER £49,950

52’(15.85M) – Semi Trad 1996 – Hull by Michael Cull F/O by Lockhart boats, 2 berth, Trad engine midships.

DUNLIN

£38,500

51’(15.55m) – Cruiser Style 1991 – Hull & F/O by Staniland, 4 berth, Nani Kabota diesel engine, 4 berth

UNDER OFFER DIGNITY

£55,000

50’ (16.46M) – Cruiser style, 2006, Hull & F/O by Liverpool Boats, 4 berth

REDUCED

REDUCED £27,000

33’(10.05M) Cruiser Style 1993 – Hull by TT marine owner F/O, 25HP Beta diesel engine, warm air heating, 2 berth

WIBBLY WOBBLY

£129,950

60ft /18.3m Semi Trad Style 2014, Hull Tyler Wilson, F/O by Milburn Boats, Reverse Layout & Hybrid Engine, 2/4 Berth,

FOR SALE

FOR SALE SHORTWOOD

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

£31,500

40’(12.2M) Cruiser Style 1991, Hull by D J Clark, F/O Bromsgrove,2/4 berth, Lister STW2M diesel engine.

SAM TOO

£64,950

57ft /17.37m Trad Style 2005, Hull & F/O by Ledgard Bridge, 2/4 Berth

THERE ARE MANY GOOD REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER LETTING US SELL YOUR BOAT.....

Here are just two:  

We have a proven record for high and quick turnover of boat sales founded on our famous and prominent location An excellent and efficient purchasing procedure for our buyers backed up by our comprehensive boatyard facilities and services, and attentive, caring staff.

CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

BOATS URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR SALE THIS SEASON

• Moorings • Narrowboat Sales • Steelwork by Arrangement • Chandlery • Pump Out • Laundrette • Diesel • Calor Gas • Dry & Wet Docks • Blacking • DIY Facilities • Engine Repairs & Servicing • Painting & Signwriting • Rope Fenders • Refits & Alterations

BROKERAGE 65

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

ASH BOATS LTD

For all enquiries please ring Stephen Harral 07771 510154.

Ref 1480

Ref 1481

W NE TING LIS

QUEENIE £59,950 50ft narrowbeam, cruiser style with lovely cedar T&G lined interior. Aft galley and forward bedroom, bathroom with cassette wc. Well equipped (Canaline 42) and very good condition. Well built by Nick Thorpe, 2014

Ref 1488

BERYL OF BRIDGEWATER £39,500 50ft cruiser style narrowbeam.

Victory Boatbuilders, floor and ballast in, windows and portholes, reverse layout planned. Yanmar Shire 45. Lots of additional equipment including solid fuel stove and solar panels

WATER LILY £29,500 47ft cruiser style, early 1980s by Harborough Marine. Full interior makeover recently completed plus full exterior repaint. Aft galley, forward living. Light and airy interior, ideal for short breaks.

www.ashboats.co.uk

UNDINE £78,500 54ft Peerless built Trad with a Bourne Boatbuilders full refit now complete. New interior with bedroom aft, lounge forward.

Stunning woodwork and new exterior paintwork. New boat appearance.

UPSPIRITS £74,500 58ft Braidbar Boats 2007 semi-trad custom build. Offered for the first time since new. Stunning Braidbar woodwork; excellent liveaboard layout – forward lounge, bedroom, bathroom, dining area and aft galley.

D L O S Ref 1487

W NE TING LIS

Ref 1493

Ref 1490

BETTY BLUE £50,000 70ft Braidbar trad from 2001.

Beta 43hp (only 200 hours use), 2-pack epoxy on hull in 2014, 3.0kw Victron inverter, Heritage range cooker (diesel), 4 x new batteries, open plan living space.

Poor paintwork

D L O S

SKAIDI £15,500 32ft Creighton GRP cruiser with aft sundeck, centre cockpit, bedroom and bathroom in aft cabin, forward living space/galley.

Beta marine engine. Recent full refit with new appliances.

L’EAU -T- CUISINE £90,000 71 x 12’6” Restaurant boat. “ Highly advantageous Finance package offered to purchaser.” Licensed for 60 diners or 70 non diners. Well equipped and well maintained.

Ref 1458

CANAL BROKERAGE IN CHESHIRE. W NE TING LIS

DAWN RUN £52,500 50ft trad 1996 by Evans and Son with a lovely varnished wood interior, well designed to make the best use of space.

Aft bedroom, forward living.

Exceptional condition throughout.

Ref 1492

W NE TING LIS

NEW CONCEPT PREM 57 £139,500 NEW BUILD. Due for completion Sept ’23. 57ft cruiser style, reverse layout, very high quality fit-out, high spec and beautiful paint finish. Some buyer input welcome.

Ref 1494

W NE TING LIS

NABANA £34,500 55ft cruiser style, sound hull and engine (CB Marine 1.8) but boat needs plenty of TLC. Aft bedroom, forward living. Diesel Reflex stove for heating, New BSC on sale. A worthwhile project Ref 1491

W NE TING LIS

Ref 1486

ALVECOTE MARINA GROUP Narrowcraft Brokerage

Robeys Lane, Alvecote, Tamworth B78 1AS MERCURY

71.5 ft by 7ft 1926 Horse Boat/butty built by W. J. Yarwoods and Sons. A rare craft that will make a fantastic home or a comfortable, enjoyable cruising boat. New 8mm steel bottom and footings 2018.

Hull 2 pack coated June 2018. BSC until June 2026.

MAYTIME

50ft, 1994 semi-trad by TT Marine. Just arrived.

£32,950

Ref 1495

01827 898585

narrowcraft@alvecotemarina.co.uk Tuesday - Saturday 8.30-5.30.

Sunday & Monday by appointment.

CORRIGAIR LD

SO

LD

£36,950 ROBIN

LD

SO

Clean and tidy trad style boat, 43ft, BSC Ex March 2027, Docked and Blacked 2022, Lister LPW3 Engine in very clean engine bay serviced 2022

£34,950

£78,950 55FT custom built all steel narrowbeam houseboat built in 2001 by S W Durham Steelcraft as comfortable liveaboard. Unpowered (no engine), large double bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Worcester Bosch oil fired combi boiler. BSC until 01/2026.

LOCKDOWN

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

£21,950

KATIE MAY SO

70ft Trad, Barry Hawkins, 2 + 5 berth, Barrus Shire Engine, Lovely boat with high Specification.

SAUSAGE MACHINE

£64,950 58ft, 2 berth semi trad, 2001 by Liverpool Boats. Isuzu engine and two designated living areas. BSC until December 2015. 2 x solid fuel stoves.

BRITTANIA £15,500 32ft Creighton centre cockpit cruiser. Complete refit from an empty shell recently completed and now offered in immaculate condition. A great example of this popular classic canal/river cruiser.

3cyl Volvo Penta diesel inboard, survey available, new BSC

www.AlvecoteMarina.co.uk

BOAT OF THE MONTH

£39,950

steve@ashboats.co.uk

QUARRIERS QUEST LD

SO

57ft cruiser stern, Vetus Marine Engine 2 berth

£39,950

WANT TO SELL YOUR BOAT?

SUCCESSFUL BROKERAGE IN NEED OF MORE BOATS FOR SALE - CLIENTS WAITING! CONTACT US NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION

66

August 2023 www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Need a Survey or Boat Safety Examiner?

Dave Freeman

Over 25 years experience on the inland waterways

Marine Surveys & BSS Examinations For a Competitive Quote & Prompt Service

Tel 07918 677782

Covering all Areas Based Bridge 69 Trent & Mersey Canal dave.freeman@boatsafety schemeexaminations.co.uk

Alan Buckle Boat Safety Scheme Examiner

Independent friendly service Covering the Midlands and surrounding areas.

07856 686363

bsswithalan@gmail.com

Rob Dickinson BSS Examiner & Gas Engineer

Leisure -Live on Board & Commercial Craft Gas Installation, Service & Repairs Tel. 01270 812086 Mob. 07831449236 email. menderman@live.com Areas - 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10

Services

is an independent company providing professional and comprehensive support services to Narrowboats and Inland Waterways vessels.

Based in Northamptonshire we are ideally placed to offer our services.

