TowPath Talk October 2017

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Issue 144, October 2017

Irish idyll

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FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS FLAGS AND WATER P4

TRADING ALONG TOWN TOWPATH

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P16 A hire cruiser enters Clondara Lock on the Cloondara Canal which links the Camlin and Shannon rivers in Co Longford. More from Ireland on pages 14 and 73. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

THERE’S ALWAYS A PLAN-B P64

Commuters could park and glide on new canal link

By Phil Pickin

SWAN UPMANSHIP ON THE THAMES P103 LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY MARINA?

Find your ideal location using the map in our feature

Turn to

P32

BOATS FOR SALE Turn to

P75

VISITORS to the Somerset town of Taunton could eventually park and glide as opposed to park and ride if the project of the same name becomes a reality.

The Friends of the Grand Western Canal are working to raise both the funds and the profile of a project that could see eco-friendly, solar-powered boats on a mile-long journey between Silk Mills

Tardebigge challenge

and French Weir, taking commuters on a journey of around 15 minutes.

If successful the project would not only require the reinstatement of the old route of the canal but also the building of a new section close to Silk Mills.

The plan has received widespread approval according to Friends chairman Robert Hodgson, who told Towpath Talk that local councillors and MPs have all voiced their support for the project.

A NEW certificate is being launched by the Canal & River Trust to commemorate any boaters completing the 30 locks that make up Tardebigge Lock Flight in Worcestershire. The trust has also praised its volunteer lock keepers, who have been out in force along the flight throughout the spring and summer to give extra support to boaters using the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Boaters keen to claim their certificate can do so by scanning on a QR code located on posters on the flight or by emailing timothy. booker@canalrivertrust.org.uk

He went on to say that funds are now needed to allow a feasibility study to be carried out. This alone will cost around £35,000, of which around £6000 has already been raised. His hope is that this study could be carried out over the coming winter months, and assuming things go to plan the project could then get under way. It’s envisaged that the park and glide plan would take about four years to complete.

Carving the way

BEDFORD & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust has been awarded £8300 by Central Bedfordshire Council Green Infrastructure Planning Obligations Fund towards its initiative to mark the route of the Waterway Park with thematic wood carvings and information points. Three benches and a number of carved marker posts, depicting wildlife and waterway themes by local artist Carrie Yuen, are being installed in the Millennium Country Park, at the heart of the Forest of Marston Vale. The trust will also contribute to the project with funds raised by the John Bunyan boat.

A number of additional benefits are also outlined on the project’s website including the environmental advantages of public transport, especially when it’s solar powered.

This is in addition to the business benefits and the potential for flood alleviation, something of growing importance to many towns and communities.

Continued on page 2

Winter moorings

THE Canal & River Trust has published its winter moorings for 2017-18. A variety of sites will be available from November 1, 2017 to March 16, 2018, finishing ahead of the Easter holidays and the start of the summer cruising season. A final list of the sites and prices can be found on the winter moorings page at www.canalrivertrust.org. uk. All winter mooring permits will be charged at a ‘per metre, per month’ rate and bookings will open at 6am on Monday, October 2 through the trust’s boat licensing site at https://licensing. canalrivertrust.org.uk

2 NEWS/COMMENT

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WELCOME

I START my welcome this month with some sad news – the deaths of two waterways stalwarts who have featured in Towpath Talk this year.

Regular contributor and book reviewer Robert Davies died in hospital on September 6. Earlier this year I was one of the guests when he was presented with a decorated hand bowl to mark his contribution to the Russell Newbery Register, organising its rallies until his retirement as administration manager last year. His final review appears on page 65 and a full obituary will appear next month.

The death was reported to us on September 7 of our Volunteer of the Year for 2016, Paul Mills, who had been fighting cancer for several years. He had been fundraising and project officer for the Shropshire Union Canal Society for 20 years before forming the Small Task Team Volunteers with which he remained active as long as he was able. Paul’s funeral will take place on Friday, October 6, email john.riley295@btinternet.com for details.

When Paul received his volunteer award in May he said: “The recognition is for the whole team and not just myself.”

We are taking this on board and will be bringing you news of our Volunteer Award for 2017 next month – and this will now be for a team rather than an individual.

As the summer festival season draws to a close we have reports on the IWA Festival of Water at Ilkeston and the events at Burnley, Whitchurch, Ellesmere and Slough with more to follow next month. Elizabeth Rogers’ River People feature moves to page 103 to accommodate some great photos of the annual Thames ‘Swan Upping’ and our new Scottish correspondent Cicely Oliver brings us news from north of the border on page 104.

High spot of August for me was a trip to Ireland where I enjoyed some fantastic visits which will be featured over the coming months. My first reports, on the Heritage Boat Association’s commemoration of the Royal Canal bicentenary during Irish National Heritage Week and the construction of the Acres Lake Boardwalk extending the Shannon Blueway trail to Drumshanbo, appear on pages 14 and 73 respectively. My thanks to Aoife Duffy and Katrina McGirr of Waterways Ireland for all the work they put into my itinerary and their hospitality.

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Comment and recollections from Harry Arnold

Cunning campaigning for the Anderton Boat Lift CONSIDERABLE subterfuge had to be employed to achieve our restoration aims in those days, particularly to protect the jobs of friends in British Waterways who were helping us. As chairman of the Trent & Mersey Canal Society, as well as being an IWA Council member, I was very friendly with Brian Haskins, BW’s Northwich area engineer (who like Graham, mentioned below, has featured in the column before).

We used to achieve things on the T&M by off-the-record chats and a ‘you write this letter and I will write back thus’ system, keeping his bosses happy. We devised, in the words of Baldrick, ‘cunning plans’. Brian tipped me off about the parlous state of the Anderton Lift long before it closed and the restoration campaign began.

Ignore the ‘official histories’ and even the T&MCS minutes of the time.

At a meal at our house Brian said what was really needed was an IWA National Rally at Northwich to draw attention to the lift and the area. I couldn’t have agreed more. The problem was our friendship was known about and the idea couldn’t come via me.

In a social chat before the next IWA Council meeting, when future ‘nationals’ were to be discussed, I mentioned Northwich to another council member.

The proposal for the successful He said that’s a great venue and I said 1979 IWA Northwich National Rally why don’t you propose it? He did, it happened, and was able to bathe in the actually emanated from a British glory of what was a BW engineer’s idea.

Waterways area engineer.

Before closure and rebuilding the Anderton Boat Lift was in a parlous state and bits were known to drop off.

In my opinion, Northwich was one of the best events of that era.

One amusing story (of many) about using the lift: BW at the highest level then had to jump on to the publicity bandwagon. A pre-rally official cruise down the lift and into Northwich for the great and the good, aboard a pair of trip boats, was arranged.

I was up in the bows of one with chairman Sir Frank Price and Brian, when a large object dropped off the

lift from above and hit the water with a resounding splash between the bows of the two boats. Sir Frank looked alarmed and Brian quickly reassured him that ‘it was quite normal’.

The lift fortunately kept going. Unlike years later after it was rebuilt and was being officially reopened, everything stopped. We, the press – aboard the brand-new trip boat – were stranded halfway down for quite some time.

Somewhat embarrassing.

A mole in the IWA CONFIDENTIALITY at meetings is often a problem, although nowadays company and trust meeting minutes have to be published. There are – and always were – things that are discussed off-the-record for various good reasons.

When I was a member of the IWA council (now trustees) a number of years ago we found that anything said at our monthly London Saturday meetings was known in British Waterways’ headquarters by the following Monday.

In effect – we had a ‘mole’ in our midst.

So, to finally prove this Graham Palmer and I dreamt up an entirely fictitious • Continued from page 1

waterway restoration proposal which, as it affected a BW waterway, we knew would be of major interest to them. We asked for it to be discussed confidentially by council and not minuted.

Sure enough, by the Monday morning the secretary of the BW Board Trevor Luckuck knew all about it. How did we know? We had a mole in BW’s Melbury House office. Tit-for-tat you might say.

I will not name more of those involved, although all, like Luckuck, are now dead. Suffice to say that we proved to our satisfaction that the mole was a professional employee of IWA. Oh, and

we also had a volunteer council member who regularly rang one of the main waterway magazines to tell them what happened in our meetings. Must have been good for his ego.

The final irony is that the fictitious restoration scheme Graham and I concocted eventually became fact and was completed.

RIGHT: Not a real IWA mole but a very attractive stuffed one produced as a fundraiser by the Waterway Recovery Group.

PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

Equine firsts for Tiverton Canal Company THE Tiverton Canal Company, which operates the Grand Western Canal’s horse-drawn passenger boat, Tivertonian, has added three new horses to its stable this year.

Two of these are ‘firsts’ for the family business which acquired national fame

when its boat appeared on the cover of the BBC Countryfile calendar for 2012.

Managing director Philip Brind explained: “In the history of our company we’ve never taken on a yearling foal but this year we did and held a naming competition on

Facebook where its posts reached over 150,000. A registered Shire, his stable name is Brindley after the canal engineer and, of course, us Brinds.”

The second horse that has been a first is registered Clydesdale, Ruby, the first mare in the history of the company.

The proposed route of the park and glide project.

Commuters could park and glide on new canal link The Grand Western Canal was designed to link Taunton with Tiverton as part of grander plans to connect the Bristol Channel with the English Channel. Planning started in 1796 and the first section opened in 1814. But only the 11 miles of the Devon section remain open. If successful the new project will include provision for the recreation of what were the world’s first commercial vertical boat lifts, the originals of which are said to predate the Anderson Boat Lift by some 40 years.

Full details can be found on the project’s website https://www.parknglide.org with details of the Friends of the Grand Western Canal available on https:// www.friendsgrandwesterncanal.org.uk

Clydesdale mare Ruby, driven by horseman Dave Poxon, on her first day with the Tivertonian on the Grand Western Canal. PHOTO SUPPLIED

NEWS 3

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Businesses await outcome of EA’s decision to sell Ely moorings

By Helen Gazeley

BIDDING has closed on three lengths of moorings in Ely, controversially put up for sale after the Environment Agency (EA) deemed them surplus to requirements.

Comprising more than 300m of river frontage, the sale (which had an estimated guide price of £195,000) has stirred the ire of both the IWA and East Anglian Waterways Association (EAWA). It's also created deep anxiety for the three businesses affected.

Bridge Boatyard, in operation for more than 40 years, is now the only holiday boat hire company on the River Great Ouse. Owner Chris Wenn said: “One mooring is absolutely vital to us. We run the hire fleet from right outside and there are no other moorings nearby. It would be the end of our hire business, and that’s 95% of the business.”

Bridge Boatyard's hire boats bring 2000-2500 people on to the river each year, the loss of which would have a noticeable effect on both tourism and the local economy. The IWA has written to Sir James Bevan, EA chief executive, asking him to withdraw the sale, which they consider extremely shortsighted, given the income the EA, as the navigation authority, receives from the businesses and moorings at this location.

It’s a view shared by Stuart Fowler, co-owner of hotel boat Water Nimf, whose mooring is under threat. “We've been talking to the EA for two years about getting a significantterm lease – we wanted 25 years. Originally they said yes, then they came back and said no, they were selling. You’ve got a stretch of bank bringing in revenue, not just for the EA but other businesses. Within the businesses we have along the stretch, we're paying VAT, PAYE, corporation tax – that all goes, far in excess of any money the EA is likely to accrue from the sale. It’s ridiculous. It’s going to cost the local council, businesses and Government a lot of money.”

Open letter

In an open letter to Irven Forbes, the EA's Anglian waterways manager, the EAWA points out that the agency's recent consultation paper on navigation charges states that it’s “improving and increasing moorings available to

visitors”, “working to establish new commercial income opportunities” and “working to open up sites for sponsorship and commercial income opportunities.”

The EAWA says: “The proposals to sell off assets upon which vital riverside businesses, navigation licencepayers and visitors and the local economy depends flies in the face of every one of those claims and renders them entirely disingenuous.”

The sale was forced, according to the EA, by it no longer requiring the land, so bringing into play Government rules that it should be disposed of in a way that achieves the best value for the taxpayer. The EA goes on to state that it has “taken measures to mitigate the immediate effect on the businesses should their bids not be successful.”

Both Stuart Fowler and Chris Wenn are bemused. “I don't know where that’s come from,” says Stuart. With no obvious moorings available in the area, he says: “People have told us they come to Ely to stay on Water Nimf. If we can’t stay, we’d have to look further afield and be out of the area.”

Chris Wenn, who has rented the entrance to his marina for decades, has been offered the chance to buy it, so allowing him to run the hire business from moorings in the basin. “It doesn't work with a small marina,” he says. “It was built for a maximum of 27-footers. A third of our boats are narrowboats.

You couldn't run long narrowboats in a small marina; it just won’t work. That's their idea of mitigating.”

Concern about the sale's impact has led to many constituents contacting local MP Lucy Frazer, who recently met the EA to discuss the problems.

Her Facebook page states: “I will continue to press to help find a resolution to ensure that the commercial operators can continue with their businesses and local boat owners can continue to use the moorings.”

The results of the sale are expected before the end of September. The EA stated: “We are currently reviewing all the representations received in connection with the proposed sale of the three lots at Ely We received a number of bids by the closing date of September 8. We now need to consider the bids before making any further statements.”

See Wet Web, page 108

Steam locomotive Tornado passes newly restored Bridge 99 with a British Pullman train. PHOTO: TONY BARTLETT

Public can use viewing platform A HERITAGE Heroes project at Bridge 99 on the Kennet & Avon Canal has been completed and the viewing platform over the canal is now available for public use, writes Tony Bartlett.

Restoration work costing £60,000 was carried out by Help for Heroes and the Canal & River Trust and was funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund.

This area has been used unofficially for many years by railway photographers because of the grandstand view it provides of the Great Western Railway as it climbs up the valley through Crofton to Savernake Summit.

The final touches include a flight

● Thought to be the first skew bridge built by the canal engineer John Rennie in about 1807, Bridge 99 later played its part as a Second World War defence. The Kennet & Avon Canal passes through the grounds of Tottenham House, which belonged to the Earl of Aylesbury and the bridge was part of a masterplan devised by Capability Brown to link the Grand Avenue in Savernake Forest with one in Wilton Brail so guests could complete their scenic ride. Although the skew arch was positioned to make this connection, the two rides were never joined up and it is known as ‘the bridge to nowhere’.

New Trent & Mersey Canal bridge at Branston gives better access

By Harry Arnold

NURTON Bridge is the name of a recently completed substantial new structure crossing the Trent & Mersey Canal at Branston, just above Burton-on-Trent.

It bypasses the existing Branston Bridge (No.34) – itself once rebuilt in the past – which many will know as being right next to the well-known historic pub The Bridge.

The purpose of the new span is to give better vehicle access to the huge ‘Branston Lock’ development – named after the adjacent T&M lock – which will change the current green and pleasant vista of the Trent Valley all along the offside of this section of the canal.

It includes, to quote the Staffordshire County Council planners, a new 20-hectare business park, 2500 new homes, a local centre, a primary and a high school, an 80-bedroom hotel, pub/restaurant, sports and recreational facilities, a residential care home, attractive open spaces, and road and cycle routes. Although the bridge name ‘Nurton’, attractively displayed on traditional-style plates, appears to be something to do with the town name of Burton, it is actually that of the contractors who are involved in the development.

The new Nurton Bridge spanning the Trent & Mersey Canal at Branston.

PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

of steps providing safe access up the steep bank to the viewing area and an interpretation panel describing the history of the bridge.

I was pleased to contribute a photograph of a passing steam train to illustrate this facet of the site. The cement was not yet dry on the installation of the panel when the first steam train passed by!

By coincidence it was the same British Pullman train as featured on the panel, albeit with Tornado in charge rather than Clan Line.

So I took the opportunity to capture the moment – same train, same photographer, same camera and lens three years later.

Facelift planned for historic bridge

By Elizabeth Rogers

REPAIRS are needed to the 19th-century bridge over the River Thames at Clifton Hampden downstream of Abingdon.

Oxfordshire County Council has applied to South Oxfordshire District Council for planning and listed building consents.

The bridge has seven four-centre arches, one of which needs repointing as a result of impact by boats. Another aspect of the work is the restoration of the parapet to its original appearance, removing temporary work and replacing this with materials as close as possible to those originally used.

Built in 1864, the brick-built bridge was designed by the renowned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in the Gothic style, of which he was once one of the pioneers of the revival. He also designed the Albert Memorial in London, St Pancras Station and various Government buildings. Clifton Hampden was the only bridge which he designed.

The work is expected to take about two weeks, and will begin after the necessary planning consents are approved.

A decision is expected to be made by South Oxfordshire District Council in early October.

4 NEWS

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Sunshine spectacular at Ilkeston THE Inland Waterways Association’s annual Festival of Water attracted more than 100 boats and some 15,000 visitors to the Erewash Canal over the sunny August bank holiday weekend.

Held at Gallows Inn Fields in Ilkeston, the event was opened by the Deputy Mayor of Erewash Borough Council, Coun Chris Corbett, who quipped that it is the only council to be named after a canal.

Welcoming the civic party and guests, IWA national chairman Les Etheridge said the event was also raising awareness of the currently proposed HS2 route to Leeds and its impact on the Erewash

Canal and neighbouring communities.

He thanked Erewash Borough Council for its wonderful support and also all the volunteers who had made the event possible.

Erewash MP Maggie Throup said afterwards: “I am delighted that so many people have attended this year’s festival and would like to thank the Inland Waterways Association for organising a real showcase of what Erewash has to offer.”

Festival chairman Norman Cornwell, who is also chairman of the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association (ECPDA) also thanked the

IWA for bringing the festival to Ilkeston and said he couldn’t believe how many volunteers were on site. He said that ECPDA has been around since 1968 and has done its best to maintain the canal and its cottages. It has just about hit its target for buying the Sandiacre Lock cottages but needs additional funds for the installation of toilets.

Norman added that ECPDA is also in the process of rebuilding ex-BW workboat Pentland with the help of local firms supplying panels, paint and other materials and will be hosting a ‘very big rally’ on May 26, 2018, to celebrate the association’s 50th anniversary.

Shreck arrives with the VIP party for the opening ceremony.

PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

The crowds visiting the stands in Gallows Inn Fields.

One of the colourful narrowboats.

Decorated narrowboats along the Erewash Canal towpath.

Erewash MP Maggie Throup meets Shreck, a Comtois x Breton heavy horse, with owners Debbie and Ivor Hughes.

A young visitor has a go at digger driving.

Deputy Mayor of Erewash Borough Council, Coun Chris Corbett, right, presents the ceremonial tiller pin to Coun Charles Bober, deputy Mayor of St Neots and Judi Arnold, of Huntingdonshire District Council.

The historic narrowboats at the event included 1937 Grand Union Canal Carrying Company Town class motorboat Fulbourne.

NEWS 5

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Cruising challenge

GUCCC Town class motorboat Purton won the trophy for the best historic boat at the festival.

Following a parade behind Shreck the work horse to the opening ceremony, Coun Corbett made the traditional presentation of the tiller pin to next year’s festival venue – St Neots on the River Great Ouse represented by Coun Charles Bober, deputy Mayor of St Neots and Judi Arnold, of Huntingdonshire District Council.

Visitors took the opportunity to walk along the towpath where the boats, many colourfully decorated, were moored including historic narrowboats Fulbourne, Kew, Purton, Pavo, Skylark and Stewarts & Lloyds Tug No 2.

Other attractions included classic cars, live music, craft stalls, birds of prey, children’s rides and the chance to drive a digger under the guidance of restoration experts from IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group.

Boaters were able to cruise along the whole length of the 11.5-mile long Erewash Canal, past the Sandiacre Lock cottages and under the 1500ft iron Bennerley railway viaduct to visit Great Northern Basin at Langley Mill, where the Erewash meets the partially restored Cromford Canal.

IWA national chairman Les Etheridge addresses the crowds.

THIS year’s River Canal Rescuesponsored Cruising Challenge trophy and free RCR membership was awarded to Alan Painter from Hoxton, east London.

In his 57ft narrowboat Stargazer, he successfully navigated 1160 miles and 818 locks. Starting from London, Stargazer visited Oxford, Cambridge, Stratford-onAvon, Birmingham, Llangollen, Chester, Liverpool, Lancaster and Manchester.

While there are no maximum/ minimum cruising requirements and/or cruising breaks, no section of canal or river can be counted more than once in the same direction in the same calendar month and entrants are required to provide a full log of their cruise, showing miles and locks which must be supported with evidence of reaching key destinations during the cruise.

Entrants are judged on the overall cruise content – rather than the longest – and extra points are given to boaters travelling lesser-used waterways, reaching distant end navigations and using inland tidal sections. Overall log presentation is also taken into account.

Alan said: “I was delighted to win. Navigating the Ribble Link was challenging and sailing over hills cannot be beaten – I love it!”

He plans to cover Lincoln, Boston and York before Christmas.

Cowburn & Cowpar motor boat Skylark, built in 1934.

Shropshire Union fly-boat Saturn was among the historic narrowboats at Whitchurch. PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN

Visitors help raise more than £2100 at Whitchurch Rally

By Phil Pickin

THE Whitchurch Waterway Trust held its 2017 rally over the weekend of September 2-3 and as a result enjoyed at least one good day’s weather, unlike last year’s event.

It takes place on the Whitchurch Arm of the Llangollen Canal in north Shropshire and plays host to a number of boat traders as well as towpath stalls and trips on a Canal & River Trust boat from the rally site.

With music, boat traders, food vendors and a number of decorated boats with the theme of the Owl and the Pussycat, the event provided plenty for visitors to enjoy in and around the arm and the adjacent Llangollen Canal.

In all 18 boats were booked to attend which, we are told, is about average.

These included historic working boats Saturn, Mountbatten and Jellicoe.

Trading boats alongside the busy towpath.

The event is held to not only raise the profile of the canal, reminding locals and shop keepers about the advantages of having a canal in its midst, but to also raise funds for the extension of the arm.

The Whitchurch Waterway Trust, which owns the arm, hopes to be able to extend it further towards the town centre. As a result of the 2017 rally we are told more than £2100 was raised.

Cruising Challenge award winner Alan Painter negotiating the Ribble Link. PHOTO: RCR

Enjoying a break in the sunshine at Ilkeston. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

● Next year’s Festival of Water will take place on the River Great Ouse in Riverside Park in St Neots. Booking is open for boats and campsite pitches.

Visit www.waterways.org.uk/ festivalofwater

Families waiting to take a free boat trip on Canal & River Trust workboat Bala.

6 NEWS

IN BRIEF Ombudsman reports

ANNUAL reports from the Waterways Ombudsman and the Waterways Ombudsman Committee show that the number of complaints entering the Canal & River Trust’s complaint process rose slightly, from 222 during the previous year to 234. The Ombudsman received 39 enquiries about the trust, resulting in 14 new investigations being opened. Complaints covered a broad range of topics, but common themes included continuous cruising guidance and the impact of boaters mooring near residential properties. The 2016-17 report can be viewed online at www.waterwaysombudsman.org, click on ‘publications’.

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Kent lock makeover should benefit boaters and wildlife RIVER Medway users and wildlife have been boosted by the completion of a £3.6 million project to refurbish East Farleigh lock.

The Environment Agency project has also stabilised the weir, and installed a new fish pass at the lock near Maidstone in Kent.

Perfect solution

A LANCASTER couple renewed their wedding vows as they floated along aboard a narrowboat, writes Geoff Wood. Sarah and Mark Thomas, who have been married for 10 years, took family and friends on a three-hour trip along the Lancaster Canal. Sarah, 35, said: “There has been a lot of doom and gloom in the family, so we decided to cheer everyone up.”

Sarah, operations manager at Lancaster Canal Boats, said holding the event on a narrowboat seemed the perfect solution.

New footbridge

THE new Camley Street bridge is now open providing a link from St Pancras station to the area around Granary Square in King’s Cross.

This provides a scenic route past the regenerated fish and coal buildings with a view of the work going on at the Coal Drops Yard. The temporary pontoon below St Pancras Lock can now be removed, although it will still be a few months until the towpath moorings are reinstated following completion of towpath improvement works and installation of new mooring rings.

Sunken boats

A YORKSHIRE council is trying to track down the owners of 10 sunken boats it is planning to pull out of a river bed, writes Geoff Wood. East Riding of Yorkshire Council is appealing for help to find the boats’ owners, as it finalises plans to remove them from the River Hull between Tickton and Beverley Beck.

The vessels are all causing an obstruction in the river, and they are being pulled out to improve flow of the river and cut flood risks.

The weir and fish pass.

Julie Foley, Environment Agency area manager, said that it would be a great asset to visitors, river users and wildlife for many years to come.

“With a newly refurbished lock and weir we will be able to continue to maintain the upstream water levels for boaters, anglers, cyclists and walkers to enjoy, and the lock is essential for a number of commercial river operators,” she said.