Our services include: • Hull condition, Pre-purchase, Insurance and Valuation surveys.

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AREA COVERED: 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14

07903 945196

NIGEL CARTON BSS

Completely independent.

Good rates and a friendly service.

Areas covered:

2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10 Call: 07989 388109 Email:

nigel.carton@btinternet.com

RHYS KILLIN Dip.S.C.Sur

BSS Examiner BSS Examination from £160

Covering areas 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Tel 07748 861795 rhys_k1@yahoo.co.uk www.rhyskillin.co.uk

Narrowboat Surveyor

& Boat Safety Examiner

Michael Clarke

Dip.S.C. Sur AMIMarEST Areas covered: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 • A Friendly and Professional Service • Fully Qualified & Insured • Ultrasonic Pre-purchase & Hull Condition Surveys • No travelling Charges - All areas covered Northampton based

01604 858 868 07944 856 351

boats@jgmarine.co.uk www.jgmarine.co.uk

info@northernstarmarine.co.uk www.northernstarmarine.co.uk

• Boat Safety Examinations inc. commercial craft • All gas repairs & fittings

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TANIA ON 01507 529489

Offering over 30 years experience WITHIN A 30 MILE RADIUS OF BIRMINGHAM

Thomas Tighe 07973 321997 tomtighe@hotmail.com

MARK

DELTA MARINE SERVICES

Marine Surveying

EDWARDS

♦ Pre-Purchase Condition Survey ♦ Valuation ♦ Insurance Condition Survey ♦ New Build/Conversion Project Supervision & Consultancy ♦ Damage Assessment ♦ Litigation Advice & Claim Assessment ♦ Recreational Craft Directive 2003/44/EC Compliance ♦ Areas covered 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 14 Nelson Wharf, Nelson Lane, Warwick CV34 5JB Mob. 07831 355543 Tel. 01926 499337 www.delta-marineservices.co.uk

MABSSE

Boat Safety Scheme Examiner

All classes of vessels examined Landlords’ Gas Safety Certificates Caravans, RV’s and domestic properties

Tel 07970 384047 Areas covered: 2, 4, 5

BOB HURST For

BSS Examinations Contact

Charles King Leicestershire based

info@monarchmarine.co.uk 07836 210 656 www.monarchmarine.co.uk

Your Local BSS Examiner

based at South Kilworth

Phone: 07720 424396 Email: robert.hurst.bss@ btinternet.com Areas Covered 9 & 10

BSS Examiner, Marine Surveyor & Marine Technical Consultant

67

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

BALLAST

BOATS WANTED

CANOPIES

GRAPHICS

BOAT BUILDER GRIT BLASTING

HEATING

BOOKS

BUSINESS FOR SALE

BOAT PAINTERS CANALIA

COURSES CANOPIES

BOATS FOR SALE

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

INSURANCE

68

August 2023 www.towpathtalk.co.uk

INSURANCE

LED LIGHTING

MAIL FORWARDING

LIGHTING

MOORINGS

INSURANCE

SERVICE & REPAIRS

SERVICES

SERVICES

69

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

SERVICES

SERVICES

TRANSPORT BY ROAD

TRANSPORT BY WATER

SITUATIONS VACANT

WINDOWS

70 READER ADVERTS/NEWS EXTRA

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READER ADVERTS Selling your boat is FREE for private readers of Towpath Talk For Sale

GRIMALKIN Narrowboat traditional 45ft tug with vintage engine, reluctant sale, built 1991, easy to handle, cosy interior, Boatmans cabin sleeps two, full-width bathroom, two range stoves, rare Ruston Hornsby 2-cylinder engine from 1930s/40s with Enfield gearbox, recently blacked, new anodes, hull survey, includes 2 leisure batteries, 1 starter battery, wind turbine ‘Amp Air Hawk’ 2 solar panels, located on Caldon canal, Stoke on Trent, joyful ownership, £45,000 Tel. 07853 577778.

ALBIN 25 motor cruiser, 1970s Swedish design, moderately good condition, needs some work to finish restoration (electrics, stove and some upholstery etc). Out of water survey 2019 (and hull anti-foul painted). Boat Safety Certificate Nov 2021. Licensed with CRT, insured. Situated Stourport-on-Severn. Engine: Perkins 4108, fitted in recent years. Used on River Severn, G&S Canal and at sea. Length: 25ft, Beam: 8ft 6in, Draft: 2ft.

Air draft: 6ft + small mast = 8ft 6in. Accommodation: Two vee berths in forward cabin, plus boards to make double bed. Two small single berths in aft cabin.

Cockpit: two seats at console, plus bench seating around sides and removable table. Anchor, with chain and winch (with handle), ready for action. Ropes and fenders included. 12v and 240v electrics. Two batteries. No gas installed at present. A spirit stove is available for installation if required, or advice available if wanting to refit gas. (Place for 2 burner stove if required), £6500 ono Tel. 07976 746225. Email. dstruckett@aol.com

Parts For Sale

NARROWBOAT 66’ traditional, built 1992 by Charles Cox, Ruston 2VSH, 6k whisper generator, solar power, self sustainable liveaboard, £45,000 Tel. 07869 068937.

31FT SEA OTTER 2005, Marine grade aluminium narrowboat, fully factory fitted spec, water ballasted, easily trailerable, excellent condition, almost zero maintenance, will only increase in value, 21 Nani diesel, low hours just serviced, Bow thruster, new h/duty batteries, new cosmetic blacking on original opoxy. New bow/stern pram covers (£3000) LED lighting. Polished original oven opoxy factory finished. Cost over £60,000 new. Full history on low cost West London Marina, gold licence ready to cruise, rare opportunity, region £45,000 Tel. 01904 270400 mobile 07879 564696.

NAUTICUS 27 1974, fully reconditioned engine and Z drive, full marine grade rewire, recent canopy, BSC valid until April 2027. Call for further details £11,750 Tel. 07877 885128.

Parts For Sale METAL MOORING stakes for cabin cruiser on the river, secure your boat, three in total 15.5”x2 1 x 25”. Titan wet and dry vacuum cleaner mains, £30. Wanted man and van and trailer, min 20ft to take cruiser from Cambs to Northampton NBC Tel. 07791 034695.

SHORELINE 25 metre, good condition, £20. 750 ml International Norfolk Green Toplac, £15. 2 litres Teamac light grey non slip paint, £25. 1 litre Teamac zinc phosphate primer £8, all unopened tins Tel. 01977 683643.

Miscellaneous

EX LIBRARY BOOK: The Canals of Yorkshire and North East England, Volume 2 Part 2, 1790-1845 (continued). Part 3 1845-1972. Appendices: 1 Summary Facts about canals and navigations of Yorkshire and the North East. 2. Principal engineering works, £2 plus postage Tel. 01132 693672.

Email. PJRice88@hotmail.co.uk ANCHOR DANFORTH 10kg with 5 metre chain + 25 metre rope never used, £100. 4 rope side fenders, £25. Various lock keys, £10 each Tel. 01977 683643.

Yorkshire.

EVERY ISSUE Heritage magazine Narrowboat, Spring 2006 - Winter 2021, mint. No 1 Waterways World, 1972, many others, bargain, £100 no offers Tel. 07946 664749. Staffs.

PERSONAL NUMBER PLATE: FL04TS X used to have the reg on work van but reducing number of vehicles so reg now surplus. We have the retention documents ready to transfer. Also have for sale: FL04TS U; U B04TER; H B04TER, £900 Tel. 07715 377789.

SOLAR PANEL large width, 5ft 4 1/2”, 164cm; height 3ft 3 1/2” 100cm, vgc, £95 Tel. 07481 002121. North Nottinghamshire.

WAECO CF-50 cool freezer, 18” high, 13” depth, 2’ length 12/V & 240 volt, £150 Tel. 07933 317826.

TV doctor visits new Leeds riverside pocket park DURING a recent visit to Whitehall Riverside Pocket Park in Leeds, Canal & River Trust ambassador Dr Amir Khan appealed for local people to join the trust volunteers who look after the park.

To celebrate its opening, he planted a mountain ash (rowan) tree. This native species, covered in flowers in spring and fruit in the autumn, is a rich source of food for wildlife throughout the year.