East Farleigh lock was previously refurbished more than a century ago, and these improvements are designed to enhance and protect the River Medway for local residents and river users.

The new lock was constructed within the existing structure and not only secures the future of the structure but improves the safety and convenience for boaters using it.

Features include improved mooring systems, new access steps, and new rubbing timbers and fendering to reduce the risk of damage to visiting vessels.

The refurbished lock on the River Medway at East Farleigh. PHOTOS: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY Wildlife on the River Medway will also benefit from the works at East Farleigh. A new fish pass has been installed alongside the weir, providing climbable slopes for fish wanting to travel upstream, meaning freshwater fish such as barbel, roach, perch, dace, chub and pike will be able to pass the site freely.

Julie added: “It’s great for the river that nine of the 10 locks on the River Medway now have fish passes in place. Allowing free movement of fish will ensure that it becomes a healthier river than it has been in at least the last 250 years, offering better access to spawning grounds for fish.”

Adventure play area at Anderton Boat Lift THE Anderton Boat Lift has opened its new £50,000 bespoke adventure play area.

MP for Weaver Vale, Mike Amesbury and the Rev David Felix, chairman of the Rural Growth Board and the West Cheshire & Warrington LEADER Local Action Group, unveiled the specially designed play area that integrates elements of the lift in the design.

The play area is also the starting point for a signposted nature trail that leads to the Northwich Woodlands.

The aim is to encourage children and their families to extend their visit to the area and enjoy the

nature that is free and within easy walking distance.

The Rev David Felix said: “I am delighted that the new play area captures the spirit of the lift with its narrowboat and boathouse and I am certain will lead to lots of questions and interest from the children who play on it.

“This is going to be a great resource for both local children and visitors and I am sure they are all going to love it with its sliding pole, climbing nets, tunnel nets and a climbing wall.”

As a result of the new playground, the visitor centre will extend its

season and the playground will be open every weekend, even out of season.

Made possible with a £20,000 grant from the LEADER programme, the play area was created by Flights of Fantasy Creative Play Ltd of Sandringham, Norfolk. It incorporates key elements of the Anderton Boat Lift, such as the lift itself, a bridge, control house and mooring area and cleverly uses blue surfacing to suggest water.

Almost 40% bigger than the existing play area, it is fully accessible and suitable for disabled people as well as being accessible for buggies.

MP Mike Amesbury cuts the ribbon at the new play area flanked by representatives from the Anderton Boat Lift, Canal & River Trust, the Rural Growth Board and the West Cheshire & Warrington LEADER Local Action Group and three Northwich children. Rev David Felix is front, second left. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Murals underneath the arches AN ART project aimed at complementing the corridor of colour along the Oxford Canal has recently been extended to further help tackle the problem of graffiti along the waterway.

Working alongside the Canal & River Trust, residents, the Friends of the Trap Grounds, and local artists Dan Wilson,

Artwork depicting local wildlife in the arches beneath the bridge.

Tom Webb and Richard Wilson, have designed and painted murals in the arches of Frenchay Road Bridge.

The murals took three days to complete and were designed by the community to depict the wide variety of animals, plants and insects that live along the canal.

Emily Nicholas, Canal & River Trust development and engagement manager, said: “These murals have made a huge difference to the canal in Oxford and have really brightened an area which has suffered from graffiti.

“As a charity, we work with local people and community groups to help us improve the canals and projects such as this one really do make a difference to the thousands of people who visit and use our towpaths every day.”

One of the murals underneath Frenchay Road Bridge.

PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

The project has been made possible thanks to funding received by the Canal & River Trust from residents and leftover money from a previous Tesco’s Bags for Help project which originally donated £8000 towards phase one of the project.

Tom Cox, project organiser at the Oxford Canal Mural Project, said: “The murals have had a big impact along the canal. They have brightened up

two bridges but also galvanised the communities that live along the canal and wider communities that use the canal corridor.

“Local people have raised money, volunteered time and contributed in many different ways to make the murals a success. Everyone feels really proud of what has been achieved and really keen to do more to improve the area.”

RYA SPOTLIGHT 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats and personal watercraft.

Resources to help inland boaters go green INLAND boating is becoming more and more popular as a way of life and holiday choice offering the opportunity to explore the UK waterways.

In 2016 alone 1110 of us received an RYA Inland Waterways (IW) Helmsman Certificate in the UK. With this, The Green Blue, the environmental initiative of the RYA and British Marine, continues to receive many requests from inland boaters on how they can make their boating more environmentally sustainable and keep our waterways clean, safe and a place where wildlife can thrive.

In fact The Green Blue (TGB) has a number of resources to help inland boaters adopt environmental best practice including the Green Guide to Inland Boating, sustainable boating activity cards and environmental checklists for narrowboats and motor cruisers.

The Green Blue’s campaign manager, Kate Fortnam, recently jumped on board an RYA Inland Waterways (IW) Instructor Course delivered by Watercraft, a training provider on the River Thames near Marlow, to demonstrate and train IW instructors in how to use TGB’s inland sustainable boating resources with their students.

“I was delighted to be invited on to the instructor course. Before setting off the first activity we did was an environmental recce of Jellicle Moon, the narrowboat we were to journey down the river on for the day.

“Using TGB’s Environmental Checklist for Inland Boats we made our way around Jellicle Moon looking at energy use, water use, waste facilities,

oil and fuel and more. We were pleased to find that she had eco-friendly washing up liquid and holding tank treatment fluid on board as well as a separate bin for recycling.

Eco-score

“One trainee instructor also spotted an opportunity to improve the boat’s ‘eco-score’ by suggesting an absorbent sock be placed in the drip tray under the engine to extract any oil from the bilge before pumping into open water.

“This suggestion led nicely to the introduction of The Green Blue’s Green Guide to Inland Boating which is packed with top tips on how boaters can minimise their impact on the environment. The guide includes best practice around oil and fuel handling, reducing waste, cleaning your boat and appreciating wildlife.

“After a day of cruising down the river, waving to fellow boaters and spotting wildlife including the rare red kite, we came to the final lock on our journey. While waiting for the lock to fill with water it was a perfect opportunity to bring out our popular sustainable boating activity cards, a set of pocket cards containing a selection of quiz cards and fun, interactive fillers to prompt discussion and quiz each other on the environment and boating.

“It didn’t take long for the trainees to start testing each other to see who had the best knowledge.

The trainee instructors quiz each other on the environment and boating using the sustainable boating activity cards. PHOTOS: RYA “We moored the boat at her final destination and finished on a tiebreaker question, ‘How many litres of water does one litre of oil pollute?’

If you’re wondering what the answer is, it is one million litres of

water, the equivalent of two-and-a-half Olympic 50m swimming pools!”

Ruth Owen, one of the instructors, said: “It was great having Kate show us all the resources The Green Blue had available for inland boaters. They helped increase my environmental awareness around my boating and now I am keen to share all the environmental top tips I have learnt with my students.”

● If you would like more information on how to make your boating more environmentally sustainable or would like to request any of the resources mentioned, please contact Kate Fortnam, The Green Blue campaign manager, at info@thegreenblue.org.uk and for more information about The Green Blue visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk.

Get wise, get alarmed and get out THE RYA has reiterated its advice to boat owners regarding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning in the wake of the report by UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) following an investigation into the fatal accident on board the motor cruiser Vasquez.

Stuart Carruthers, RYA cruising manager, said: “Despite our considerable and continued efforts to raise awareness of this life-threatening issue, it is evident that there remains a significant task to raise boat owners’ levels of understanding about the dangers of carbon monoxide.

“Due to the odourless nature of this silent killer, the fitting of a CO alarm remains the only effective warning that the poisonous gas is present. Our advice is to get wise, get alarmed and get out.”

He continued: “Unfortunately, when trying to keep warm while inside a recreational craft, the natural tendency is to try to limit draughts. This will only help with the build-up of CO and is further justification for fitting a CO detector.

“Once warned of the presence of the gas, steps can be taken to reduce its concentration by removing the source and by increasing ventilation.

“Finally, it’s worth remembering that even if you do not have anything on your boat that might produce carbon monoxide, you are not immune from CO sources nearby. There may be a petrol engine at idle upwind of your mooring.”

Simply mooring near a motor boat with its engine running can expose the crew to CO. A suitable CO detector/ alarm is the only effective way to be warned of the presence of the gas.

More information on the dangers of carbon monoxide can be found at www. rya.org.uk/go/co

8 NETWORKING

SOCIETY NEWS Building on success

THE Ty Coch, Waterworks site team of Tony Harris, Luke Shanahan, Heidi Carey, Gareth Jones and Richard Dommett have won an award for Construction Excellence, Wales in the category Preservation and Rejuvenation. They will be going forward to the UK finals in London during November. (Monmouthshire Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Trust E-Mag, August 2017)

Fine and dandy

THE Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust is hosting a fundraising evening of Black Country comedy and music by Dandy (‘the funniest thing on four legs’) on Friday, November 17.

This will take place at Whittington Village Hall, Whittington, Lichfield WS14 9NH, doors open from 6.30pm and supper served from 7pm. Entrance by ticket only, bookings open from September 25, costing £15.50 including supper, dessert and show. (Cut Both Ways, Summer 2017)

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Chernobyl children enjoy canal cruise THE Black Buoy Cruising Club (BBCC) gave 12 Belarus children aged between 12 and 15 a day out on the local canals in August.

The youngsters are all either recovering from or are in remission from cancer.

This trip was thanks to the generosity of Solihull Lions Club (SLC) which paid for day boat hire and catering and follows a similar event held last year.

Plans had to be changed slightly when it was found that one of the two

day boats which had been hired for the trip to accommodate the children plus interpreters and a doctor, would not be available. It had developed a serious fault.

However, a BBCC club member’s private boat was substituted for the unavailable craft with a further three club boats taking Lions and host family members on the first part of the trip.

From the BBCC moorings near Knowle on Grand Union Canal, the children were taken to Kingswood

Dredge fund

GRANTHAM Canal Society has launched a long term funding appeal, the GCS Dredge fund, as the need for dredging and surface clearance will be with it well into the future. New leaflets have been printed and will be distributed widely, including by the GCS rangers who will hand them out to towpath users. The donation process is explained in the leaflet but you can also use Virgin Giving which can be accessed through www.granthamcanal.org (Bridge, September 2017)

Record summer

HISTORIC Shropshire Union fly-boat Saturn has hosted 725 children on education visits this summer, believed to be the best yet. A grant of £1000 from the Binks Trust will help towards the purchase during the winter of equipment and development of its education package. (Saturn newsletter, September 2017)

Craft and food

The Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society will benefit from a Craft and Food Fair to be held at St Monica’s in Prestwich on Saturday, November 4 from 10am-3pm. (MB&BCS News, August 2017)

A guided tour at Kingswood Junction.

Boarding the boats at Knowle Top Lock. PHOTOS SUPPLIED Junction where they had a picnic followed by a guided tour of the area conducted by a BBCC member. During the tour they had the opportunity to view and assist boats locking on the Lapworth Flight of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.

They were then taken back to the BBCC moorings for a barbecue. During this first part of the cruise, all children and accompanying staff were offered the opportunity of steering under the supervision of a BBCC helmsmen.

Following the barbecue, helpers were treated to some impromptu singing and dancing from the children. The group then reboarded the boats, helping to lock up the Knowle flight of five wide locks and cruise to the day boat hire base at Copt Hall Wharf.

Joint organisers, Keith Yeomans (for BBCC) and his wife, Merle (for SLC) said: “We are delighted that BBCC and SLC have been able to run this event again.

Impromptu singing after the BBQ. It is now more than 30 years since the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Sadly, children born years later are suffering its aftermath.

“The Chernobyl Children’s Project provides recuperative holidays in the UK for these cancer sufferers. Belarus doctors say that this boosts the children’s immune systems for at least two years, helping them to resist, or recover from, serious illness.”

Queen’s award for Rickmansworth Waterways Trust volunteers DOZENS of volunteers from the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust recently gathered at Batchworth Lock at Rickmansworth to see the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, present them with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss presents the award to Rickmansworth Waterways Trust chairman David Montague.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

It was the ultimate recognition for the work that the volunteers do to support all aspects of the charity. This includes an education programme, Learning at the Lock, for children, the boats which the trust operate including Roger, a historic wooden narrowboat built in 1936 and the Rickmansworth Festival, which sees more than 25,000 people attending over three days in May. Trust chairman David Montague said: “The trust is incredibly proud of all our volunteers, their commitment to all that we do and stand for and for their sheer hard work.”

Currently it is well on the way to raising £250,000 for a purpose-built education centre that will be sited at Batchworth Lock to be the focal point for Learning at the Lock as well as other trust and local community activities.

The Rickmansworth Waterways Trust volunteers celebrate the award.

Sea cadets move into new base at Sawley Marina

Going bi-monthly

THE Long Eaton Sea Cadets recently moved into a new base at Sawley Marina in Nottinghamshire where they were officially welcomed by staff, local dignitaries and families of the cadets.

Officer in charge Barry Singleton said: “We have forged extremely strong links with Sawley Marina and this has been down to their generosity. They have made us very welcome and have pulled all the stops out for us.

“From that point we can officially base our boating operations and training at the marina, continuing to improve and provide

THE Worcester-Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society decided at its recent AGM to produce its magazine Fifty-Eight every other month. The next edition will be November/December and be available at the end of October/ beginning of November.

a first class service to the cadets.”

The Sea Cadets are a national youth organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy.

BWML’s marina manager Julie Cutts said: “It will be a pleasure working alongside an organisation supporting young people from the age of ten up to 18 years. The cadets will be supporting our marina events and will provide a presence on a regular basis.”

LEFT: The sea cadets take to the water at Sawley Marina. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Joint conservation work on the Northern Reaches THE Owd Lanky Boaters and Canal & River Trust recently teamed up for community restoration work at the Tewitfield Locks, near Carnforth on the Lancaster Canal.

Instigated by Colin Ogden, with the help and guidance of the Canal & River Trust, talks and planning have been under way for some time, investigating the best way to repair and bring back to life the Northern Reaches lock system,

then on through the lovely Burton and Crooklands sections closer to Kendal.

Work got under way with clearing out Lock 8 by-wash in preparation for emptying the lock and pointing and repairing the stonework, before further work can be attempted.

Many local firms have pledged their support and all health and safety issues and risk assessments have been overseen by Canal & River Trust, along

with their help supplying shovels, picks, safety equipment and life jackets.

Colin said: “I cannot stress too much how helpful Canal & River Trust staff have been. Local landowners have given permission for access, where needed, and firms loaning scaffolding and the like don’t need asking.”

Around 14 volunteers, split into groups, managed to clear the by-wash, before moving on to further tasks.

Volunteers work to clear the by-wash. PHOTO: FRANK SANDERSON

NETWORKING 9

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Characters of the cut

Geoff Wood meets the canal society chairman who saw an ‘impossible dream’ come to fruition.

INSTEAD of blood, you might imagine Alan Stopher having a waterway flowing through his veins.

Alan is an active enthusiast for canals and has been involved with them for almost a lifetime.

His interest has taken him from early days canal cruising to project director on the latter stages of a challenging canal restoration scheme to his current role as chairman of a canal society.

As project director of the Huddersfield Canal Company he helped see the ‘impossible dream’ of the reopening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal come to fruition.

And as chairman of the Huddersfield Canal Society he is heavily involved in campaigning for the narrow canal and its sister waterway the Broad Canal to be kept navigable and in good condition.

These days Alan, who lives in Huddersfield and is now retired, not surprisingly spends quite a bit of time on his 57ft narrowboat Merdeka. But he is happy to get back to his home territory of Huddersfield and the local canals.

Born and brought up in Hampshire, Alan studied for a degree in civil engineering at Imperial College, London. And it was there that friends introduced him to canal cruising holidays.

Later on he moved to Nottingham and a job with the National Coal Board, still cruising in his spare time. But his coal board work did bring him into contact with canal schemes and he was involved in the restoration of Dixon’s Lock on the Chesterfield Canal, which was close to coal board land.

In addition, in 1988, as an area engineer for the coal board, he was involved in engineering work on the Aire & Calder Navigation after an open cast mine collapsed.

Change of course

In 1997, a change of course but not of enthusiasm took Alan to become project director of the Huddersfield Canal Company, involved in the

Huddersfield Canal Society chairman Alan Stopher at the Marsden side of the Standedge Tunnel. PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD final push in the £32 million restoration of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

With the work completed in 2001, a job with Tameside Council as project manager beckoned but canals were not too far from his thoughts and some years later he was elected as chairman of the Huddersfield Canal Society.

He said: “I think there is a lot of future scope with canals and particularly canals in the north.

They are a bit distant from the main canal cruising waterways further south which have become busier so there is scope for an increase in traffic.

“But these days, we see canals as having an impact not only for boating, but for fishing, for walking and wildlife.

“I think they have a strong future.”

Alan says the voyages on his boat which have taken him south of London, as far as Bristol and all around the Fens keep him fit. But he also picks up information along the way which is useful to his local canal society.

With several other members of the management team operating their own canal boats, it seems unlikely that the canal society will be running out of ideas for some time to come.

Tunnel end visitor centre granted wedding licence

By Geoff Wood

ASKED if they would like a wedding reception by the canal, many couples are now saying “I do.”

And at Standedge Visitor Centre, a popular venue on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, things have now gone a step further, with the venue being granted a licence for wedding ceremonies themselves.

It is all a far cry from the situation a few years back when canals up and down the country had a poor image of dirt and dereliction.

Now things have changed considerably with cleaner waterways, scenic locations and old canal buildings being refurbished and pressed back into use.

At Standedge, staff are delighted that not only is their old warehouse building in refurbished form proving a popular venue for receptions but weddings can be held there as well.

Sam Christopher, wedding manager at Standedge, said: “We are delighted that we have got the weddings licence. As an added bonus, bride and groom can arrive by boat aboard our shuttle service from Marsden.”

But a few years ago, the picture was very different at Standedge.

The centre was sadly neglected with the old warehouse building now used for weddings looking forlorn.

Richard de Valve and Daniella Wild from Marsden recently held their wedding reception at Standedge beside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. PHOTO: HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER Fast forward a few years, and the warehouse has been converted for dual tourism use and as a pleasant venue for wedding receptions.

Next door to it is a popular cafe

and a whole series of events are held in the vicinity running in tandem with boat trips along the Standedge Tunnel, the highest, deepest and longest canal tunnel in Britain.

10 COMMUNITY BOATING

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The National Community Boats Association is a national body for community orientated boating organisations.

Prestigious award for NCBA centre

Derek Stansfield continues his articles illustrating the diversity of members within the NCBA. SENIOR trainers as part of their role undertake support visits to NCBA Accredited Training Centres. During one such visit to the Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust, Paul Unwin was so impressed with the number and standard of volunteering that he suggested they may wish to consider entering for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Sue Tomlinson, training manager

and not one to resist a challenge, took up the suggestion and duly went through the process, which culminated in them being successful and being awarded the Crystal for 2017. Here Sue describes the process that they went through and some of the reasons why they were so successful: Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust is proud to have been awarded the

The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Dame Lorna Muirhead presents the award crystal to Terry Nolan of Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust, right. On their left are the Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside John Roberts and high Sheriff of Merseyside Stephen Burrows.

Inset: the crystal. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service in June 2017. Considered to be the MBE of volunteering, the award is the culmination of a lengthy and rigorous procedure which started early in 2016 when WCNT was nominated for consideration.

There then followed several in-depth interviews by Deputy Lieutenants of Merseyside with our proposer, some of our regular community group users and the trust’s own trustees and members.

The aw a rd was announced in June and two representatives of the trust were invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of the achievement.

The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead, presented the award to all the volunteers at a special ceremony attended by the High Sheriff of Merseyside, two Deputy Lieutenants of Merseyside, two local mayors and trust members on August 31. The award is seen by our members as the pinnacle of recognition of all the hard work and time given by everyone and building upon the trust’s previous achievements.

Carrying the flame

In 2014 Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust was the national winner of the

Celebrating the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service are Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust members and guests, from left: Simon Tomlinson, Gill Burrows, Jen Nolan, Terry Nolan and Danny Wilson with the High Sheriff of Merseyside Stephen Burrows.

Canal & River Trust’s Living Waterways Award for community and volunteering.

In 2012 one of our boats was chosen to carry the Paralympic Flame from Chester into the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.

Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust (WCNT) was first founded in 1984 as the Wirral Narrowboat Association and is an all-volunteer registered charity which celebrated its 30th anniversary year in 2014. The trust’s aims are: “To seek to improve the quality of life for people who by virtue of age, infirmity, physical disability, mental disorder or social factors are disadvantaged or deprived.

To make provision for the recreational, educational and social needs of the said people. To provide an experience outside of the normal environment; which is therapeutic and brings respite to carers.”

We also aim to deliver our narrowboat service to a professional standard, subscribing to a national code of conduct for community boats. All our volunteers

are trained to NCBA requirements.

Trips are provided throughout the year on two fully wheelchair friendly/ fully adapted narrowboats. Our two narrowboats have been fully funded by our trust, and built to our own specific requirements to provide amenities suitable for the needs of disabled users.

There is full wheelchair access throughout both boats; each has a wet room, shower, toilet and wash basin and central heating. The galleys have a fridge and full cooking facilities. Both boats have heavy duty lifts to enable electric wheelchair access into the boat plus loading ramps. We offer day trips on both boats for up to a maximum of 12 passengers and residential trips on one boat for up to a maximum of six passengers.

We constantly aim to keep a strong profile locally and regionally; we have a steady flow of new member volunteers joining our trust and we hope to maintain the good work that we do for many more years.

The NCBA has a progressive training and qualification structure for inland waterways at all levels.

Volunteers sought as boat trips gain popularity

Another new boat for the Lyneal Trust

BEDFORD’S community boat, the John Bunyan, has been having its busiest season this year.

So much so that in order to keep up with the demand for boat cruises from the local community, the boat team needs to increase the number of volunteers.

Those who voluntarily crew the John Bunyan say they love giving passengers a good time on the river, doing something for the community, meeting new people, and getting out and about on the water.

The John Bunyan was floated to enable local people to enjoy the river environment on their doorstep and to build support to get the planned Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway created, section by section, as a series of Waterway Parks. A cruise on the river is also a treat for visitors to the town.

Community groups can book the boat for their social outings, businesses can use it for client and staff events, and private individuals can use it as a unique event for all sorts of parties.

The JB also works with schools and colleges to provide project experience and support for history, geography, environment, social and business studies.

Volunteering director Siân Roderick explained: “We are looking to expand our team both on land and on the boat. We ask volunteers to do 2-4 sessions (of between four

JUST a few weeks after naming the Shropshire Lady, the Lyneal Trust has announced that it has ordered a second new boat, writes Phil Pickin.

The Shropshire-based charity is based on the Llangollen Canal and provides narrowboat and canalside cottage holidays and day trips to those with disabilities, illness or vulnerabilities.

This new boat will be known as the Shropshire Maid and will be based on the specification used for the Shropshire Lady,

the plan being to incorporate many of its design features which help guests with mobility and other related issues.

The trust hopes its newest boat will be available in spring 2018 in time for the new holiday season. ● For more information on the work of the Lyneal Trust visit https://www. lyneal-trust.org.uk

CANAL SOCIETY HOSTS TRIPS FOR LOCAL GROUP

The John Bunyan gives passengers a good time on the river.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

and six hours) a month between April and October and full training is given. We aim for professional, friendly teamwork that’s fulfilling and fun, because it’s supportive, respectful and appreciative.

“While the boat crew are the more visible face of the John Bunyan, crucial to our success are our volunteers on land.

We have opportunities to get involved in marketing, sales, cleaning, promotion, finance and maintenance, among other things.

“And if you fancy a water-based

role, whether or not you have boating experience, we’re looking for volunteer boatmasters, helms, deck and cabin crew.

“Working and don’t think you have time to volunteer? No problem! Many of our cruises are in the evenings or at weekends and we only ask you to offer to do trips at the times that suit you.”

If you’re interested in finding out more visit http://www. johnbunyanboat.org/volunteer or contact volunteering@ johnbunyanboat.org.

● Website www.johnbunyanboat.org Facebook JohnBunyanBoat Twitter @johnbunyanboat

THE Worcester-Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society recently teamed up with Alvechurch Village Society to take the village society’s members on narrowboat cruises along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Three trips were arranged on board the canal society’s narrowboat Cecilia during the course of the afternoon and evening.

It was a tricky start to the afternoon’s proceedings as a heavy thunderstorm with plenty of lightning delayed the midday cruise, which got under way after taking shelter under the canal bridge.

Thankfully, although there were a few light showers, the rest of the afternoon’s cruising went smoothly.

Ray Yarnell of the Alvechurch Village Society, who arranged the trips, thanked the canal society on the day, saying: “Can I just thank you all for your efforts in manning the boat so professionally, especially during the bad weather trip.

You made our outing very enjoyable.”

Alvechurch Village society members board Cecilia for one of the canal trips. PHOTO: TONY BRANNON The canal society is a registered charity and is happy to take out small groups of people (up to 12 per voyage) by prior arrangement.

For more details visit: www.wbdcs. org.uk.

NEWS 11

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Paul Martin, right, of Flog It fame takes a trip on The Mary Archard.

PHOTOS: WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST

One of the victorious teams from Chippenham Young Farmers.

Festival is tale of two halves SATURDAY, September 2 dawned with bright blue skies and warm temperatures ready for a fantastic day of fun, adventure and competition at the Melksham Food & River Festival, held in King George V Park, writes Val Melville of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.

Leaders from the Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team were kept busy all day ensuring that all-comers to the zip-wire across the River Avon had an exciting and safe trip across and back. They were also kept very busy supervising the 7.3m climbing wall, which was so popular, there was still a queue of eager climbers at the end of the afternoon.

The raft race competitors had a brilliant time paddling their excellent home-made craft (bizarrely including a raft disguised as a wedge of cheese) up the river and back. This year, both junior and senior categories were won by the Chippenham Young Farmers, and both teams were delighted to receive their medals plus a £100 prize for each category generously donated by Foxhangers Boat Builders.

Again on the river, Melksham, Calne & Chippenham Branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust organised boat trips, offering two boats: Damselfly and The Mary Archard, which were popular all day. There were in fact numerous damselflies and dragonflies flying around the boats, and the swans, cygnets, ducks, moorhens, house martins, swallows and even kingfishers obliged by putting in appearances for many passengers – a truly magical day on the beautiful River Avon.

The Wilderness Boats, glorious steam launches, canoes and kayaks all added to the wonderful adventure commonly known as ‘messing about in boats’ and it was great to see this normally quiet waterway being used by so many people having so much fun. The Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club (WYCC) was offering Try Canoeing sessions, and instructors were kept constantly busy.

There were five visiting boats as well as the two

Passengers enjoy one of the boat trips on the River Avon on a sublime summer’s day.

‘working’ Wilderness boats: Matchbox and The Ark belonging to the two Ians (Graham and Simpson) who shared the harbourmaster duties. In addition there were three steam boats: Scathtan, a regular at this festival, owned by society vice-president John Laverick; Millie, a 17ft 1900 Norwegian fishing boat owned by Richard Welch, converted to steam around 2000 with a 6hp Locomobile engine and Kathleen, owned by Paul and Kirsty Cummins – a 1920s Bristol-built tender with a 2hp single cylinder engine fed from a Merryweather boiler. The other two boats were Snapdragon, a 1980s-built Wilderness Beaver owned by Sharon and David Cohen and Maude, again a Wilderness type trailboat, but built from scratch and owned by Peter and Cynthia Fairall from North Devon.

The end of the afternoon saw crowds of people sitting in the sun, enjoying picnics and the odd drink (or two) from Box Steam Brewery, enjoying listening to the Warminster Military Wives Choir, followed by the Legendary Cross Guns Singers – a real festival atmosphere. The final treat was a sail-by of the Wilderness Boats decorated with lights.

Chilli eating

Sunday morning was not so promising with grey skies, predictions of day-long rain and increasing blustery winds. Not a good start to the main event day, which would see the arrival of more than 70 stalls selling a huge variety of great food and drink in addition to the river activities.

The Leekes Country Kitchen Marquee came into its own, delivering both entertaining demonstrations as well as shelter from the elements. It also proved to be a perfect venue for the chilli-eating competition with standing room only as hundreds enjoyed watching a few heroes abuse their taste buds with chillies of increasing heat.

The boat rides continued despite the rain, although there was a reduced number of visitors both for these and the WOLT activities. Frankie, the honorary canal horse, continued to give rides, and the funfair and Barry the facepainter were kept busy. The MCC information gazebo proved popular with lots of new members signed up. One exciting visitor to the tent was Paul Martin (of BBC’s Flog It fame); he was very interested in our little project, enjoyed a trip on The Mary Archard, and took away a membership leaflet – fingers crossed that we may have our very own celebrity member.

So, despite the ‘curate’s egg’ weather, much food and drink was consumed and enjoyed, and a great deal of fun was had by all, thanks to the efforts by the event organisers, the sponsors, many volunteers and Melksham Council.

A raft disguised as a wedge of cheese provides a ‘hole’ lot of fun!

12 IWA ROUND-UP

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AROUND THE BRANCHES WITH IWA’S MARION BIRCH

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire ON THE first Sunday of September 23 volunteers, including a sizeable group from commercial partners Xylem, a global water engineering company with an office in Nottingham, gathered for this year’s clean-up at Meadow Lane Lock on the Nottingham Canal.

With the help of the Canal & River Trust’s workboat and crew with the necessary equipment, the branch very quickly found the first of many bicycles to the satisfaction of the

photographer from the Evening Post.

By lunchtime the work party had filled the workboat, and the litter-pickers had worked to Castle Lock and back. The afternoon saw the volunteers complete the grappling of the canal parallel to London Road, removing two further boatloads in the process.

Notable finds included some very long and heavy lengths of pipe, and a number of deckchairs of the type often used by anglers. The

Chester & Merseyside with Trent & Mersey Canal Society MOORING at the entrance to Preston Brook Tunnel will now be a lot easier for boaters waiting to enter the tunnel and operate the stop lock thanks to the installation of 11 new mooring rings.

Volunteers from IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch and Trent & Mersey

Canal Society held a work party in early September to carry out this work at Preston Brook and also install 25 rings north-west of Ollershaw Lane Bridge at Marston.

These will benefit boaters visiting the Lion Salt Works Museum or stopping at The Salt Barge.

Northampton THE Northampton Branch is continuing to maintain and improve the canal environment along its adopted stretch of the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal.

To mark the latest initiative the local MP was recently invited to unveil the first of the mosaic plaques designed by local schoolchildren which will eventually form a mosaic nature trail at each of the 17 locks along the four-andthree-quarter-mile arm.

Andrew Lewer, the new MP for Northampton South, arrived at Lock 17 by boat. After helping to lock through from the river up to the canal, he then eased the final piece of mosaic tiling into position, observing: “I’ve taken part in many ceremonies like this over the years, but this has been the most fun and innovative so

Andrew Lewer MP on his hands and knees putting the finishing touches to the mosaic plaque on the Northampton Arm – a WRG volunteer in the making?

PHOTO SUPPLIED

IT MAY be usual for surveys of a waterway to be carried out by boat or on foot but in August, 11 volunteers from the West Country Branch cycled the 14-mile length of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal along the towpath to familiarise themselves with the canal and plan future work parties.

On their journey they identified

Anyone intending to attend one of these events for the first time should contact the organisers beforehand and wear suitable clothing and footwear. If staying all day take a packed lunch unless other arrangement indicated.

East

Wednesdays October 4, 11, 18, 25 and Saturday October 14

IWA Ipswich Branch supporting River Gipping Trust: Pipps Ford (Needham Market, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8LJ) or Baylham Mill Lock (Mill Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8LG), River Gipping. Meet at 9am to continue clearing storm damage to Pipps Ford or carry out maintenance at Baylham Mill Lock, finish at 3.30-4pm. Contact Martin Bird 01394 380765, restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch supporting the Burslem Port Trust: Twice monthly work party on the Burslem Arm, Stoke-on-Trent, 10am to 3pm.

Meet at Luke Street, Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3LY. Contact Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve.wood@team. waterways.org.uk

Thursday October 12

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Monthly work party on the Uttoxeter Canal at Bridge 70, Crumpwood.

10am-3pm. No parking at site so please meet at 9.30am at Denstone Village Hall, College Road, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5HR for a lift or, if on foot, meet on site at Bridge 70 at 10am. Contact Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve.wood@team.waterways.org.uk

Midlands

Thursday October 19

Sunday October 1 and Tuesday October 17

IWA Northampton Branch: Northampton Arm adoption, fortnightly work party 10am-2pm. Work includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking.

Location dependent on work completed at the previous work party. Contact Geoff Wood at geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk

Friday and Saturday October 13-14

planned to have a full hopper by 1pm.

All equipment, including grapples, will be provided, but the branch recommends stout footwear and old clothes due to the nature of the task.

Sunday October 15

sites where towpath access and the appearance of the canal could be improved by trimming overgrown foliage and collecting litter.

The day culminated with a barbecue where the cyclists were joined by more volunteers and their families. Certificates were presented to six volunteers who had recently completed a first aid course.

North

Saturday October 7 and Tuesday October 24

IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust: Volunteers meet on the second Sunday of the month to carry out a variety of tasks to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation. 10am-3pm. To confirm date and location contact Chris or Steve Hayes 01522 689460, workparties@sleafordnavigation.co.uk

far!” The plaque is sited at the nearby ‘narrows’ upstream of the lock.

Funding for the project is through the legacy left to the branch by John Faulkner.

West Country Branch

Volunteers from IWA Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch and Xylem tackling the contents of the Nottingham Canal. PHOTO: ARCHIE ROBERTS

IWA WORK PARTIES IN OCTOBER

Sunday October 8

Warwickshire THE next canal clean-up by Warwickshire IWA will take place on Sunday, October 15. Signing-on is by the bridge on the Grand Union Canal at Clemens Street, Leamington Spa, from 9.30am. It is

traditional supermarket trolley was relatively scarce, but there were still many bicycles which is usual for this canal.

With this fifth clean-up, the branch has tackled the whole length of the Nottingham Canal at least once, but there is probably plenty more rubbish to be found by the determined grappler. The branch is grateful to all who took part or lent equipment, and especially to the very enthusiastic guys from CRT who crewed the workboat.

IWA Milton Keynes Branch: Twice-yearly clean-up of the Grand Union Canal through Milton Keynes from Fenny Stratford to Wolverton sponsored by Wyvern Shipping Co and supported by Canal & River Trust. 9.30am start at Fenny Stratford Lock MK1 1BY.Everyone is welcome whether by boat or on foot. If under 18, you must be part of a supervised group. Contact Les Franklin at les.franklin@waterways.org.uk IWA Warwickshire Branch: Canal clean-up in Leamington Spa, 10am-1pm. Meet at Clemens Street, Leamington Spa. Contact info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk

Sunday October 29

IWA Warwickshire Branch: Hatton Locks work party to cut back and clear vegetation, 10am-1pm. Volunteers may wish to bring their favourite tool along although CRT will be providing tools required and safety equipment. Parking at Oaklands Farm dog kennels next to the petrol station on Birmingham Road, Warwick. Adult-only work party – 18 plus supported by Canal & River Trust (CRT) West Midlands Region. Contact info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Monthly work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal, 10am-3pm. Meet at Church Locks 47 and 48 adjacent to All Saints Church, Lawton ST7 3DD. In addition a vegetation clearance week is planned on the Trent & Mersey from October 23-27.

Contact John Brighouse 0780 887317, john.brighouse@ waterways.org.uk

Saturday October 21

IWA Manchester Branch: Monthly work party at a venue to be confirmed in Greater Manchester, 10am-4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal. Contact 07710 554602, secretary@manchester-iwa.co.uk

Saturday October 28

IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: Monthly work party in the Chester area working at various locations alongside the Shropshire Union Canal, 10am-4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Jason Watts, jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk

South

Tuesdays October 17 and 24

IWA Oxfordshire supporting Banbury Canal Partnership: Meet at 9am, work until about 1pm. Contact Colin GarnhamEdge, bcpontheoxford@gmail.com

For further information on any of these events please contact Katie Thomas, IWA’s branch support officer on 01494 783453 or email katie.thomas@waterways.org.uk Details can also be found on IWA’s website at www.waterways.org.uk

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Heritage boats on the Royal Canal

By Janet Richardson

Many of Ireland’s canal boats are known by the numbers applied during their working lives.

The Grand Canal Company (GCC) used the letter M for Motorised to distinguish these boats from earlier horse-drawn vessels. Approaching Lock 45 are 74M followed by Ye Iron Lung (49M). PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

THE Heritage Boat Association of Ireland marked the 200th anniversary of Ireland’s Royal Canal with a commemorative journey staged over the two weekends of Irish National Heritage Week which ran from August 19-27.

Celebrations had been held on the canal earlier in the year with the unveiling of a plaque at Richmond Harbour, Clondra, attended by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

That was the starting point at the western end of the canal where it meets the Camlin River for a flotilla of 18 heritage boats which made the outward journey on Saturday, August 19 to Mosstown Harbour near Keenagh – a distance of about 14km with five locks.

Towpath Talk editor Janet Richardson enjoys the journey with Geraldine Gavin on board Delfini. PHOTO: WATERWAYS IRELAND This provided an opportunity for people to walk along the towpath beside the boats and visit the Waterways Ireland office in Clondra, Co Longford, where talks and displays were held on the heritage of the waterways and the history and importance of the canal which links the River Shannon with Dublin.

As well as the Heritage Boat Association, Waterways Ireland, Longford County Council and the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office were involved in the event.

The Royal Canal

The heritage boats wedged into their moorings at Mosstown Harbour. PHOTO: WATERWAYS IRELAND

Completed to the River Shannon in 1817, the Royal Canal in its heyday moved people, crops and coal between the North West’s rural communities, farms and Arigna Mines and Dublin.

Closed for 50 years from 1960, lobbying and volunteer work by the Royal Canal Amenity Group and Waterways Ireland led to its reopening in 2010. www.waterwaysireland.org www.royalcanal.ie

The commemorative tapestry presented to the primary school at Clondra.

PHOTO COURTESY PAUL MARTIN

I enjoyed the part of the journey between Lock 45 and Ballydrum Bridge on board Gerry and Geraldine Gavin’s 122-yearold Dutch barge Delfini. They told me that the 50ft x 13ft 6in boat was built in Holland and used for oyster fishing on the Zuiderzee which became the Ijsselmeer in 1932 following construction of the Afsluitdijk dam.

After buying Delfini in 2010, the Gavins spent three years boating through the Netherlands, Belgium and France before bringing her to Ireland.

Other heritage boats included Chang Sha which, built over 170 years ago, is probably one of the oldest boats afloat in Ireland.

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Bord Na Mona lifting machinery bridge, where peat from the bog is carried over the canal on the bog railway.

A tight turn for a large boat between the bridges at Begnagh. The lift bridge is in the up position.

Ahead are heritage boats 41M and Chang Sha.

Gerry and Geraldine Gavin brought their barge over from Holland.

Originally built as a personal launch for one of the directors of the Grand Canal Company and steam-powered, she is thought to have been used as a fisheries research vessel in the 1920s and former owners also include a member of the Boomtown Rats.

Heritage Boat Association chairman Paul Martin told me afterwards: “We had a great trip.

We spent the week at Mosstown Harbour and on the Friday evening the locals put on a music session for us with lots of food and drink. It was a beautiful balmy night and this came out of the blue after we got a call from the locals.”

The heritage boats and their

Delfini at Ballydrum Bridge. crews completed the return run back to Richmond Harbour in two stages over the weekend of August 26-27, breaking on the Saturday night at Killashee Harbour.

Paul said that there had been lots of people walking with the boats and a token ‘cargo’

included a tapestry presented to the local primary school with an inscription underneath so the young people might remember the trip.

He added that it is hoped to bring another group of boats from Dublin to the Shannon next year.

The Heritage Boat Association

Founded in 2001 at the World Canals Conference in Dublin, the Heritage Boat Association is a voluntary organisation whose aim is to protect, promote and celebrate the floating heritage on the Irish inland waterways. Its interests extend from boats and barges to engines and historical navigation systems. www.heritageboatassociation.ie

Motorised barge 43M at Killashee Lock.

16 EVENTS ROUND-UP

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Festival in Shropshire’s mini Lake District

By Phil Pickin

The unusual ferry transporting visitors across the canal.

PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN

Visitors browse the trading boats moored along the Ellesmere Arm.

GOOD weather encouraged visitors who enjoyed seeing decorated narrowboats all within an easy walk along the towpath during Ellesmere’s three-day summer festival in August.

This annual event includes a craft market and art exhibition together with a number of canalside events and traders moored along the Ellesmere Arm of the Llangollen Canal.

The Canal & River Trust operated a free narrowboat shuttle service from the wharf to the historic workshops located in the fork of the Llangollen Canal and the Ellesmere Arm. The forge was in operation where Thomas Telford had his offices and from where it is said he supervised the construction of the canal.

A rather unusual ferry service also helped visitors cross the canal to visit the workshop complex close to the junction of the canals.

The event, which involved the whole town, included a charity market, street entertainers, a fairground organ and a wide variety of food on offer from the various catering facilities.

Other events included an art exhibition, a craft fair and a railway exhibition in the town hall. And at the canal wharf a combined churches open air service took place on the Sunday followed by a classic car show.

A colourful scene at the Ellesmere Festival.

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A trail of discovery through Burnley’s canalside heritage

By Geoff Wood

THE Burnley Canal Festival reached a high point last year when the event coincided with the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Ahoy there, me hearties!

So there was always a danger that the 2017 festival might disappoint in comparison. But there was plenty this year as well as the sunshine to interest visitors, and the sixth annual event again attracted more than 12,000 visitors over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Music, dance, workshops and waterborne activities took visitors on a trail of discovery across three sites through Burnley’s canalside and heritage. They could have a go at a huge range of arts and crafts, from circus skills to decorating a giant cardboard canal boat, and from traditional sign writing to the Splodge-a-Matic action painting machine, driven by pedal power.

The performance programme included a music stage, where one highlight was a hugely popular set by the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, combining traditional tunes with distinctive versions of selections from Abba, Les Mis and even the Doctor Who theme!

A funfair was among the attractions.

Brisk trade

Visitors arriving by boat at the event opened by the Mayor, Coun Norman Baker, may well have been impressed by the Burnley Embankment. Here canal builders, rather than take a long detour following the contours of the valley, built an embankment a mile long and 60ft high in places. It is today regarded as one of the seven wonders of Britain’s waterways.

Meanwhile back at the festival headquarters, historic surroundings of a former canal wharf, the funfair and the visitor centre did a brisk trade.

At the Weavers Triangle visitor centre there was an exhibition of the history of the canal and of the weaving industry on

Visiting narrowboats decorated for the occasion.

PHOTOS: GEOFF WOOD UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

which the town’s reputation was built. Of particular interest was a mock-up of a weaver’s cottage from two centuries ago.

Outside, a funfair with a variety of rides kept youngsters amused on both days.

Burnley resident Geoff Dowe said: “I think it has been a marvellous event.

There has been something for everyone and it is particularly good for families.

“I come to most of the festivals and this is one of the best.”

Boater Paul Perrin, also of Burnley, was pleased to bring his narrowboat to the event. He said: “The festival has been very good. I think last year not enough boat owners knew about it in an advance.

“This year everything worked.”

Narrowboats at the historic wharf.

Plenty for everyone at annual festival THIS year’s Slough Canal Festival saw the rain come and go, but nothing could put a stop to this popular event on the Slough Arm. Fifteen narrowboats lined the towpath with the Hillingdon Narrowboat Association supporting the event with this year’s trip boats.

Alongside the towpath was the South East Angling Coaches Association showing anybody that had an interest in taking up the hobby.

Sideshows included the IWA, birds

Interludes of traditional clog dancing were provided by the Lancashire Wallopers, and other firm favourites were welcomed back, including Burnley Alliance Silver Band and Punch & Judy man Brian Gore.

of prey, funfair rides and feeding the farm animals, which attracted many families. Inside the marquee were the Friends of Slough Canal and stalls selling fudge, home-made cakes and souvenirs.

The main arena saw dog agility displays and sheepdog trials using ducks, which went down well with the audience. Between the shows, free miniature traction engine rides could be had and there was plenty to see and do for all that attended.

RIGHT: Narrowboats line the Slough Arm with the Canal & River Trust information boat Jena in the background. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band. PHOTO SUPPLIED

18 NEWS EXTRA

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A tale of two stolen narrowboats

THE following two accounts, though resolved only days apart in terms of boat recovery, are fortunately fairly rare on the canals, writes Tim Coghlan.

In nearly 30 years of working on them, I am unaware of any stolen

narrowboat not being eventually recovered in some shape or form, though in one case it took five years.

But in the case of Dawn Treader, the brilliant work carried out by our local police team and the owner Ali Jeffery’s use of Facebook

brought that theft to an amazingly swift conclusion. However in both cases, the perpetrators of these thefts remain at large.

If you can assist the police with their enquiries on either of these cases, please ring them – contact details are at the end of each account.

Burnt-out Sea Otter at Braunston Turn

Stolen narrowboat quickly recovered by Warwickshire Police

DURING the night of ThursdayFriday, June 22-23, a small Sea Otter narrowboat moored on the North Oxford Canal, just beyond the Braunston Turn on the Rugby side of the A45 bridge.

This was almost on the eve of the annual Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally, while narrowboats were arriving in masses for this popular event.

Witnesses recalled that the boat went up in a blaze of fire and two youths were seen but with towpath access from the bridge just yards away, they quickly disappeared.

Because of the intense heat, the boat’s aluminium hull ignited, which can only happen at a temperature above 660C. The fire largely destroyed the boat above the waterline, and also claimed the diesel tank.

To have achieved this temperature, its interior must have been doused with petrol.

Amazingly two gas bottles stored in the forward locker did not explode, which could have caused mayhem with so many boats and boaters about.

They were later recovered by the Canal & River Trust (CRT).

Because of the near-meltdown of the boat above the waterline, nothing could be established about it beyond its length at 31ft and its builder. The CRT did not want to remove the wreck until the circumstances surrounding the fire and the boat’s owner were established.

It was only a matter of time.

STOLEN from its temporary mooring above Fosse Lock on the Grand Union Canal, near Leamington Spa, 50ft narrowboat Dawn Treader was found some three days later by Warwickshire Police.

A towpath search by the police from the last reported sighting on the Calcutt Locks, together with a tip-off from a suspicious boater who had seen an appeal for information on Facebook, resulted in the boat being spotted between Bridge 104 and 105 at Lower Shuckburgh – only 10 miles from where it was stolen.

A supply school teacher in Leamington Spa, Alison (Ali) Jeffery, 40, had decided to give up narrowboating and had been in the process of moving Dawn Treader in stages, from a boatyard in Warwick to another near Long Itchington, where it was due to be surveyed in drydock with a view to the completion of an online sale.

She had moored above Fosse Lock late on the evening of Saturday, August 19 but when she returned at 6.30pm on the Tuesday (August 22), the boat had gone.

After calling the police she prepared a Facebook page, with photographs and information on the narrowboat, which she posted at about 11pm that evening, asking people to call the police with any information they might have.

The towpath telegraph went to work overnight and a friend who moored at the bottom of Bascote Lock contacted Ali to say he had seen the boat there at about 5.30pm on Monday, August 21.

A boater reported to the police that on

The burnt-out remains of the narrowboat Otter’s Moon at Braunston. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN More than two months later, on Friday, August 25, an elderly boater who moored his boat at a marina on the Oxford Canal called at the marina office to say he had just come up to use his boat Otter’s Moon but it was not on its mooring.

He had not been well and had not visited the marina since March. Staff had noticed the boat’s absence, but thought the owner had gone summer boating. A photograph was emailed to the marina and shown to the man, who was very upset to see it.

What also emerged was that between June 26-30, or possibly earlier, two other boats were broken into at that marina with damage caused to their engine control panels in unsuccessful attempts to start their engines without keys. This was the same initial method used in the theft of Dawn Treader.

Ring the police on 101, quoting incident no: 23S6/35645U/17.

Ali Jeffery on her narrowboat Dawn Treader at Braunston Marina, following its recovery by the police. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN the following day, she and her partner had shared the Bascote Flight with a boat answering to the description of Dawn Treader.

They said it was in the charge of a couple, who seemed very inexperienced, grazing the boat’s sides against the lock’s walls and then ramming the lock gates, when entering the locks too fast.

There were a pair of bikes on the boat’s roof and the couple were separately reported as riding on them around Long Itchington. One of the bikes was spotted abandoned on the towpath, but when the police went to look for it, it had gone.

The boater was later able to give a good description of the couple to the police. The male was described as white, heavily tattooed, in his early 40s with a shaved head, of slim build, later seen again wearing glasses and a cagoule.

The female was described as white, late 30s, dark hair tied back in a pony tail and wearing jogging bottoms.

The following day, a member of the public reported being approached on the towpath, at about 2pm, by a male trying to sell him a red Honda generator.

There was a generator of that description on Ali’s boat, which was still on the boat when it was abandoned.

After receiving the tip-off, police found the boat at Shuckburgh. There were signs of a hurried departure, including several empty beer cans and cannabis cheroots left both in the boat and on the towpath.