At 230m, Whitehall Riverside Pocket Park is the city’s longest linear waterfront park and sits between the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Planted with wildflowers, seasonal plants and grassland to increase biodiversity within the city centre, the park offers a wildlife and well-being haven where people can enjoy spending time by water.

Dr Khan said: “It’s wonderful not only to see this fantastic new park but to be able to contribute to it and plant this mountain ash tree. Once blighted by invasive species and discarded litter, the site is being transformed into a place to relax and feel the benefits of spending time by water.”

Robin Dark, CRT volunteer

team leader, explained: “This once overgrown site has been turned into a welcoming green haven, helping to bring the countryside into the city and encourage wildlife to thrive in the heart of Leeds.

“But this is only the beginning the park needs ongoing TLC, to keep up with seasonal planting and to keep it pristine. If you’re interested in gardening and looking after the environment for wildlife, you could join our Volunteer Garden Party, create your own gardening group or do a one-off volunteering day.”

Contact : robin.dark@ canalrivertrust.org.uk

Planting the mountain ash tree.

PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

The Whitehall Riverside Pocket Park has been delivered in partnership by the Canal & River Trust, Leeds City Council and Groundwork. Funding for the park has come from Leeds City Council’s city centre enhancements fund along with money from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government’s Pocket Park Fund, and The Veolia Environmental Trust’s Landfill Communities Fund.

Dr Amir Khan at the Whitehall Riverside Pocket Park with Becca Dent, volunteer team leader Robin Dark and Rachel Clapham of the Canal & River Trust.

Canal gets improved conservation status

By Phil Pickin

A SECTION of the Dudley No 1 canal is to be upgraded to a SINC, a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

The area around Delph Locks will enjoy this upgrade to its status as a result of an ecological survey carried out recently covering the canal and its surrounding area.

Previously the area was classified as a SLINC or Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.

However, the new classification means the area will be seen as one

of the West Midlands’ important ecological areas.

As a result of the survey, ecologists highlighted a diverse range of plants together with a wide

range of bird species and the historical value of the location. Coun Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environmental services,

Pointing the way along to the Delph Locks along the Dudley No 1 Canal at Parkhead Junction.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

said: “We’re immensely proud of our canals in Dudley. They are an important part of our borough’s heritage and the habitat for a lot of local wildlife.

“The new status of the No.1 Canal’s southern section is great news for the conservation of the area, bringing added protection and recognition to this popular walking and birdwatching trail.”

Dudley No.1 Canal is part of the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark, which is one of just eight internationally recognised geoparks in the UK.

IRISH NEWS WITH ALISON ALDERTON 71

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

River Shannon boaters set to Provisions made for pay annual fee liveaboard boaters Liveaboard boats on the Grand Canal. PHOTO: ALISON ALDERTON

BOATERS on the Shannon could be set to pay an annual registration fee, as part of the Waterways Ireland (WI) revision of the Shannon Navigation and Canals bye-laws, a process which is now open for public consultation.

While the canals have been subject to a fee for many years, the Shannon has slipped through the net allowing boaters to enjoy the waterway for free.

Currently, the only fee charged is for each lock that is used and this has been nominal, ranging from €1 to €2 per lock passage over recent years.

Indeed it has been this laid-back approach to the jurisdiction of the

Shannon which has been a draw for both boaters in Ireland and to those visiting or relocating from overseas.

According to the revision of the bye-laws documentation, a proposed set registration fee of €200 per vessel per annum will apply and the current Shannon Navigation lock passage fee will be eliminated. This will be a flat rate for vessels on both the Shannon and the canals, allowing easier interaction between the navigations falling under the WI portfolio.

While there seems to be both advantages and disadvantages to the revision of the bye-laws, the proposed

annual registration fee is, however, just the tip of the iceberg where costs are concerned for Ireland’s inland waterways boaters.

A number of newly proposed items listed in the draft documents such as the requirement of an annual fire extinguisher service, will see boating costs rocket and may even have the potential to out-cost this leisure pursuit for some.

To view the public consultation documents visit: www.waterwaysireland.org

IRELAND’s liveaboard boaters are recognised in a number of provisions forming part of the Waterways Ireland revision of the Shannon Navigation and Canals bye-laws.

The introduction of a houseboat permit (houseboat refers to a boat used as a residence of the owner and/ or immediate family with the owner’s permission) is proposed for which key requirements will need to be met.

These include the vessel undergoing an in-water inspection conducted by a certified marine surveyor in compliance with canal bye-law safety requirements

within the previous five years, as well as evidence of insurance.

Costs for permits will be dependent on location and services provided. It is proposed five categories of houseboat permit are created: Urban, Rural, Serviced and Unserved, with prices ranging from €500 to €7500 per annum.

To view the revision of the bye-laws and access the public consultation documents visit: www.waterwaysireland.org

People requested to aid new otter survey

THE public are being asked to contribute to a new national otter survey being compiled by The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

NPWS staff will be monitoring over 900 sites searching for otter tracks and signs. However, as the otter is one of Ireland’s most elusive

mammals, mostly active at night and most typically seen at dawn and dusk, input from the public and in particular waterway and coastal users such as boaters, paddlers, fishermen and walkers, will prove beneficial.

The findings will be used in comparison with the last otter survey in 2010/2011 and a full report on how the otter is faring is expected to be published in 2025.

To find out more and/or report an otter sighting in Ireland visit: www.biodiversityireland.ie/ surveys/national-otter-survey/

Otter sightings are being sought in new survey.

PHOTO: RONALD SURGENOR

Boaters on the River Shannon PHOTO: ALISON ALDERTON

Waterways Ireland proposes bye-law revisions for first time in decades MEMBERS of the public and interested parties are being invited by Waterways Ireland to have their say on proposed revisions to the Shannon

Navigation and Canals bye-laws by making a submission to a public consultation.

The consultation covers the Shannon Navigation (including

the Shannon-Erne Waterway), the Royal and Grand canals, and the Barrow Navigation. It is open and runs until October 2. The revisions were developed by

Proposed revision of bye-laws to cover both on- and off-water users. PHOTO: WATERWAYS

Waterways Ireland following research and consultation with key stakeholders.

These proposed revisions are the first since 1986 for the canals and 1994 for the Shannon. They include the introduction of new serviced and un-serviced canal permits for houseboat communities; additional houseboat mooring zones; in-water inspections and insurance for boats.

Also the introduction of an annual registration process, abolition of lock passage fees; the requirement for lifejackets on the water and safety equipment on boats; speed limits for bicycles and scooters on the Greenways and Blueways; certification of vessels being used for commercial purposes and designated zones for tents and caravans. The revisions also include measures to protect the environment.

Waterways Ireland chief

executive, John McDonagh commented: “In Ireland, we have an innate connection to our waterways. An abundance of people choose our waterways for their leisure – that includes boaters, kayakers, anglers, walkers or cyclists on the Greenways and Blueways.

More people want to live on our waterways and the draft bye-laws will facilitate this.

“The current bye-laws that govern the Shannon Navigation and the Canals are 30 years old.

There have been many positive changes during this time. We have an increased awareness of health and safety, and biodiversity. In recent years we have developed many Greenways and Blueways. The draft bye-laws reflect this progress.”

Mr McDonagh added: “Waterways Ireland is the proud custodian of more than 1000km of inland waterways.

The proposed bye-laws

will protect biodiversity, water quality, heritage, and waterways users. They will enable more people to enjoy our waterways. We encourage all users to read the proposed revisions and to have their say by making a submission to the consultation.”

The public consultation documents can be accessed both online and in hard copy.

Further information on this and on how to make a submission can be found on the Waterways Ireland website: www. waterwaysireland.org.

In addition, Waterways Ireland has been holding public meetings on the draft bye-laws throughout June and July in Carrick-on-Shannon; Killaloe; Dublin; Carlow; Mullingar, Athlone and Tullamore.

The closing date for submissions to the public consultation is Monday October 2.

72 GREAT OUTDOORS

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Aqueduct House

kport Stock duct Marple Aqued Lock 1 oyt River Go

Marple

Peak Forest Canal

Discover Marple Flight of Locks

Brabyns Park

p Marple d dge Brid

River Goyt

Brabyns Brow

The flight of sixteen locks at Marple is a spectacular sight.