The boat had originally been broken into via the bow doors, which were hidden by the cratch cover. The thieves had found the ignition key having, it would seem, previously tried to start the engine with a screw-driver, causing damage to the control panel. The police were now able to take good fingerprints and DNA samples.

An interesting twist was that the boat’s headlight had been replaced.

The attention given by the thieves to this and the boat’s heading in the direction of Braunston and its tunnel, would suggest their intended destination as being in the London direction.

At Braunston Marina, an assessment was made of the damage to bow doors, hull paintwork, ignition switch, wiring works and replacement headlight. This was assessed at around £2000.

Through Ali’s insurers the works are now being put in hand, but Ali has lost her sale.

Ring the police on 101, quoting incident no: 23S5/35125D/17.

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A year of healthy growth for marina industry

By Harry Arnold

IN A new major British Marine document surveying marinas and moorings, the section covering the UK’s inland sector has reported another year of healthy growth.

Revenues are up 3.6% on last year, at £70m, and direct contributions to the UK purse are also up 3.6% at 30%. They support 1000 FTE (full-time equivalent) employees, which is an increase of 0.2% on the previous year.

It is the first in-depth analysis survey of the UK’s 266 marinas and moorings, and uses figures taken from 2016 reported results and a survey of occupancy levels in spring.

The study provides accurate and robust evidence for the sector, identifying key trends over time and providing key capacity and occupancy information for marina operators.

Much of the growth reported is above the average for the UK marinas and moorings sector as a whole. This is encouraging, when taking into account that 96% of the businesses operating

marinas and moorings on the UK’s inland waters are micro (63%) or small (33%) in size. With the number of berths per marina averaging 130, operators are reporting 88.7% occupancy, which are the highest levels reported since those of 2013.

The sector, with a high proportion of family-run businesses, has experienced a welcome boost from the lower value of Sterling and a growth in media exposure.

One year on from the ‘Leave’ vote in the EU Referendum, where business confidence took a significant hit, these growth factors have led to a four-year high in business confidence of +64% (6% higher than the entire sector).

This confidence has led to an increase in planning applications, with 1028 of the planned 1158 new berths being delivered through new marinas, rather than expansion of existing marina sites.

Challenges ahead

There are challenges. The report highlights the difficulty operators are facing in retaining an ageing customer base and the continued increase in

Giving apprentices career-building experiences RIVER Canal Rescue (RCR) was recently asked to contribute to the Investors In People (IIP) report ‘Exploring the characteristics of a quality apprentice employer’ which was published in July.

Managing director Stephanie Horton and her team discussed the key characteristics of a high-quality apprenticeship employer, covering recruitment, training, development, support, progression routes and retention, and explained how they give apprentices rewarding and career-building experiences.

Nearly 60% of RCR’s workforce are past or current apprentices and staff retention rates are 90+%.

Stephanie said: “We are a great advocate of apprenticeships – they give staff a depth of business understanding that’s impossible to ‘buy in’ and in return we benefit from commitment and reliability.

“Apprenticeships have been and will continue to be at the heart of RCR’s success and I’m delighted the three-year programme we’ve had in place since 2002 is recognised at a national level.”

In 2017, RCR was identified by the National Apprenticeship Service as a Top 100 apprenticeship employer and in 2016, named Medium Employer of the Year at the North West National Apprenticeship Awards.

Videos showcase life afloat BRITISH Waterways Marinas Ltd (BWML) has produced a series of five videos, showcasing some of its customers’ experiences of living on the water at its marinas at Limehouse Basin in London and Sawley in Nottinghamshire.

They dispel any myths that living on the water is a cramped and spartan existence, one customer likening it to ‘waking up on holiday every day’.

With a quality of life that is hard to find ashore, the videos show the sense of community that has developed at both marinas.

Life on the water is becoming an increasingly attractive option for people of all ages, both those with busy working lives in search of a relaxing place to come home to, as well as others who are looking to get away from it all.

Head of retail, Rod Grant said: “We have taken on board feedback from

customers to come up with the right facilities and services to make life on the water an easy and attractive option.”

BWML recently announced it has secured 130 new residential moorings at Limehouse, Sawley, Priory (Bedford) and Ripon. More are expected to be announced later this year, taking the total across all marinas to 700 residential moorings. Vacancies exist at all except Limehouse.

The additional residential moorings will also return a further £80,000 of local economic and infrastructure investment across the four locations including bus stop improvements, an education contribution to go to local schools, installation of new cycle shelters, financial contributions towards a village hall, public open space improvements, archaeological field work and wildlife habitats.

● To view the videos visit www.bwml.co.uk and click on the link.

inflation (currently 2.6%) is placing pressure on boaters and businesses alike. New business rates and other associated costs are eating into marinas’ and moorings’ profit margins, making it harder to prevent price increases impacting upon the customer.

The sector is looking to address these challenges, and operators are looking at more diverse ways of encouraging boat ownership, through schemes like shared ownership and a drive towards providing more residential berths.

By providing new all-encompassing leisure and tourism facilities, these inland marinas and moorings are looking to attract a new customer outside of the traditional boater.

Robert Parton, managing director of Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina on the Shropshire Union Canal, told us: “We are finding the new canal boat owners’ requirements are changing quite fast, between the ‘mature’ professionals who are using their leisure time to enjoy canal boating – who both require and expect a professional modern service to go with their boat – and the more traditional

Modern facilities offered by such mooring locations as Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina are typical of those which have led to growth in the UK’s inland marina sector. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES experienced boaters who are content with a less glossy service.

“There appears to be customers around to buy canal boats, hence the brokerage market has been good recently, although where the boats are

moored is very much about the feel and experience each marina has to offer.

“There is plenty of choice on the waterway network, which makes keeping moorings full and prices profitable a fine balance.”

● The complete UK Marinas and Moorings Report, including the inland sub-sector report, is available to download on: https:// britishmarine.co.uk/Resources/Publications/2017/August/ The-Marinas-and-Moorings-Market-in-the-UK-2017 It costs £500 plus VAT but is free of charge for British Marine members.

UK supplier strengthens electric propulsion range FISCHER Panda UK is now the exclusive UK distributor for Bellmarine electric drive systems, designed in the Netherlands specifically for the marine market.

It has added the Bellmarine DriveMaster and SailMaster systems and accessories to its range of Fischer Panda Easy Box electric drive systems.

Now available in the UK through Fischer Panda, the Bellmarine systems include the new liquid-cooled range of DriveMaster Ultimate and Modular systems. Developed to cope with the maritime environment, all models include motor with integrated thrust bearing, mounting frames and smart controller for compact installations, less noise and vibrations and higher efficiency.

Chris Fower, of Fischer Panda UK,

said: “We can now offer our customers the Bellmarine systems, renowned as durable, reliable and high-quality systems designed by a company with years of experience in the field, gained from the thousands of motor systems they have working in different applications.

“With our strengthened portfolio of technically advanced systems, we are well placed to meet the specific cruising needs of our customers and have already fitted systems to sailboats, cruising boats, ferries and narrowboats.”

He added: “With the advances made in technology, prices are now very competitive and we look forward to seeing even more electric-powered vessels on our waters in the years to come.”

Fischer Panda UK supplies electric and hybrid drive systems to both commercial and private boat builders and owners for newly built vessels or retro-fitting.

Silent running and up to 100% emission free, electric power can provide all the power and manoeuvrability needed for cruising.

Batteries are charged through the on-board charger when connected to shore power. For more adventurous cruising where shore power is unavailable, the system can be supported by a compact Fischer Panda diesel generator to charge the batteries.

Fischer Panda UK is now able to offer drive systems in the range from 2kW to 100kW, available with voltages ranging from 24v to 360v depending on the power requirements.

Mooring space on offer at Salford Quays

There are ambitious plans to create one of the North’s premier urban marinas at Dock 6, Salford Quays.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

DOCK 6 at Salford Quays, the Quays Marina, is being revitalised with ambitious plans to become one of the North’s premier urban marinas.

Currently home to various boats including a Dutch barge, a fleet auxiliary vessel, a widebeam barge and narrowboats, the marina could offer moorings for many more boats.

Boats can access the marina from

either via the Manchester Ship Canal – bringing you 36 miles via five locks from the Mersey – or from the Bridgewater Canal, through Pomona Lock.

The large water space, previously part of the historic Manchester Docks, is located two miles from Manchester city centre, adjacent to Media City, the Lowry and Old Trafford.

It is nestled into a mixed residential/

office area with bars, hotels and restaurants nearby.

It is secure with good parking available, and great access to public transport.

The owners plan a staged development in response to demand and welcome enquiries.

For more information contact John Wassell on 07768 631903.

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SPEC SHEET Boat style: Widebeam Length: 18.89m Beam: 3.81m Berths: 6 Hull depth: 1.35m Draft: 0.53m Steelwork: 10/6/4/5 Engine: Beta 90hp Gearbox: PRM Alternator: 65amp + Mastervolt 12/130 Prop: Axiom 4 blade 20” x18” Diesel tank: 700ltr Batteries: 1 starter + 2 Mastervolt lithium-ion 12/5000Wh Generator: Beta Gen-7 Bow thruster: Vetus hydraulic Solar panels: 4 x Sapphire Weight fully loaded: 35,730kg Water tank: 560ltr Windows: Caldwells double glazed thermal break Line-out materials: White T&G, 9mm ash faced ply with ash trim Heating: Hurricane SCH 25. 5 x radiators and 1 x chrome heated towel rail.

Galley: Belling oven & grill, SMEG hob. Inlander fridge and freezer.

Worktops: Granite, colonial cream-black.

There should always be a Plan-B Phil Pickin finds out why a widebeam was the option for a couple who have sailed the seas

IT CAN’T have come as any surprise that when Colin King retired from Thames Water he and his wife Jasmin (Rikki) would opt for a life afloat.

As Colin himself said: “I’ve always had a boat,” but when he did take early retirement Colin and Rikki made the

Looking from the galley into the living area which has two grey sofas on matching carpeting making for a comfortable area to relax in and watch the large TV fitted left.

most of it. Over many years the couple sailed to more than 50 countries and stopped over on 500 anchorages. But throughout their adventures Colin always maintained he would give up sailing if he found he couldn’t climb the mast, and when that day came Plan B came into operation.

The name, Plan-B (although not Rikki’s choice) is apt as the couple always intended to live on and explore the waterways once their worldwide adventures ended. The next challenge was to find a builder to provide them

The dinette area with more storage below the ‘L’ shaped seating.

with their new home, and it does seem that this was something of a challenge.

Given their combined wealth of sailing experience they knew what they wanted and they also wanted an opportunity to put this experience to good use when specifying the new boat.

Eventually when the basic spec was agreed they sent it to a number of builders and were surprised when some didn’t even bother to reply! After discussing their requirements with others they eventually settled on Colecraft and, given their praise for the Long Itchington-based company, it would seem they made the right choice. They can’t thank the company enough for their help during the build phase and after, and both seem more than happy with the standard of finish on their new home.

The subject of all this love and attention is an almost 19m long 3.81m wide boat weighing 35,750kg fully laden and finished in an attractive dark blue and off-white colour scheme with a matching dark blue canopy fitted over the very sizeable stern and helm area.

The stern deck is fitted with pale Flexiteek flooring, a possible acknowledgement of their sailing days.

The large master bedroom with the doors, left, leading out on to the forward deck area and shelving display on the end wall.

One of the main features of the living room must be the Little Wenlock stove fitted with its chrome flue sitting within a large display cabinet area with glass shelves and storage lockers below.

There is no shortage of storage.

A large mirror has been fitted beside the bath.

The domesticsized shower unit.

Owners Rikki and Colin King in the sizeable stern and helm area.

PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN

From the stern you enter the main living area via a set of wide steps into the galley, which extends to both sides of the steps. The area is fitted with granite worktops sitting on top of grey and white units and the entire area is very bright, helped in no small way by the white T&G ceiling and sides and the pale ash trim and walls below the gunwales.

Plan-B is fitted with a large number of large polished aluminium thermal break windows and in case this wasn’t enough light there’s a total of 46 warm white, 12v LED lights, and an additional six cool white lights fitted throughout the boat. To one side of the galley is a dinette area with more storage below the L-shaped seating.

Main feature

The living area has two grey sofas sitting on matching carpeting, making for a very comfortable area to relax in and watch the large TV fitted to one side of the room. However, the main feature of the room must be the Little Wenlock stove fitted with its chrome flue sitting within a large display cabinet area with glass shelves and storage lockers below.

Next to this room is what’s listed as a ‘spare room’ fitted with a double bed, below which are storage lockers. The room is also fitted with a TV and a desk, making it ideal for use as office space.

Moving forward along the wide corridor you come to the washroom which has been well planned out to include both a domestic-sized shower cubicle, toilet and wash basin, and also a bath. The worktops match those used in the galley and a large mirror has been fitted beside the bath. This is not only

useful but also gives the illusion of the room being bigger than it really is.

At the end of the corridor is the master bedroom which is large. It not only houses a double bed but a large shelving display unit on the end wall.

With lockers on the wall adjacent to the foot of the bed there can be no shortage of storage on this boat! In the end wall is the door leading out on to the forward deck area which is also fitted with the same decking materials as the stern and is enclosed to provide a semi outdoor space in poor weather.

The level of finish on Plan-B is very high and without doubt it makes for a very comfortable home for Colin and Rikki, a fact borne out by the number of visitors they seem to be having! It is also providing Rikki with a peaceful environment in which to complete her book documenting their travels around the world and their eventual arrival on the waterways. She hopes to self-publish this and by the sound of it, it will make for an interesting story.

Plan-B has been built to be used extensively off-grid, allowing Colin and Rikki to undertake extended cruises.

They have no firm plans as to their next adventure as they like to act on the spur of the moment. But wherever they do intend to visit, there’s little doubt they’ll do so in comfort.

Builder:

Colecraft Engineering Ltd Southam Road Long Itchington Warwickshire CV47 9QL www.colecraftboats.co.uk

REVIEWS 65

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WHAT’S NEW

Books, DVDs and other items for possible review should be sent to: Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk

A snapshot of a time gone by

Even more tips to pass on to readers

Reviewer: Kathryn Smith

Reviewer: Les Heath

River Ouse Bargeman. A Life on the Yorkshire Ouse ostensibly tells the story of Laurie Dews, one of the last bargemen working the Ouse, yet to bracket it as simply biography is to underestimate the scope of this book.

The life of a bargeman is indivisible from the life of the river he works upon and the industry that surrounds it. The first chapter covers the tidal effects on the River Ouse and some technical aspects of navigation.

Author David Lewis rightly assumes that any reader who has picked up this book will not baulk at a little technical detail. The sexist joke on the front page seems an odd choice when there are several, far funnier, accounts within the text that indicate that rather than being the butt of such jokes, a ‘long haired mate’ (as the bargemen termed their working wives) could make an unruly deck hand blush and mend his ways with her quick wit.

By the time we meet the young Laurie in chapter four we are already familiar with the lives of his grandfather, father and uncles working the barges and the industrial magnates like ‘Soapy Joe’ who employed them. We also know of the hardness of this life, the labour disputes around pay and the dangers of operating tug-pulled vessels weighing 200 tons on a busy tidal river.

Although largely omitting Laurie’s wartime experiences, incidents such as the bombing of the Selby Taurus shows sleeping on barges in the docks could be highly risky. Land was little better though; after one night’s heavy drinking in Hull, Laurie and his mate awake to discover they have slept through an air raid in which part of the roof of the house they are in has been blown off!

IT CAME as no great surprise to learn that author Roger Distill, whose last book was Hints And Tips For Life With Your Feet Under Water, should produce another book about life afloat – and even more tips to pass on to readers.

Moving Home With Our Feet Under Water – a direct sequel to his first book Life With Our Feet Under Water – follows Roger and his wife Grace on a series of voyages on their narrowboat Kantara.

Starting from their base on the Leicester section of the Grand Union their adventures have included the River Soar, River Trent, London and Liverpool as well as long periods when they were not moving.

As I have covered all those waterways on my own boat I found their experiences particularly interesting.

And, surprisingly, on their trip to London and the River Lea and River Stort I was only a couple of weeks behind them most of the way. However, I did not see the naked woman walking round her bedroom which Roger spied from a point on the River Lea! When one is familiar with an area or particular waterway, any references to them in a book take on a new

Post-war the narrative strikes a balance between personal events, anecdotes and the changing work conditions. In addition to Laurie’s own recollections, Lewis, who has experience as a historian of Selby’s past, includes a wealth of secondary material from log books to archive photographs. The numerous illustrations and documents, both black and white and colour, are reproduced to the highest standards.

The narrative continues up until Laurie’s retirement and the last days of haulage for the BOCM fleet. Appendices provide more information about the fleet, some traditional songs and a glossary of terms.

Laurie’s warm character shines through this book which stands as a testament both to the man and a snapshot of a time when the Yorkshire Ouse was alive with working barges.

River Ouse Bargeman by David Lewis published by Pen and Sword Transport 2017 (hardback 192 pages) available from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk at £25.

ISBN: 1473880696

The trouble with canals…

Reviewer: Harry Arnold

THIS is another book in which, as a reviewer, I must declare an interest. John Liley is a longstanding friend and I have assisted in a small way in its production. But also – as editor of Motor Boat & Yachting – he first published some of my photographs and persuaded me to write my first (paid for) feature, leading on to me coming out of the boat building and hiring business to become a journalist, working for him fortnightly, which the magazine then was. There were no dedicated on-the-shelf waterway magazines then and MB&Y, under John’s editorship, flew the flag for canals.

John has written a number of books, the most famous being Journeys of The Swan (recently republished) which was originally a magazine series. It was during his travels for this that I first met him. This new volume – The Trouble With Canals – is in effect an autobiography of his boating and journalistic experiences to date, with new recollections on his dealing with authority at the time; particularly officers of Government and the British Waterways Board.

He was born and lived near the Ashton Canal in Manchester and was also lucky enough to have a family who were among early holiday hirers. So the period covered runs right from this early indoctrination through not only his waterway experiences but his time delivering seagoing craft, which led on to his becoming a national boating magazine editor and writer. A critical period in our canal campaigning history which I also lived through and so feel competent to review the book.

John was almost the sole canal enthusiast in an office of what canal people might be described as ‘yachties’. That’s how the book’s title originates. When he recounted his experiences struggling around the system in an ex-working narrowboat, a colleague said that “everything to do with canals is trouble” – one of my two favourite quotes. Along with one of John’s own – “Every year is crisis year for the canals.” Think about it. There is always some sort of problem – physical or political.

Despite any possible prejudice in its favour, I can only highly recommend this book. It covers an important period in our campaign for the waterways, and those who lived through this will enjoy it being recalled and newer readers should become acquainted with. Yes, it has been recorded by others, but not in such a lively, entertaining and well-presented style. Accompanied by a great selection of period illustrations, most of which have never been gathered together in one book.

The Trouble With Canals by John Liley is published by Canal Book Shop in softback, priced £19.95 ISBN: 978-0-9955180-3-2

significance and are followed more avidly by the reader.

I was, therefore, quite excited when the area around my own mooring was thought to be worthy of mention on a couple of occasions and even chosen for one of Kantara’s many lunch breaks.

Moving home for those on land is often fraught with anxiety and stress. But on a boat it is sheer pleasure. You simply move your home to a different place.

The author regarded this aspect of boating as a privilege, the realisation of which affected his whole feelings about his new life.

I certainly developed an affinity with Roger Distill, as he describes the best and worst points of canal life (although I have never been ‘stoned’) and was pleased to learn that I am not the only one who comes across ‘grumpy gits’ on boats – a phenomenon that didn’t exist 20 or 30 years ago!

Most authors who write about life on the water do not emphasise canal camaraderie but this one highlights the special joys of travelling with other boaters and making new friends along the way.

I found myself agreeing out loud with many of their experiences – from a lack of visitor moorings in London to

foreigners wanting to arrange a trip on their boat!

The 330-page book is profusely illustrated. Its wonderful attention to detail makes it a welcome addition to the growing number of books about living on a boat.

But this one is refreshingly different and is written in a way that can be enjoyed by everyone.

There’s even a recipe from Grace – it'’ not all about boats!

Moving Home With Our Feet Under Water by Roger Distill (330 pages, £2.50) is available to download for Kindle and all other devices from www. amazon.co.uk

A second pictorial record of historic working boats Reviewer: Robert Davies

FOLLOWING the success of their first volume of Historic Working Narrow Boats Today, co-authors David Williams and Peter Silvester have produced part 2. This details an additional 453 ex-working narrowboats.

The first edition, published in 2013, featured 465 boats so the two books together feature 917 of the 957 historic working narrowboats that the authors know have survived. Only about 40 boats are still to be found.

Volume 2 includes 35 updates on some of the boats that appeared in volume 1 and this book includes a list of all the boats in both volumes.

Following the original format, each boat has a colour photograph plus a précis of its history. Most of the photographs were taken by David Williams and the notes on each boat added by Peter Silvester.

The photographs have been ‘grouped’ by operators i.e., under the company that the authors believe was the first operator, and then by boat name. These operators include Anderton Company/Mersey Weaver, British Waterways, Fellows, Morton & Clayton, Grand Union Canal Carrying Co., Samuel Barlow, Thomas Clayton and W H Cowburn and Cowpar.

It also includes chapters on boats from the Birmingham area day/station boats and some of the smaller carrying companies. The book also features a chapter on unidentified boats, requesting help with information.

Clearly the authors are to be congratulated on achieving the mammoth task of researching the history and photographing each boat. For the traditional purist, and anyone interested in traditional working boats, here we have unique

and comprehensive encyclopaedic reference books. In paperback format this edition has 129 pages and is good value at £19.95.

Historic Working Narrow Boats Today - 2 is published by, and available from, the Canal Book Shop, www. canalbookshop.co.uk ISBN: 978 0 9955180-1-8

A handy pouch for the towpath explorer Reviewer: Phil Pickin

IF YOU are interested in wildlife, photography or just find you have loads of ‘stuff’ to carry about when exploring new places, then you might well be interested in this field pouch from Country Innovation.

Although you can always fill your pockets with binoculars, small cameras and field guides etc., it’s far more comfortable to enjoy a walk along the towpath with these items safely and comfortably stowed ready for use.

Made from a water-resistant fabric called Cordura®, it’s designed with a main compartment big enough for a medium sized or crossover camera, binoculars, field guides plus pens, keys and many other items. To protect the contents it comes with padded subdividers and various other zipped compartments.

A nice design innovation is the ability to choose how the pouch is carried – either over the shoulder, around the waist, off the belt or by the grab handle. It has a number of nice touches including a keyring clip and a phone pocket, but this can be used for anything else you might want to carry. The pouch is 22cm(h) x 25cm(w) x 8cm(d) and costs £35 plus delivery.

Full details of the field pouch can be found on Country Innovation’s website including delivery prices and a handy video on what you can get in this useful bag. www.countryinnovation.com/accessories

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WHAT’S ON

Compiled by Janet Richardson

Email details of your event to: jrichardson@mortons.co.uk or send details to: What’s on, Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ

An active treat for Muddy Waters readers

By Janet Richardson

YOUNG fans of the Muddy Waters books can now get creative themselves thanks to a new activity book featuring their favourite boat characters.

The Muddy Waters’ Activity Book is being launched at the Banbury Canal Day on October 1 to complement the anthology Getting into Muddy Waters (RRP £7.99) which came out ready for Christmas last year.

Compiled by Sarah Clacher from the Muddy Waters stories

by Dan Clacher, with illustrations

by Stephen Preedy, there is lots to keep the whole family amused.

As Dan explained: “It is for everybody who is interested in boats, young and old.”

A young reader works his way through the activity book.

I had a preview of the new A4-size book, which costs just £3.99, on board its namesake Muddy Waters at the moorings beside the Thames at Binsey near Oxford where the 69ft narrowboat is now based.

Dan and Sarah moved from the Oxford Canal and have found life on the canal and river is very different. “People see us going up and down the river and ask us which we prefer. It is not a case of preference really, they both have different things that they offer but we have seen more interaction on the Thames.

“The canal is very calm and slow and we are pretty sure how it’s going to be while the river can be very unpredictable and more exposed to the wind which can be challenging in a 69ft narrowboat; it is a big old bus,” Dan said.

He added that the river towards Lechlade (the Thames’ head of navigation) is incredibly twisty and can be very tight for a long narrowboat but great fun. “That was new to us, on the canal everything was pretty much straight. Narrowboats and widebeams having to negotiate tight and twisty bends could be another idea for a story.

“But the best part is the wildlife with birds such as the egret, kingfisher, heron and swan. A kingfisher perches on the nextdoor boat; it is a joy.”

Author Dan Clacher on board Muddy Waters on the Thames at Binsey near Oxford. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON While targeted at the five to nine years age group, the Muddy Waters stories are a combination of a book to be read to a child by an adult or for emerging readers.