Plus the beautiful countryside makes it a wonderful place for a family day out.

A6

26

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Horse roller

Memorial Park

Marple village

Old Know’s Warehouse Horse tunnel

Wheelchair accessible (prebookable)

Little adventures on your doorstep

Lock 16 Marina

Macclesfield Canal

Bugsworth Whaley Bridge

STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge

Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km

Discover the Marplle Fligh ht off Locks. MAP: © CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Cycllists and walkers ascend the Marple Flight. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Marple Aqueduct carries the canal over the River Goyt.

PHOTO: © ROBIN WEBSTER

A narrowboat descending the Marple Flight. PHOTO: © STEPHEN MCKAY

Walking the Peak Forest Canal with Lee Senior

INCREDIBLY scenic, the Peak Forest canal begins life at Portland Basin, on the fringe of Ashton-under-Lyne, six miles east of Manchester.

The seven-mile Lower Peak section is level and runs as far as the Marple Lock Flight where the Higher Peak then takes over. The waterway travels close to the River Tame and then the River Goyt for much of its 15-mile length towards Derbyshire’s beautiful Peak District.

Along the way are several attractive towns and villages. The terminus is reached at Bugsworth Basin, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, located at Buxworth in the High Peak. Separately a short spur links Whaley Bridge to the canal.

Our walk starts on a well-maintained towpath on the lower peak. It has a typically urban feel as we leave Portland Basin, at Dukinfield Junction. A fine historic footbridge dated 1835 spans the canal before an aqueduct carries the canal over the River Tame.

Despite its urban beginnings, the canal impressively retains a green, rural feel for much of the early distance, thanks in part to the many trees and wooded areas.

On the approach to the small town of Hyde, the noisy M67 motorway is encountered. Closer to the town are some warehouses now converted into housing. There are the inevitable mills and industrial buildings and the town’s central station is close by. Also nearby is the wooded valley of the River Tame.

Beyond is the suburb of Woodley (station). Here the towpath passes through a walkable tunnel, which is typically wet in parts. Continuing our journey near Romiley, two aqueducts are reached in quick succession: Hatherlow Aqueduct and then, after a sharp curve left, Chadkirk Aqueduct. The towpath is now engulfed by the pleasant tree canopy belonging to Kirk Wood.

Hyde Bank tunnel isn’t far away now.

It was built without a towpath, but nearby steps provide an alternative. The tree-lined Rose Hill cutting (a former tunnel) is soon reached and continuing our journey we reach the historic Marple Aqueduct, through more attractive countryside. The distant rolling hills, peaks and, at times, trees make this an idyllic stretch of towpath.

Marple Flight

The next part of our journey is the real star of the show. The Grade I listed

aqueduct carries the canal over the River Goyt. The aqueduct sits parallel to the Manchester-Sheffield railway, making a fine spectacle indeed.

The Marple Lock Flight provides the next ‘wow’ moment. The flight is one of the steepest lock flights in the UK. It comprises an impressive 16 locks and has a height gain of just over 200ft to reach the Upper Peak Canal. We now have some work to do!

Marple station is nearby, giving easy access to the flight. Along the way is Samuel Oldknow’s attractive Grade II listed warehouse, built in 1801. Oldknow became very rich producing muslin. He is credited with transforming Marple in the late 18th century. The distinctive Posset Bridge with its attractive horseshaped tunnel is reached as we continue to ascend.

At the top of the flight (lock 16) is Marple junction where there is a marina and a connection to the Macclesfield Canal. It is six and a half miles to the end. Now the views dramatically open up across the valley floor.

As the canal passes close to the village of Strines, there is a stunning long-range vista of Kinder Scout, part of the Pennine Way and famous for a mass trespass in 1932.

Onwards to the small town of New

Mills. The town has a marina and two stations. New Mills Newtown station is on the Manchester-Buxton line, adjacent to the canal but is on the edge of town.

The enchanting Goytside Meadows Nature Reserve is close to the marina. It is a haven for rare and endangered plants, and it has both dry and wetland habitat.

We are getting close to the end of our walk now. Furness Vale village is preceded by a pleasant marina, near to Furness Vale station. One mile from the marina is the key Bridgemont Junction

with a short arm to Whaley Bridge just less than half a mile away.

The canal continues to its historic terminus at Bugsworth Basin, under a mile away, close to the River Goyt. The basin is listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Along the way is the Bridgemont Horse Tunnel beneath it and also an aqueduct.

Unquestionably the Peak Forest Canal is a very accessible, scenic waterway, easily reached by car or public transport.

It is well worth a visit.

New Mills Marina with Kinder Scout in the distance.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

New woodland alongside Wilts & Berks Canal

TOWPATH

TALK

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

GUARANTEE DELIVERY From just £19

TEL: 01507 529529 QUOTING: TPT04

A NEW woodland is being created alongside a restored section of the Wilts & Berks Canal near Chippenham.

Double Bridge is a popular spot for walkers, with a bench overlooking the River Avon.

Now volunteers with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust have added to the appeal by planting 20 trees including beech, hornbeam, holly, rowan and cherry.

The mature trees – funded by a donation from the Heddington & Stockley Steam Rally – form part of a wider project to boost the biodiversity by creating a wildlife meadow and woodland. The mix of planting will provide flowers, fruit and berries throughout the year.

Work was carried out

by volunteers with the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch of the charity.

Wildlife officer Howard Yardy said: “Normally we plant saplings but they can be quite fragile, so we’re delighted that the steam rally’s generous support has enabled us to buy larger specimens instead.

“They make an immediate impact and give structure to the landscape.

“We also built a natural barrier around some of the sites to protect them from

deer, using dead hedging to safeguard the trees while they continue to grow.”

Howard added: “Our ultimate aim is to create a woodland pasture providing a wide range of habitats for all sorts of creatures, which will eventually form part of a thriving wildlife corridor alongside a fully restored canal. It’s an exciting scheme and there are lots of opportunities for local residents and businesses to get involved, from volunteering with our

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust hopes to restore the entire waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.

Visit www.wbct.org.uk for more details.

work parties to sponsoring individual projects.”

Contact howard.yardy@ wbct.org.uk for information.

Wildlife officer Howard Yardy, centre, with volunteers Ian Sankey, Dave Maloney, Mark Greenwood and Rachel Whyte in front of some of the newly planted trees at Double Bridge. PHOTO: JUSTIN GUY

SCOTTISH WATERS with Cicely Oliver 73

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

Call for Scottish Canals to fix financial reporting VIC 32’s coal heap at Crinan will soon be a thing of the past.

The Kelpies soon after their offi fficial fi opening in 2015. PHOTO: CICELY OLIVER

PHOTO: CICELY OLIVER

PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE

Off-grid and green in Scotland

STEPHEN Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, has reported that Scottish Canals urgently needs to improve its financial reporting.

The statement comes as, for the second year running, auditors are again unable to provide assurance over Scottish Canals’ financial position, how it spends the public money allocated to it or its performance.

A major problem lies with ongoing difficulties in valuing Scottish Canals’ assets which range from historic structures such as the Avon Aqueduct on the Union Canal and Neptune’s Staircase lock flight on the Caledonian,

both constructed during the 19th century, to modern structures including the Falkirk Wheel.

Scottish Canals took action to address the auditors’ concerns stemming from the 2020–21 accounts but progress has been limited by underlying issues with documentation and data. ptune une’ss Staircase on the As reported last year, with the Nep change to Scottish Canals’ status Caledonian Canal. PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE from a public corporation to a non-departmental public body in 2020 requires Scottish Canals to change the came a requirement for the organisation way in which it values assets. to follow HM Treasury’s Government A statement from Scottish Canals’ Financial Reporting Manual, which finance and business director, Sarah Jane Hannah, said that the report was ‘naturally disappointing’ but that unlike road, rail and council infrastructure, there has been no established and previously audited historical cost data recorded to use as the basis of the valuation. A methodology was agreed last year and Scottish Canals, working with Audit Scotland, will work to improve the valuation records before the 2022–23 audit begins.

So far, some £500,000 has been spent

by Scottish Canals on consultants. The consultants currently retain ownership of the valuation model which could mean that Scottish Canals will have ongoing cost commitments to support The Avon Aqueduct from the Union Canal. PHOTO: CICELY OLIVER its annual valuations work.