“We intended to let them know about different aspects of life on the water but they are not meant to be educational,” Dan explained. ”I am a storyteller but there is usually something

they can take from it such as the importance of canals in chocolate production or about the Severn Bore.

“They learn about things like that but also about nature and we always put a glossary in the book which lets them see the things we are referring to on the waterways which are different to their daily lives.”

Dan and Sarah are taking

Muddy Waters up to Banbury Canal Day on Sunday, October 1 for the launch of the new activity book and the boat’s hull is being blacked at Tooley’s Boat Yard for the occasion.

Although the canal day was cancelled earlier in the year due to proposed work in the town centre, this has now been postponed and the event is very much back on.

Stockists of the Muddy Waters books include Midland Chandlers, Amazon, canalside bookshops and canal societies and through Lomond Books in Scotland where Hamish & the Falkirk Wheel is very popular.

They can also be bought through the website at www. muddywaters.org.uk where more information about all the titles can be found.

Competing to get goods to Croydon: the Greenwich Railway Viaduct crossing the canal.

PHOTO: LONDON METROPOLITAN ARCHIVES, CITY OF LONDON.

London’s lost canals rediscovered in new exhibition A NEW exhibition featuring London’s lost canals was set to open from September 26 at the London Canal Museum where it will be on show until April 2018.

Beneath the streets and new developments of London lie nine canals and navigations, constructed from the 1680s to the 1840s, that have failed to make it into the 21st century.

A team from London Canal Museum have researched their rise and disappearance, searching out little-known paintings, sketches and old photographs held by libraries, museums and galleries across the city.

The result is a unique exhibition that reveals for the first time their forgotten stories and traces the reasons for their decline – lack of cargoes, competition from the railways

and pure neglect contributed to their loss. With them went the opportunity of increasing London’s waterways for leisure in the 21st century.

Although most leave little trace today, the stories remain and have resonance: • Wren’s great fleet disaster – an elegant construction, ruined by cost overruns and pollution • The world’s largest fishing fleet in the 1860s, based in Barking!

• A large factory complex by the

• • • • •

canal leading to the origin of the expression ‘tabloid press’ The dangers of a canalside First World War aerodrome A shortcut across the Isle of Dogs A Central London canal basin where Victoria Station now stands A canal and a railway competing to get goods to Croydon – and both failing badly.

An interesting location to test torpedoes in the1870s

● Exhibition entrance is included in the museum entry fee of £5 for adults. Five minutes’ walk from King’s Cross Station and beside Battlebridge Basin on the Regent’s Canal, the museum tells the stories of London’s waterways from their days as vital trade routes to today’s leisure uses.

It is housed in a historic building that was originally a warehouse for imported ice at 12-13 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RT, www.canalmuseum.org.uk

WHAT’S ON 67

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Art aboard the slow boat

THE idea of using a narrowboat or other canal vessel as a floating art space is not unusual these days, though this one is a bit different, being used by the Ikon Gallery as a floating and travelling studio.

A drop-in session was held recently opposite The Roundhouse on the BCN Main Line near Sheepcote Street Bridge in Birmingham for a drop in session; Colin Wareing went along for a look.

The Ikon Gallery is based in the former Ozzells Street School in Birmingham and the 70ft narrowboat is on loan from Sandwell Council and has recently had a repaint.

She is very striking in her new colours of blue and yellow, the livery being designed by Lamorna Conlon, a member of Ikon Youth Programme, and the colours are not unlike those of the British Waterways carrying

fleet from the 1950s and 60s.

From August 24 to October 4, the artist in residence on the boat has been James Lomax, who works in sculpture and installation and hails from Banbury.

He has been working with local people in the Ladywood area of the city, which includes the Icknield Port Loop of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, off the main line.

James Latunji-Cockbill, who is part of the organising team, with artist James Lomax and the ‘slow boat’ opposite the Birmingham Roundhouse.

His work has been recording through photography, with the help of people off the bank, the brownfield remains of the industry that used to line the canal loop. He’s been enjoying working with the people, especially the youngsters of the area, helping many discover the canal and get on the water for the first time.

James plans to use this to drive his work back in his studio over the next year and it will be interesting to see what he creates.

Another James, recently married James Latunji-Cockbill,

Ikon’s floating art studio moored at Sheepcote Bridge, Birmingham. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING

WHAT’S ON IN OCTOBER October 1

West of Scotland Boat Jumble: Open 10am.

Irvine Water Sports Club, 66 Harbour Street, Irvine, Ayrshire KA12 8PY, opens 10am. Admission £4, accompanied children and car park free. Contact Bill Aitkin 07749 312159.

Solent Boat Jumble: The Royal Victorian Country Park, Netley, Southampton, Hampshire SO31 5GA (Junction 8 M27), opens 10am. Admission £4, accompanied children and car park free.

Chaddock & Fox Promotions, contact 01329 661896 or 07771 962495.

IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross-Granary Square-Camden.

Starts King’s Cross taxi rank at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.

Dogdyke Steam Drainage Station: Beam engine in steam, display and museum in old engineman’s house, 1.30-4.30pm. Tea and home-made cakes in grounds. Off the A153 Sleaford to Horncastle Road near Bridge Farm, Tattershall, Lincolnshire, along farm track. Entrance and parking free, donations welcome.

October 3

Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society: AGM and talk on The Danny – restored Mersey tug by Ray Hines. Whitefield Garrick Society Theatre, Bank Street, behind Porada Restaurant, suggested parking at Whitefield Metrolink car park. 7.30pm, members and non-members welcome.

Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canal Society: Coal For The Ashby by Glyn Phillips. The Meeting Room, Alvechurch Boat Centre, Scarfield Wharf B48 7SQ, adjacent to The Weighbridge pub, 7.45pm. Contact Denis Pike 07870 939121, www. wbdcs.org.uk

October 5

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.

As always please check with organisers on the details of the event before setting out on your journey.

River Canal Rescue: Electrics course with Howard Williams. RCR head office, Baswich, Stafford (by Bridge 101, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal).

Two-day course £150. Contact 01785 785680, enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk or visit www. rivercanalrescue.co.uk/rcr-courses/

October 8

Kent Boat Jumble: The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6PY (Junction 4/M20 or Junction 5/M25), open 10am. Admission £4, accompanied children and car park free.

Chaddock & Fox Promotions 07719 62495 or 07887 771451.

October 9

River Foss Society: Five-mile circular walk, Mill Green via The Durham Ox. Meet at the car park of The Durham Ox, Crayke, 9.30am. Contact Bob Jowett 01904 764702, bob.jowett1@ btopenworld.com

October 10

IWA Chester & Merseyside: Paddle steamers, pelicans and Pinot Grigio – Australia’s River Murray by Ray Buss of Chester Canal Heritage Trust and the Saturn Project. Holiday Inn (Mercer Suite), Ellesmere Port CH65 2AL, 7.45pm. www.waterways.org.uk/chester

October 11

IWA Warwickshire: Update on Progress by Bob Williams from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. The Sports Connexion, Rytonon-Dunsmore CV8 3FL, 7pm. www.waterways. org.uk/warwickshire River Foss Society: Talk by the Environment Agency on invasive species (Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed etc). Strensall Village Hall, 7pm.

Open meeting, non-members most welcome.

Southampton Canal Society: Cheryl Butler, The Itchen Village, Itchen Ferry and the Diaper Family. 7.45pm-9.50pm at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ, 7.45-9.50pm.

Visitors welcome. Contact Angela, 0238 067 5312 scs@sotoncs.org.uk IWA Leicester: Talk by Adrian Lane on the history of the Grand Union Canal through Leicester. The Gate Hangs Well, Syston LE7 1NH, 7.30pm. Non-members always welcome. Contact Andrew Shephard 07710 362952, andrew.shephard@waterways.org.uk

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire: 7.45 for 8pm start. A pictorial view of a life as a waterway writer, photographer and campaigner

by Harry Arnold MBE. Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club, Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 9DU, 7.45 for 8pm start. Contact Barbara Wells 01782 911004 / 07710 418908, socialsec. nssc@waterways.org.uk

October 7-8

October 14

Friends of Cromford Canal: Horse day and Leawood Pumphouse. Depart 11am or 2pm from Cromford Wharf (single or return), 12.15pm or 3.15pm High Peak Junction (single only). Booking advisable 07552 055455, sales@birdswood.org

is part of the organising team from the Ikon Gallery who explains that when Mr Lomax’s residency comes to a close a returning artist, Mahtab Hussain, will be using the boat to work on documenting the lives of people who live overlooking the canal in tower blocks.

The boat is crewed to various waterways events by members of the Ikon youth programme, and will be heading to the BCNS end-of-season rally at Titford Pool from November 3-5 where she will become a floating cinema for the weekend.

October 13

River Foss Society: Litter pick in and around the Foss Basin. Meet at Foss Island Road Bridge, opposite Halfords. Work gloves and stout footwear advised. Contact Barry Thomas 01904 490081, barry1thomas@googlemail.com

October 15

Suffolk Boat Jumble: Trinity Park Events Centre (A1156), Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 8UH, opens 10am.

Indoor/outdoor event, admission £4, accompanied children and car park free. Contact 07780 800257, www.rotaevents.co.uk IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Grand Union Canal: Little Venice and Paddington Green.

Starts Paddington, Bakerloo Praed Street exit at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.

October 16

IWA Birmingham, Black Country and Worcestershire: Montgomery Canal restoration update by John Hamp. Coombeswood Canal Trust, Hawne Basin, Hereward Rise, Halesowen B62 8AW. 7.15 for 7.30pm, visitors welcome.

Contact Dave Pearson 01299 404273 / 07527 197842, dave@daveapearson.com

October 18

IWA Lichfield: Estuary Crossings, illustrated talk by Ian Fletcher about narrowboating on tidal waters. Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane, Lichfield WS13 8AY. 7.15 for 7.30pm. www. waterways.org.uk

October 19

IWA Chester & Merseyside: Autumn waterways walk, approximately 3.5 miles, starting from the Ring O’Bells Pub, Daresbury Lane WA4 4AJ, meet at 10am for 10.15am start. All walks open to members and non-members, dogs also welcome. End back at the pub for lunch.

Contact 07746 955931 derek.smith@waterways. org.uk IWA Milton Keynes: Steam Narrow Boat President; a detailed history presented by Richard Thomas. Royal British Legion Hall, off Melrose Avenue, West Bletchley, MK3 6PU, opens 7.30pm. www.waterways.org.uk

October 20

Trent & Mersey Canal Society: The International Guild of Knot Tyers and knot work including demonstrations of both boating and decorative knots by Ian Rogers. The Big Lock, Webbs Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9DN, 7.30 for 8pm.

Contact Gillian Watson 01606 835606 IWA East Yorkshire: The North York Moors Railway presented by John Bailey. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 4BD, 8pm. Contact 01482 845099, roger.bromley@ waterways.org.uk

October 22

South Wales Boat Jumble: Margam Country Park, Port Talbot, Glamorgan SA13 2TJ, open 10am. Admission £3.50, accompanied children and car park free. Contact Compass Events 01803 835915 or 07831 337951.

Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association: Sandiacre Lock Cottages, Lock Lane, Sandiacre (off Longmoor Lane) NG10 5LA, open 1.30-4.30pm. Admission free but donations towards costs of opening appreciated. Access for disabled people is limited. Contact Glyn Stenson 07809 251441 / 0115 854 3306, glynstenson@ hotmail.com

October 24

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: Annual General Meeting. Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, starts 7.30pm. Admissions £2 (members), £3 (visitors).

October 25

IWA Chiltern: Treasures from the Thames with Malcolm Head. Little Chalfont Village Hall, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, Bucks HP8 4UD, 8pm.

Contact John Brice, john.brice@waterways.org.uk

October 26

IWA Lancashire & Cumbria: From Yorkshire to Lancaster by boat by Andrew Cummings. St Chads Parish Centre, 235 Town Lane, Whittlele-Woods, Chorley PR6 8AJ, 7.30pm. Parking and bar available. Contact: 01257 274440 lancsandcumbria@waterways.org.uk

October 28

St Pancras Cruising Club: Halloween Cruise to Kensal Green Cemetery followed by party at St Pancras Cruising Club. Advance booking not required. Contact cruise co-ordinator Sophie Charalambous, email: vicecommodore@ stpancrascc.co.uk

October 28-29

Friends of Cromford Canal: Horse day and Leawood Pumphouse. Depart 11am or 2pm from Cromford Wharf (single or return), 12.15pm or 3.15pm High Peak Junction (single only).

Booking advisable, contact 07552 055455, sales@ birdswood.org

October 29

IWA Warwickshire: Hatton Offside Clearance.

Meet at Oaklands Farm Dog Kennels CV35 7DZ, 10am-1pm. www.waterways.org.uk

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FOLLOW THE ART TRAIL AT CANAL MUSEUM STOKE Bruerne Canal Museum is taking part in South Northamptonshire’s fourth annual art trail over the week from October 7-15.

Among the artists who will be attending and exhibiting their work are: Anona Wyi, photography on watercolour paper selectively hand painted using watercolour pencils;

Karen Wyeth, felted merino wool and stitch – originals, prints and home furnishing items; Nadege Honey, polymer clay jewellery; Ruth Lyne, fused glass jewellery.

The museum opens each day from 10am to 5pm alongside the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne (NN12 7SE). For further information visit www.arts-sn.org.uk/

Get your antiques valued free of charge at canalside museum

IN BRIEF Big draw

LLANYMYNECH’s Big Draw event will take place on the Montgomery Canal at Underhill Farm, Pant SW10 9RB on Sunday, October 1.

Artists will be on hand from 2-5pm to help you get the most out of your visit, plus there will be a chance to see the Montgomery Canal exhibition and vote for the best photos. Information and bookings: enquiries@underhillfarm.org

Tunnel jazz

Peter Ashburner, director of fine art, Wright Marshall at the firm’s Beeston showroom. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Boats lined up at a previous Aqua Narrowboats open day.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Boat builders host autumn open day

AQUA Narrowboats will be showcasing their latest new-builds as well as one of their holiday hire boats at their autumn open day on Sunday, October 8.

Their workshop at Mercia Marina will be open between noon and 4pm with complementary tea and cake for visitors.

Explore the workshop where all the carpentry craftsmanship takes place and step on board the boat-building company’s latest bespoke canal boats.

If it’s a holiday you’re interested in, there will also be one of the luxury narrowboats for hire on display.

through the family that they would like looked at and valued. It would be great to find something that really sums up Northwich’s rich industrial history.”

Wright Marshall is one of the leading auction houses of the North West and Wales, as well as serving Yorkshire and beyond.

It has regular auctions in its Knutsford and Beeston sales rooms.

The museum has its own moorings and there is free parking and free access to the shop, cafe, play area and butterfly garden. ● Long-established auctioneers and estate agents, Wright Marshall is one of the leading auction houses of the North West and Wales, as well as serving Yorkshire and beyond.

It has regular auctions in its Knutsford and Beeston sales rooms. For more information contact 01606 275066.

All the team will be on hand to answer any questions and show you around.

There’s no need to book, just turn up and make a day of it with local canal walks or visit the Boardwalk shops and tea room.

instrumental in the boat build and ornamentation, with opportunities for their involvement continuing throughout the project, which is being managed by art consultants Modus Operandi.

Meanwhile Hydrosiren will sail along the Meanwhile Gardens stretch of the Grand Union Canal, Little Venice, during weekend afternoons, with weekday moored performances.

Discovery Day

CANAL & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry will open Grantham Canal Society’s annual Discovery Day on Sunday, October 8. It will be open from 10am to 4pm and entertainments include the annual ‘dirty duck race’, Allington Morris, clog dancing by the Maids of Clifton, Trent Navigation Shanty Crew and local folk singer Gary Cadwallader. The event takes place at the Carpenter’s Shop Canal Depot, Duck Lane, Woolsthorpe by Belvoir NG32 1NY. Camping and caravanning is available on site. www.granthamcanal.org

Family friendly

AUTUMN treasures will be the theme of the Fradley Family Day on Sunday, October 15 at the Canal & River Trust’s Fradley Canal Welcome Station in Staffordshire (DE13 7DN).

The event will take place from 11am to 2pm, for further information contact sarah.cook@ canalrivertrust.org.uk

Open weekend

THE Bonded Warehouse at Stourbridge hosts its annual open weekend on Saturday and Sunday, October 21-22. As well as a boat rally, there will be canal trips, classic vehicles, organs, demonstrations and craft stalls, amusements and refreshments.

The event is open each day from 10am to 5pm at Canal Street, Stourbridge DY8 4LU.

● Aqua Narrowboats is at Mercia Marina, Findern lane, Willington, Derbyshire DE65 6DW Contact tel: 01283 701041 www.aquanarrowboats.co.uk

Floating their boat with gardens soundscape A NEW Canal & River Trust commission by artist Simeon Nelson, Meanwhile Hydrosiren, will be launched on October 14.

The artwork is a floating sculptural boat incorporating a soundscape recorded and engineered by composer Rob Godman of the diverse inhabitants and users of Meanwhile Gardens, both human and non-human.

CRT volunteers have been

IF YOU’VE been wondering about a family heirloom that has been in the attic for years or are curious about how much some favourite antique should be insured for, Cheshire’s Lion Salt Works Museum’s free Antiques Valuation Roadshow on Saturday, October 21 may be just the ticket.

The museum, beside the Trent & Mersey Canal, has teamed up with celebrity experts from Cheshire auctioneers, Wright Marshall, who will give free valuations between 10.30am and 4pm.

Director of fine art Peter Ashburner said: “This is a rather unusual event for us and we are all looking forward to giving the Antiques Roadshow a run for its money.

“I will be bringing several of my colleagues, some of whom appear regularly as experts on TV antiques programmes.

“I am sure that lots of people have got an interesting old object or something that has been passed down

A PERFORMANCE inside Britain’s longest canal tunnel and a gig featuring a Mercury Prize nominee are among the highlights at this year’s Marsden Jazz Festival, writes Geoff Wood.

The full line-up for this year’s festival has now been unveiled and it includes more than 150 hours of live music at 24 venues during one weekend, including more than 70 free gigs. The 26th Marsden Jazz Festival, which is being supported by Arts Council England, Kirklees Council, Charlesworth Estates and Yorkshire Water, will take place between Friday and Sunday, October 6, 7 and 8.

Musical fireworks A colourful rag rug. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Rag rug making at Gloucester THE Boaters’ Craft Group, part of the Friends of the Gloucester Waterways Museum, will be running a Rag Rug Workshop on Sunday, October 8.

These decorative rugs have many uses, the most popular simply being a colourful rug in front of a fireplace.

At the end of the day’s course each person will have learnt how to make a rug and have the

knowledge to continue to finish it in their own time.

There is also the opportunity to buy rag rug-making equipment.

The workshop will take place from 10.30am until 3.30pm and costs £30, which includes refreshments and material plus equipment needed to make a rug. For further details ring 01453 757412.

ANDERTON Boat Lift, near Northwich, will stage a firework spectacular on Saturday, October 28. Visitors can watch the musical fireworks display from the lawned terraces overlooking the River Weaver and the lift. Food, a bar and other entertainment, including a live vocalist, will be available on the night. Gates open at 6.30pm and the display begins at 8pm.

Advance tickets can be bought online at DiscoverCheshire.com or by calling 01606 786777.

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Halloween happenings

Les Heath looks back at the brutal murder of a boatwoman at Bugsworth Basin.

BOATERS who experience strange feelings while moored in Bugsworth Basin towards the end of October may find that there is a good reason for their inexplicable unease.

For this was the month 119 years ago – five days before Halloween – when a boater's wife was bludgeoned to death by her jealous husband.

And there are those who claim to have seen the ghostly figure of a woman gliding through the woods at night close to this terminus of the Peak Forest Canal.

Hannah Cotton, the third wife of boatman John Cotton, was only in her 30s while he was said to be aged somewhere between 64 and 75. Neither could read nor write.

On Wednesday, October 26, 1898, Cotton’s boat was moored at the top of the basin at a point where narrowboats still tie up today.

During the afternoon the couple visited the Rose and Crown public house which was only a few yards from their boat. This ceased to be a pub two years later and was subsequently demolished in 1984 to make way for the Whaley Bridge bypass.

The landlord at the time, Thomas Hayes, said that Cotton was a very jealous man and if his wife ever spoke to other men he would not be pleased, jealousy being the cause of many a quarrel between them and also the reason his previous two marriages ran into difficulties.

But that afternoon she did speak to other men in the pub and a quarrel ensued. The landlord even accompanied them back to their boat but felt that he had then calmed down.

Minutes later, in the boat cabin, Cotton began beating his wife round the head with an iron bar.

Horrific scene

Three little girls on their way home from school heard the screams and saw the horrific scene through the open cabin door. They ran the few yards to the Rose and Crown to get help but it was too late to save poor Hannah.

This month’s seasonal recipe from Anna Pettigrew

Damson almond crumble Crumbles make some of the best puddings – not only are they easy to make, they are so accommodating in terms of the fillings you can use. If you are short of plums, pop some berries in and you can also experiment with the crust. I like adding a handful of pecan nuts for some crunch.

SERVES 6 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes FOR THE FILLING ● Butter, for greasing ● 12 large ripe damsons or plums, stones removed, chopped ● 1 apple, cored, peeled, chopped ● ½ lemon, juice only ● 160g/5½oz soft brown sugar ● ½ tsp almond essence

The spot where John Cotton’s boat was moored when he murdered his wife. She died after being carried to the Navigation Inn shown in the background.

In an unconscious state, suffering from severe head wounds and a fractured skull, she was carried to the Navigation Inn where she died a few hours later. This inn is still in existence and is a popular watering hole for today’s visiting boaters to Bugsworth Basin.

Cotton was arrested that evening and two months later was hanged in Derby gaol – reputedly the last person to be executed there.

There are few cases in the annals of crime in which cold-blooded brutality stands out so conspicuously as in the murder of Hannah Cotton.

A few years after the murder a little girl was playing in a stable which was close to the upper basin and which is marked on old maps of the area.

As she played she glanced up and saw the apparition of a woman standing near her and immediately ran home to tell her parents she had seen a ghost.

Had she really seen the ghost of boatwoman Hannah?

Such historical places as Bugsworth Basin, once a hive of industrial activity, are not complete without a ghost and perhaps that of Hannah may be around for a while yet – especially at this time of the year.

FOR THE CRUMBLE ● 175g/6oz plain flour, sifted ● 50g/2oz almond flour ● 50g/2oz sugar ● 50g/2oz muscovado sugar ● 100g/3½oz butter, chilled, cut into cubes ● 100g/3½oz porridge oats ● 1 lemon, zest of Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/ gas 4. Grease a 30cm/12in square ovenproof dish. Place the plums, apple, lemon juice and almond essence into the bottom of the dish and sprinkle with the sugar. Mix well, and even it out. For the crumble, in a bowl, rub together the plain flour, almond flour, sugar, muscovado sugar and cold butter cubes. Next add in the oats and lemon zest. Mix well. Spoon the crumble mixture

over the plum mixture, then bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is nice and golden brown. Serve with your choice of ice cream or custard.

For more of Anna’s seasonal recipes see our sister title Kitchen Garden.

To take advantage of a special subscription offer of three for £5 plus 20 free packs of seeds followed by £20 for six issues, call 01507 529529, quoting KG160, or visit classicmagazines.co.uk/kg160

Cygnus in flight Towpath astronomer Brian Jones points out the swan that graces the early autumn sky THE prominent and majestic formation of stars representing Cygnus (the Swan) graces the northern skies and is an easy-to-find target for towpath astronomers.

You should have no difficulty locating this constellation which stands out well, located a little to the south-west of the overhead point during evenings in late September and throughout October.

We see Cygnus superimposed against the backdrop of the Milky Way, its leading star Deneb lying a little to the east of the bright star Vega in Lyra as shown here. The whole area abounds with stars and on a really clear night you should be able to see around 50 naked eye stars within the group, although binoculars will reveal many more scattered across this region of sky.

Their combined light produces the effect we call the Milky Way, the full visual splendour of which, although usually lost to those in light-polluted areas, can be a superb sight when viewed under dark (and preferably moonless) skies, such as when your boat is moored well away from street lighting.

This impressive constellation is also known as the Northern Cross, a fact not lost on the American astronomer Percival Lowell, who in 1844 wrote of Cygnus that the countless splendours in the sky were ‘...crowned by the blazing Cross hung high o’er all...’ – praise indeed!

Cygnus contains a number of prominent stars, the brightest of which is Deneb. Its name is derived from the Arabic ‘dhanab al-dajaja’ meaning ‘The Hen’s Tail’ reflecting the fact that this constellation was once identified by the astronomers of Ancient Greece and Arabia as a hen.

Records that have come down to us show that astronomers of long ago have also likened this constellation both to a flying eagle and even a pigeon!