New Scottish Silver Propeller locations for 2023

Exploring the Clyde by water offers a view of the many river bridges from a different angle. This is the Clyde Arc, affectionally known as the ‘Squinty Bridge’ in Glasgow, with the Finnieston Crane and the SEC Armadillo auditorium to the right. PHOTOS: JONATHAN MOSSE THE Inland Waterways Association’s Silver Propeller locations have been extended by six this year and include two new destinations in Scotland.

First of these is Rutherglen, up the tidal River Clyde and beyond on to the non-tidal section via Glasgow weir, which can be negotiated at high tide.

The second new location is Stirling, via the River Forth. Visiting leisure craft are few but a new mooring pontoon installed by Stirling Council is popular with locals for canoeing and other water sports.

IWA’s Silver Propeller challenge was

The bank of solar panels newly installed on Tamarisk’s roof.

The view downstream from the weir and pipe bridge across the Clyde. This is the tidal limit of the river and where the saltwater ends and fresh water begins. The sluice gates can be raised at high tide to allow access upstream.

created to encourage people to visit fascinating parts of the inland waterways system in Scotland, England and Wales which are less well used.

You must visit 20 or more locations by boat, canoe or paddleboard to complete the challenge.

These new locations join Port Dundas and The Kelpies on the Forth & Clyde Canal, and Lochrin Basin on the Union.

Discover the full list and how to take part at waterways.org. uk (https ://water ways.org.uk/ waterways/using-the-waterways/ silver-propeller-challenge)

MUCH of the work carried out by IWA’s Sustainable Boating Group to confirm that hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is the most suitable transition fuel on the path to net zero boating was conducted on the Lowland Canals of Scotland.

So much so that Scottish Canals, the navigation authority, now stocks the fuel for boater use and runs all its non-electric vehicles and plant on it, which represents an important element in its overall sustainability policy. It’s just unfortunate that central Government’s biofuel policy is unable to accommodate mixed use in boats and therefore does not subsidise its use for heating, lighting and cooking.

Undeterred, the Sustainable Boating Group, having pretty much sewn up sustainable propulsion – and written it up in its vision paper available at www.waterways.org.uk/campaigns/ green-boating-guide – has now turned its attention to greening the domestic side of inland boating.

Recognising that much of the off-grid information shared by boaters is largely anecdotal, nb Tamarisk has begun by installing 2kW of bifacial PV solar panels and can log a wide range of data and statistics with a view to the IWA making them available to the wider boating community.

As an example, 1kW of panels will be tilted while the second bank will remain flat. Both banks can be monitored separately. No one disputes the fact that, in winter, tilted panels harvest more of the limited direct sunlight, but at the expense of gathering diffused solar radiation throughout the year.

So the question remains, given the cost and human input of a typical tilting system, what is the best overall (and most cost effective) strategy to employ.

This, together with a wide range of other pertinent, first-hand information, will form the basis of a series of articles

in Towpath Talk in the autumn. This will draw not only on the Scottish scene but also on the wide range of experience held by members of the active IWA Sustainable Boating Group.

This group forms part of the IWA’s Greener Boating strategy, campaigning for 300 charging points, more dredging, biofuels and other technologies to help boaters reduce emissions on the canals and inland waterways.

Scottish Canals’ staff aboard one of the new hire boats at the Falkirk Wheel. PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

Puffer VIC 32 will soon be on her tours powered by biofuel rather than coal. PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE

Greener boating

Scottish Canals has launched a hire fleet of four eBoats, powered by ePropulsion’s silent Spirit electric outboard motors and based at the Falkirk Wheel. Visitors can spend a peaceful 90 minutes exploring the Forth & Clyde Canal between the wheel and Bonnybridge. ePropulsion was founded by former engineering students from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, each with a passion for watersports and protecting the planet. The company manufactures electronic marine motors used to power everything from a SUP or kayak to ocean-going catamarans. The electric boats mean no noise, no pollution and no risk of fuel spills into the canals.

Self-drive electric hire boats are also available on the Union Canal from the Linlithgow Union Canal Society (LUCS).

The Falkirk Wheel itself is extremely energy efficient, with only 1.5kWh of energy, equivalent to the energy needed to boil eight household kettles required to rotate the gondolas.

Elsewhere on the canals, steamboat VIC 32’s black smoke will be a thing of the past as the transition is made from coal to biofuel during the puffer’s 80th birthday year. The last load of coal was loaded at Tarbert in May. VIC 32 is the first heritage operator in the country to completely convert to a solid biofuel.

After four years of trials and tests, VIC 32’s engines will be powered by organic compressed rapemeal waste.

RYA Scotland three-year plan having early impact A REPORT highlighting the first year’s impact of its People, Places and Communities three-year plan has been published by RYA Scotland.

It illustrates the organisation’s impact across sailing, windsurfing, powerboating and the wider boating community. The 2022–25 strategy introduced a new regional and local approach to how RYA Scotland supports and develops all forms of

boating across Scotland.

Finlo Cottier, RYA Scotland’s chief executive, said that the impact report is a superb statement of the positive impact that RYA Scotland is making and a recognition of the extent and quality of volunteering in the RYA Scotland community.

You can read the report at rya.org. uk (https://www.rya.org.uk/gbni/ scotland/about-us/our-impact)

RYA Scotland supports all the boating community, from sailing to kayaking, seen here on the Union Canal. PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE

74 TRAVELS/ANGLING

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Days Out – Braunston

Braunston’s church spire overlooks the marina.

This series picks locations for great days out near some very special canal highlights – anything from the perfect spot for gongoozling (watching boating activities) to an idyllic towpath stroll past extraordinary waterways heritage sightseeing, or perhaps a short boat trip and even a bit of souvenir shopping. The canals are full of heritage and engineering wonders and are also a calm haven for a wide diversity of wildlife and birds. You’ll also see boats on the move and breathe the balm of water in rustling green surroundings.

Leisure boats own the water now, and the straighter Grand Union Canal was Words & images: Coolcanals: Phillippa Greenwood & Martine O’Callaghan

THE now sleepy junction between the Oxford and Grand Union Canals at Braunston was once one of the busiest commercial trading points linking with London.

Canal engineer James Brindley built the Oxford Canal in his typical winding fashion, flowing around contours rather than bulldozing a straight course. When

built, it stole much of the Oxford’s commercial traffic – but the Oxford fought back, charging extortionate tolls to use its water in the link between Napton and Braunston.

There are six locks running through Braunston, before the canal dives into Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards /1867 metres long). This idyllic canal village dates back to the Domesday Book and is one of the most renowned and important canal village communities in the country.

Braunston has become a much-loved photogenic hotspot for leisure seekers.

The marina hosts the annual Braunston Historic Boat Rally and the visitor is treated to Horseley iron bridges, historic workshops, and a marina bobbing with narrowboats of all colours.

Two narrowboats sharing one of the locks.

Braunston Tunnel

Historic buildings in Braunston Marina.

The Horseley Ironworks double-span bridge at the junction of the Grand Union and Oxford canals.

TRAVEL/ANGLING 75

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

The Towpath Angler

Our monthly look at the angling scene IN THE past I have often made reference to the tremendous reliance on volunteers in the world. They are absolutely crucial to so many organisations. I have also said that their contributions all too often go unrecognised.

In my 57 years as a volunteer at local, regional and national level I have met so many good people who put in countless hours often at their own expense and yet receive barely a thank you. Last year I was extremely honoured to receive a Queen’s Award for my efforts and, while I fully appreciate this might not be possible for everyone, I firmly believe that all such organisations should have their own award system within which certain volunteers are recognised every year, be it for long service or special achievement.

Recent weeks have seen me particularly busy at club level dealing with future stocking orders, site security at a club pool where the local police have been really helpful, an assault on a bailiff and excessive flooding of our club pool – probably caused by changes to the flood control regime of nearby rivers. A real mix of things so no chance of my becoming bored, but all of them extremely time consuming.

At long last we are just beginning to see some promising developments.

Interestingly, just to underline what I said earlier about volunteers, one club colleague asked whether, even though we do all these things, do members really appreciate it? Of course some do.

Braunston Marina.