Cosmic colossus

Depicting the tail of Cygnus, Deneb lies at the northern end of a large cruciform pattern of stars, and from here the rest of Cygnus can be picked out easily. Deneb is classed by astronomers as a super giant star and this object is indeed a cosmic colossus! With a true luminosity of around 60,000 times that of our own sun and a diameter of more than 50 million miles, Deneb would truly dwarf our parent star!

THE MILKY WAY

A modern narrowboat moored at the very top of Bugsworth Basin in the exact spot where John Cotton’s boat was moored when he killed his wife. The Rose and Crown was just in the trees to the right and the Navigation is just out of sight on the left. PHOTOS: LES HEATH

RECIPE

This is the name given to the faint pearly band of light that we sometimes see crossing the sky and which is formed from the collective glow of the combined light from the thousands of stars that lie along the main plane of our galaxy as seen from Earth.

The vast majority of these stars are too faint to be seen individually without some form of optical aid.

However, provided the sky is really dark and clear, the Milky Way itself is easily visible to the unaided eye,

and any form of optical aid will show that it is indeed made up of many thousands of individual stars.

Our solar system lies within the main plane of the Milky Way galaxy and is located inside one of its spiral arms. The Milky Way is actually our view of the galaxy, looking along the main galactic plane. The glow we see is the combined light from many different stars and is visible as a continuous band of light stretching completely around the celestial sphere.

The light we are seeing from Deneb set off around 1600 years ago which means we are seeing this star as it was at around the time the Romans left Britain! Somewhat closer to us is Albireo, a star whose name is derived from the Arabic for ‘the Hen’s Beak’ and which shines from a distance of over 400 light years. Albireo is a magnificent double star and even a small telescope will show its yellowish and bluish components.

Sadir is the star marking the point of intersection of the body and wings of the swan. The name of this star comes from the Arabic ‘sadr al-dajaja’ meaning ‘the Hen’s Breast’. The area of sky between Sadir and Albireo is very rich in stars and well worth sweeping with binoculars.

In the next Towpath Astronomer article, we will track down and explore the magnificent and famous winter constellation of Orion which depicts the mighty mythological hunter. In the meantime, why not spend some time on the towpath under the autumn night sky and check out Cygnus and conjure up the image of a huge celestial bird flying down towards the southern horizon. An old Polish hymn refers to Cygnus and describes its visual splendour set against the star-filled glow of the Milky Way as being like ‘. . . a sleeping swan’s white plumage fringed with gold’.

On a clear, dark, moonless night the effect is striking, so why not see if you agree! You can also check out my blog Starlight Nights which can be found at www.starlight-nights.co.uk Happy stargazing!

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FOOD & DRINK staurants Canalside pubs & re.. to satisfy all tastes.

Enjoying a meal on the balcony overlooking the marina.

New cafe bar opens at Market Bosworth Marina

Waiting to welcome you: the team at Café 1804. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

BOATERS and visitors can enjoy panoramic views over the Market Bosworth Marina and the Ashby Canal while enjoying a meal or drink at the new Café 1804.

The fully licensed cafe is open from 9am to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday and can be found on the first floor of a new building in the marina.

The space combines a modern rustic fit-out with hand-crafted features including a hand-painted mural of the canal highlighting local historic sites of interest by talented artist Claire Greenwood.

Café 1804 aims to provide classic home-cooked food finished with a twist from a simple sandwich to hearty breakfasts, home-made classics and sharing platters. Among other sweets are the cafe’s speciality afternoon teas, including a threetiered triumph of cakes, scones and sandwiches,

bookable in advance and perfect for a celebration.

The cafe takes its name from the Ashby Canal, opened in 1804. The 30-mile-long canal was originally used to haul coal and limestone from Moira and continued to be used in this way until 1981.

In the heart of the Midlands countryside the marina is just outside the picturesque and historic town of Market Bosworth, on the Warwickshire and Leicestershire borders. ● Café 1804, Carlton Road, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton CV13 6PG Bookings and enquiries: 01455 292900 or Heidi@cafe1804.co.uk www.cafe1804.co.uk

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Coaching inn serves travellers by road and water

By Elizabeth Rogers

THE Nag’s Head on the Thames, to give this hostelry its full distinctive title, is on Nags Island, in the centre of Abingdon. The equine reference in the name is an indication of its origins as one of the many old coaching inns.

Nowadays it serves travellers by road and by water, and it has become a flourishing business since being taken over five years ago by its present owner Dushan Salwathura.

On moving in, Dushan spent a great deal of the time planning the improvements needed to the building and its surroundings. The planning, design and his personal supervision of the renovations, both internally and externally, covered a threemonth period. The result is a comfortable and attractive hostelry, reflecting his particular vision for its style and décor.

A feature now is the long conservatory, pleasing for dining or for a brief break of relaxation en route on a longer journey.

Boating visitors can moor overnight at the pub.

Beer flows again at historic Nottingham pub

By Harry Arnold

ONE of Nottingham’s historic waterside pubs, the Fellows, Morton & Clayton on the Nottingham Canal section of the River Trent Navigation, has now reopened.

The original FMC Company warehouse was renovated as a waterways museum, then eventually converted into a pub but had been closed for four months.

It has a new landlady, different chefs and fresh bar staff and the bar is stocked with new beers and wines. There is also a new food menu.

Landlady and general manager is Jill Ward, from York, who has been in the pub business for 33 years and has moved to Nottingham with husband Colin.

The pub is now in the hands of the Ever So Sensible group, which is also has The Castle and Fothergills in the city centre.

RIGHT: The reopened Fellows, Morton & Clayton pub on Nottingham’s canal waterfront. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

As port of call for boaters, it has the convenience of moorings, which permit an overnight stay.

This is a historic town, particularly proud of its river – a few years ago, Abingdon Town Council decided to change the name to Abingdon-onThames to give it a more upmarket image. So, many people decide that they would like to make that overnight stay and explore it a little.

The Nag’s Head already had the reference to the river in its name. Dushan is pleased to have been told by one group of visitors that they regarded it as ‘the best hostelry on the River Thames’.

The staff, who give much attention to detail in serving customers, also ensure that The Nag’s Head is a welcoming centre of community life for the people of the town.

There are a number of regular events, with which visitors can join in. These include several beer, cider and wine festival weekends throughout the year, all with visiting musicians, and on a weekly basis live bands on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoon jazz.

The Nag’s Head is an old coaching inn beside Abingdon Bridge. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Riverside setting

As the name of the location suggests, the Nag’s Head is on a small island here, so the garden has all the benefits of a riverside setting to make eating in the outdoors all the more enjoyable in such a pleasant atmosphere.

Among the selections of beers, with the wines, in the cellar of The Nag’s Head are a number of real ales. This dedication to the traditional ales has made The Nag’s Head an award winner for Oxfordshire on a number of occasions. CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, holds annual Pub of the Year presentation ceremonies – at which The Nag’s Head has featured regularly.

Abingdon’s Coat of Arms reflects the importance of the river, with two swans supporting the shield.

The Town Guide suggests two walks for people who would like to see a little of its sights and history, but may not have a great deal of time to spare.

The Abingdon Riverside Walk heads from Abingdon Bridge towards the lock and weir, just before which on the southern back there is a good view of some of the town’s finest buildings. The circular route then follows nearby streets back to the bridge.

The Abingdon Town Walk begins along the streets where there are some of these fine architectural buildings. Merchants who worked and gained their income from alongside the river built their houses close to the source of their wealth, and spent lavishly on them.

At the end of St Helen’s Wharf is a small iron bridge over the tributary River Ock; this was erected by the Wilts & Berks Canal Company whose waters joined the Thames nearby.

There are historical almshouses, the earliest from the 16th century, with such intriguing names as Long Alley, Brick Alley and Twitty’s Almshouses.

For those with more time to spare, there are the remaining buildings of Abingdon Abbey, which are open on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday summertime afternoons.

For an afternoon of mild activity there is a pitchand-putt golf course with the other sporting facilities close to the river, and a children’s playground.

Then it is probably time to head back to The Nag’s Head; its opening times are Monday to Thursday 11am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to midnight and Sunday noon to 10pm.

Lunches, including Sunday lunch, are served from noon and dinner from 6pm. ● The Nag’s Head, The Bridge, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3HX Contact: 01235 524516, info@ thenagsheadonthethames.co.uk www.thenagsheadonthethames.co.uk

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BOATING

HO LIDAYS Canal breaks and river cruising in the UK, Ireland and Europe

A time to cruise along warm-coloured corridors

IT’S the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness – and the time of year that brings older boaters out on to the waterways in greater numbers. It seems that those in their autumn years prefer autumnal cruising.

According to the most recent available figures two-thirds of boat owners are over 55 and that number has been growing steadily.

Three-quarters are couples, more than half have annual household incomes of more than £30,000; they make 15 trips a year, travel up to 15 miles per day, cruising for between five and six hours.

“It is not surprising that older people choose to enjoy the canals outside the hectic summer season when families book out the hire fleets and take to their own vessels to enjoy the long evenings and

Cuttings are cloaked with trees and ferns.

sometimes sunny days,” said Norbury Wharf's managing director Simon Jenkins.

Age brings experience and the older boaters know it will be easier to moor, the weather is often better than the summer weeks and the canal takes on the russet plumage of September and October as the leaves turn gold and red, the berries become fat and glistening and the bracken shades to brown.

On waterways like the Shropshire Union Canal the steep banks of the cuttings, often cloaked with trees and ferns, are transformed into warmcoloured corridors and the open views from the tall embankments show fields full of crops ripe for harvest.

It is often still warm enough to sit out on the towpath as the stars come out and enjoy the sounds of the night at some rural mooring with the bats skimming the water for insects in competition with the swallows, who are stocking up on food before they assemble on the power lines and begin their migration south for winter.

The contrasts are greater too, and a warm evening can be followed by a sharp, crisp morning and even a slight air frost – a good time to light the fire and enjoy a hearty breakfast before venturing out on the day’s journey.

“There is a bit of magic about autumn on the waterways, as well as even more tranquillity, and

The lovely Shropshire Union Canal as the leaves turn gold and red. PHOTOS SUPPLIED it offers the peace and beauty that older people may well appreciate more than those in their youth or middle years,” added Simon.

“Of course more boat owners are older and often retired because boating is more costly than most

boat owners will admit and takes more of your time than most younger people can afford.

“However, there is a real symmetry between autumn and age on the canals – and that works out well for everyone concerned.”

NEWS FOCUS 73

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Iconic Shannon Blueway boardwalk opens way to Drumshanbo A 14km off-road cycle trail linking Leitrim Village and Drumshanbo, on the shores of Lough Allen, has been completed with the opening of the Shannon Blueway Boardwalk.

Minister for the Department of Rural and Community Development, Minister

Michael Ring TD, attended the official launch on September 5.

The €500,000 support from the Department’s Rural Recreation Fund enabled the Shannon Blueway to be extended from Drumhauver Bridge along the new 600m walkway

At the plaque unveiling are, from left: Sean McAteer of the North South Ministerial Council, Padraic White of Leitrim Recreation Partnership, Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Finola Armstrong-McGuire, Éanna Rowe, western regional manager, Waterways Ireland, Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dawn Livingstone, CEO of Waterways Ireland, Joseph Gilhooly of Leitrim County Council and Brendan Smith of the North South Ministerial Council. PHOTO: WATERWAYS IRELAND

constructed partly on land, with a 160m section floating over the water of Acres Lake.

The work, carried out by Waterways Ireland staff, also involved the construction of a new path linking the walkway to the services at Acres Lake, increased and improved parking provision, and a new viewing point and fishing stand.

Minister Ring said: “This boardwalk over Acres Lake will further enhance the already excellent Shannon Blueway and help attract more visitors to this area from Ireland and abroad.”

The Shannon Blueway has already received two awards and brought an additional 80,000 visitors to the area annually and eight new businesses.

This innovative boardwalk which links Drumshanbo via this off-road route with Leitrim Village is significant in extending the recreational provision and tourism experience and should lead to increased visitor numbers and recreational use.

Waterways Ireland chief executive Dawn Livingstone said: “Drumshanbo now has the opportunity to attract some of the 80,000 extra people visiting the Shannon Blueway annually making a significant difference to the town. I would like to commend the work of my

Minister Michael Ring with activity providers including Seamus and Eileen Gibbons of Electric Bike trails (bike hire) and Lee Guckian and Zoe Dunne of Leitrim Surf Co (SUP) at the official launch.

PHOTO: WATERWAYS IRELAND

staff, led by regional manager Éanna Rowe. I would also like to recognise the support of local landowners and the wider community and partnership of Leitrim County Council in this achievement.”

The recent announcement of €1.1 million of funding to Leitrim County Council will see the delivery of a new walkway and cycle way from

Carrick-on-Shannon to Leitrim Village and from Acres Lake to the Lough Allen Hotel.

The Blueway network will then exceed 200km of quality multi-leisure activity trails across Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford and Cavan, both on and off water, offering a wider and deeper experience of the region through associated activities and attractions.

● The Shannon Blueway, Acres Lake Boardwalk, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim is part of the Blueways Ireland network of trails; these are routes that are accessible whether you’re walking, cycling or paddling.

Special Blueways packages are available so people can make the most of their visit. Details at http://www.bluewaysireland.org/

A ride along the Shannon Blueway

Building the boardwalk

By Janet Richardson

By Janet Richardson

CYCLISTS and walkers using the Shannon Blueway can now reach Drumshanbo without having to complete the journey by road.

During my recent visit I cycled from Leitrim Village to the Lough Allen Hotel along one side of the Drumleague Loop accompanied by Seamus Gibbons of Electric Bike Trails.

The German-made cycles enable you to opt for the level of assistance while pedalling in the normal manner. Most of the way I used the Eco setting, increasing to Sport for uphill stretches.

After leaving Leitrim Village where the family business run by Seamus and his wife Eileen is based in the main street, we joined the Lough Allen Canal towpath at Battlebridge Lock from where the cycling trail loops around from Drumleague Lock and continues on to Drumhauver Bridge.

Although we continued up the short distance up to Acres Lake, this was a few days before the completion of the boardwalk so we turned back to the bridge and completed the journey by road.

Seamus told me that he has worked and been in business in the Leitrim area for 30 years, during which he also did a stint as a lock keeper, sharing his experience when he helped a family on board a cruiser at Drumleague Lock.

My thanks to Seamus for making my journey so pleasant with his local knowledge and love of the area, also for delivering my luggage to the hotel.

WATERWAYS Ireland engineer Brian Treacy showed me the work on the boardwalk shortly before its completion at the end of August.

The new car park and path have been built on a field at the side of Acres Lake where the ground level has been raised and banks have been seeded.

A new viewing platform has also been created on a former fishing stand, enabling visitors to enjoy the lake environment and the view across to Sliabh an Iarainn or ‘mountain of iron’ which Towpath Talk editor Janet on the boardwalk takes its name from the iron deposits found in with Brian Treacy. PHOTO: WATERWAYS IRELAND the rocks.

Brian explained that materials Brian added that they for the construction were had been concentrating on brought in on pontoons. Timber completing the main structure posts were sunk into the bed of but it is also planned to create a picnic area. the canal for the fixed walkways at either end between which is There are also Waterways the floating walkway constructed Ireland moorings on Acres Lake from 20m x 3m concrete sections. beside which is an outdoor public At the time of my visit the swimming pool, play area and the marine rope had not been fitted Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre between the posts with a section which illustrates the historical being left open for small boats development of transport and PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON to tie up to. industry in the region.

Seamus Gibbons starts to close the lock gates at Drumleague Lock.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Drumshanbo Lock where the canal joins Lough Allen – in the foreground are the double lock gates for seasonal changes in water levels. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Battlebridge Lock is the first lock on the Lough Allen Canal (Shannon Navigation).

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

● Seamus and Eileen Gibbons have developed their Electric Bike Trails business to share with the tourist the best that this area has to offer. They describe Co Leitrim as one of the unsung counties of Ireland and want to show it off to Ireland and the rest of the world. They also offer for rent a large range of hybrid bikes, children’s bikes, carts and seats. www.electricbiketrails.com

Still under construction: the Shannon Blueway Boardwalk with the Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre to the right and the mountain in the clouds beyond. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

74 TECHNICAL

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What to do if your boat sinks Would you know what to do if your boat sank? Over the summer River Canal Rescue attended, on average, three major incidents a week, dealing with submerged, partially sunken or grounded craft and salvage work. RCR managing director Stephanie Horton explains what to do: IF AN incident occurs and your boat’s rapidly taking on water, top priority is to ensure everyone in your crew is safe.

Next contact the Canal & River Trust – they’ll send out a team to assess the site, contain pollution and ensure your boat isn’t causing a navigational hazard.

Boaters on the River Thames will need to contact the Environment Agency as the CRT does not have jurisdiction. In either case, the EA and CRT will work in tandem with recovery specialists to get your boat moved as quickly as possible.

If you own the boat, you are responsible for finding someone to raise your vessel, arrange the work and liaise with the authorities. While you’re free to use your own contractors, if you need to bring plant/lifting equipment on site or use non-emergency service divers, the contractors will have to meet the CRT’s/EA’s risk management requirements; otherwise they will not be given permission to raise the vessel.

RCR is a CRT pre-authorised salvage specialist which means we can start the salvage straight away. Most insurance companies expect you to take action to mitigate loss in situations like this and a fast recovery reduces the amount of damage a vessel suffers and helps to keep insurance claims low.

A River Canal Rescue team pumps out a narrowboat which sank in a lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal. PHOTO: BOB NAYLOR, WATERMARX MEDIA

Boaters with insurance must contact their insurer who will ask for a specialist recovery firm to salvage the craft. It’s likely our subsidiary – Canal Contracting – will appear on the scene as we’re authorised to handle claims for most of the UK’s leading boat insurers. Once the boat is raised, the cause of the sinking will have to be identified by an engineer or surveyor before the claim is accepted.

RCR can be contacted at any point in the process; it all depends on the urgency. If a vessel is in the process of sinking then contact RCR first, we can arrange a rescue team within hours in most cases. However if the vessel has already sunk, as long as a recovery is in place within 48 hours, the damage is still manageable and the vessel will be recoverable.

There are a number of reasons why a boat may sink such as: a weed hatch fault, water in the engine room, hull breaches, over plating, adverse weather and when in locks – getting caught on the lock gates or cills, swamped foredecks, stuck fenders and too tight ropes.

By highlighting these reasons, I’m hopeful boaters will be aware they could become an issue and take action to prevent this happening.

● Do you have a burning question on boat maintenance which breakdown and assistance firm River Canal Rescue can help you with? ● If you are keen to see a particular technical topic covered, contact us at Technical Tips, Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ; email editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk ● River Canal Rescue runs boat and engine maintenance courses throughout the year, to find out more visit www.rivercanalrescue. co.uk email enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk or call 01785 785680.

Volunteers working on Saturn in the dry dock. PHOTOS: BOB JERVIS

Saturn in dock for routine work

EVERY two years the Shropshire Union Fly-boat Restoration Society’s Saturn goes on dock at the historic Canal & River Trust Ellesmere Yard for routine maintenance and repairs, writes Bob Jervis.

This year the docking took place from September 10-14 when the boat was thoroughly stripped down and overhauled to ensure she is able to continue her travels around the waterways of the North West.

The majority of the jobs were carried out by society volunteers.

Ready to continue on her travels, the historic boat has been thoroughly stripped down and overhauled.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Keeping your boat dry over winter Preventing damp and the build-up of moisture can often be remedied by simply opening a window. But in unheated spaces, such as a boat left vacant for long periods over winter, this is not an option.

ONE of the biggest worries for many boat owners is how to keep their boat dry in the winter months to avoid damage from the damp, cold British winter.

Nothing is worse than returning after the winter, or even just a few weeks, to be welcomed by a musty smell, which is an indication of a damp or mould problem.

How to protect personal possessions and soft furnishings can be a worry for most owners. Musty smells caused by damp and mould can occur during winter as windows are closed and the surface of walls and windows become colder because the outside air temperature is lower.

Simply opening a window is not a solution, and this is where a dehumidifier comes in. It will reduce the level of humidity in the air, by

sucking in air from the room at one end, removing the moisture, and then blowing it back out into the room again.

In response to these problems and after several years of feedback from customers, UK dehumidifier specialists Meaco (UK) Limited launched the Meaco DD8L Zambezi dehumidifier, designed and developed to address the many problems boat owners were encountering.

Many boat owners were finding that compressor dehumidifiers would not work well at temperatures below 15 degrees, and there were often problems with the machines icing up. The Meaco DD8L Zambezi addressed these issues, functioning consistently well at all temperatures, and introduced many new features to address the problems these customers were having.

Musty smells

Director of Meaco, Chris Michael, explained: “Every day we have people who call us to say that they are suffering from mould or musty smells, and want protection over winter.

Zambezi can do that easily and has the added advantage of adding some warmth to the air which is helpful during the winter months.

“As it is a desiccant dehumidifier it does not have a compressor, refrigerant or cooling coils which makes it lighter, quieter and kinder on the environment when it has to be recycled at the end of its lifespan.

“Zambezi has just scooped a 2016 Which? Best Buy, and builds on the success of the 2014 and 2015 Which?

Best Buy Meaco DD8L dehumidifier (RRP £259.99), adding unique features suggested by customers that resulted in it featuring six world firsts.”

One of the most requested features from customers was to have a Daily Run Timer to turn the dehumidifier on and off at particular times, so taking advantage of off-peak electricity hours. Zambezi DD8L is the first domestic dehumidifier in its class to offer this unique Timer + control.

With a boat left empty for long periods, another concern was that the water needed to be drained away continuously and auto-restart if there was a power cut, restarting in the correct mode. Zambezi will drain straight into the sink via a hose, and if there is a power cut it will turn itself back on and start working again when the power is restored, and the humidistat ensures that it does not try to over dry and energy usage is conserved.

Another first, the Meaco Control 20+ ensures that if the owner has left the dehumidifier in the wrong setting Zambezi will automatically adjust itself to achieve the humidity conditions the owner desires.

In line with Meaco’s socially aware ethos, and what makes Zambezi unique, is for every sale £2 goes to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation to assist their elephant conservation work in Africa.

“Our hope is that it will raise awareness not only of the benefits of dehumidifiers as a way of improving our customers’ quality of life but also the life of Africa’s orphaned elephants,” Chris added.

New season’s catalogue from Machine Mart WHETHER you’re winter proofing or need to do some general maintenance, Machine Mart’s new catalogue is packed full of all the tools and equipment any garage or workshop may need this winter.

Featuring more than 500 price cuts and new products, the 500-page autumn/winter catalogue includes a range of space heaters, generators, specialist hand and power tools, jacks, tool chests and much more.

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BOAT SALES

Your essential monthly guide to boat builders, brokers and private sales

BOAT SALES 75

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98 CLASSIFIED

ANODES

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BOAT HANDLING COURSE

BOATS WANTED

CANOPIES Canvasman - see some examples of our work on our main advert page 52. 01943 851444 www.canvasman.co.uk CA607678L

BEDDING

BOAT PAINTERS

BOAT BUILDER BOAT SAFETY

BOOKS CANAL BOOKS, GUIDES AND MAPS. Probably the best selection. www.canalbookshop.co.uk or visit Audlem Mill on the Shropshire Canal. Tel: 01270 811059 AU606890L

CANALIA

BOATS WANTED

BOAT HANDLING COURSE

CANOPIES

COURSES

CLASSIFIED 99

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COURSES

HOLIDAY HIRING

INSURANCE

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INSULATION FOAM SPRAYING AND INJECTING. UK's number one spray foam company. 30 years experience. Call Brian on 08007 313497/07971 200559. Email Brian@cosyhomeuk.co.uk CO598288L

INSURANCE GRAPHICS EQUIPMENT

HEATING

JOINERY

FUEL POLISHING

LIGHTING

GEARBOXES

MAIL FORWARDING

MOORINGS

100 CLASSIFIED

MOBILE MARINE ELECTRICIAN

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MOORINGS

RESTORATION

MOORINGS

SECURITY/SAFES

SERVICES

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR TRADITIONAL PROBLEMS-restoration and marinising, casting, machining and fabrication of one off parts to order. Gardner factory approved. Over 60 years of combined experience. Tel 01327 700219 www.vintagediesels.co.uk VI607214L

CLASSIFIED 101

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SITUATIONS VACANT

TRANSPORT

TRANSPORT BY WATER

Specialists in moving narrowboats up to 70 ft

RELIABLE: if we say we will be there at 4am you can count on it.

No additional charges for weekends Crane also available in Manchester area

FREE QUOTE, CONTACT US TODAY:

Info@SaltransPC.co.uk 07710 444857 • 0161 212 2833

Retired boat owner offers to move your vessel at very reasonable fee. References available. contact antony100uk@yahoo.co.uk or 07812 183340 AN607122L

TRANSPORT BY ROAD

UPHOLSTERY

SKIPPER SERVICES STORAGE

TRANSPORT BY WATER

WINDOWS Channelglaze Ltd: See our main advertisement on page 39. Tel: 0121 706 5777 CH608157L

102 READER ADVERTS

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READER ADVERTS

Selling your boat is FREE for private readers of Towpath talk NORMAN CONQUEST 20ft cruiser, complete renovation, lots spent includes twin axle roller trailer includes much service history, 4-stroke Mercury 15, EL4BF, £3900. Tel. 07594 637665. Leics.

For sale

ATLANTA 24 CRUISER 4-berth, new Honda 15hp engine, new hood, also new hot water boiler, interior just recovered, fridge, shower, tv, pots, pans and cutlery, recently taken out of the water, bottom cleaned and repainted, all original paintwork, many other boat accessories, an all round genuine cruiser, reason for sale don’t have time to use it, £11,800.

Tel. 01283 222920; 07974 203429.

Derbys.

BOHEMIA NARROWBOAT 57ft, beautiful, nearly new, reduced, 2015, 6ft 10” beam, 2 berths, Canaline 38, 38hp engine, 180 ltr fuel capacity, 1000 ltr water capacity, BSC til Aug 2020 (certificate available), exterior is painted in an understated colour scheme and includes a beautiful ready made roof garden, unique interior layout is non traditional and feels exceptionally spacious and has been a great home for us these past 2 years, fit out is a combination of Owner/Lymm marina (Cheshire) with quality materials. We can also assist with moving the boat to your local canal should you need for a fee. £51,000. Tel. 07949 635176.

FREEMAN MK II cabin cruiser, 22ft narrow beam, BSS 4 years, anti-fouled, new curtains, carpets, 2+2 berth, petrol, Watermota engine, white canopy, money spent, classic, reduced to £6500. Tel. 077910 34695. Northants.

DAWNCRAFT RIVER CRUISER, 25ft long, with new engine, project boat, £1500 ono. Tel. 01212 5202430. W Mids.

“SOMEWHERE” - 36ft cruiser stern narrowboat, additional information, year built: 1973, 36ft length, 2 berths, Lister engine, 100 ltr fuel capacity, 1000 ltr water capacity, is a cosy little boat easy to keep warm in winter with a cast iron wood burning stove, galley with sink, cooker/stove and 3 way fridge, small shower enclosure and Elsan toilet, full out of water survey done Oct 2015, hull epoxied April 2016 and the boat repainted Jul 17, £25,500. Tel. 01993 811837.

DORY TYPE BOAT needs work, small cabin, 90 hp 2-stroke injection Mercury engine, remote control/ steering, nearly new trailer included, £1000 ono. Tel. 07973 820090.

NARROWBOAT SILHOUETTE 1996, 58ft, 6ft 10” long, 4 berths, Isuzu engine, 12 shares held by 10 owners, self managed syndicate, AGM November, main double cabin at stern plus double dinette conversion, Isuzu 43 marine fitted 2011, 12v from bank of 4 Leisure batteries plus 240v from both inverter and shore hook up, water capacity: 100 gallons, fuel capacity: 80 gallons, c/h and hot water supplied by Webasto diesel system and from engine calorifier, solid fuel stove in saloon, £1800. Tel. 01270 813902. Crick marina.

BIRCHWOOD 33FT CLASSIC twin diesel, Perkins rear sit out deck, oven/hob, 3-way fridge, shower, double bed, ensuite, sleeps 6, diesel heating, many extras, £19,950 ono.

Tel. Tony 07891 201290. S Yorks.

TRAD NARROWBOAT 55ft, Bryan Duvell, 1978, Petter PJ2 engine, Joshua style front end, BSC 2020, hull survey, cottage style interior, no gongoozlers, £26,500. Tel. 0775 8074903. Worcs.

SEAMUS WALSH 1996, built 60ft cruiser stern, ideal live aboard or leisure, Shanks marine engine (2011), rebottled 2011, light and airy interior (refit 2014), repainted and blacked this August, safety tested Feb 16, good hull and anodes, residential moorings Llangollen Canal, nr Ellesmere, Shrops, lovely all round boat, £55,000 ono. Tel. 07990 852149.

THE SHARP END 1997, 55ft.

Cruiser stern, 4-6 berths, Beta Marine 34hp engine, regularly serviced, diesel fired stove, 3 rads, bottom blacked Oct last year, new anodes, 4ft 6” fixed double, storage under, wardrobe front bedroom, 2 singles, storage under, cupboards over, occasional extra double in lounge, cooker, fridge, microwave and cupboards in galley, new cratch cover only used during winter mooring, full inventory, £42,000 ono. Tel. 07956 457786 or 07703 567764. London.

EASTWOOD 24 1975, 24ft long, 8ft 6” beam, 4-berth, Reno 12 marinised petrol inboard on Norfolk Broads, sea/tank toilet, fridge, oven, hob, VAF inverter, mains hook-up, solar panel, 15 gal fuel tank, 120 ltr water, 2 yrs BSC, £5000. Tel. 078480 40857. Suffolk.

WAVEY RIDER WANDERER 18ft long, width 6ft 10”, 2/4 berth, cooker, WMB boat safety 3 years, chemical w/c, 4-stroke engine 5 years old, s/h, boat equipment on board, £1950.

Tel. 01905 797019; 07582 073205.

Worcs.

SEMI TRAD NARROWBOAT aluminium, 62ft, reverse lay-out, 2 +2 berth, lovely boat, ideal live-aboard or long term cruisers, newly fitted out 2012, everything you need and more, full size shower, toilet and basin, full kitchen, marble tops, gas burner hob, oven and grill, (fridge freezer and washing machine), optional extra, Vetus engine, very little use, bow thruster, full c/h, diesel, currently on Lancaster canal. Offers around £60,000 considered. Tel. 07708 196483 for more information and viewing.

TRADITIONAL NARROWBOAT Jelanda is a 65ft traditional stern narrowboat, built by Liverpool boats in 1997, 6ft 10” beam, 6 berth, 50hp Beta engine, 200ltr fuel capacity, very spacious, well appointed with a light oak interior fit-out, generous saloon, main living area also has an attractive Arrow fuel stove that complements the room, giving a lovely cosy feel to it, U-shaped galley with all usual equipment, fridge/freezer, hob, high level fitted oven/grill, washing machine and dishwasher, open plan boat fitted out with permanent double bunk with storage drawers under and two full length wardrobes separated from main galley/saloon area with enclosed shower and heads, comprising Thetford cassette toilet, £45,000. Tel. 01299 871048.

Stourport-on-Severn.

SEA OTTER HSE 36ft, 2010, 36ft long, 6ft beam, 4 berth, Kubuto Nanni engine, 21hp engine power, 60 ltr fuel capacity, 120 ltr water capacity. Extras include front cratch with a fold down glass and wood windscreen, rear hood, wet room with built in cassette toilet, small solid fuel stove ideal for charcoal, dining area seats 4. Bow thruster, all in excellent condition. Located at Ripon Motor Boat Club. £50,000.

Tel. 077140 21855.

VIKING 26 CENTER COCKPIT 1991, 26ft long, 6ft beam, 6 berths, Honda 9.9 engine, 13 ltr fuel capacity, 150 ltr water capacity, beautiful boat, Temptation is a 6 berth Viking, safety certificate finishes 2020, bought from David Mawby 10 months ago, moored at Welford 10 minutes off jct 20 M1. Feel free to email me with any questions or for photos of the inside, vgc, £11,250.

Tel. 07952 679342. Leics.

JESS, 58ft cruiser narrowboat built in 1997 by Triton Boatbuilders, Beta engine PRM gearbox, Electrolux generator/inverter/240v hook-up, hot water and c/h, runs from diesel engine, modern fitted kitchen oven/ hob/fridge/ washing machine, new sofa, new bed, fully tiled shower room with cassette toilet, boat is ready to live aboard/cruise, £36,500.

Tel. 07787 808358. Daventry.

1/12TH SHARE in 58ft narrowboat Cheddington, beautifully maintained Reeves/Milburn build has received a new Beta 45 engine, new stern gear and improved cooling system.

Repainting was carried out in 2012

by Willow Boatpainters of Swanley.

A new electrical system was fitted

by Weltonfield in 2016. Managed by well established and well run owner syndicate. Currently moored at Weltonfield but will probably move mooring for 2018. An annual owners meeting held in September decides annual expenditure, improvements and future mooring location. Owners ‘Big Tent’ chat line. Realistically priced at £2800.. Tel. 01652 678167 for further details and viewing appointment.

NORMAN 20FT CRUISER to be fitted with Yamaha 9.9 o/b, final work to be done, fit steering cable and remote controls, all parts on boat (new), new windshield with safety glass, new petrol locker and gas locker made in stern, unable to finish due to health reasons, s/s pulpit refitted with s/s bolts, £1400 ono. Tel. 01328 830086. Norfolk.

Parts for sale

GARDNER GEARBOX 1957, rebuilt to high standard, even reduction gears have been replaced (new old stock ) cost £4500 for rebuild parts & labour). Tel. 077190 34583. Cheshire.

DANFORTH RIVER ANCHOR 14kg, c/w drag chain and 12 metres heavy duty rope, £90 ovno. Tel. 01925 413190. Cheshire.

GAS PRO PROPANE regulator, brand new, in box, unused, (collect Brinklow marina, Rugby area), £5.

Tel. 07974 947420 . Worcs.

LISTER CANAL STAR 3 cyl engine, c/w PRM 150 gearbox, mountings, exhaust with flexi pipe, wiring harness, panel and 16x10 prop, £1250.

Tel. 07854 678313. Lincs.

LISTER HA2 ENGINE good running engine, easy starter, not marinised, hand start, variable speed, Lister engine spares for sale, £550. Tel. 01205 480693. Lincs.

PRM150 D2 GEARBOX less than 24 hour running, manufacturer assured, £750. Tel. 07562 116938. S Derby.

RIVER OR CANAL ANCHOR large white fender, used, small blue fender, as new, and a pair of as new life jackets, to clear in one lot £20 or would split, further info from. Tel. 0798 3040942. Cheshire.

Miscellaneous

STURDY PLASTIC CONTAINER with handle, cap and vent, has held diesel, cylindrical, 19 ltr capacity, 29cm across, 38cm high, £5. Tel. 07757 432789. Lancs.

PAINTED ROSES large Buckby can, £80; roses painted water bucket (one handle), old, £30; lace/ribbon plates from £5 each; brass tiller pin, £3; Castles/Roses hardback instruction paint book, £5; aluminium windlass, £15. Tel. 01332 528498. Derbys.

RENTING A BOAT TO LIVE ON, OR HIRING OUT YOUR OWN BOAT?

Our important message to both groups is to do careful homework first and not to either hire out your boat or rent a boat that isn’t properly licensed for this use.

Please visit: www.canalrivertrust. org.uk/boating/a-boatof-your-own to avoid any difficulties with legal and safety issues involved.

Wanted

RALEIGH TOWNSEND Girls bike for sale, Gypsy, good condition, suit a 6-9 year old, 13” frame, Shimano 5 speed SIS, 20 x 1.75 tyres, £25. Tel. 07757 432789. Lancs.

MORSO 1410 SQUIRREL for sale, brand new, still boxed with full warranty, £525.00, can be delivered locally (Derby) for free. Telephone 07976 761812.

HYPOLOMATIC CHARANTE folding caravan boat wanted, any condition considered. Tel. 01282 692635.

Lancs.

MARINE ENGINE Lister Pitter 3 cylinder injectors with injector pump. Price to be agreed dependent on age/condition etc.. Tel. 07985 037166 (Brian) or 07840 118222. .

WANTED LARGE PULPIT RAIL for 1970s Norman 23ft cruiser, must be in good condition. Tel. 01785 611336. Staffs.

NETWORKING 103

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River people Elizabeth Rogers finds out more about the annual tradition of Swan Upping from the Queen’s swan marker David Barber.

A TEAM of nearly 20 people takes to the water for the annual Swan Upping, the counting and health checking of all the swans along the River Thames, from Sunbury Lock to Abingdon.

Leading the team is the Queen’s swan marker, David Barber, for the swans, apart from those owned by two London livery companies, the Worshipful Company of Dryers and the Company of Vintners, can be the property of the sovereign.

“This has been so since the 15th century,” said David. “As a royal prerogative, the Queen can own any unmarked mute swans in open water in the UK if she so wishes. She exercises this prerogative mainly on the waters of the River Thames.

“This year 134 cygnets were marked, almost twice as many as in 2016,” David continued. “That is very positive.”

When the cygnets that have been born each year are counted, they are allocated on a share basis. Last year 28 broods

The Queen’s swan marker David Barber. PHOTOS COURTESY THE SWAN

MARKER’S OFFICE

were encountered, with both adults and young checked for any injuries or other health problems.

The number of cygnets was 72; they were marked by ringing, and allocated as 36 to the Crown and 18 to each of the livery companies. Marking on the bill no longer takes place.

All the cygnets are weighed and measured. If any are found to have injuries that need attention, the swan rescue organisations are called upon to provide the necessary assistance.

This year David was leading this traditional ritual for the 24th time and altogether he has been involved in working with the swans on the River Thames for almost 30 years.

“Firstly, before succeeding him, I had helped my predecessor Captain John Turk in the collection of swans from the river in preparation for the events in the Henley Royal Regatta,” David said. “The swans were taken to a safe reserve while the regatta was taking place. This aspect of the work with the swans I continue to do.

“I have always worked on the River Thames,” he added. “I served my apprenticeship there before going on to a career in marine engineering.”

The procession of boats as they make their way upriver provides quite a spectacle, as people witness the uniforms of the team representing the Crown and the representatives of the companies wearing their full livery.

It draws crowds of many interested onlookers along the banks. They see the six official boats – two rowing skiffs each for the Crown and the two livery companies – and the launches, motorboats and other craft of the volunteer helpers.

These are members of local boating clubs who join along the route, and members of the other organisations such as those owners of historic boats who join in aboard their own craft. The Thames Vintage Boat Club has members among them.

Using the skiffs to surround a brood of swans.

Checking the swans and cygnets.

These volunteers often join the members of the official parties in the catching and penning of the swans and cygnets. Their support is also often much appreciated at the end of what could have been a long and tiring day.

“We start just before 9 o’clock in the morning and finish at 6 o’clock so the volunteer boats’ contributions of a tow for the skiffs are very welcome,” said David.

“You can’t expect a man to have rowed all days long. We all work together.”

Welfare checks

The counting of numbers and the welfare checks provide valuable information about how the swans on the River Thames are faring.

The number of cygnets found in the three years leading up to the 2017 count had been showing a continuous decline, and had become a cause for concern. So this year’s results are very encouraging.

“In 2016 there were 72,” said David.

“This compares with 83 in 2015 and 120 in 2014. The numbers were going down.”

He can point to several likely causes for the losses. “There are a lot of natural predators, from mink to birds of prey and foxes, and there are more pike on the river than there have ever been – they take the very young cygnets,” he added.

Releasing the swans back into the river.

“And there are also the red kites. They are new to the banks in recent years.

They are thought of as being feeders on carrion, but they also take small cygnets.

“Man too is a problem,” he said regretfully. “Youngsters will destroy nests, which is nasty.

“Then there are dog attacks, which are a major problem. They will attack the swans nesting on the banks. People do like to walk along the river with their dogs, but the dogs must be kept under control wherever wildlife is nesting. This is very disappointing.

“Unfortunately you can rarely find the people who cause this problem, but if

they are caught and prosecuted they can face a very hefty penalty.”

Life on the river for both the adult and young swans can be hazardous, for there is also the risk of them being caught up in discarded fishing tackle or harmed by fishing hooks.

“A lot of wildlife becomes caught up in this way, and the hooks also cause injuries,” said David. “The swan rescue and support groups do a lot of rescues, and they disentangle quite a few cygnets.

“The young birds are the most vulnerable, they are not yet ‘string wise’.

The adults have learned to swim around these obstacles. They know that it is not wise to go through.

“Most fishermen are very, very careful, but there is just the odd 5% who don’t care,” David added.

“We do provide education for them on what to do if they have a swan or cygnet caught up. They can manage to release it themselves if they do so carefully.”

Another opportunity for education about care and safety on the river is when the party has visits from groups of primary school children, brought by their teachers to watch the spectacle as it passes their home stretch.

“We explain what we do, and why we do it, and talk about other aspects of what happens on the river. They are always very interested, which we are pleased to see,” David said.

For David, planning for the event, which always takes place during the third week of July, begins around December. It includes the hiring of boats, and booking of overnight hotel accommodation and coaches for transport en route.

After the five days afloat, when all the health checking, weighing, measuring and ringing is completed, David prepares his report for the Queen – she did on one occasion join them during a journey.

During his time in charge there has only been one year in which it was not possible for the journey to take place.

This was in 2012, a year of severe flooding along the river and its surrounding area.

104 ON SCOTTISH WATERS with Cicely Oliver

Success for young outdoor employability learners YOUNG people across Scotland are celebrating after taking part in canal college, a pioneering skills and employability programme led

by Scottish Waterways Trust and centred around three of the nation’s historic canals.

Scottish Waterways Trust’s flagship employability and training initiative aims to get 16-30-year-olds into work.

Offering almost exclusively outdoor, hands-on learning along the Forth & Clyde, Union and Caledonian Canals, students work towards a new SQA Level 2 Certificate in Cultural Heritage during each 14-week programme.

Students from West Dunbartonshire, Falkirk and Inverness took part in celebrations across the country where they showed some of the practical cultural, natural and built heritage skills they’ve learned to friends, family and support workers and received a variety of CV-boosting awards and certificates.

The £1.4 million canal college programme will reach 360 unemployed young people across Scotland over three years.

Karen Moore, chief executive at Scottish Waterways Trust, said: “We are delighted to celebrate with our canal college students who have worked so hard to earn CV-boosting awards and certificates, including working towards a new SQA in Cultural Heritage.

“As well as gaining vital selfconfidence, and learning practical heritage and life skills, young people have made a huge difference to their

local canal environment through a range of hands-on projects including archaeological surveying, stonework and vegetation management.

“We know from our canal college pilot project that over 70% of those young people taking part move into a positive destination including employment, further education and training.”

She added: “We wish all of our young people the best of luck in the future as they unlock their full potential and we hope to welcome many more young people and volunteer mentors on to the programme over the coming years.”

Jacqueline Hillis, customer operations manager at Scottish Canals, added: “Scottish Canals is exceptionally proud to support canal college.

“The project has been a resounding success and saw young people learn vital skills while helping to care for the incredible environments of the nation’s canals.

“Our staff, who helped train the students in everything from stonemasonry to archaeological surveying, were impressed by their dedication, commitment and willingness to learn. We wish them all the best for the future.”

The canal college programme is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Avondale Environmental through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, The Robertson Trust and the National Third Sector Fund. The programme is also supported by Scottish Canals and MacKenzie Construction.

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Muirtown Swing Bridge reopens for business THE Muirtown Swing Bridge has reopened after successive repairs to the bridge’s gearing and motor as well as further essential maintenance.

At the foot of Muirtown locks, the bridge allows access to and from Muirtown Basin on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.

It was manually swung to allow boat transit during early August until a temporary fix enabled a limited number of openings while the motor was replaced.

The bridge carries the A862 over the Caledonian Canal and was constructed in 1935

by Sir William Arrol and Co, replacing an earlier bridge of 1816.

Sir William Arrol was responsible for the fabrication and construction of many iconic steel bridges, including the Caledonian Railway, Tay and Forth bridges in Scotland, and Tower Bridge in London.

The Muirtown Swing Bridge at the foot of Muirtown locks. PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

Historic pier set to reopen by end of October FOLLOWING a partial collapse of the 200-year-old Ardrishaig Pier the owners, Scottish Canals, plan to reopen it by the end of October.

The pier, a Category B listed structure, is located at the southern entrance to the Crinan Canal in west Scotland.

Construction of Ardrishaig Harbour began in 1800, with further alterations in 1817 and 1837, including the addition of the pier, under the direction of Scottish engineer Thomas Telford.

In the mid-19th century, the pier was extended to accommodate the Clyde steamers that berthed there for passenger transfer on to the canal.

Today the pier is in regular use as one of Scotland’s main timber haulage links.

Some 100,000 tonnes of timber are

Repairs in progress at Ardrishaig Pier. PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS shipped each year from this part of the coast to wood processing plants further south. A floating pier at Ardcastle is currently being used until Ardrishaig pier is returned to commission.

A second phase of the repair project could see Scottish Canals widen and lengthen the pier to accommodate larger vessels, offering both commercial and leisure opportunities.

Canal festival is another fab family hit

Scottish Ruby Union International Finn Russell helps launch the campaign for Scottish Waterways Trust. Pictured, from left, are: trust chairman Ross Martin; Jordan Remmers, Martha Tait, Finn Russell, trust CEO Karen Moore and Aidan Clark. PHOTO: FALKIRK HERALD

Rugby legend supports campaign for new waterways hub SCOTLAND rugby player Finn Russell gave his support to an ambitious fundraising campaign by Scottish Waterways Trust.

Back in May, its outside classroom was deliberately burned down, destroying the venue for skills workshops and other courses. The trust has been bidding

to raise £10,000 to develop a new waterways hub through Crowdfunder.

Generous members of the public and businesses have been donating money and buying a number of items, including a signed rugby shirt from Finn.

The new hub will be used to deliver the trust’s employability programme, aimed at disadvantaged young people in the area, and will be available for local community use.

Finn, a former Falkirk RFC and current Glasgow Warriors player, said: “To have a new waterways hub in Falkirk which can be used by locals and also to run programmes to get young people into work is a fantastic resource.

“I want to support the community that supported me, so to help kick off the fundraising campaign, I’ve donated a signed rugby jersey.”

The trust is an independent charity bringing opportunities to disadvantaged communities, encouraging health and activity, and safeguarding and improving the rich heritage and environments of Scotland’s canals.

Sunset at Southbank Marina. PHOTO: EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL THE ever-popular Kirkintilloch Canal Festival brought family fun and entertainment to the town, on the Forth & Clyde Canal, from August 14-20.

Activities during the week-long event included on-the-water Champagne breakfasts and children’s story time, Get Active Saturday with activities

in and around Southbank Marina, culminating in an evening of live music and fireworks with Gala Sunday bringing the festival to a close with pirates, puppets and model planes among the many highlights.

Coun Gillian Renwick, deputy council leader, said: “It was a great

weekend for all the family, with a huge range of fun for people of all ages.” The annual festival is organised

by East Dunbartonshire Council in partnership with local organisations and businesses, including Scottish Canals, the Seagull Trust, and the Forth and Clyde Canal Society.

Inaugural Glasgow Canal Festival introduces dragon boat racing GLASGOW’S first dragon boat race took place at the inaugural canal festival held recently at Applecross Basin on the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Scotland’s Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, was one of many competing in the race.

As well as on-the-water activity, visitors to the festival enjoyed guided cycle rides, canal archaeology, skateboarding, parkour and more sedate entertainment such as origami boat design.

In recent years this area of the canal, which stretches into central Glasgow, has been the location for a new cultural quarter featuring the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and the Whisky Bond creative workspace.

Close by is Scotland’s only urban white-water course, Pinkston Watersports, and Glasgow Wakeboard Park.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf takes part in the inaugural Glasgow Canal Festival dragon boat race.

PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

ON SCOTTISH WATERS with Cicely Oliver 105

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Thomas Telford’s most westerly work celebrated at Port Logan

The new board remembering Thomas Telford and his work at the port.

Thomas Telford’s causeway, pier and bell tower at Port Logan, the canal-builder’s most westerly work. PHOTOS: HUGH DOUGHERTY

By Hugh Dougherty

MAINLAND Britain’s most westerly engineering project designed by Thomas Telford has been celebrated at Port Logan, in Dumfries and Galloway, where the Mull of Galloway Trust has erected an information board in the great engineer’s honour.

Thomas Telford (1757-1834) was asked by local landowner, Colonel McDouall, to design a causeway, harbour and bell tower at the Galloway village in 1818, as McDouall wanted to develop Port Logan as a major Irish ferry post.

Despite thousands of Irish head of cattle being unloaded at the pier in the mid-1800s, the arrival

of the railway in Stranraer in 1860 killed off the harbour’s long-term future as an Irish port.

The causeway, harbour and bell tower have survived to the present day and Port Logan harbour is popular with leisure and fishing craft.

The new board was unveiled at the end of July, following a two-day festival celebrating the life

and times of Dumfrieshire-born Thomas Telford, first president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, who was responsible for many of the engineering marvels of his age.

These included the Caledonian Canal and the Ellesmere Canal, as well as main roads across the United Kingdom and the Menai Suspension Bridge.