Funding options

Lots of boats to gongoozle at Braunston Historic Boat Rally.

FACT FILE Braunston marina

At Braunston, a photogenic Grade II listed double cast-iron bridge spans the junction where the Grand Union Canal meets the Oxford Canal at Braunston Turn. Further along the canal, Braunston’s marina has mooring for up to 250 boats, buys and sells new and used boats, has two dry docks and a collection of historic buildings housing everything from rope to magazines. www.braunstonmarina.co.uk Braunston Historic Boat Rally

Time your visit to Braunston for the annual boat rally and canal festival at the end of June – it’s the largest gathering of traditional working boats which pack together along the canal in a colourful procession of heritage. www.braunstonmarina.co.uk Boat Shop

Next to the bottom of Braunston’s flight of locks is a tiny bookshop

Braunston Windmill by the churchyard.

which prides itself on having one of the largest collections of canal-related books in the country. It also sells canal giftware and of course ice creams. www.boatshopbraunston.co.uk Boatmen’s church

The spire of All Saints’ Church guards over the village, just as it has for generations of boating families who have passed through ever since the first working boats. It is known as the boatman’s church since it has christened and married many from the floating community. And the graves of boaters lie here too.

Location

Braunston OS Grid ref: SP540658 Canal: Grand Union Canal and Oxford Canal How to get there By train

Nearest railway station is Rugby National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 By bus

Traveline 0871 200 2233

By car

Roadside or in car park near the marina On foot

The towpath at Braunston forms part of two long-distance trails – the Grand Union Canal Walk and the Oxford Canal Walk By boat

Nearest boat hire: Narrowboat Escapes, Braunston www.narrowboatescapes.co.uk Union Canal Carriers, Braunston www.unioncanalcarriers.co.uk Moorings There are plenty of visitor moorings along the canal through Braunston Local Tourist info

Northamptonshire Tourist Info www.visitnorthamptonshire.co.uk Braunston village website www.braunston.org.uk Oxford Canal Heritage www.oxfordcanalheritage.org Canal & River Trust Use the Canal & River Trust website to find specific local information www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

July looks like being a busy month. One key meeting is the Canal & River Trust’s Fisheries & Angling Advisory Group. The agenda is, as always, pretty full and it will certainly include a discussion about the Let’s Fish initiative. It will undergo stringent reviews just as all parts of the business will as the trust carries out an all-embracing review to determine its future funding position.

There are a number of funding options for Let’s Fish, none of which are that simple. Like so many things there is ‘politics’ involved, but it beggars belief that something so fundamental to the future, not just of canal angling but to the trust itself, and which is so successful may well suffer badly because of these ‘politics’.

I have had a couple of online meetings re. the new Towpath Advisory Group.

Approval has been given and so the next stage is to appoint key representatives of those sectors of the user community who make use of our towpaths. It is vital that the group comprises practitioners not theorists in order to create the best possible opportunity for resolving many of the towpath-based issues. That said, compromise on all sides will be

David Kent

essential and this could well mean that some users will probably need to relinquish benefits they currently enjoy.

Clearly the mantra of sharing the space must be paramount.

The weather we have enjoyed in recent weeks would seem to have allowed the fish everywhere to complete spawning.

That said, some are having a second try.

It is now very likely that they will start to really stoke up for winter and so are more likely to feed more often and for longer.

Having said that, news from some of the canals this week is by no means good.

I had the chance to visit the Aire & Calder last weekend with a small club I ‘guest’ with from time to time. It would have been a 120-mile round trip but because of a commitment in the evening I opted not to go.

Low water levels

Looking at the results it was a wise decision. One bream of 3lb won and eight anglers never had a bite. Here on my local canal only 5lb won the Saturday event last week when previously over 20lb of bream had been needed.

It seems low water levels have not helped the opening days of the river season. Anglers seeking out the barbel on my local section of the Trent have been going home early. The commercial fisheries are, generally, okay but even these are not really on consistent top form yet.

My own outings of late have seen constantly changing fortunes. Results in the last few weeks have seen me clock up one win, two seconds, a third and two section wins, all demonstrating that my making sometimes poor decisions previously had clearly been affecting my performances.

During four of those matches I made a complete change of approach mid-match and ended with a good outcome. Frustratingly I pretty much knew at the beginning that a particular method would probably be the one but chose something else which, effectively, failed... hence my change.

If you plan to have a crack in the coming days I reckon you might well catch a few. Keep the approach simple and I am sure the rewards will come. Stay safe in the sun.

Tight lines.

Milestone for anglers’ water quality campaign A CAMPAIGN by the Angling Trust saw the 2000th water quality sample taken from a UK river.

Anglers Against Pollution launched its Water Quality Monitoring Network as a pilot project on the River Severn in May last year before its national rollout two months later.

It now involves almost 500 volunteers from angling clubs

taking samples from their local waters to better understand water quality and potential pollution issues.

The 2000th sample, taken by voluntary bailiff Jonathan Swan on the River Chelmer in Essex, showed that phosphate levels exceeded the Water Framework Directive while nitrates were at the trigger level.

AT’S campaigns and advocacy manager

Kris Kent, who leads the project, said: “With over 470 volunteers registered from 195 angling clubs we have made amazing progress.

“What is sad is that the 2000th sample recorded is further evidence of the poor water quality on many of our rivers, exceeding Water Framework Directive standards for phosphate and with high nitrate levels.”

76 WET WEB

August 2023

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

The Wet Web

By Helen Gazeley

THERE are a number of reasons why the Canal & River Trust’s welfare officers are busier than ever.

The organisation became more stringent in checking boats, prompting queries about missed licence payments or extended mooring time. Covid exacerbated mental health issues. With many boaters moving into their 70s and 80s, age-related health needs have increased. And, of course, there’s the cost of living.

In the CRT’s recent boater census, it was revealed that 75% of liveaboards are on their first boat, and nearly half of those have lived aboard less than three years. Combine that with 55% – rising to 66% in London – of respondents giving the main reason for living aboard as affordability, and you can begin to see the range of issues faced by the welfare team.

But welfare officer Sean Williams is keen that boat dwellers should know about their existence.

Problems with paying bills, mental health issues, difficulties registering with a GP practice, and requiring extended time on a mooring in order to receive medical treatment are just some of the problems that the team has the expertise to help with.

Sean and welfare officer Michelle Simmonds, who joined around a year ago to absorb some of the increasing workload, help struggling boaters to access benefits, local care services, relevant voluntary organisations such as

Citizens Advice or Macmillan, and local support providers.

Initial contact

Sean became the CRT’s first welfare officer in 2015. Local rangers had noticed the need for more help and support for people on boats who were struggling to maintain licences and comply with terms and conditions.

“When I started I was surprised by how much local teams did,” said Sean. “The licence support officers are our eyes and ears; they have the initial contact. They had lots of empathy, but not the specialist knowledge to help.”

It was this expertise that Sean brought with him from his role in social housing, where he’d helped unpick the problems tenants were facing. “A good amount of what we do is signposting. If someone has medical needs, we can link them to a GP, connect them to treatment.

“Then you ask how they’re managing the boat, if they need to stay longer where they are while getting medical treatment. What’s the impact on their finances?

Linking them to support on that and marrying that up with our own financial team. And we’ll keep in contact, see how they’re getting on with the GP and receiving benefits, or if they need an Equality Adjustment, so they don’t have to move on so often.”

When Sean first started, people often challenged the reason for the welfare team’s approaches.

“That doesn’t happen so much any more,” he says.

Sean Williams, the Canal & River Trust’s welfare officer.

As well as the wider team who work with Sean to identify vulnerable boaters, he gives a shout-out to the Waterways Chaplaincy, with whom he works on a lot of cases, as boaters often like to have an independent person liaise for them.

PHOTO COURTESY SEAN WILLIAMS

From a business point of view, it certainly makes sense for CRT to try to sort problems out early.

Chasing people for licence fees, or actually having to remove a boat, results in a huge financial, as well as time, expenditure. But for Sean, it’s all about helping people.

“It makes sense from a business perspective,” he explained, “but the human element outweighs any cost saving. A person’s wellbeing outweighs the value.”