Work to safeguard Caledonian Canal’s 200-year-old Ness Weir A MAJOR refurbishment of the 200-year-old Thomas Telford-built Ness Weir on the Caledonian Canal should be completed by the end of October.

The £2 million Scottish Government-funded project will see the weir, which sits at the mouth of Loch Dochfour and the River Ness, reinforced with 500m of steel piling to strengthen the structure and safeguard it for future generations.

Constructed between 1825 and 1830, the weir raises the

water level of Loch Dochfour by almost two metres and Loch Ness by 1.2 metres and retains around 100,000,000 cu m of water.

This enables vessels to transit through Dochgarroch lock, through Loch Dochfour, and into Loch Ness.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government is delighted to support this fantastic project which will ensure the future of the Ness Weir as an important historic asset.

The Thomas Telford-designed Ness Weir is being reinforced with more than 500m of steel piling to safeguard the structure for future generations.

“We will continue to support Scottish Canals in maintaining these important national assets for future generations. The recent investment in our canals has led to local communities across Scotland gaining pride again in their canals, leading to increased use, improved safety, leisure and community-based activity for all to enjoy.”

Part of the project involves the installation of a temporary fish pass linking the River Ness and the mouth of Loch Dochfour. This will ensure continued upstream and downstream movement of fish while the existing pass is blocked off for installation of the strengthening piles.

Scottish Canals is liaising with SEPA and the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board throughout the project to ensure the habitat’s fish population is unaffected by the works.

Richard Millar, director of infrastructure at Scottish Canals, said: “This project will safeguard one of the Caledonian’s most important engineering structures, ensuring the rich built heritage of Thomas Telford’s Ness Weir is cared for into the next century

A £2 million project to extend the lifespan of the Caledonian Canal’s historic Ness Weir should be completed by the end of October. PHOTOS: SCOTTISH CANALS. and beyond.” Due to the large scale of the works, the canal towpath between Tomnahurich Swing Bridge and Dochgarroch Lock will be closed to the public until the completion of the

project. The opposite towpath will remain open for use.

The closed towpath will be repaired at the end of the project, removing potholes and improving the surface for all

users. This towpath is expected to be reopened by the middle of December this year.

The works are not expected to have any impact on boat traffic.

106 TOWPATH TREASURES

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Limehouse Basin The world’s gateway to inland Britain

Words: PHILLIPPA GREENWOOD Images: MARTINE O’CALLAGHAN

ITS name comes from Les Lymhoost, the 14th-century lime kilns on the river, and its fame comes from its service to an Empire.

Limehouse Basin links the Regent’s Canal to the River Thames, and when it opened in 1820, it was the world’s gateway to more than 2000 miles of inland waterways reaching across Britain – and it’s still fabulously navigable today.

London’s Docklands, and the stylish Canary Wharf with its beanstalk offices, peep over the shoulder of Limehouse Basin. It’s a skyline that shares a goosebumped history of ocean-going vessels

Commercial Road Lock on the Regent’s Canal.

arriving with new exotic fruits and fancies from faraway places.

At Limehouse Basin, goods were loaded and unloaded to and from smaller boats that could travel along the canals that linked London to Birmingham. The basin doesn’t dress up and pretend to be a tourist hotspot, but it attracts wide-eyed travellers with its own version of an East End drama.

Limehouse was the first China Town in London, and in Victorian times it became a notorious den for opium and illegal gambling. Just off the canal, a

Canary Wharf overlooking Limehouse Basin.

short walk from Limehouse Basin, the Ragged School Museum is the place to see how the Victorians educated their East End children. It was once the largest Ragged (free) school and was set up by Dr Barnardo.

When the Docklands closed in the 1960s, Limehouse Basin had to find new purpose. In an amazing transformation, the area is now stylish glass and steel waterside living, with pubs and cafes.

A 90-berth marina adds authenticity and interest to the water and the tidal Thames is told to behave itself beyond the basin.

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The Towpath Angler

Our monthly look at the angling scene

Adapted extract from Britain’s Canals, A National Treasure in 100 Must-See Objects by Phillippa Greenwood and Martine O’Callaghan – published by Coolcanals July 2012. www.coolcanals.com

I INITIALLY thought August may turn out to be a quiet month. Not quite. To be fair while there were very few meetings there were some big competitions, all of which required lots of last-minute attention.

Thankfully they went very well, especially Angling Trust’s Division 1 National Championship on the Shropshire Union around Market Drayton. The canal fished pretty well, producing a close finish in the team event with only two points separating the champions and runners-up.

The chief executives of both Angling Trust and the Canal & River Trust attended in the afternoon and saw a bit of fishing and some of the weigh-in. I think both thoroughly enjoyed their visit and, without doubt, the anglers were very pleased to see them.

David Kent

Canal pairs A Docklands Light Railway train passes the hydraulic accumulator tower which was used to power the cranes at Limehouse Basin between 1869 and the 1920s.

Next big one for me is the final of the AT/CRT Canal Pairs Championship scheduled for October 21 on my local Erewash Canal. There will be more than 50 pairs competing for this prestigious title, having battled their way through from qualifying events all across the CRT network and also Ireland and Scotland.

Encouragingly there will be a junior event on the same day when, hopefully, we will see more than 20 youngsters taking part. In keeping with previous finals there will be loads of prizes to be handed out at the post-match presentation.

Most arrangements for the big day are in place although some vegetation clearance work on some of the pegs is still outstanding, making it impossible for the qualifying anglers to put in some practice here.

Hopefully we will see a resolution of this problem within the next few days.

Water clarity

It has been interesting listening to comments from some of those anglers visiting the canal for the first time. They are quite shocked to see that it resembles the proverbial tap water rather than the very turbid colour of the heavily navigated canals.

This is nothing new. I have now fished the canal for 60 years and it has never been any different. The one downside is that the extreme water clarity means there is always more weed growth. That said, the weed does provide cover for the fish and there are absolutely loads of fish to catch.

As an example of this, when the Division 1 National came to the Erewash a few years ago more than 80% of the anglers in the downstream two sections recorded over 1kg.

The bridge over Limehouse Cut.

Education and enforcement

FACT FILE Links from Limehouse Limehouse Basin used to be known as Regent’s Canal Dock. In one corner, the Regent’s Canal leaves the basin heading north and then west past Hoxton, King’s Cross, Camden and Regent’s Park to join the Grand Union Canal Paddington Arm at Little Venice, before eventually joining the Grand Union Canal main line at Bull’s Bridge and heading north towards Birmingham and The Midlands.

In the other corner of the basin, the Limehouse Cut creates a short cut to the River Lea, Three Mills and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk The Grapes Take a wander around Limehouse Basin and down to where it meets the Thames. One of the oldest pubs in London overlooks the river there – Charles Dickens was a patron and wrote about it in Our Mutual Friend. www.thegrapes.co.uk Ragged School Museum The museum is set in three canalside buildings which were originally warehouses for goods being transported along the Regent’s Canal.

The Ragged School Museum Trust founded the museum to make the history of the Ragged Schools and the broader social history of the Victorian East End accessible to all. www.raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk

Location Regent’s Canal, London.

OS Grid ref: OS TQ363809 Canal/river: Where the Regent’s Canal and the Limehouse Cut meet the River Thames.

How to get there By train Nearest DLR/railway station is Limehouse Transport for London www.tfl.gov.uk By bus Traveline 0871 200 2233 By car No parking available so best to arrive via public transport.

On foot The paths in and around Limehouse are always busy with walkers and cyclists.

Boat trips Bow Boat Company offer boat trips from Limehouse Basin along both the Regent’s Canal and the Limehouse Cut. www.bowboatcompany.com Moorings There are visitor moorings in Limehouse Basin Marina.

Local Tourist info Visit London Tourist Info www.visitlondon.com Canal & River Trust Use the Canal & River Trust website to find specific local information. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

While walking my own club’s section last week looking at the state of some of the pegs in readiness for the final I must have been passed by more than 50 cyclists. Some

Tough conditions for 490 on the Shroppie THE Angling Trust’s Division One National Championships attracted 49 teams to the Shropshire Union Canal around Market Drayton where the 490 competitors met some rather changeable conditions.

They had to endure high winds and torrential downpours so the canal did not show its full potential.

However, despite the low weights only two blanks were recorded.

Tactics on the day revolved mainly around three lines; a short line for silvers on bread or squatt, down the track on worms and bigger baits for the perch and skimmers and then one tight across to pick up a few fish that had backed off with the extra foot and boat traffic on the day.

The tough conditions did however make for a very competitive match, with only a few points separating the top teams. It was only at the (livestreamed) results that Ted Carter Southport realised they’d edged out Maver by only three points, taking the crown of Division One National Champions and the opportunity to fish the FIPSed World Club Championships in Hungary.

On the Individual front, the previous week’s winning peg from the Individual National threw up the winner for this match as well. The lucky angler to draw F35 at Cheswardine this week was Sensas Starlets man, Ed Warren, who recorded a winning weight of 9.180kg.

Second place went to Barnsley’s Frankie Gianoncelli who drew end peg K1 by the bridge at Coole Lane where he caught roach, big perch and a couple of eels for 7.120kg. Maver Midlands’ Steve Broome took third place with 6.650kg from peg E15 at Little Soudley.

rang their bell, others shouted as they approached, some even said thank you when I stood to one side to let them pass but, worryingly, none of them dismounted let alone slowed down in keeping with the philosophy of the Share this Space -Drop your Pace campaign.

Clearly the education, education, education approach appears to be failing. As a couple of other pedestrians said to me: “It is no longer a pleasure to walk the towpaths” and there was not a single angler in sight!

Sadly enforcement is the only language some people understand so perhaps a combination of education and enforcement should be the next step.

Unsettled weather

I keep saying this but the weather continues to affect the sport. For some time now and, it seems, for some time to come the Atlantic dominates things producing periods of unsettled, often wild, weather variations. A short time ago we had around 30 hours of continuous rain. Drops in water temperature as much as six degrees were recorded.

Despite this, match results around the canals are not too bad at all, with bream and perch seemingly forming the bulk of the better catches.

Now that my national organisational commitments are almost done for the year I can focus on my own fishing more. At the time of writing I am preparing for the Water Industry Coarse Angling Championship on the River Calder later in September. It is years since I fished there so despite my advancing years I am really looking forward to the change. I will let you know how I fared next month.

Tight lines.

Let’s fish

National Fishing Month (NFM), which concluded on September 3, proved to be a major attraction at events throughout the country. The ‘Let’s Fish’ campaign, run in conjunction with the Canal & River Trust, recorded a number of successful events.

Psychotherapist and activist Salma Yaqoob, who is passionate about social justice and mental health issues, later tweeted: “I didn’t know we could go fishing in Brum canals. It’s been a great experience, would definitely recommend!’’

PHOTO SUPPLIED

108 WET WEB

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The Wet Web Helen Gazeley looks at the impact of controversial plans to sell part of Ely’s riverbank.

WHAT constitutes the best value for taxpayers? It’s a question that bears examination, given the furore which has blown up over the Environment Agency’s decision, revealed last month, to sell three riverbank moorings in Ely, which it describes as ‘surplus to its operational requirements’.

According to Government rules, disposals should achieve the ‘best value for taxpayers’.

The EA’s widely reported decision impacts on three significant waterway businesses, with whom the EA says it has been in discussion since 2016: “All the business owners have

The boating fraternity plays an important part in the life of the city of Ely. PHOTO: VISIT ELY

had an opportunity to bid for all of the lots on offer. We have taken measures to mitigate the immediate effect on the businesses should their bids not be successful, which will allow them to make alternative plans.”

At the end of August, the East Anglian Waterways Association (EAWA) fired off a letter expressing its concerns, requesting that the sale should be halted until those concerns had been properly addressed and reserving the right to start injunctive proceedings to halt or delay the sale and go for a judicial review.

David Mercer, EAWA secretary, said: “We consider the Environment Agency's proposals to dispose of such a vital and significant waterway asset for short-term capital gain as a clear and unacceptable derogation of its statutory duties.”

These statutory duties include maintenance of navigation channels and one might be forgiven for thinking that the EA has it in for its Anglian area. At the beginning of this year, the IWA warned that minutes of a meeting between the EA and CRT revealed that the EA said that funding cuts could lead to the closure of rivers to navigation.

Now, the EA has announced its intention to increase boat registration charges by 7.5%, almost 2% more than for charges on the Thames. (Pity the River Medway boaters, too, who face charge increases of 10%.)

Part of the river frontage in Ely that EA intends to sell. PHOTO COURTESY BRIDGE BOATYARD

Shrinking budget

According to its customer consultation (http://bit. ly/2gWqyEk), these charges are intended to maintain existing levels of funding for all aspects of the navigation service because, although it receives funding from several different sources, one of them, the Government navigation grant-in-aid (GiA), has fallen dramatically over the last three years, from nearly £1,600,000 in 2015/16 to £600,000 for the current year, with another cut expected for 2018/19.

“This has resulted,” the EA writes, “in a shrinking budget for our navigation service, as our spending must match our income. Additionally, overall Government funding for the Environment Agency has also declined.” This reduced income, the EA explains, means that maintenance and

repairs will be favoured over capital projects, adding: “The increases to the 2018/19 boat registration charges, alongside other measures, will provide a small but necessary contribution towards greater financial sustainability, and stability, for our service.”

The response of the EAWA is robust (http://bit.ly/2eQAETj) and takes on the EA’s statements point by point, including an answer to one of the four consultation questions: “If we were not to increase charges, what elements of the service would you be prepared to see reduce or stop?”

“The question, by nature,” replies the EAWA, “reveals an entirely negative approach and exposes the current unacceptable and commercially nonsensical thinking within the authority.” The EAWA points out

that among the Environment Agency Anglian region’s statutory duties is the promotion of recreational navigation.

This all begs the question of why, by its proposed sale of the three riverbank lots in Ely, the EA is jeopardising the 45-yearold company Bridge Boatyard (the only holiday boat hire company on the River Ouse, www.bridgeboatyard.com/ guide.htm), as well as the boat restorers The Boat Yard (the-boat-yard.co.uk) and hotel barge Waternimf (www. riverretreats.co.uk).

For a short-term result of an estimated sale fee of £195,000, future revenue is jettisoned and three businesses in a city where the boating industry is an important component in attracting visitors hang in the balance. Can this possibly provide best value for taxpayers?

Do you have a favourite blog or website? Email Helen at helengazeley@aol.com

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TALKBACK

Your chance to write to us on any Towpath topic: Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk

I FIND myself in total disagreement with Stephen Rees-Jones regarding the mechanisation of the Lower Heyford Lift Bridge (Talkback, Issue 142, August).

I have been plying the South Oxford (mostly single-handed) for some time now and have found the Lower Heyford Lift Bridge to be an ugly, heavy, ill-balanced beast of a bridge to operate. When single handed it is extremely difficult to lift and put a pole under, as there is no access to the side with the ‘balance arms’.

When with crew it would take two crew members to pull the lift bridge into passing mode and then sit on the arms to hold it down.

I thoroughly welcome the Canal & River Trust’s initiative to mechanise the bridge.

I can only assume that when Stephen last went by it was an old wooden bridge, not the aluminium monstrosity of recent times.

Colin North Nb Constance

An ill-balanced beast of a bridge

Article brought back happy memories I WAS very excited to receive a message from a friend who had seen your recent piece about my grandparents, Shirley and Laurence Hobson and really enjoyed reading the article (Cutnotes, Issue 142, August).

It brought back many good memories from attending National Waterways Festivals around this time of year and

of course, many happy weeks spent on the canals with my grandparents aboard Pegasus too. It genuinely brought a lot of happiness to me and lots of family members to see their smiling faces in print and read such kind and positive words about them, so thank you for that!

You’ll be pleased to know

that while Pegasus hasn’t been used much in recent years, it is still in the family and currently being renewed for use on the water once again. We hope to get out on it again for Shirley and Laurence’s traditional Christmas cruise on the canals of Yorkshire this year.

Ben Hobson By email

Lucky to have such good help following July 13 breakdown WE HAVE just this weekend returned to our moorings at Sileby Mill on the River Soar after a six-week cruise to Bedford via the River Nene and the River Ouse. Our thanks for completion of this cruise must go to Nb Poppy and Steve from RCR. Why? Well on Thursday, July 13 (bound to be the 13th, wasn’t it!), we had filled the water tank, emptied the loo and checked the headlamp before heading to Crick Tunnel. Everything was fine until about 200 yards from the end when there was a smell of burning rubber and the engine went phutt, phutt, phutt, burr and stopped.

Tried to start the engine again, nothing, crashed into wall, no boats about so only thing to do was leg it. Well boat hook it actually as we didn’t have a pole (another mistake). Grandson Ollie stood on the tiller trying to keep it straight as I dragged our boat out of the tunnel with the boat hook. Still no boats about either way. Just got to the entrance when a boat came the other way – not much help. Managed

to get myself on to the towpath and tried to bow haul the boat, only to get stuck in the bridge hole.

Along comes the cavalry in the form of Poppy.

They towed us to Bridge 8 with Pauline on the helm; a new experience for her pretending to be a butty.

Finally arrived at Bridge 8 and Poppy carried on their journey with our thanks. Rang RCR and along came Steve to sort us out. It didn’t take him long to find the problem – a fuel filter full of water. By 2.30pm we were on our way again and heading to the queue at Watford top lock.

Our thanks again go to the crew of Poppy and the expert diagnosis of Steve from RCR. The rest of the cruise, we’re pleased to say, went ahead without any other major malfunctions.

John (Rush), Pauline, Ollie and Bethan Nb Cor Blimey!

PS The delays at the top of the Watford flight on that day were not our fault.

How not to moor your boat!

Simon Barnes snapped this narrowboat moored to a tree on the Llangollen Canal at Chirk.

Here today…

THE sign pictured last month at Shardlow (Talkback, Issue 143, September) has since been

removed and only the post remains, according to David Osborn who sent us the photo.

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CRACKER’S CHAT

Autumnal towpath ramblings straight from the horse’s mouth “Rotten people and beams, borrowed iron gates and HLF success”

VANDALISM and wanton destruction, no matter where it occurs, is totally uncalled for, unforgivable and unfortunately a sad reflection on today’s society.

Earlier in the year we saw repeated attacks on wooden lock gate beams being sawn through. Thankfully it wasn’t on the Monty, but there’s no place where such behaviour is acceptable.

Whether it’s merely a ramped-up version of doggy-do bag dumping, litterlouting or fly-tipping, the intentional damaging of property deserves to be appropriately retributed.

As Gilbert & Sullivan’s Mikado dictated: “Let the punishment fit the crime.” If the perpetrators are ever caught, a long, hard-labour term of timber felling equipped with a blunt, junior hacksaw while dressed only in a short-sleeved lumberjack shirt should fit the bill!

Although the above crimes are perpetrated by man, Mother Nature is capable of delivering her own despicable initiatives. At the time of writing, hurricanes in the West Indies

The Thomas Telford-designed and William Hazeldine-built lock gates

and America are wreaking untold levels of destruction. On a more local level, and over a more protracted period of time, she has carried out a much less severe but equally damaging degree of demolition.

I am referring to the insidious decay caused by dry rot in wooden lock-gate beams. Visitors to Aston bottom and middle locks on the Monty will witness evidence of such encroachment.

The foot-square beams have been reduced to the consistency of Grandma’s sponge cake. Although they’ve been reinforced with steel plates, this is obviously a short-term, palliative repair.

Iron solution

One of our greatest engineers, Thomas Telford, foresaw this problem two centuries ago, when he designed and installed iron gates and beams on the Monty. They were built by the renowned Shropshire iron master, William Hazeldine, who was also involved with the casting of sections for other great projects, such as the Ditherington Flax Mill, the Chirk and Pontcysyllte aqueducts and the Menai bridge.

Coupled with the ingenuity of George Watson Buck and his unique horizontal paddle system, they would have stood the test of time far better than their balsa wood counterparts.

So, who took ’em out and replaced ’em with wooden ’uns? Moreover, what happened to the metal ’uns – I blame the Steptoes, but not Hercules their ’orse!

The last remaining pair were relocated at Stoke Bruerne.

If and when you do visit Aston Locks, please peer over the overgrown and badly-in-need-of-trimming hedge and stand in wonder at the noise levels and degree of excavation taking place on the extension to the existing nature reserve. The heavy plant (and I don’t mean giant rhubarb) is constructing a gigantic flora and fauna haven for our ‘endangered’ newts, orchids and floating water plantain.

The land acquisition, secured on

A happy group of HLF passengers (and me) supported by a reinforced gate beam at Aston Locks! PHOTOS SUPPLIED a 50-year lease from a local farmer, and the construction contractors have swallowed up the lion’s share of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which could have been used to greater effect by extending the canal further towards Newtown. I trust that no newts are being harmed during the extensive and disruptive diggings!

Living history

One aspect of the HLF project that has shown immediate and grass-roots level success is the take-up of the community activities. They are multi-various and include traditional woodworking skills, art, angling, photography, walking, canoeing and, last but not least, horsedrawn boat trips!

My contribution to this initiative was to provide informative and educational cruises for deserving groups, to experience the ‘living history’ of canal life. You will have noticed that I used the past tense, because my team and I have

achieved our target of 10 such trips – in fact we’ve exceeded it!

The even better news is that funding is in place for the next three years to run these excursions during the summer season. They are timetabled at about two per month, and to register your interest, just drop me an email quoting ‘HLF’.

These trips are supported by the HLF and, as such, are ‘free’. All we ask is that you make up a full boat of 12 people, fill in a feedback form and tell your friends about ME! Finally, by the time you read this, the Maesbury Canal Fayre will have taken place. Irrespective of the weather (even I am not prepared to predict the vagaries of this), all-comers were enchanted by the tranquil delights of one of the most picturesque stretches of our canal system. Long may it continue to thrive and until next time, may your bucket be full of whatever you desire.

Love, Cracker

Canal boats, private and hire, are getting ever more sophisticated but there is a definite need for the hire industry to bring back the more affordable camping-style boat that would attract younger hirers.

Mark Tizard, vice-chairman of the National Association of Boat Owners (NABO), comments on more topical issues. trend can be reversed.

Boaters are fairly easy to please: depth to cruise, locks that work, services that are maintained and emptied and depth to moor. These are the stats I would like to see in the annual report.

Harder challenge

A far harder challenge is to attract younger boaters on to the canals. There has been so much in the media about the increase of boats in London purely as a reaction to the shortage of housing.

I hope and believe there is among them also a growing group who are primarily attracted to the lifestyle (and not just a boat as cheap accommodation). Hopefully they will be encouraged to explore the wider canal system which has so much to offer. A challenge for CRT I know, but this is an initiative that could help

● If you would like to comment on any of Cracker’s remarks, please get in touch on 07841 429980, via email at hello@ bywatercruises.co.uk or on Twitter @bywater_holiday or follow him on Facebook under BoatHorseCracker. www.bywatercruises.com

TOWPATH TITTER

Keeping the channels open THIS year I have been fortunate to spend much more time on the boat than previous years and two things have struck me. The first was the noticeable increase in wide beams on the Southern Grand Union and the noticeable lack of younger boaters (private or hire).

Wide beams like narrowboats come in all shapes and sizes, some attractive and some not – but I’m all for this diversity. My only concern is that due to the lack of water depth and vegetation management, I am finding it harder to safely pass.

If the number of wide beams increases then in my view so should the Canal & River Trust’s need to dredge to a profile that takes this into account.

So, more dredging please – yet I note in CRT’s latest annual report some £900,000 less was spent on dredging this year than last. I sincerely hope this

The George Watson Buck horizontal paddle system.

CONTINUING our light-hearted look at life on the cut with this sign snapped

by Phil Pickin at the Middlewich FAB Festival.

Complex consulting secure the future of the canals beyond being a preserve for the retired.

We recently took our grandchildren (13 and 11) for a week’s holiday and they loved the exercise, changing scenery and pubs. Not once did the TV or DVD go on and the internet was forgotten. They are already booked next year but I doubt in a few years they would be able to afford to hire with their friends as I once did.

We met two families with young children sharing a 70ft hire boat having a great time but it had cost more than £2000 and they were reflecting on whether this was value for money given the gamble being made on the English weather.

Lastly, a friend with no knowledge of boating was amazed at the complex and time-consuming licence consulting process. He reminded me that it’s unheard of for any organisation not to have a pretty clear idea of their preferred outcome and referred me to this extract from the Cabinet Office Consultation principles: https://www. gov.uk/government/publications/ consultation-principles-guidance: “Be clear what questions you are asking and limit the number of questions to those that are necessary. Make them easy to understand and easy to answer.”

By the time you read this you should have been contacted for your views; let’s hope it’s just a couple of simple questions.

Does she come with a guarantee?

If you have a suitable photo or anecdote we can share with our readers, please send it to Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR or email: editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk And don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter @ towpathtalk and on Facebook

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