If you’re a boater in need of help – or know someone who is – you can contact your local licence officer directly or call 0303 040 4040. Links to your local officer are also on the CRT website, where there are details of useful organisations and charities (bit. ly/3XPkOww).

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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 the Grantham Canal Society taking the title by a short head.

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

Award presentations to our finalists

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

alk.

Tal tth T publisher of Towpath Our thanks go to the readers who rose of to the challenge of finding a group 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 told reporters thatt shots, coming from moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats five about for on Field, Fen Ditton, and this went no injuries were minutes. Cambridgeshire Police said reported and enquiries were continuing.

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

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

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

Tal tth T been identified when Towpath

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The canal rangers team and community patrol boat volunteers. PHOTO: DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL

Canal team granted powers to tackle antisocial behaviour

THE canal rangers team and community patrol boat volunteers who work on the Grand Western Canal in Tiverton and its country park have been given limited police powers.

In what has been hailed as a significant milestone in community policing, both the rangers and the volunteers have been accredited with limited police powers under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) and the Accredited Police Volunteer (APV) scheme respectively.

Chairman of the Grand Western Canal Joint Advisory Committee and local member for Tiverton East, Devon county councillor Colin Slade said: “They already do a great job, but

now will be able to do so on a formal footing. While the majority of canal and country park users are well behaved and considerate, there are a minority who do not think the rules apply to them and indulge in antisocial behaviour and low-level crime.”

The rangers are part of the CSAS scheme, which has been running in Devon and Cornwall since 2005, whereas the volunteers are the first in Devon and Cornwall to be part of the APV scheme.

Powers accredited through both schemes will enable the volunteers and the rangers to deal with any low-level antisocial behaviour which might occur while fostering a sense of security and reassurance for users and the community.

These have been targeted to address the needs on the canal and surrounding area and include being able to request the name and address of anyone acting in an antisocial manner.

It is a formal offence if an individual does not comply with the requests from accredited volunteers.

Inspector Grant Leitch said: “We are excited about the possibilities this scheme brings and look forward to a safer, more harmonious canal environment for everyone to enjoy.”

Both the APV accredited volunteers and CSAS accredited rangers can be identified by the logo displayed on their uniform.

They will also carry a police ID badge and card listing their powers.

Swing bridge closed after balustrade collapse REPAIR work is needed to Crabtree Lane swing bridge No 32 on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to the west of Burscough in Lancashire, writes Colin Wareing.

The bridge balustrade on one side fell off during the evening of July 3, having recently suffered from a vehicle strike which left it at an angle.

Contractors have successfully removed the damaged balustrade and while further repair works are conducted the bridge has been left in the open position to allow navigation to resume.

A crane was due to arrive on site on July 21 for Canal & River Trust contractors to carry out repairs to the barrier.

The damaged bridge on July 4. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING

TALKBACK 77

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023 Your chance to write to us on any towpath topic: Towpath Talk, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ or email editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk

Cill warning sign in wrong place?

Words & photos: Les Heath

ANOTHER narrowboat has recently been added to the long list of vessels to become submerged after being ‘hung up’ on the cill at Kegworth Deep Lock on the River Soar.

A board indicating the number of boats to be ‘hung up’ over a certain

period has been replaced by a yellow warning notice.

Unfortunately it has been sited several metres below the bottom lock gates instead of above the top gates.

Boaters will not become ‘hung up’ on the cill going uphill and by the time boaters going downstream see the sign they have already left the lock.

The warning sign below the bottom gates of Kegworth Deep Lock.

Volunteers needed for towpath maintenance WE ARE lucky enough to own a share of a narrowboat which gives us four weeks a year on the network. We also live near the Kennet & Avon Canal in our home town of Newbury.

The state of towpaths has markedly fallen across the networks we have visited, at times totally overgrown and impassible and others dangerously worn away into the cut itself. I have volunteered with our local Towpath Taskforce intending to help with the situation but the emphasis seems to be directed only on certain areas where there is the most traffic.

I’m sure all boaters (pleasure cruisers and liveaboards) love the peace and tranquility of the rural cut and yet these are the areas most neglected. Surely we all owe a duty of care to cut back hedgerows with a pair of shears and secateurs and/or a battery trimmer on the grass, gradually thus increasing the area of moorings along the cut and making the towpath fit for purpose.

This would not need to be organised by a Canal & River Trust paid staffer other than providing purpose green waste bags that could be left for collection at road bridges or other designated pathways.

Jacqui Brig By email

Please leave space for cruisers

MY BOAT is a 23 Viking moored on the River Lee; although I have thought about buying a narrowboat I have never got round to it.

In fact I am thinking of giving my hobby up because it’s getting so expensive with running costs like mooring fees etc. It would be a shame because I have enjoyed it so much over some 25 years now.

Another concern I have is that it’s really difficult to find a mooring space on the rivers and canals. I have nothing against narrowboaters but they do take up a lot of the mooring space along the towpath.

In fact I have asked the Canal & River Trust if we could have a few spaces along the towpath – about 100 yards – for GRP cruisers with notices and perhaps white lines just for cruisers (summer only).

Another request please, could we have a few articles about cruisers and outboard motors in future editions.

Ray Hough By email

Don’t let ivy take hold WE HAVE just returned from a week spent on the southern end of the Shropshire Union Canal.

In the days of BWB (British Waterways Board) I took it for granted there must have been staff available who checked bridges and waterway infrastructure for the arrival of ivy and shrubs, and then got rid of them before they took hold and began to destroy brickwork. This work has ceased.

Most bridges on the southern Shroppie are being overrun and ultimately destroyed by ivy. It takes a moment to remove the young plant as it begins its assault.

If every canal lover took a decorator's blade with them and prised the young shoots from bridges they would not take over.

If you’re a bit more

ambitious take a garden hoe as well, then you can reach the high stuff. It takes a moment.

Tony Price By email

Young ivy shoots like these can be prised from a bridge.

Ivy has taken hold of the brickwork. PHOTOS: TONY PRICE

The thin end of the wedge BOATER Paul Handley wrote to the Canal & River Trust in the West Midlands regarding a moored boat obstructing a winding hole at Tyrley and shares the following reply from a customer support administrator: “This winding hole is privately owned and the owner has decided to not allow use of this winding hole for the general public.

“We are currently in conversation

with the owner about possibly allowing use for all boaters, but at the moment this is not something we have control of and the owner is within their rights to moor here.”

Mr Handley comments: “This then begs the question of whose water the boat is sitting on. Simplistic I know, but I thought CRT and therefore me as a licence payer ‘owned’ the water.

“All well and good that CRT is in

negotiation but is this to be another downgrading of this area, with the sanitary station closed. The restricted overnight mooring opposite ‘The Pontoons’ in Drayton, damaged footing caused by out-of-control wash at Tyrley lock 5, the damaged bridge 48... the thin end of any wedge gets thicker by the day.”

A sterling job on the towpath ON ARRIVING back to our home mooring from a month's cruise, we were pleased to see the help the Canal & River Trust had given to the wildlife by the sides of the canal, seemingly with little effort.

We were pleased to see contractors do a sterling job on the towpath for the wider community. We wait with anticipation for CRT to improve the canal system and its facilities for boaters who pay to cruise the canals.

This winding hole is off limits to boaters. PHOTO: PAUL HANDLEY

Bob and Chris nb Mrs D

78 LAST WORD

August 2023

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Powering up for a greener future

Could a lack of suitably qualified engineers affect the move to electric propulsion, asks Phil Pickin. Apprenticeship programme IT IS widely accepted that there is a move toward electric propulsion for boats. And although many of the electrically powered boats are also fitted with diesel generators to overcome a lack of charging infrastructure, the move is definitely under way.

However, the general lack of qualified engineers in all sectors of industry would seem to be particularly acute when it comes to electrical engineers. The added complexity of an electric boat – or car, for that matter – can prove to be a significant issue should problems occur.

Over the years, engineers have become well used to the problems that befall diesel engines, but with the future move away from fossil fuels, those same engineers will need to learn a new set of skills.

One of the largest employers of engineers is River Canal Rescue (RCR). When asked how it was approaching the growth in electric boats, company MD Stephanie Horton, said: “Our engineers have already undertaken training on electrical boats and have been receiving ongoing training for the past four to five years. However, there is not much that can be done in a breakdown situation, as most electric motors – if that is where the issue is – have to be sent away for work.

“Mostly it’s battery or connection issues; with Lynch motors, we can undertake a number of other repairs, but again if it’s a motor, it has to be returned for repair. The biggest issue is the infrastructure for electric boats as, in general, they are reliable.

We attend more callouts to the generators that charge the batteries than for actual issues with the electric installations.”

But it would seem the issue of a shortage of qualified engineers has also thrown up an unexpected problem.

Stephanie went on: “We are seeing, especially in London, a lot of ‘self-taught’ engineers with little formal training, and they are causing more issues than they are solving.

“The condition and state of engines and boaters, armed with feedback on Facebook, can also hinder things. Engineers with years of experience are challenged continuously by boaters who ‘have been told on Facebook that the issue is xyz and you don’t know what you are doing’, to the point no one wants to work on London boats. Plus, even if we recommend repairs, they simply ignore them, and we end up re-attending, which for an engineer is really frustrating.”

In common with similar industries, the marine sector is in some cases struggling to recruit and retain engineering staff. RCR is not immune to this, as Stephanie said: “Getting good ‘marine’ engineers is becoming harder, and attracting engineers from other backgrounds is no longer as easy. The wages we can offer no longer compete, and unless we drastically raise membership or charges, we can’t match what other industries are paying (we have to raise membership fees even to simply keep our staff as we are below national averages).

“All of the above contribute towards a situation where good engineers are less available. The situation is compounded by new Government rules where we have to pay minimum wages to those on three-year apprenticeships – an average of £19k per year for a person to sit with an engineer and be paid to go to college. This means an investment of nearly £60k before they provide a

Typical battery bank, generator and electric motor setup in a narrowboat engine bay. PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN

return for the company, and there is always the risk of them getting poached.

“It’s becoming really difficult for us to argue to keep the apprenticeship programme running, meaning fewer dedicated engineers on the waterways. I’m not sure what the answer is; I agree with a minimum wage, but it makes it hard to get new engineers trained up and qualified to keep supplying services to a growing community with boats that are getting more diverse.”

It’s not surprising that the problem with finding engineers isn’t restricted to service providers like RCR. Ortomarine, one of the first boat builders to commit to ‘going green’ and to exclusively produce electric boats for the waterways, has noticed similar problems.

Caroline Badger, who with partner Rob Howdle and their team build electric boats in Worcestershire, told us: “In our experience there is a massive shortage of suitably qualified engineers all-around – not just those that are happy to work on electric boats. The whole succession planning system is failing in the industry. We have looked into taking on apprentices in the past, but there are no available apprenticeships available locally that tie in with what we are doing in the boating industry.”

Perhaps more worrying, Caroline has noticed another problem similar to that seen by RCR. She said: “Unfortunately, we are aware that there are boat builders building electric boats, which are not completely fit for purpose. We have been contacted by several people

Going green: One of Ortomarine’s early serial hybrid narrowboats. PHOTO: ORTOMARINE who have had electric boats built elsewhere who are not happy with their boats and are having problems – this can only be harmful to the industry. The lack of up-to-date regulations doesn’t help either.”

Unfortunately, she feels that these problems could cause a larger problem in putting off those considering going electric.

Negative publicity

“We know there is a growing amount of negative press around going down the electric propulsion route, it seems there are lots of naysayers around.

When an electric boat has a problem, this is publicised widely, but there is not so much publicity for those that are working well, day-in, day-out, for their happy owners!”

“In our experience, it is more likely that customers will have a problem with the generator than the electric motor, so most boat engineers who work with engines should be competent to look at generator faults.”

All good boat builders provide

after-sales service to customers that provide the owners with peace of mind after they have taken delivery of their new boat.

But in this new-era, buyers would be well advised to ask questions before parting with their hard-earned cash. Will the after-sales cover include the electrical system?

Caroline added: “For the boats we build, we pride ourselves on our after-sales service to our customers, so they know that they can pick up the phone if they have an issue, but I know this is not the case for many other builders who are supplying electric boats.”

So, in answer to the question as to the impact these shortages are having on the move towards more sustainable boating, Ortomarine’s answer is: “Yes – there is definitely a shortage of suitably qualified engineers, and it may well put people off ‘going green’, but ultimately the whole industry needs to be educated and better regulated so that the electric boats which are built are fit for purpose.”

Campaigning to preserve our historic waterways NABO general secretary Peter Braybrook comments on some more topical issues.

WELL, it has happened! We have been asking for an announcement from the Government about the future funding of the canals and rivers, and as I write today a statement has been issued.

To the Canal & River Trust and any of us that value the canals as a leisure resource or for our employment it

is a great disappointment. Of course it is sensible for the trust to look for additional streams of income but as a recent prime minister famously said: “There is no magic money tree.”

Having shown Defra the billions in benefits provided by the canals and rivers to the health and well-being of the nation, this Government has said ‘thank you very much’ and halved what it wants to spend on them! It even sings the praises of the canals in assisting it to achieve its own environmental aims.

The trust is asking for our support to its #KeepCanalsAlive campaign and says of the announcement: “It will lead to a decline in the condition of the canal network and the alarming prospect of canal closures.”

Meanwhile, at the initiation of NABO, the Inland Waterways Association, Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs and Royal Yachting Association, alongside about 30 other waterways business and leisure organisations, formed a campaign group called FundBritainsWaterways.

Many other organisations are coming to join this group, which aims to raise the profile of this funding situation and the impending real possibility that canals will be shut because there is not enough money

to maintain them in a safe condition.

This would be devastating to the thousands of boaters, anglers, paddleboarders, canoeists, walkers and cyclists who have come to love the canals and rivers and use them as a place of tranquillity and mindfulness.

Campaign cruise

The first main campaign event will be a campaign cruise in Birmingham on August 11 and 12. This is to highlight the problem and continue to lobby the politicians to bring about a reversal of the shortsighted policy of Defra.

I started boating in 1999 as a hirer. I became a boat owner in 2003 and first attended the IWA Canalway Cavalcade in 2005. There I was amazed to find a large group of enthusiasts like the Waterways Recovery Group and many other canal preservation societies all working towards the restoration of abandoned canals with a view to re-linking them to ‘the system’. So much enthusiasm and expertise but also a great need for funds and grants.

We are in a high-inflation economy and many are feeling that their disposable income is shrinking at an alarming rate. There will now be serious competition between restoration

projects and maintenance projects for the available cash, whether donations or grants. We have already witnessed a huge decline in the condition of the canal network.

Over the past few years we have seen the parapets of bridges taken off to save weight and keep bridges open for longer. We have seen damaged brickwork on our lock walls appear beside our boats as we descend. We have noted much of this to be so loose that bricks must have been falling into the lock to eventually jam the gates or put pressure on the seals.

We cannot cruise too far without finding a paddle covered and a CRT Aware sticker on it. Some have been held up for up to two weeks as a repair has been made to a failed piece of infrastructure. Maybe a breach, a collapsed culvert, a failed balance beam or a structurally unsafe lock gate. We have all come across pounds that drain overnight because of leaking lock gates.

NABO has decided to record these defects and is asking boat owners to report all instances where they encounter difficulties because of them. Of course lock gates by their very nature will always leak a bit.

One of our number has said what we

are really interested in is finding out where the waterfalls are rather than the water features.

We believe that defects can’t be over reported and that CRT Aware tags should be completed with a report date and an expected date of repair. We do not think that ‘wait until it breaks’ is a financially stable model for maintenance of a 250-year-old network. Stoppages in the summer bring damage to the reputation of the trust, impact the local boating economy and inconvenience to holidaymakers and cruisers alike who have to change their plans or lose a week or so of their valuable time, possibly in a place where they did not want to stop.

Money is dominating our thinking at present yet I have been really pleased to be at the tiller again and listening to the reed, sedge and garden warblers, skylarks, whitethroats, robins, reed buntings and yellowhammers that fill the hedgerows. Herons and kingfishers enjoy the fishing.

I have seen a grass snake and frogs and a huge display of wildflowers along the way as red kites, buzzards and kestrels patrol above. We must be thankful that for today at least our canals and rivers are an idyll. Let us hope we can keep them so.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk August 2023

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August 2023

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